this week's simplicity tips

Good Morning Tuesday Y'all!
How was your weekend?
And how is your week going so far? Mine is close to perfect hee. I can feel it's going to be a beautiful week for me. Though I had a very anti-climactic mood yesterday (read it HERE), I still feel that this week will be one of the bests! For one thing, I love all the simplicity tips of My Simpler Life particularly that of #s 5,6,7 and 2nd, 2 of my new purses are arriving today yey!

have a good one everyone!

1. Listen to advice from someone undefensively, then decide if you will take it or not.
2. Don’t jump in to solve someone else’s problem.
3. What are three things you want to focus on today?
4. Bring flowers home.
5. Hide a love note.
6. Smile and let go of taking yourself seriously.
7. Sit outside and listen to the world around you.

this week's simplicity tips

Oh my! I have completely forgotten to post this week's simplicity tips from My Simpler Life. This week has been the craziest and busiest ever for me. So, for those of you who left messages in my cbox asking for more personal updates, I'll get back to you with more, I promise hahah! Also, I'll catch up with your tags in a wee bit. I lost a few pounds because of my toxic schedule and looks like I took some weight loss pills because I never lost this much weight in a week's span. Anyways, here's your weekly dose of simplicity tips from My Simpler Life, we still have time to catch up over the weekend right?

I'm doing number 1, I have a huge purchase which I need to return. tsk tsk. bad bad. Next time, I purchase something big online, I should check out reviews about it before getting one.

1. Evaluate recent purchases, can you return any?
2. Build your life around what you have been called to give the world.
3. Can your word be trusted?
4. Think of some simple solutions to a nagging problem.
5. Decide not to look for what’s wrong in a person, situation, or thing.
6. What are the 5 most important things in your life right now?
7. Let someone be "right" for once.

Have a good weekend everyone!

too many social networking accounts...

I've got tons of social networking accounts and I hope they won't invent some more after Facebook and Plurk. Honestly, I am getting tired checking on all of them, I guess it is just too much online life sharing, if you wouldn't count my blogs (pa!) hee.

I am listing down my most visited social networks and will delete the last one.

1. Friendster -check, because almost all of my friends are there.
2. Twitter -check, to maintain traffic for my blogs and also my virtual sahmmy friends are there.
3. Plurk -check, to add traffic to my blogs despite the fact that I only have 5 friends LOL! I wish my twitterbuddies move to Plurk soon!
4. Facebook -check, because it is easier to locate long lost friends and classmates here. Also, easier to stalk on people LOL!
5. My Space -cross-out, will delete this. I only opened one to get in touch with my US-based cousins (and check on 1 particular cousin hahha!, manang ate kasi ako) and now that I am here, buh-bye MySpace.
   

How about you? Care to share how many social networks did you sign up?

In the meantime, check out this hilariously witty entry of Jessica Zafra on Social Networking.

Honestly, I am regretting on naming my son, Ethan. Had I known we are moving here, I wouldn't name him Ethan. Imagine you calling out your son's name on an arcade, themepark or community pool with 10 or so Mothers, major kenes! This happened to me 6x in my mommy life here.

And yes, Ethan has been consistently the number 1 popular American Boy's Name for 5 years now! Yada yada yada!

Lastly, why do they always have to invent the best versions last. Say for instance: Friendster and MySpace, the better version is Facebook. Plurk is the better version of Twitter. Sigh.

Monday's Hi & Lo

LOW: I woke up late and so my day didn't start out as planned. I am so behind in my to do list for today.
HI: I was able to catch on some needed rest and sleep.

LOW: I am so lazy. (This is why I hate getting up late)
HI: I chose to play with my toddler all day.

LOW: When you don't put your mind on your cooking, you'll get a bad dish. My tuna pasta with olives turned out very salty.
HI: I ate little only.

LOW: I really have a bad Monday.
HI: There's always tuesday and you can always start your week all over again.

Happy Monday Y'all!

to pop or not.

As you all know by now, I have been struggling to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. In fact, my friend and I started this weight loss program challenge. I'm doing it for over half a month now and sad to say, I am disappointed with the developments sigh. I am hoping to get back on a 110-115 lbs (if 105 is asking for too much) before I turn 30 next month! You know why? because they say, when you reach your 30s, your metabolism rate really slows down to the ground. In other words, you'd have to work more than triple because it is so much harder to lose weight from 30 up.

I was skinny when I got pregnant and was skinnier after giving birth. Too bad, I didn't maintain it and pig out every so often so there. My friends have sent me information on the Best Diet Pills available online but I have always been an advocate for the natural ways of losing weight. I think no matter what they claim that they do not have any side effects, I still believe in the long run they would somehow affect the body system. I have had friends who took this pill and one of them quit because she became very sickly and the other one who decided to stop it, rebounded with a double weight gain! That's why even it would take me a long time, I am doing the natural ways of losing weight. I know I just have to be very patient and disciplined with this weight loss program and eventually I will meet my target weight. Crossing my fingers.

YM conversation to start my long day.

I love hubby's male cousins here to bits. Despite the fact that they all grew up here, they are still very much Filipino. My favorite is JR, he's half American but he's the very Filipino of them all. In fact, even his GF is a Filipina and we had this conversation this early morning. We only catch up on YM these days (save for the times that I need him to drive me and our son hee) as we live far from them (we used to live just another block away from them). Our YM chats always end hilariously funny and green hee.

jr shorts: hey guess wat?
jr shorts:
Em: what? it's your birthday tomorrow LOL!
jr shorts: lol close
jr shorts: saturday
jr shorts: haha
Em: Cleo is coming to town!
Em: hahah
jr shorts: lol that 2
jr shorts: aha
Em:
Em: that you miss us!
jr shorts: that 2, ur on a roll lol
Em: and that you're treating us for some feast over the weekend!
jr shorts: haha nice try
jr shorts: im mad lol
Em:
Em: so what?
jr shorts: dad moved the pc into his room
jr shorts: ugh
jr shorts: nd they dont even use it
Em: why?!?
jr shorts: now i always have to use these stupid headphns
jr shorts: nd type "quietly"
jr shorts: idk
jr shorts: i have no idea
Em:
jr shorts: they dont even use it
Em: do you have a webcam?
jr shorts: at all
jr shorts: i do
jr shorts: nd im gna leave it on all the time
Em: maybe that's the reason LOL!
Em: joke!
jr shorts: they will be like im in my underwear
jr shorts: nd i'll be like welll
jr shorts: so?
Em:
Em: then use michael's laptop
jr shorts: michael is always on it
jr shorts: nd its to slow for me
jr shorts: nd no cam on it
Em: hahaha
Em: i wonder why they have to move it
Em: so will have a party>
jr shorts: i guess thy just dont want it in our rooms
jr shorts: yeah but it wont be this weekend
Em: because///
Em: because?
jr shorts: bec cleo will be here the week of the 20th
Em: because for the pc and party
Em: alrightee

ultra-light feminine tops

I was telling hubby how much I miss shopping! After having chatted with my Mom and she raving to me the good finds she got from shopping the other day, I realized I haven't really shopped for myself for quite a long time now. Because, even if I do, I just can't see any occassion where I will wear my shopping finds. We rarely go out and if we do, I just need to put on a shorts, capri or a nice plaid cut-offs and some plain top. But, let's see what I can grab from GAP online, of course. Online shopping is my best preferred shopping method these days. Ain't they all summerish? I like I want I gotta have!

this week's simplicity tips

Sorry for the late posting, this came on Monday but my Monday was such a blur. Anyhoo, here's this week's simplicity tips from: My Simpler Life and I am seriously doing number 7 after working (and studying) so hard the past months. I needed a break, after all. Happy Tuesday everyone!

1. Forgive yourself for a recent mistake.
2. Add 50% to the time frame for your projects.
3. Remember it really doesn't have to be done today.
4. Eliminate one unrealistic expectation.
5. Join the August Declutter Challenge: http://www.mysimplerlife.com/blog/p=1187
6. If your current method of trying to reach a goal isn't working, try something else.
7. Take a day off work sometime in the next two months.

my diet files

Since I made public my Food Blog, a couple of friends asked me this question: "does Apidexin work?"

Honestly, I cannot vouch on diet pills as I haven't tried them myself. In fact, I usually discourage my friends from taking them. No matter how slow my weight loss would be by adapting weight loss program the natural way, I would never join the bandwagon and purchase myself some diet pils. I am just scared at the thought of it.




Anyways, here's sharing a weight loss program, I share with my friend: VAL. You can read more about this HERE.

EXERCISE: A minimum of 30 minutes/day (only during busy days) and a maximum of 1.5 hours/day. This would include cardio and muscle toning targeting problem areas. My problem areas include my tummy and upper thighs.

MEALS

BREAKFAST: (6:00-8:00am)
OPTION 1: oatmeal (plain, with milk or sliced fruits), a cup of coffee, tea or orange juice.
OPTION 2: 2 slices of toast with light butter, jam or cheese, a cup of coffe, tea or orange juice.
OPTION 3: --->can only be eaten 2-3 times a week: egg (unsalted but can use spices/garnish), 2 slices of plain toast, a cup of coffee, tea or orange juice.

LUNCH: (11:30-12:30 nn)
1/3 cup of rice and 1 viand (preferably not friend)
soup or stew with a slice of bread
pasta (non-creme based sauce pls!)
WATER WATER WATER!

DINNER: (7:00-8:00 pm)
Salad (oil and vinegar-based dressing ONLY!)
soup or stew
sandwich: turkey, grilled tuna or chicken with veggies (light mayo)
WATER or Red Wine

IN BETWEEN MEAL SNACKS: (3 hours after a meal)
a piece of fruit
crackers
'dry' cereal
water, fruit juice, cup of tea

NO SNACKS AFTER 9PM

OFF DAY: Only 1 day in the week is off day. It is preferable to choose either Saturday or Sunday as it is usually family day which connotes "feast" day. :-)

full pantry and fridge.

It's monday and we were off to the grocery as early as 9am! We bought loads and filled the pantry and the fridge, most of them were snacks of the little buy. But we were surprised with our bill! A frikkin' $250!!!!! Yes, I am not kidding. I guess they have some price increase due to the fluctuating economy. But, then I made sure to get those on sale, so how come?!?! Oh well, maybe we bought some unnecessary snacks like buying 2 gallons of Edy's, 2 months stocks of mini-stripe's snacks and lotsa pasta mix LOL!. How did your monday go?

this week's simplicity tips

Happy Monday everyone! I have a lot of things to accomplish this week but guess what, it' just Monday and the Lazy Bug hit me! I feel sleepy, sluggish and tired. I won't ever buy those junkfoods again and I will diligently go back to doing my exercise routine. Anyhoo, here's this week's simplicity tips from: My Simpler Life.

1. Show gratitude to someone who serves you regularly.
2. Notice someone doing what you want to and praise them.
3. Give thanks for the services as you pay the bills.
4. What do you want more free time for?
5. What can you give up for the rest of the season to make time for what you want to do?
6. Schedule at least one fun thing to do this week.
7. What important task have you been avoiding?

this week's simplicity tips

How was everybody's weekend? Mine was field with blogging-worthy events. Hubby is off for 2 days and we have time to do #7 of this week's simplicity tips from: My Simpler Life. He has been very productive but he missed our Busch Gardens trip last Sunday. We have 2 more tickets and we're going back there as a family next week!

1. Clear off desk.
2. Can you cut an extra from your cable bill?
3. Save for an upcoming expense.
4. Have a salad with each dinner this week.
5. Try some fresh fruit for dessert.
6. What can you do to reduce your bank fees?
7. Play at the park.

LIME tag.

This ain't no meme LOL! Anyways, I just want to share with every shoeholic out there that Piperlime is on sale. A huge 50% slash discount. I browsed the sale site and there were quite good finds and prices we're marked down all the way! You'll be very surprised that your designer shoes wish are cheaper than a pair of crocs. No Kidding. Check it out NOW! Ang bilis lang mawala ng mga stocks and designs. As for me, I think I'm getting this Gola Chorus and Nine West Jobilyn gladiator sandals. Huwaw! (I am still thinking about it though, dami kailangan i-prioritize! hay naku good deal na sana.)

new new new!

I said I'll stop at my 5th, but no! Blogging is truly addictive and therapeutic for my homesick moments. No one can stop me, so I made my 6th! (which has more updates now). I hope to see you all there, sharing with me your cooking and baking tips or probably even your secret recipes and kitchen gadget wishes. Welcome to my kitchen in the blogosphere! See you all there.

this week's simplicity tips

Came in on a Tuesday, your weekly dose of simplicity tips from: My Simpler Life. Planning on doing number 7. Time management is still my greatest battle.

1. Turn your computer and tv off by 8 pm.
2. Do neck and shoulder stretches.
3. Plan something fun with the family that has nothing to do with electronics.
4. What movement did you love to do as a kid?
5. Pay an extra amount on your credit card or another debt.
6. Play in garden or nurture a plant.
7. Plan breathing space between tasks.

back to regular programming.

After only 24 hours, we have finally unloaded the last box and luggage. It was a quick but tiring move. We are now happily living at our humble abode. Feeling ko honeymooners ulit kami ni hubby, starting all over again with an energetic toddler, though. He had to make 2 trips only driving a van err semi-truck na nga sa laki! We had Papa John's pizza for our 1st dinner, too tired to cook. Then, slept at 2am. We woke up today very early, naguunahan magluto ng breakfast haha. Details and pictures of our move will posted here: http://stripeatyellow.com. For now, I shall finish some blogging tasks and catch up on tags. Despite the fact that Cox is so very delayed in giving us the cable, phone and internet connections, I am so back to regular programming. Thanks to the very reliable and fast wi-fi connection courtesy of my neighbor.

this week's simplicity tips

Happy Monday everyone. I woke up feeling very good today and feeling giddy about 2 things: our move and my 1st day of class today. I hope all this feeling good and giddy will last the whole week. Leaving you with your weekly dose of simplicity tips from: My Simpler Life.

1. Since many kids are on summer break it's a great time to train them on new chores.
2. Work with others as allies instead of comparing and competing.
3. Speak only positively for one full day.
4. Have plants that are easier to take care of.
5. Plan a time to get together with your extended family.
6. Decide on three goals for tomorrow - one work, one home and one personal.
7. Draw, doodle, paint, or make something.

banjing-banjing

I've been such a lazy cat the whole of Saturday. All I did was wallow in my bed and watch TFC all day including a payperview of Pacquiao-Diaz fight. Woohoo! He made it again!

I realized I deserve some lazying up after all my hardwork and THIS. But when I saw my tasks, I've got 9 left and tomorrow will be the 1st day of my summer class., the lazying up is not really a good idea tsk tsk. All because of grabbing too much eh! Don't have I time to breathe?

zeroed out.

All it takes is a weekend free from school papers, assignments, quizzes and exams.

This week, I have zeroed out:

1. blogging tasks; and
2. memes.

Now all I need to accomplish this week are:

1. continue looking for reliable life insurance;
2. finish packing the rest of our stuff;
3. enroll for summer quarter's class;
4. inquire on Ethan's pre-K3;
5. finish my excel report on budget and earnings;
6. update social networks;
7. burn pictures and clean HDDs
8. update my bloglines; and
9. Bloghop, Bloghop, Bloghop!

That's it folks, I welcome memes again.

I shall hit the sack for now, I blogged like crazy the past 3 days! Have a happy monday!

this week's simplicity tips

Despite the fact that we were not able to move in to our supposedly apartment, this alone is not a reason to have a grumpy week ahead. Like I have said in that entry, it was easy for us to forego that apartment and we didn't wanna dwell on it. It's definitely part of God's plan. We trust Him with that. Anyhow, I would want to start my week right and is sharing these tips from My Simpler Life. (i'm doing number 5!) Let's promise ourselves that we will all have a good week. Happy Monday Everyone!

1. Slow down and savor one meal.
2. What is important to you in the next month?
3. Play with one of the things you want to learn this season.
4. Bring your music outside and enjoy the evening.
5. Use a full lunch hour.
6. Have breakfast for dinner.
7. Make your own popsicles and save money.