Hopeful, Again

To the people who trust me enough with what wonders I can do, thank you. And to those who know nothing much but put people down despite their trying, I tell you, we can do better than what you say.

I thank God for the gift of wisdom He has given me during that time when I was asking for His wisdom and love. He was there the moment I needed HIM to fill me up with knowledge. I passed the Career Civil Service Professional Exam after trying thrice. I just hope this is the beginning of something better. We were 351 passers out of more than 3 thousands who took it. That was an achievement,wasn't it?

You know how much I wanted to be in the government service, and you know how much I have always wanted to be stable with my work, and I hope to dedicate the rest of my working days to the department I am working with now. Well, there are always chances, and the chance is close at hand. Another opportunity has opened for me, an AA6 post is vacant. And I want this position badly that I need to review again for the exam that they give, which is kind of an epistaxis to me everytime I take it. But no worries, I have a GOD who knows my heart's desire. So this time, hope with me again. And pray for me in this one. Another exam to prepare for. Another panel interview to face. May there be hope for me today, as there always is for us all. I know with your prayers, I can do this again. To the Next Level!

• Am doing good with spending less, and I have been on the lookout with my spendings, no really expensive dates and eating spree. In fact, as of the moment, there has never been a shopping spree for me.

• The MIL house is a series of unfortunate events, and we are affected. Their elder sis was hospitalized, MIL caught pneumonia, and old senile MIL's brother missing last weekend. And we are the ones out there to look out after all of them. How back-breaking that week was.
• And here he goes, missing again. Just last night, I received a text from their cousin, MIL asking for her help. We were not in the MIL home, as we were safely in the shelter of our very own HOME far away from them. We visited our own house, and avoiding whatever stress we can avoid, and yet, a news that he is missing arrives knocking at my Saturday night. This senile MIL's brother is normal, just because of his old age, he does now know where to return home. And we keep looking for him in the entire city of General Santos. How apt for a lazy Sunday I wanted to have. Tsk, tsk.
• Exam is ten days away from now. Wish me all the luck, please. Thank you.

Pet Peeve - K.

Okey, this is gonna be short and sweet. I hate people who, when asked about a certain thing and will have to reply a confirmation, sends you a text with just a single letter- K.

Arghhhh. Is it that difficult to key in some formal answers so you could at least know what better information the other end should know?

There are really some people who are like this, i dunno if they are just plain lazy or ignorant of the fact that the SMS is some sort of communication and it better be answered with formal replies other than K.

Baka pwede lagyan na rin ng O para OK? Mas clear! Di ba? K? Grrrrr...

Wala lang, somebody just texted me that. It irked me enough to make me post a blog about it.

Paraiso Verde is Man-made Paradise

I grew up in Brgy. Morales and when we were younger, we never expected the city to grow like it is today, very nice and already industrialized, with tall buildings and 3 major malls. Koronadal City seemed like a barrio when we were young, it was not even a city yet but a municipality. But it now has sprung into a beautiful place where night life can already be experienced and where bars and other places lively are to be discovered.

Brgy. Morales was a silent place, it was once a rural area where agriculture and farming has been the ideal daily living of people, well, even until now, there are still some places where you can see farm and agricultural areas being planted by rice and corn. Even my Dad still has a huge garden of vegetables in Brgy.Morales.

But our barangay has been very blessed and accompanying the blessing along with it is the grand Paraiso Verde, a huge wave-pool that has just opened last July 16. Thankfully, with the free tickets I won from GandaEverSoMuch, and with kids in tow, husband and I were able to experience the beautiful and grandiose Paraiso Verde.

Very much for the kids and adults alike, this paradise is located just a trike's ride away from where I grew up with my parents, and I never imagined it to be like this. Waves when there is not a beach nearby, and salt-less water without stinging the eyes, this is man-made paradise.

Paraiso Verde's huge Moby Wave Pool

Kids enjoying in the Wiggles Kiddies Pool with lots of slides and fun wet activity area

Biboy enjoying the slides

Tabebs enjoying the dropping water

And us enjoying the fun and laughter of other people.

Paraiso Verde's rates are very affordable, at P250 for adults and P180 for kids 2-4 ft tall, you get to experience all the water amenities the resort offers. There's the Adventura River Rapids, the Wiggles Kiddies Pool, the Freestyle Pool for swimmers and those aiming for the olympics, and of course, the Moby Wave Pool for beach bums who cannot bear to take the ride to Gensan City and enjoy the salty waters.

Experience the waves, even if there is not a beach in sight! Tayo na sa Paraiso Verde!

Faking the Smoke

I really hate smoke. My Dad smokes and some friends of mine smoke too. It is a good thing that I do not judge them because of the smoke they emit, or else, I wouldn't have good friends at all. Haha.

But seriously, I hate inhaling second hand smoke or any smoke for that matter, except maybe those emitting from the smell of grilled tuna or grilled liempo. Aside from the fact that second hand smoke leads to so many sickness, it also is irritable to the nose which is why, even if I hurt the person smoking near me, I would cover my nose with my handkerchief just so I could not inhale any of his emissions.

But thank goodness for people who dared to stop smoking and innovated the top electronic cigarettes. They could see the flicker of the cigarette end but it is actually the artificial light that you can see from there. These electronic cigarettes really look like the real ones, only, without the hazardous smoke.

It is better they start this way, a slow withdrawal from cigarette addiction. It may not be the real thing but the top electronic cigarettes sure can save your lungs and your health.

I hope you know where in the world I can buy one. I have to satisfy the strong urge to distribute them to my "smoker" friends.

Thankful Thursday

I have been praying for this, I have been wanting this, and I thank GOD that HE has blessed me immensely because of this good news I received today.

The Civil Service Professional Examinations Result is out now, and I knew this because I logged in to plurk. I was actually thinking of not bringing my laptop to work but I just have to finish some tasks. It's a good thing I did!

If you click on Region 12, my name is in number 121.

Congratulations to me, and to all those who passed the CS eligibility.

Like I said, to GOD be the GLORY!

Spend Less, or Nothing at All

Most of us have more than what we need already. I believe this. Sometimes we only buy the things we buy because of want and not because of need.

Me, I tend to limit and save up. But there are times when I crave for food, and kids ask us to buy this and that, and I see things in the mall that I think I need and I end up adding them to my shopping cart.

For me, there is this gnawing feeling of wanting to save more money. First reason is that we need to save up for emergency funds which the husband and I do not have. We only have some small savings that we sometimes tend to withdraw because of some lack of finances and never get to refill once we get some extra income. Everything about our family is budgeted, and we always remember to put the top things in priority like the house we have been paying for five years already, there's still twenty more years and that makes the second reason. Ugh!

So this time, I promised myself to spend less, or nothing at all this coming days. It will be a huge challenge for me. I will only buy what are the basic needs of the family and not to spend on some stuffs unimportant. This means no trips to the malls, not even for reason of people-watching because even if I just go there to people-watch, I still end up digging my pocket for some soda or ice cream cones. Ugh!


I will practice frugality and try my very best in practicing this for a month of trial and more, until I get to save much.

I will discipline myself to buying only the basic like fish and meats and milk and bread, and therefore, no chocolates. Ugh!

Just thinking of this makes me sweaty already. For a month, I will try my best to only have the essentials and I won't stock up in advance.

I will have to spend less, or maybe nothing at all, except for fare, basic foods and will not dig my pocket for any extra even if I have been wanting that white polo-shirt with an Azkals logo in the mall. Darn.

Big challenge, so wish me luck on my intentions. Haha! Kayanin ko kaya?

Harry Potter Fever

I already watched. I can't wait to see the last installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I skipped half a day at work just so I could spend some time with my husband and watch my most favorite series in a film story, and I watched in 3D.

When Harry Potter was published many years back, I already knew I will fall in love with it, and I went on collecting its books, and I have 6, I still have to buy Book 6 to complete my set. I wonder what can equal Harry Potter and his adventures. If there's one thing I love about it, there's magic and suspense and fiction all in one story.

I am also looking forward to Breaking Dawn, the first installment of the 2 parts of Stephenie Meyer's last book.

But you know what, I still have a long list of pending reads, and I just can't seem to touch it yet. Just today, I was able to finish a booklet/module for the Region's Wage Order, and there is more I need to learn and study with regards to my job. But no books!

Why do we feel like we are always running out of time? Hayyy...this puts me in a dilemma, a time dilemma. And I admit, I'm never getting any younger. I just look it.


Nakapanood ka na ba?

Stressed is Desserts Spelled Backswards

I just made 3 huge trays of this after I was gifted a basketful of ripe mangoes. And guess what? Di umabot ng dalawang araw, ubos.

My kids love mango float, and I just can't pretend that I don't like it because it tops my desserts list. I (ahem) make a sinfully delicious batch if I have the time and the ingredients in my pantry. Yesterday, I bought another batch of ingredients and hopes to drop by the public market today for another bunch of ripe mangoes.

Desserts? Mango float and macaroni salad.
Smoothies? Mango shake and strawberry smoothies.
Pasta? Any pasta or a nice white sauce carbonara.

What tops your comfort foods?

Oh, and please, if you have time, you might want to nominate me for the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2011. I have been running on the top blogs, and I appeal to you to include me if you think I deserve a chance to be one. Thanks.

My Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2011

I was really very flattered when I learned that somebody close to me wrote a post and nominated me to the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2011.


For many years that I have been handling this blog, I was not given any nomination at all, maybe because I am not qualified, that, or my blog is just too plain as it has been my personal blog. Haha! It was a challenge for me when I started Mother Instincts, a blog about motherhood, being a wife, a daughter, an office mate-friend and a mother-teacher to kids. I have become engrossed with mothering, and many other tasks, and getting into the family thing is what I have been doing for more than ten years now. Guess what? I am a busy mom too, with a day-job in the government service and a night-job online.

But despite all the time that's been eating up my 24/7, I still have time to blog,and read other people's blogs. Hence, my nomination for this year's Emerging Influential Blogs.

1. Mother Instincts - Of course I am voting for my very own blog. If you think I make good in informing you of many things a mother should know, please make a post about this Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs and include me in your list. Here is the mechanics if you want to join.

2. Pinay Travelogue - A mother and a wife, I visit Nette's blog as often as I can. Pinay Travelogue is a series of posts about the sojourn of a mother, a photographer's wife and mother to her precious daughter, Bea.

3. Eat's Terrific - Sir Orman has been included in last year's Top 10, yet I find his new blog interesting. His posts on places where to eat and what's best to order and what's not to order in a specific restaurant is all together straight to the point. Eat's Terrific makes a terrific blog and that's why he tops in my list.

4. I Am Ariel Lalisan - His blogs make me smile, makes me cry, makes me laugh. I wish I could write as good as this guy can.

5. Kikay Much - I am not one who is into cosmetics and beautifying myself. I feel that I already am beautiful even without makeup. But don't get me wrong, I am envious of people who can do makeup to their faces. Putting colors and taking care of the outward appearance is what makes her blog interesting for me. I wanna learn to be kikay, as much as possible.

6. General Joana - I think she deserves to be recognized in the blogosphere. She's just one cool writer, and I love her wits and style in hosting. You should visit her blog!

7. Jinky's Kitchen World - I always make it a point that I visit her blog because I can learn many things. Ate Jinky is a mother and a busy government employee at the same time. Although we are in the same office, we do not talk much because of our busy activities, and different lines of work. I still visit her two blogs, and I learn.

8. Bookworm of Gensan - How can I forget, Sir Gilbert is one guy who amazes me because of his full house collection of books in almost all topics in the world. I imagine myself in a library when I get to see him in his house filled with books. The library we have in the city is not even close to all his precious collections. A good review of the books he reads, he posts in his blog called Bookworm of Gensan. What I most love with his attitude is the way he encourages children and other people to read and continue learning.

There, these are my choices, I will just have to update soon if in case I will add more. Thanks to the people who founded this contest. It makes our blogs more familiar, if not popular, to other blog visitors and in the entire blogosphere. This contest is made possible by the following:

• How To Videos
• Cyber Monday Deals
• TRIbeca Private Residences
• Palawan Beaches for Sale
• Green and Natural Lubes Philippines
• Philippine Data Center
• Philippine Online Shopping
• Singapore Jobs
• Pinoy Party Food
• Apartment for Rent
• Best Deals Tips

Ten Words

1. busy
2. scared
3. anxious
4. excited
5. agitated
6. tired
7. lacking
8. broke
9. doubtful
10. nervous

What the heck, all these are what I feel. What a pity. I need prayers for strength.

Getting Dizzy Here

Okey, I'm getting really nervous now with a lot of stuffs. Things have been on and off, way too busy for me, work and more work, and an online work, and kids, and husband, and many other extras. I can barely breathe, but sometimes God works in many ways that you can only be happy of the things that arrive knocking at your doorstep.

• My sister just got promoted as Labor and Employment Officer 2, and her post as Admin Aide 6 is vacant, since I have been on the eye for vacant positions, I couldn't stop asking myself if this is another sign for me to stay on and apply for her item. Truth be told, I have been making good with my performance and I know I still have a lot to prove. But then again, I cannot help thinking about the future. I need this work for my kids.

• It's the kids 1st Pre-final exams this week, and I am just so tired to teach them anything. It is such a good thing that my kids pick up what I said being able to review before exams. I see them surrounded by books spread on the bed, and munching something while at it. So I guess, there is nothing to worry about kids.

• Job fair yesterday turned out successful, but it was back-breaking. Too many applicants. And then, another job fair on Saturday. Gah! I want to rest!

• Olds are pretty stressing me out. I cannot lie. The old man in our house is keeping my wits scattered, I couldn't pick it up.

• Time to review again for another upcoming exam. Everytime you want a position in DOLE, you have to take their exam, and yes, I am in want of a position with the department because I feel I can do something for the country just because I am serving the government. And yes, I will review again.

• And would you know, I am still waiting for the result of another exam I just took sometime May, ang tagal lumabas ng results.

I have a lot of things to tell you, but my time is really limited so I can only show you my present activities in bullets. Meanwhile, my kids will have to take a bow with these clay creativity they showed me. I bought the daughter a pack of modeling clay, and it was a great thing that they both enjoyed it. And take note, they did not fight! Haha. So there, take a bow, my kids.


Angry Birds! And they're kinda' addicted to it. Good thing is, I don't have time for it, so I didn't take the bait.

My First Attendance to a Muslim Wedding

Next to Christianity, Islam, is the world’s second largest religion. This religion was founded by the Prophet Muhammad and is the leading faith in the Arab world and in the Middle East.

When I got invited to my first Muslim wedding, I got so excited because 1. I have never been to one yet; 2. I know it will be an eye-opener for me as regards to Muslim rites, and 3. I am open to learning different cultures and traditions.

According to my short research on this matter, Muslim marriages are carried out in different ways as to the culture they are accustomed to. In the Philippines, Muslim marriages are arranged by the parents and relatives with the bride and groom.

To Muslims, their women cannot marry outside of their faith. Muslim men however, can do so as long as their children are raised as Muslims. After acceptance of the offer of marriage, the groom must give the bride a "mhar" (gift or dowry). From what I learned in the Muslim wedding I attended, the groom gave cash and gold and the things the bride wishes.

Studying Shariah law before, i have learned that in Islam, it is considered a religious duty and social necessity to marry. The ceremony must be witnessed by people but only 2 to make it official. There is no marriage license in the Muslim wedding. A “Nikah” has to be signed which gives proof to the marriage and filled up by the Imam, the Muslim priest.

The Muslim wedding I attended to was set in a restaurant, a venue where according to the Muslims is allowable. A mosque can be the preferred venue but not always, like some Christians do.

The Muslim bride wore sparkling, bright white gown with diamond studs sewn on her long sleeved gown. A very intricate and grand presentation of their culture, the bride is beautiful on her special day. The groom, I was surprised to see, was not into a Muslim attire but wore a western-style suit.

Mina, Beautiful Bride

From time to time, I look at the guests and noticed that the women wore their traditional Muslim attires, while the men do not. I was searching my eyes and imagined myself being in India or in Malaysia. My first time to a Muslim wedding made me realize I am a true-blood Mindanaoan, even if I am a Christian.

The Muslim Wedding Rite

• The marriage ceremony is called the Nikah. The bride and groom are separated. The bride was locked in one corner covered with a small cubicle-like tent, where she is kept from her groom.
• The audience listens to a marriage sermon given by the imam to solemnize the wedding. A recitation of the Qur’an was made. No misalettes for them, not even a service sheet but they all seem to know their part as the wedding was well coordinated as it went through different phases.
• The husband was first wed to the father of the bride, a sign of assurance that he will take care of the daughter and her bride. After a few closing words, they are united together with a white handkerchief to close the nikah. After the nikah, they parade towards the area where the bride is carefully locked and the groom must look after signs of where the bride is located inside the tent where she is kept.
  

• A handkerchief is swayed under the tent to which the groom must get with agility. This signals that the groom is already successful in getting her bride and that they are officially married. A “walima”, or a reception party follows the ceremony.
  

Mocsin couple

The groom and bride once again parades towards the stage, followed by their entourage. The couple is then seated together up front, and prayers are read for their successful marriage.

• According to my office mate who invited me to the wedding, the bride and groom spend the first three nights of their married life separately. After the three nights, the bride’s father will escort them to their new home and fully give the brides’ hand to her husband.

I was really glad I was able to attend this Muslim wedding, my first time proved a worthy one as I was able to learn many things in the Muslim culture. Have you attended a different wedding rite? Care to share?