Halloween  

Posted by: Licel

I have always wondered why halloween is such a big thing here in the United States. I've heard people talking about it in a month advanced, stressing themselves out thinking about what costume are they gonna wear. Why do they invest so much time in this? I am not anti-halloween. I just don't understand what makes halloween so important here in the United States. Is it because kids can do trick or treat and can dress up as their favorite characters? And women can show off their sexy outfit? As far as I know, halloween is paying honor to our ancestors who passed away already. We're supposed to remember them and pray their souls. So why everyone has to wear costumes, all night partying and drinking? Back home, we do celebrate halloween but not as much as Americans do. Christmas is the favorite and significant holiday in the Philippines. But in here, seems like it's the other way around. Well, just like what my husband always tells me, this is America - so be it! I just hope that everyone had a great, spooky and safe celebration of halloween.

0 comments

Burger Cravings  

Posted by: Licel

Honestly speaking, I'm not really fond of eating burger. Perhaps because I'm not a bread person. But to my surprise, I found myself craving a burger recently. It actually started when hubby and I went out for grocery shopping. I was a bit under the weather and I was starved that I couldn't wait to get home. Hubby is not much of a fast food restaurant and he already stopped eating burger two years ago. But I badly needed something quick or else I would get headache. So we went to Burger King, since it's closer to where we were during that time. As expected, I ordered chicken fries while hubby ordered the whopper. Whopper sandwich is a hamburger, consisting of a flame grilled quarter-pound beef patty, sesame seed bun, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, and sliced onion. It smelled and looks good so out of curiosity, I took a bite of the whopper. And I sort of like it.


Another burger that I'm craving for is the Angus Third Pounder from Mcdonald. I accidentally discovered this when I was craving of whopper sandwich. As usual, I was super hungry at that time and there was no Burger King nearby. The only fast food resto that's close to where my husband and I live is McDonald. So we went in and ordered the new Angus Third Pounder. This come in 3 varieties: DeLuxe, Bacon & Cheese and Mushroom & Swiss.

Among the 3 varieties, this is our favorite. I don't know why but hubby and I just love anything that has bacon. :)

Bacon & Cheese
There you have it, my favorite burgers for now!

0 comments

I Miss Waking Up Early!  

Posted by: Licel

I'm having trouble getting myself out of the bed in the morning lately. I wasn't like this before. I used to be a morning person. Whatever time I got to bed in the evening, I would wake up reasonably early. Because I used to get a headache if I sleep in beyond 7 in the morning. But recently, I found myself frequently burning the midnight candle and waking up late. Even my husband noticed it because I seldom make him breakfast now. He was teasing me that maybe I don't love him anymore. Aw, poor him!..lol.

I want to be an early riser again. I know it's kinda hard due to my work shift schedule. It varies every week that's why my sleep pattern changed, too. But I have to discipline myself to put mind over mattress. Getting a head start of my day simply feels great and productive. There's an adage that goes, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise". Hmmm...Not only that, it's a good feeling to wake up that early and feel the chilliness of early morning, to listen to the lovely chirping of different birds and see the sun starts to rise. I should add the rooster crowing but we don't have roosters around here. :)

One of the best way to achieve this goal of getting my butt out of the bed in the morning is to get a good night sleep. So folks, I gotta hit the sack now and wish me luck with the waking up early.:)

0 comments

Ten Sure Signs for a Career Change  

Posted by: Licel

I'm off today. I don't have to go back to work until tuesday. There is no holiday or any special occasion. I just want to have a break from my stressful job. I have 40 hours vacation time this year, so might as well use it. To be honest, I don't feel like going to work anymore. I am contemplating whether I should start looking for a different job. But then, I'm confused if it is really the right time for a career change? Are you having the same problem I have? Below are the ten sure signs for a career change that I came across online.

10. Your company is unstable.
9. You’re the wrong person in the wrong job.
8. Your health is compromised.
7. Your work relationship is not good.
6. Your job bores you.
5. You feel burned out.
4. You’re not allowed to explore your full potential.
3. Your salary is not enough.
2.You have no personal growth anymore.
1. You're not happy with your job.

Are you having one or two of these dilemmas? Then maybe it's really time for you to move on, quit your job right now, and look for some career that will change your life or something that you love doing. To achieve success, you must find something that you absolutely love to do. But of course, I am not telling you to quit your job right away! New job is hard to come by in today's economy. So always remember that before quitting your job... make sure that you have a sure job replacement.

0 comments

Car-Not A Good Investment  

Posted by: Licel

That's true. First of all, the value of the car depreciates. Secondly, car accidents are inevitable. When you get into so many accidents, the insurance premium will go up. In other words, you have to pay more money. That's why in my own opinion, it's not really wise to buy or invest cars. I know few people who does. Hubby's friend is one. He has 3 motorcycles (Harley Davidson) and 6 vehicles altogether. Goodness! Why buy a lot when he can only use one at a time? Oh well, it's none of my business. My stepson is another. He bought a truck worth 40k. But the bank eventually repossessed it. He can barely afford the monthly payment and his insurance was sooo high because he's into a lot of accidents. Someone wisely said that rare is the driver who makes it through life without experiencing a few bumps and dents every so often. So why waste money on buying a very expensive cars? Don't get me wrong, I would also love to have nice car. Unfortunately, nice, quality and expensive goes hand in hand. There is this one car I really like. I just don't like the price. :) It's a famous brand name too. Hubby said that it's not impossible to get it after we'll buy a house. But after my two minor accidents, I'm not interested anymore. Anything cheap but reliable and brand new will do. Brand new, so I don't need to fix it as often.

0 comments

Car Accidents...  

Posted by: Licel

..can happen to anybody who drives. No matter how good and prepared you are, no matter how safe and thoughtful driver you are, it won't prevent you from getting an accident, whether it's your fault or the fault of the other driver.

I've got in an accident myself. I've had two (not my fault and very small) car accidents in my 3 years of driving. The first one happened when I was still learning how to drive. I was in preparation to slow down in a YIELD sign during that time when someone suddenly hit my car. A yield sign means you must reduce speed when approaching an intersection. Give right of way and stop if necessary, if any other traffic is in, or closely approaching the intersection. Apparently, the driver was not paying attention because she was talking on the phone. In fairness, she admitted that it was her fault, she apologized and willing to pay whatever the damaged. But there was no major damaged in my car, just a little scratch. So hubby said to just let it go. Nothing happened to me but I was really shaking. It scared the hell out of me.

The second accident happened just a few months ago. I was on my way to work and I was getting ready to stop at the red light when the car behind me slammed into my car. Good thing there was no other car infront of me. The guy admitted that he was out of control. He was searching some papers while driving fast and he didn't notice that the light turned red. The moment he noticed it, it was too late already. The guy immediately checked on me because I didn't move. I was just sitting at my car for a few minutes to calmed down. I was really shocked. Then he asked me if I could still drive and park on the side so we can exchange information. I did park on the side and got out of my car to checked if there was any damaged because the impact was really strong. Thankfully, I was not hurt and there was just a small dent and scratches on the rear end of my vehicle. I told the guy not to worry. And besides, I was running late already for work. I arrived at work so shaken. But as the saying goes, work must go on. :)

0 comments

Thermometer  

Posted by: Licel

Which one should I get? After having a fever of 104, I am seriously thinking of getting one. I've already seen several kinds of thermometers but this device below caught my interest.

 Infrared Ear Thermometer. This is what my doctor used when I went to his clinic last Monday. And this is how this device works. You put the short tube into the ear. Temperature will be obtain through your eardrum.

1 comments

Been sick as a dog...  

Posted by: Licel

..for almost a week. That's why I wasn't able to update this blog. Hubby and I went to the doctor last monday because we were both worried that I might be infected with swine flu. This kind of flu has been going around these days. Thankfully, I'm not positive with swine flu. But I had a bad cough that caused me chest pain and a fever of 104. I didn't know this because I don't own thermometer. I know it's necessary to have one. It just didn't cross my mind that I need one until just recently. As a matter of fact, this is my first time since I came here in the U.S. that I got sick real bad. So the doctor gave me prescription and remind me to buy a thermometer so I can monitor my body temperature. He told me not to rely on just touching my body with my hands to know if I have fever because the weather here in the U.S. is different. It keeps changing. My doctor is an asian by the way. So, peeps who doesn't have thermometer yet, better get one now. To those who have one already, good for you. :)

0 comments

Suka Pinakurat  

Posted by: Licel

Normally, right after church, we'll go straight to our favorite restaurant. But today, since I was craving for fried fish, we decided to just eat at home. After we heard mass, we stopped at the filipino store. I bought one big tilapia fish. While I was about to pay, I saw this small bottle near the register named Suka Pinakurat - a vinegar from Iligan. The name sounds familiar. Some members in the forum I joined always mentioned how good this vinegar is. That they are craving for this so bad. I didn't pay attention about this before for I didn't have any idea what it looks like and how it tastes like. I love vinegar but I never tried this one. Finally, when I saw it, I got curious. Thus, I bought one bottle. When we got home, I hurriedly fried the fish. I also cooked American dish for my hubby. And to satisfy my curiosity, I tried my new discovery Suka Pinakurat. Oh my..I looove it! It is a good dip most especially to a dried fish or to anything fried.

Suka Pinakurat is a spicy vinegar made from fermented coconut nectar and spices grown in the farmland of Iligan City and Lanao del Norte. The word pinakurat derived from the word kurat, which means surprise in Visayan vernacular. Therefore, pinakurat means, a sudden or surprising manner. I will definitely get another bottle of this next week. But I'll use this as dipping sauce because it's a bit pricey. To think that it is just a small bottle. For cooking, I'll still use Datu Puti. :)

0 comments

Wedding Ring on Fourth Finger  

Posted by: Licel



Nice illustration. Now I know why we put wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. :)

There is no really specific explanations about this. But during ancient times, they come up with a simple possible answer since they can't put the ring around the heart. Ancient people believed that the vein, artery or nerve located on the fourth finger was connected directly to the heart. And as the left hand is a bit closer to the heart than the right, they put the wedding ring on the fourth finger of the left hand.

0 comments

What a Tragedy!  

Posted by: Licel

I'm deeply saddened by all the news I'm getting nowadays. Manila, Philippines was badly hit by Ondoy's wrath last Sept. 26, 2009. Typhoon is common in the Philippines. We've been lashed by so many typhoons and violent storms in the past. But this time, it's worst. The devastation is huge. Many filipinos were affected, become homeless, lost their loved ones and in dire need of help. Thankfully, my family is okay since they are far from the area. My brother who lives in Manila with his family, is also safe. My heart really goes out for all the victims of that tragedy. The only good thing is that, the filipino bayanihan is alive. Many faceless people are willing to go out of their way to help the typhoon victims.

But, what is this another news I've heard? Earthquake in Indonesia, Tsunami in Samoan Island and another huge storm coming towards Philippines. My gosh! What's happening in this world? To think that we're still coping with the global economic crisis. And Philippines haven't recovered yet from Ondoy's wrath. Some areas are still flooded. According to the news, the storm that's coming named Pepeng could be supertyphoon. Is this God's wrath? Man's folly? or nature's revenge? Sooo sad and scary. Situations like this make me realize that everything in this world is just temporary. Truly, God gives, God takes and God sovereign!

0 comments
Newer Posts Older Posts