Posts from — January 2009

So we think we have seen everything. Well, I guess we have to think again. The availability of high speed internet has given rise to technology which was probably unthinkable a few years back. Just think about television. To some people, this ‘television’ used to mean a box with some glass tube connected to an antenna whereby they can watch some programs. But for today’s kids, it not only includes the typical television set as it now also applies to watching TV on computers, or on some flat screens connected to the internet.

I have actually seen some blog having some form of ‘television’ or video. I think it is quite a good element to include in a site. Not only does it readily capture attention. It will probably make communication clearer and better. But in order to make this effective, whatever is shown on this ‘tv’ should be targeted to the site’s audience. Well, all of these seem to have been thought of when CozmoTV was developed. For example, it allows bloggers or publishers to show videos with content specifically for their audience. An added carrot to get your own widget here is the fact that some compensation awaits for those who use this tool. Now that stuff should make anyone say with confidence that television has gone a long way!

I was unable to put up a photo for the Litratong Pinoy photo theme today. The theme is ‘violet’ and I didn’t get a chance to go out to prepare for it. Anyway, I did try to look around for old photos that may fit the theme. To make the story short, I didn’t find any. Though in the process of looking for one, this poem/rhyme crossed my mind:

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Sugar is Sweet
And So Are You!

Are you still wondering why Violets are Blue?

I realized that over the past Christmas holidays, we have collected around a couple of thosand photos. We have enjoyed viewing them over the camera LCD screens as well as when we have moved them over to the computer. Next question is… now what?

I believe a lot of families have embraced the digital age when it comes to photos. I can still recall when the family photography includes taking the film for processing and eventually keeping the prints and negatives. Who can forget those massive photo albums to store those priced possessions!

While going for digital photography has its advantages, it also has some drawbacks. Perhaps on top of the list is the fact that once you own this gadget, you get drawn to more gadgets. Owning a computer to download the images and to keep them is next to a ‘must’. On the other hand, another drawback is the potential to lose the photos in a flash whenever something goes wrong with the hardware. Lesson here is to do regular back-ups perhaps on external drives or optical discs. Another question is how to display those thousands of photos. Though this is answered by either digital frames, or online photo sharing sites. I was surprised to find out that there is now a technology via Ceiva digital photo frames whereby you can have all these add-on gadgets rolled into one. But whatever you end up doing with those photos, just make sure you enjoy every part of it as they truely are ‘memories’.

Our youngest daugher CN started the (pre)school year today. She was really excited to go back to school since yesterday. In fact, she started packing her ’snack box’ on her own! Anyway, I was really glad as her actions indicated how much she enjoys school. Anyway, so off she went this morning without much jitters. Though, when I picked her up, I learned that she did not finish the day without tears. I couldn’t really blame her as it is sometimes tough to break the ice and warm up without feeling blue.

School started today for several schools around NSW. After a few weeks of break, several students trooped back to the school grounds. Well, that included my daughter RD. Parents should be quite familiar about the fact that the school kick-off translates to some additional items in the cash flow. A look around the shopping malls with slogans such as ‘back-to-school’ is a clear illustration of what I am talking about. Stationery, books, shoes and uniforms are almost sure to go in the list.

Despite these facts, I am quite sure parents are still faced with excitement each time school opens. Each school opening makes a clear mark of how their child has ‘grown up’. Perhaps this is also the reason why a lot of parents really make an effort to work hard for their children’s education. That includes working hard in the office or even finding some extra ways to earn extra. I’m not talking about dads are moms slaving it out at work. After all, there are a lot of ways to get those extra funds in a fun way. Some can make money blogging or doing photography, painting, and a whole other ‘fun stuff’. I have to admit my interests on the first two. Blogging is a pretty interesting way to earn something extra. By just writing a quick story, or simply sharing thoughts in writing, one can have a great way to get something ‘extra’. Similarly, photography can be something done leisurely while providing huge potential earnings. In fact, you can even marry these two and come up with a more potent formula.

But as I have mentioned early on, the excitement that comes with school kick-off should shadow most and hopefully all of the worries. It is part of life and the best way to face it is to just deal with it while having fun. Besides, it is an investment for people we truely treasure!

Who could miss the orange thing popular with very young girls. Zoe! During our visit to Sea World in Gold Coast QLD, our daughter CN had a feast seeing large dancing versions of the Sesame Street gang including Zoe. I would have to admit that I have enjoyed that time seeing them perform at Sesame Street Beach. Yes, the colors are simply bright and attractive. It actually becomes tempting to post all of their photos for Litratong Pinoy considering that more ‘color themes’ are coming up.

Tagalog Translation:
Sino ba ang makakalimot sa orange na bagay na sikat na sikat sa mga batang babae. Zoe! Nung kami ay pumasyal sa Sea World sa Gold Coast QLD, ang aming anak na si CN ay nag-pyesta sa pagkakakita sa malalaki at sumasayaw na karakter sa Sesame Street kasama na si Zoe. Aaminin ko na ako man ay nasayahan na makita silang magtanghal sa Sesame Street Beach. Oo, ang mga kulay ay talagang maliwanag at kaayaaya. Nakakatukso nga na i-post ang lahat ng kanilang mga larawan para sa Litratong Pinoy dahil sunud-sunod pa ang mga tema patungkol sa kulay.

Here is another version of Scone I usually bake for my kids. Aside from cutting them into fun shapes like my ‘Teddy Bear Shaped Scones’ I also sometimes add something on it like in this case Choco-Bits to make it more inviting.

Ingredients:
3 cups of self raising flours, sifted
1 tbsp caster sugar (or plain white sugar)
60 grams butter, chopped
1 cup light cream (or milk)
choco-bits

Sift self raising flour into a medium mixing bowl. Add sugar and mix. Add chopped butter and use finger tips to rub butter into the flour. Continue rubbing until flour texture resembles breadcrumbs. Add milk and mix until dough begins to come together. Add choco-bits then gently knead. Flatten dough with your hand (or rolling pin) until 1 cm think. Use a cutter to cut out the scones. Place in a baking tray 1 cm apart. Place in a preheated oven 220 degrees C and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden and cooked.

Whew! Time really flies. It seemed like festive holidays were only yesterday, now we were facing the second half of January. I know it is a bit late now but yeah we were still in this festive mood for today a parcel arrived. Yes, my ILs in the Philippines presents came in through the post. Yahoo! that only means we still have presents to unwrap.

We all love them. RD and CN enjoyed playing with their new pretend make-up and beads. Thank you!

After the Christmas period weight gain, our home treadmill is now faced with some good workout. Knowing the machine’s destiny for the next few months, my husband C thought of giving it some tuneup before it takes on the weight of the world =) LOL. I guess we’re trying to avoid having to resort to Leptorexin to get rid of the fat build up. Well, he gave the belt and board some lubrication so its now all systems go.

Isn’t it always difficult to go back from the height of the holidays and back to the normal routine? I am not fully back on routine yet as the kids are still on their school holidays. Though it is almost sure that that strange feeling will come. Perhaps its the fact that being on holidays for a long period creates a much desired routine. Anyway, I guess we just all be thankful for the chance to enjoy the blue fireworks and not think about being blue.

Tagalog Translation:
Hindi ba’t napakahirap bumalik mula sa kasagsagan ng bakasyon tungo sa dating nakagawiang gawain? Pero hindi pa naman ako balik sa dati dahil nga nakabakasyon pa ang mga bata. Kya lang, halos sigurado na yung kakaibang pakiramdam na yun ay darating. Marahil ito na rin ay dahil ang pagbabakasyon ay lumilikha ng mas kinagigiliwang ‘routine’. Ano pa man, dapat lamang na tayo ay magpasalamat na makaranas ng asul na fireworks at hindi ang pagiisip tungkol sa pagiging malungkot (being blue).

What to cook? That is always the question I ask myself whenever it is nearly meal time while opening my refrigerator door. First I would check the meat section in the Freezer and then look what vegetables are available to match it and that is it…time to cook for me.

Here are the ingredients I used for this dish…

Meat : Gravy Beef
Vegies : Carrots, Baby Corn, Green Capsicum and English Spinach
Others : Oil, Garlic, Onion, Salt, Pepper, Corn Flour and Oyster Sauce

It is always a pleasure getting a good find when shopping. Kids toys and clothes are some ‘treasures’ that parents love to ‘dig’ whenever given the chance. Though, a ‘good find’ would have to be a mix of good products at good prices. And with the convenience that technology offers, getting that good find has better chances in becoming reality. It is common knowledge that online shopping requires a bit of caution. With the proper tools, internet shops are safe haven for everyone. If you are into online shopping, why don’t you check signing up and even join an ongoing contest to make the deal sweeter?

Over the past two weeks, we have done what I would call a movie blitz. Our family sat down for one to two movies almost every day! It was a good time cuddling close together on our small couch as we watched. A wide screen television and a home theater system would have been fantastic. But nothing could beat the bonding times we had even without these.

One thing we started working on at the start of the year was to clear some clutter around our house. So we looked around the house and had to decide on stuff that ‘has to go’. That includes sorting out toys. To reward our little daughter CN for giving up some toys, we brought out other toys which are just kept in cabinets. To help organize things, we have setup some toy boxes so that our kids can keep the toys and keep things tidy while having fun.

We promised our kids that we will give their beds some new paint job. And after making that statement, I can really say that kids will hold parents to their promises. Everyday after we have planned that activity, they have been asking us if we can already start working on their bed frames. We have not bought the paint yet but I guess we’ll have to hit the hardware shops soon to get paints in their favorite colors.