Lord I Believe in You by Jericah

I am so proud of my cousin Jericah. My mom and aunt took this video when they visited Hawaii. Jericah often sings in their church. She's a very smart and talented young lady. I admire her for being humble and sweet. I love you cuz! Keep singing for the Lord. =)

The Atlantis Bridge Suite

I came across a list of the most expensive hotels in the world and number one on the list is the Atlantis Bridge Suite of the Atlantis Hotel. What you see in the middle of the two towers is the famous "bridge suite".

The Atlantis Bridge Suite has the distinction of being the most expensive hotel suite in the world - a whopping $25,000 a night. Found on Paradise Island, Bahamas. The Bridge Suite is located on top of a bridge that connects the two Royal Towers buildings, so it overlooks the entire resort and marina.

The ten-room suite is decorated in red, black and gold (lots of gold) and comes with its own butler, bar lounge and entertainment center as well as 12-foot ceilings. The master bedroom has a sitting area, his-and-hers closets, and hand-painted linens. The bathrooms have chaise lounges, marble baths, and dolphin fixtures. For those who are picky about their personal space, there are two separate master bathrooms. The kitchen also has its own entrance so the butler or cook never bothers you.

So, do you feel like spending $25,000 for one night?

A Second Chance

"Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry." (2 Timothy 4:11)

Bertrand Russell, the British philosopher, once remarked that "One should always keep an open mind, but not so open that one's brains fall out." To give irresponsible people a second (or third, or hundredth) chance is often to risk the loss of some gray matter—or worse. But it can also be the right and sensible thing to do.

Mark, later to author the gospel of Mark, had accompanied his uncle, Barnabas, and the Apostle Paul on a ministry journey that had taken them into Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). But for reasons unknown, he abandoned the group just when they were to enter the dangerous midlands and returned to his home in Jerusalem. Paul could not forgive him, and when Barnabas suggested they take Mark on the next journey, there was such a disagreement between them that Barnabas and Paul parted company (see Acts 15:36-39). Mark was out—until, from within a Roman prison, Paul opened his mind and gave him a second chance.

Sometimes we decide that a person is to be kept out of our circle. He wronged me . . . She betrayed my confidence . . . They have proven to be unworthy of my trust. And we think we are being strong in holding to our resolution. But stubbornness is a weak imitation of strength. Dostoyevsky said, "The cleverest person of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month." Paul was wise enough finally to call himself a fool about this issue, and he called for Mark to rejoin him. Our opinion about another person never contains the whole truth, or the only truth.

My dad once relented on a family rule about no competitive sports on Sundays to let me play in the city championship hockey game. As he drove me to the rink, I asked why he had changed his mind. "Sometimes we make up rules just to keep from having to make decisions," he said. Our resolve not to forgive serves the same purpose. Then we do not need to re-think a decision, re-do a relationship or re-live a hurt. Sometimes we refuse to allow *ourselves* a second chance because we lack the courage to try, to risk failing again. We lack hope.

A second chance made sense to Paul, and he offered it. It meant everything to Mark, and he took it. Both found that it is never too late to be what you might have been.

By Dr. Michael A. Halleen

Maximizing Our Internet Connection

Having an internet connection at home is something that every member of our family enjoys. My husband uses the internet to advertise online. My son uses it to play recreational and educational online games but I guess I am the one who benefits from it the most. I get to talk to my family in the states anytime I want and see them on webcam. It's less expensive than talking to them on the phone. Our time in the internet is unlimited so we do not need to rush. We can prolong the conversation without worrying about the bill.

I also get to earn money through blogging. It's such a great blessing that I am able earn money while inside my own house. I can even research about our topics in school through the net. But the best thing is that I can search for almost any product that I desire to buy. I can easily compare their prices and I can buy them online, if I want to.

The internet has its advantages and disadvantages but I think it all depends on the person using it. Students can easily access online encyclopedias and other sites where they can get the information that they need. Fresh college graduates can easily find jobs and can even apply without having to leave their homes. Working individuals and those who are in the field of business can find great opportunities to make their careers and businesses more successful. Even those people who go through financial crisis can find solutions in the internet. One helpful site I have encountered offers credit cards for people with bad credit. People who think they are hopeless can solve their problems with just a few mouse clicks.

The internet also provides a faster and less expensive way of getting in touch with your loved ones, whether they are just a few steps or miles away from you. It's very convenient for our family to have this internet connection. This has become a necessity for us.

Daddy, Happy Father's Day!

Over the years

As we grow old,

We remember our father

So brave and bold.

In the garden,

Leaning on the plow,

He would listen to me;

I see him now.

He would give advice

And understand;

He was always there

To lend a hand.

God made fathers

Strong and firm,

For he knew our lives

Would have great concerns.

So he gave us fathers

To teach us to pray,

And guide our lives,

And show us the way.

So on his day

Let's take the time

To say, "Thanks Dad, I'm glad you're mine."

Thanks Dad for all your sacrifices, for being a good provider, for being a loving and very supportive father. I will forever be thankful to God for giving me wonderful parents. I love you so much. I miss hugging you. I miss your recipes and I miss our shopping time. I miss everything about you Dad. Happy Father's Day!

Happy Birthday Glenda!

(Digi likes this picture of yours, he wants me to upload this in his accounts)

My sister Glenda... She is my mirror, shining back at me with a world of possibilities. She is my witness, who sees me at my worst and best, and loves me anyway. She is my partner in crime, my midnight companion, someone who knows when I'm smiling, even in the dark. She is my teacher, my defense attorney, my personal press agent, even my shrink. Some days, she's the reason I wish I am only child.

Happy Birthday Gleng! I thank the Lord for giving you another year to experience His goodness and love. Thank you for being a sweet, thoughtful, patient and understanding sister to me. You, Geejay and Gabo are great blessings God has given me. I miss our "kulitan" time. I miss your hugs and kisses. May you remain strong and happy for the rest of your life. I'm always here for you, no matter what. May the Lord bless you in a very special way. I love you sis! I'll see you soon. =)

Thoughts for Today

My first week in school ended yesterday. We already met our professors and each day was an orientation day for every subject. I honestly am threatened with our subjects for this semester. We will be having our RLE (Related Learning Experiences) once a week. RLE is associated with our Primary Health Care subject wherein we will visit hospitals, health centers and some areas here in Metro Manila to apply the things that we will learn in this subject such as getting vital signs and assessing a patient's physical condition.

We also have our Anatomy-Physiology this semester and we were asked to read two chapters during the first meeting. A lot of terms were new to me but I find the human anatomy very interesting. I never thought I'd be interested with this subject. I never want to take up any medical related course when I was young. My mom would certainly be glad to know that I'm liking it now. Anyway, I purchased the book yesterday and browsed through its pages last night and I don't know if it's possible to memorize all of the body parts, sections and regions.

Students from higher years said that our Anatomy professor who happens to be a surgeon is one of the best professors in our school. He is a bit tactless though, one comment he said about me during our first meeting was inappropriate but I know he's just being himself. So, no big deal! I enjoyed our first class discussion anyway. Besides, his comment made me realize how God has been good to me all these years and I am even more determined to reach for my dreams and do my best to bring glory to His name. My goal is not only to get good grades but to set an example to my classmates and schoolmates.

I have made really foolish decisions at a very early age and I know that there will be lifetime consequences that come with those wrong decisions but I am thankful to have known the Lord and I know that by His grace and mercy, I'll be victorious. Having a personal relationship with Him is what makes me the person I am now. I could never rely on my own strength because a lot of times, it fails! I am hoping that somehow, people would see how God changed my life and that they would come to know the Lord as their Lord and personal Savior through me.

Describe Yourself Today

A tag I grabbed from Sheryll.

Rules:
1. List 6 things that describe yourself today.
2. Add your blog to the list. Feel free to add all your other blogs.
3. Tag other online friends you know.

This is me today:
1. excited to go to school very early in the morning because my first subject is Anatomy-Physiology
2. disappointed with one of our clinical instructors
3. enjoyed a great meal at Jollibee with my college friends
4. excited to go home and check if there are job opportunities available for me
5. waiting for approval from payperpost
6. hate the weather..it's so hot!!!! i feel like I'm inside the oven wherever I go

Links:Creative In Me, Little Peanut, Me and Mine, Pea in a Pod, Sugar Magnolias, BLOGGERHAPPY, Berry Scrappy, Changing Lanes, Pit Stop, Kapturd, and so i am, Princess Bela, Our Journey To Life, My Planet Purple, Women xplore, Princess Vien, A Pcketful Of Happiness, As We Face Forever, Our Family Adventure, I am Overjoyed, Strawberries and Vanilla

I'm tagging: Jennie , Egie , Yvelle , Tricia

Saved by His Credit Card

I, my husband and my brother-in-law enjoy late night conversations about our families, relatives, work, school and our future plans as individuals. Two nights ago, our topic was about what happened recently with my brother-in-law, Dan. He is in his early twenties and is currently unemployed. He was asked to leave the company he used to work for due to his absences, despite legitimate reasons.

I can't describe how depressed he has become since he lost his job. He worked for the company as a trainer for English instructors for a year and a half and he was asked to leave the company without prior warning. His job enabled him to give financial support for their widowed mom and their siblings. He has other financial obligations so I understand how hard it was for him to lose his job.

But his credit cards came to the rescue! He was left with little savings in his bank account so the plastics really helped him get through the tough times. I still remember my husband's advice to my brother in law a year ago about getting a credit card. He explained to his brother why a young adult needs to build credit. He mentioned specific ways on how to build credit and warned him also that credit can be a useful tool but it can also get you into trouble if you're not careful. He also discussed to him things about credit card balance transfer, credit cards with no annual fees and even the rewards that goes with it.

Dan wasn't so sure at first if he really needs it. It took him quite a while before he finally decided to apply for the first card. Now, he has two. I'm glad he was able to use them to buy really important things. Well, I believe credit cards can be very beneficial, provided you use it wisely.

Pictures from an Old Memory Card

Digi and I at the Sta. Lucia Bowling Center

This is me.. Minus the accumulated adipose tissues I now have! =)

This is Gerard when he was 6 years old.

My sister Glenda, without her baby fats. I love you sis!

Ms. Minchin Congo Grille with Higgayon Band

Earning Money Through A Hobby

In my previous blogs, I've been quite vocal about our family's financial struggle for the past months. My husband encountered some difficulties concerning our family business and I am currently unable to help him with the expenses because I am studying again and taking up nursing. I am in my second year now.

Our son is in 4th grade and we obviously need money for our financial obligations. Everyday, we are faced with immediate and urgent needs. We need to pay for the rent, utility bills, our son's school fees and we need money to buy food. Prices of goods increase almost every month and we can't just sit and do nothing about it.

I have thought of ways to earn money so I could help my husband provide for our daily needs but I always end up undecided because with my hectic schedule as a student, I know it wouldn't be advisable to apply for a job away from home. I already have major subjects which are necessary for my course and I can't compromise my academic performance. Plus, I have a family to attend to.

Fortunately, a good friend of mine, Jennie, told me about her online money making experiences and how she earns money by just doing one of her hobbies - blogging! She introduced to me some blog paying sites. I've been waiting for approvals for three weeks now and I am glad to announce that today, my blog was approved by payperpost! I am now an official Postie! (that's how they call their bloggers)

PayPerPost is an incredible new self-service marketplace that allows you to get paid to blog about the products, services and websites you love. You give your honest opinion about products and services and get paid for it! What I like about PayPerPost is the good compensation they give for quality blogs. You also get updates on open opportunities through email so you can grab job opportunities right away!


I am so glad to be given this chance to blog, give my opinion about anything and everything under the sun, review products, learn about things I haven't even heard before, then get paid for it. Now, I can study, attend to my family's needs then earn money all at the same time. What a blessing!

To My Dearest Baby Brother

I hope you had a wonderful celebration. Sorry for the late post. I miss you and I love you so much Gabriel! I'm always here for you little bro!

Incredible and Unusual Restaurants in the World

Kinderkookkafe Amsterdam, Netherlands - Serving staff consists only of children. O’Noir Montreal, Canada - You will eat in darkness, sometimes with blind waiters.
Dinner in the Sky Brussel, Belgium - Lunch table with guests suspended in the air.
Modern Toilet Taipei, Taiwan - You are seated at a bathtub (your table) surrounded by toilets (your seats). Your food comes in your own sizzling toilet bowl with a little “poop” on the side. New York, USA - Big beds instead of chairs
Big Texan Steak Ranch Amarillo, USA - 2 kg steak with garnish will be free if you eat it within an hour. Alkatraz Tokyo, Japan - Themed prison restaurants. Have you ever been in jail? It's your chanсe!
Chacaltaya ski resort Cordillera, Bolivia - The most highly placed restaurant in the world. 5340 meters!
Red Sea Star Eilat, Israel - Underwater restaurant
Ithaa Rangali Island, Maldives - Underwater restaurant#2
Perlan Reykjavik, Iceland - On the roof of the huge hot water tanks
Sounds of Silence Ayers Rock, Australia - Astronomical dinner in the desert near the Uluru Rocks.
Amazing! Aren't they? =)

Time is flying by so fast!

I can't believe what I just realized today. My son is now in 4th grade! I went to his school this morning and settled his old account. I also got his books and uniforms for this school year, 2008-2009. He now has a total of 10 books and he will now be wearing long pants instead of shorts as his daily school uniform. And of course, his school fees are becoming more expensive as he grows older.

It's such a great blessing that we always get a 50% discount on his tuition fee because my mom used to work there as an administrative staff and the owner of the school is a close family friend. But we pay the regular price for everything else. A set of his uniform went up to Php2,200. Last year, I only paid Php1,300 for it. But I know that every money spent for him will be all worth it. His education is one of the things I am most concerned about.

I am glad my son promised to try his best to get better grades this year. I never require him to be number one in their class, because he might feel bad about himself if he fails to do so. So I just encourage him to do his best at all times. I always tell him that it's OK to fail sometimes, but he should never allow failure to stop him from trying again. I think he is old enough to know the things I'm trying to teach him.

Right this very moment, he is in the neighbor's house with his neighborhood friends having fun and eating the snacks that I and Lester's mom (Sorry I don't know her name, but Lester is one of his closest friends here in our street) cooked for them. He has been there since 9am today. This is their way of ending their summer vacation because some of them will have their classes next week.

My son is really growing fast, he might be asking me for some money for an out-of-town trip with his friends in the next year or two. Oh, I think I am not prepared for that yet. I still see him as my little boy and I guess he will always be a baby to me. My son is very sweet, he often tells me he loves me and he even calls me his princess sometimes. I hope he'll remain sweet and loving even when he reaches his teenage years.

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Love is about finding courage inside of you that you didn't know was there..