Posts from — February 2009

We have one corner of our house designated as a ‘home office’. It is home to our computer, printer, files, and other related stuff. Our two kids share the real estate with us. Therefore in most times, it does not really look like an office. In fact, it would be closer to a playroom more than anything else. Perhaps some office furniture would help getting our small space in shape. Or how about setting up a kids’ office?

Just this morning, I noticed a huge cement mixer truck in our neighborhood. Another house is being built and it sure is being made at a pretty quick pace. I have noticed some houses built in a haste. Well, if I were the owner, that would be something good. I guess the key would be getting connected to the right builder who would plan on getting all materials (from timber, cement, and maybe ball lock pins) and other services all together. I’m sure it would just take a few months and the builder will say ‘all done’!

At the right time, some small things that we don’t even notice will be ones that will put us in awe. Last year, my daughter RD took home some small plant from school, apparently coming from a sunflower seed. They were studying how plants grow. After a few months, this tiny plant has grown and just now, has flowered. It is not everyday that we see a sunflower. From a small plant, it is now a beautiful flower that brings joy to anyone who sees it. I believe parents should be inspired in taking care of their children, just like, or even more, than this sunflower… whatever the situation may be. Surely, they are more than just sunflowers.

Tagalog Translation
Sa tamang panahon, ang mga munting bagay na di natin kadalasang napapansin ay maaaring magpamangha sa atin. Noong nakaraang taon, nag-uwi ang aking anak na si RD ang isamg munting halaman na mula sa buto ng sunflower mula sa eskwela. Pinag-aralan daw nila kung paano tumutubo ang mga halaman. Makalipas ang ilang buwan, ang munting halaman na ito ay lumaki at kamakailan lamang ay namulaklak. Hindi araw-araw tayong nakakakita ng ganitong sunflower. Mula sa isang maliit na halaman, ito na ngayo’y isang magandang bulaklak na talagang kagigiliwan. Dapat lamang na ma-’inspire’ ang mga magulang na alagaan ang kanilang mga anak, gaya ng, o higit pa sa sunflower na ito… ano man ang sitwasyon. Tiyak, mas higit pa sila sa isang sunflower

I realized a few small things are becoming household regulars. I’m refering to these small memory cards that is inevitably becoming part of daily living. It will probably take little effort to figure out which things have some form of flash memory. Yes, your mobile phone is probably one of the more common stuff. Digital cameras, digital photo frames, GPS devices, game consoles, is just the beginning of a long list. It’s even becoming part of school supplies as I recall my daughter in primary school needing one to store her class presentation. Maybe I won’t be surprised if one day if people would need a memory card for the microwave!

It is important for parents to be informed about anything and everything which has an impact on the family. That may be done in simple ways such as keeping abreast with current events as well as other trends. It may be a quick glance at the weather forecast or a details online search on scientific facts about Mesothelioma. I think already said, it can be anything and everything. But then, in most cases, we can only do so much. A parent’s prayer is the way we can cover it all.

I really love baking but I’m only into the easy ones like cookies, pretzels, bread, cakes, baked meat and pasta. I have never really tried things with fillings like pies. Then a friend shared me this recipe. Well why not give it a try…so here it is.

Ingredients:
Crust – Flour, butter, water, salt
Filling – Apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt
Topping – Flour, brown sugar, butter, cheese

…serve with cream or ice cream on the side

It seems to be too distant from now. However, to get the best deals for an end-of-year holiday, it is never too early to plan ahead. Especially for families, it makes great sense to book holidays well in advance. Whether you are after adventure trips or Vegas vacations, experience will tell that the sooner you make the arrangements for these trips, the better it will be.

Coming from school, my kids would certainly appear to have lost a lot of energy. So it is common to find them quickly going to the cupboards to get some snack. These heart-shaped marshmallows are definitely a favorite. Though as a responsible parent, I have to make sure they have better, healthier, and really ‘hearty’ options when it comes to snacking. Yes it is fat-free… but it certainly is packed with carbohydrates and sugar.

Tagalog Translation:
Pagkagaling sa eskwela, talagang mukhang maraming lakas ang naubos sa aking mga anak. Kaya naman madalas silang makikitang dumederetso upang maghanap ng mamemerienda. Itong korteng pusong marshmallows ay talaga namang paborito. Kaya lang, bilang isang responsableng magulang, kailangan kong siguraduhin na maryoon silang mas maganda, mas malusog, at talaga namang ‘hearty’ na pagpipilian pag oras ng merienda. Oo ito ay fat-free… pero siksik ito sa carbohydrates at asukal.

Over the past school holidays, we have grown some variety of new plants in our backyard. Yes, the kids were asking for one activity after another so we did almost everything conceivable… and that includes gardening. Now that some of them have really grown well, there was some sense of fulfillment to my two kids. We have some vegies as well as flowering plants slowly developing. Flowering trees are probably next once we get a bit more confident that we do have green thumbs in the house.

With all the news we are getting, each family is probably bracing up and figuring out ways to be able to save up a bit. As one stares up the ceiling trying to find some magical answer, it is hard to miss the ‘bright’ idea. Yes, saving on power consumed by home lighting is probably one small but good start (especially if you’ve got halogen lamps all over!). Perhaps training up the kids to turn off lights which are not in use not only keeps a few dollars but also help in training for character. And if there is a need to replace the high-consumption lights around the home, then getting the right price for the right set (yes, including discount bathroom lights) is yet another bright idea.

It is always good to share something nice. As a parent, it has always been a thrill sharing some ‘old stuff’ with my kids. Classic example: Chocnut! Yes, I enjoyed it when I was a kid. That is why even if we are in Sydney, we always grab a pack whenever we get a chance. To those who do not know what Chocnut is, probably a close description would be…. hmm… Filipino chocolate?

Tagalog Translation:
Talagang masayang magbahagi ng mga bagay na maganda. Bilang isang magulang, talagang masarap magbahagi ng mga ‘lumang bagay’ sa aking mga anak. Klasikong ehemplo? Chocnut!Oo, talagang nagustuhan ko ito noong ako’y bata. Kaya nga kahit nasa Sydney kami, lagi kaming bumibili kung may pagkakataon. Para sa mga hindi alam kung ano ang Chocnut, maaaring ang isang malapit na deskripsyon ay… hmm… Tsokolateng Pinoy?