Mar 31, 2008

Make a Wish

Thanks to Jean for giving me this tag.















Here are the rules:
1. Think about what it is that you want more than anything, what your heart’s desire and fondest wish is, and what it is that you would wish for if you were to see the above wishing star flame across the night sky.
2. Right click and SAVE the blank graphic above.
3. Use a graphics program of your choice and place your wish on this picture.

wish



Now, I would like to tag Tonet and Shannon.

Mar 27, 2008

Sudoku

This is me and my fiance's one of those few things that we both love doing together. We get along with this game, eventhough we rarely talk once we started playing this. I guess everyone knows that this is a kind of puzzle and played by synchronizing the numbers on the grid.

Some people who's not familiar of this would mistakenly think that this is Math problem that needs to calculate or anything like that, but it is NOT. It only consists of numbers and never related to Mathematics. It is a logic and reasoning game. This game requires logic and help you develop your logical thinking and decision making.

Here are some tips that would help the beginners for this game:

* Make sure you have some free time ahead
* Resist the temptation of guess and use logic first!
* Solving time for the Soduko is typically from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on your Soduko skill and experience, so don't quit if you're Soduko-ing for 5 mins and getting nowhere



For those who are interested with learning or playing Sudoku, I have one for you in the bottom of my page for everyone to play with. If you need more tips, just drop me a line and I will help you with the best way I can.

HAPPY PLAYING!!

Mar 26, 2008

When to get married?

In my own opinion

When I entered the legal age (18 years old), I said to myself that I will be married when I will be 25 years old but if at the age of 24, I will still be single, I would start to panic and get someone to marry with, by hook or by crook. In short, I would be very desperate on that age. LOL

But, just in the right time, at the age of 23, I found a love that I will have forever and we're getting married soon. I can't wait to start a new life with him because we know that God brought us together, to take care with each other forever.


I, personally, think that it's not with the age or love but it is about being ready. Who can be stupid enough not to think about the life of being married. For me, once you're married, of course that includes having a child, and that means that you only have limited freedom because most of your life would be dedicated to your family. Unlike being a single and no kids, you can go out and be with friends anytime you want. You can go to sleep or go home anytime you'd like. But once you have your family, that wouldn't be possible.

Being in the right age and being in love are some aspects that you could consider but it is best if you're ready to settle down and play the role of a mother/father and husband/wife which no one can ever say it's easy.

More About Me

I'm so happy that someone tagged me, at last! LOL. Pinaymama tagged me and this is my first time being tagged since I'm new to blog world. But, thanks Mommy for tagging me. So, here it is!


The rules:
► Link to the person that tagged you. Post the rules on your blog.
► Share six unimportant things/habits/quirks about your self.
► Tag 6 random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
► Let these random people know that they are tagged by leaving comments in their blog.
► Let your tagger know when your entry is up.


Six unimportant things/habits/quirks about myself:

1.) I still daydream until now which I believe only exist in teen age life.
2.) In group discussions, I always end up talking about naughty stuffs.
3.) I usually can't remember where I am putting everything.
4.) I'm not familiar with all the stuffs inside my purse.
5.) I'm such a lazy bone. Always tired of waking up early for work.


Now, I am sharing this tag to my friends whom I just added up to my list. And they are Jean Marie, Irene, May Love, Dave, Shannon, and BlueStar

Mar 25, 2008

Peanut Butter Goodness

Do you like peanut butter? Well, I do! Without anything to eat it with, I love it so much. To those who loves peanut butter, you'll love it more after you read this post and to those who don't, you should think twice or you may lose half of your life. LOL. But here it is ... Peanut Butter Goodness!!!:

Health Benefits

  • It provides protection against cardiovascular disease.



  • It protects against heart disease.

    • By lowering levels of bad cholesterol and controlling body weight. These benefits are more important than ever in older children and teens. The nutrients in peanut butter are healthy for growing bodies.



  • A source of protein, and vitamins B3 and E, peanuts also contain magnesium, folate, dietary fibre and arginine.


  • It contains high levels of an antioxidant called p-coumaric acid.

  • It fights malnutrition in famine-stricken countries.


    • A single pack contains 500 calories, can be stored unrefrigerated for 2 years, and requires no cooking or preparation.





Other Uses

  • A common, simple outdoor bird feeder can be made by coating a pine cone once with peanut butter, then again with birdseed.

  • A folk remedy for the removal of chewing gum from clothing and hair is to apply creamy peanut butter to the gum.

  • Commonly used as a bait for mouse traps.




These information are only based on my researches and I believe that there can be more. But, what you have just read is good enough, right? Happy eating Peanut Butter!! YUMMY!!

Mar 24, 2008

Dukay Bay


I know it's too late now to write about this, but I am sorry, I have a memory gap and while thinking what I wanted to post here, it just came to my mind and I wanted to share it with you my experience being in Dukay Bay Resort.

First, to those who didn't hear about this place yet, Duka Bay is located in Medina, Misamis Oriental. Around 3-4 hours driver from Cagayan de Oro City. But you can also get there from Davao via Butuan City, I believe that it is nearer.

I went there together with my team mates (Notre Dame Fighting Irish) last June 12, 2007 to have our Team Building. It was the greatest team building I ever had since I have been working in Link2Support. Weeks before we went there, we have been anticipating the event because we already knew that the place is great.

When we arrive there, it was quite surprising that despite of some people being there, the place is so quiet and peaceful. For me, it is a perfect place to relax and unwind, especially, from a very stressful job like ours.


After we ate, we went straight to swimming because the white sand and the crystal clear water is so inviting, no one can ever resist it. It was noon time and the heat of the sun is a killer but we still enjoyed the moment. Then we decided to snorkel. It was the greatest thing that we did there.

I don't know how to swim but I wasn't afraid because all of us will be doing it and we have someone to guide us while we snorkel. We went up to 20 meters deep and it was so amazing that someone like me who doesn't know how to swim was able to swim there. Of course, with the help of life jacket. LOL.

The scene under the water, with all those colorful fishes, had almost took my breath away. They're like heaven. The corals and some other creatures would make you appreciate the life under the water. We had a fish feeding activity where we would be carrying a piece of bread and feed it to the fishes and they're racing to have a pinch on that bread while it is still in your hands. I had so much fun doing that. Interacting with the fishes and admiring them. We also checked on the coral nursery that they've been so proud of because they were able to build a man-made coral city there. And there was a giant clamp that is so big, maybe someone as big like me can be eaten by it. It only opens once every 15 minutes, I think.

First time is always great and having a first time snorkeling and interacting with life underwater was so great and an experience I can't forget for my whole life.

Checking weight

Are you conscious of your weight? If you are, then it is good because it is not good to be over/underweight, that means that you don't have a proper balance diet and something would be wrong with you. Too much or too less of anything is really bad and that also applies to weight. You need to make sure that your weight is enough by balancing it with your height. Here is a chart to that shows the right weight for your height or vice versa.




Now, if you think you are under/overweight, you should check on your diet. Make sure that you're eating right.

Mar 23, 2008

Here are the things that I usually do to fight boredom



Surf the Internet

There are lots of things to do on the net. You can fill up some survey or do a blog hopping.


Crocheting

I'm not that good in crocheting but I know the basics. With the basics of crochet, you can make a small pouch for your cellphone, pen, or whatever you want to put on it.


Read pocketbooks

I have a small collection of pocketbooks. I love to read suspense and mystery stories so that is what I have in my bookshelf. I admire V.C. Andrews's works too and since her books are series of stories, I am trying to complete each series.


Play with my son

It is really good especially when we're both bored. But most of the time, I play with him not because I am bored but I believe it is my obligation. I don't let him go out that much because it's hard for me to watch him, so we just play together.


Subscribe to unlimited text

Text all you want to your friends. Eventhough they would not text back but at least you have some to do.





So,if you haven't tried these things, you may do it and see if it helps.

Nice Story

I received this e-mail from a teacher last February 14, 2008. It is a chain message but I would like to post here because it is, indeed, a very nice story to inspire everyone. Read on and believe.





NICE STORY



In September 1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just 75 cents in my pocket.

Their father was gone.

The boys ranged from three months to seven years; their sister was two.

Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared.

Whenever they heard his tires crunch on the gravel driveway they would scramble to hide under their beds.

He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries.

Now that he had decided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either.

If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at that time, I certainly knew nothing about it.


I scrubbed the kids until they looked brand new and then put on my best homemade dress, loaded them into the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a job.

The seven of us went to every factory, store and restaurant in our small town.

No luck.

The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried to be quiet while I tried to convince who ever would listen that I was willing to learn or do anything. I had to have a job.

Still no luck. The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town, was an old Root Beer Barrel drive-in that had been converted to a truck stop.
It was called the Big Wheel.

An old lady named Granny owned the place and she peeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids.

She needed someone on the graveyard shift, 11 at night until seven in the morning.

She paid 65 cents an hour, and I could start that night.

I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat for people.

I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar a night.

She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would already be asleep

This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made a deal.

That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers, we all thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the Big Wheel.

When I got home in the mornings I woke the baby-sitter up and sent her home with one dollar of my tip money-- fully half of what I averaged every night.

As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage.

The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons and began to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and again every morning before I could go home.

One bleak fall morning, I dragged myself to the car to go home and found four tires in the back seat. New tires!

There was no note, no nothing, just those beautiful brand new tires.

Had angels taken up residence in Indiana ? I wondered.

I made a deal with the local service station.

In exchange for his mounting the new tires, I would clean up his office.

I remember it took me a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tires.

I was now working six nights instead of five and it still wasn't enough.

Christmas was coming and I knew there wo uld be no money for toys for the kids.

I found a can of red paint and started repairing and painting some old toys. Then I hid them in the basement so there would be something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning.

Clothes were a worry too. I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boys pants and soon they would be too far gone to repair.

On Christmas Eve the usual customers were drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. There were the truckers Les, Frank, Jim and a state trooper named Joe.

A few musicians were hanging around after a gig at the Legion and were dropping nickels in the pinball machine.

The regulars all just sat around and talked through the wee hours of the morning and then left to get home before the sun came up.

When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmas morning, to my amazement, my old battered Chevy was filled full to the top with boxes of all shapes and sizes.

I quickly opened the driver's side door, crawled inside and kneeled in the front facing the back seat.

Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box.

Inside was whole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10!

I looked inside another box: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans.

Then I peeked inside some of the other boxes. There was candy and nuts and bananas and bags of groceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetables and p otatoes.
There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling and flour. There was whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items.

And there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll.

As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the most
amazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude.

And I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little ones that precious morning.

Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-ago December. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop....

My favorite teacher

I may have lots of favorite teacher but only one is the best for me. She's Ma'm Ching, short for Concesa Lagare.

I first met her when I was a junior high school, when she was the Officer-In-Charge in our school that time until my senior year. It was when I was in junior year that she really inspired me. During that time, I was put into the 3rd and last section which leaves an impression to all people in school that we are the least smart among all the other students who are in 1st and 2nd sections. It was such a discrimination because I know that I was only put to that section due to lack of participation in class activities and my attendance is not good because I can be either absent or tardy most of the time. But I don't have a choice but to belong there.

One time, our English teacher was out so Ma'm Ching was the substitute teacher for a few days. She gave us an activity to write a story that evolves around six sisters who has different mothers but one father and a ring. Since I like to write, I was really thrilled to write my story. As I read it in front of the class, I was so surprised by my teacher's comment. She said that she always believes that not all students in the section 3 is less smart than in the higher sections, in fact, I am smarter than them. That was a great remark to hear from her and since that day, she always inspired me.

When I went to college, I was in the same school and took up Education course. She was then my professor. She continues to inspire me by her remarks regarding my works. Her love for us, her students, really shows. In fact, she didn't take her retirement on the appointed time because she wants to extend her job to be able to see us graduate since we are the 1st batch to take up major in Communication Arts in Reading.

Many thinks that she's just ordinary, but for me she's not. She's one of those people who inspired me through her own simple ways.

I Remember The Boy, But ...

... I don't remember the feeling anymore ...

This song is sung by the Philippines's own Ms. Saigon, Lea Salonga. This is the song that I always relate to whenever I had moved on from a heart break cause by those mistakes I have made for hooking up with someone I think was the right one for me but ended up that they're all prince that would only turn into a frog at the end of our story.

I have not loved once or twice but lots of times and sad to say, no one had ever turned to be the prince that I have been looking for my whole life. In fairness to them, they have treated me nicely, but just nice and not more than that, which is what we most girls needed. But eventhough, I have no regrets for loving those men because if not, I would never be this strong as what I am now and I would not know what true love is. They have given me strength to face the heartaches. Each men that I love and each time they broke my heart, I always feel stronger. But not all girls are like me. It makes them weak and give up easily. But we, girls, should know that if someone left your or it just didn't work out between you, it only means that he's not meant for you, and trust me, someone better than him will come into your life, not now or sooner but he will.

And I would be proud to say that now, I have found the prince who is meant for me and we're getting married soon. How did I know he was the right one? I honestly didn't know until he made me feel that he is the right one.

So, you see! If your hearts are broken, don't worry because someone will come to you to fix it and would not let it break anymore forever. That's what life is and how love goes.

Mar 22, 2008

Ginataang Mais with Ube

Today i my 1st time to eat a Ginataang Mais with Ube.

It is a Filipino food, usually eaten for desert. It is made of coconut milk, sweet corn, ube, and condensed milk. It has a unique taste that is really good most especially if you're a 1st timer. It is best eaten with bread and use it as a filling coz since it is normally, the taste of the bread will take away some of the sweet taste which would make you want for more.

The Ginataang Mais with Ube that we ate is made by our Team Captain's mother coz today is her birthday and that serves as her treat for us.

Mar 20, 2008

Facing problems

Many have asked me if how I do face my problems, especially those person who knows me so well. Anyone who knows what I have been through would really wonder what did I do to overcome those problems that I went through. Then I would say to myself, maybe I am just one of those lucky people. Why I think I am lucky? I am lucky because I always have someone who never fails to help me with my problem. Someone who would listen and tell me the things that I need to do. Someone who keeps me strong by letting me know that whatever I'd do, they're always on my side. Someone whom I can trust. Someone who always have their shoulder for me to cry. Someone who would say that I can always do it eventhough that at the back of my mind, I always think I can't.

I always think that I am optimistic but honestly, I am not, but I am just trying to be one. Whenever someone needs my help, that's when I become optimistic. I never want to have anyone hear something negative when they want advise from me because I don't want to let them down the same as I had never been down. But at the end of my problems, I always end up on the positive side, so I guess I am just lucky enough.

What's keeping me busy

I have been very busy these past few days. I got things to work out regarding my Visa and it has always been running around my mind always. I need to make sure that I'm not missing anything about it so if I had the chance to get on the net, I always browse for anything about the Fiancee Visa. I have been checking on lots of sites about it to make sure that I have everything when I'll have my Interview.

Another thing that's keeping me busy is earning money from the Net. What I have enjoyed most is blogging and I found a website where you can write and say your thoughts, at the same time, earn from it. For me, it is the best thing to earn online because you get to enjoy what you're doing and earn from it at the same time. If you want to join me, just click here and you'll see what I am talking about. So, if you're someone who likes to shares thoughts and listen to other's opinions, then you can join me here and the best thing about it is you'll gonna earn.

Mar 14, 2008

Our Engagement

We didn't went through the usual way of dating and we made our best to be engaged in normal way though it started as not the usual way too.

After a few months of exchanging very long emails, once a week the least, Andy proposed to me saying that he wanted to be with me for the rest of his life and be a father of my son before Abi starts looking for a father It touched me because it was the first time ever since I had my son to hear that someone wants to be a part of his as his father. Honestly, one of the reasons why I am still looking for love despite of the dreadful relationships I had in the past, which included my relationship with my son's biological father, is for my son to grow up as a normal child who has a family that is to be proud of and brag to his friends. Considering that he's a boy, I know that he needs to have a father figure to teach and let him understand the things that only a guy can tell him. I know it was hard to look for one, but I always takes chances because I truly believe that you wouldn't know what would happen until you tried it.

Back to Andy's proposal (I'm sorry I really forgot the date). Though I trust him when he said that he wants to marry me through his usual long email to me, but I am still uncertain about accepting it due to the fact that I was not hurt only once or twice because I keep loving the wrong prince who in the long run always turns to be a frog, but lots of times and I wanted to give my son the best father that he deserves to have. I wanted to make sure that if I'll be on another relationship again, it should be more than forever. During the time that he proposed, I still doesn't have an idea what he looks like. Though he describes himself physically already but I know it would be different if my own eyes would see his description. Don't get me wrong. I don't go for looks because, trust me, usually it doesn't do anything good to anyone and yes looks are deceiving. But again, we are talking about lifetime commitment here. Who would be someone crazy enough decides to marry someone she hasn't even saw? I'm just being realistic here.

He understands what I mean and so, he made an effort to send me pictures. Eventhough he's not that good in using a computer but he end up sending me some pictures on my email by the help of his ever supportive sister, Yvonne.

In JUNE 6, 2007, finally, I decided to marry him and was hoping that it was not too late and told him that I accepted his proposal of marriage. I was really thrilled that time. While typing the things I told him when I accepted the proposal, I imagined myself being Mrs. Jonaver Kuhn. Does it sound perfect? But yes, I was very sure about it when I told him that I wanted to marry him. By the way, by that time, we already been exchanging emails everyday because we realized how much we're missing each other. Though we just communicate with emails by that time.

We were both very excited and on the following day, we were already planning for our wedding which was originally set January 2, 2008 as the date because it is also the 50th birthday of my Mom. And after a few days he started talking on the phone. It was more different to hear his voice and eversince the first time he called, I wish that he'd always call for me to hear his voice again and I knew that he felt the same.

Then, in the middle of planning and checking on the processing for my Visa for me to be able to join him in the US with my son too, we found out that since we'll be married in the Philippines, I need to apply for a Spouse Visa. To apply for it, he needs to file a petition for me after the wedding which means that he should go back to the US after the wedding to file the petition but I can't fly with him yet since I need to have a Visa. We know that it would be very hard, so we decided to have the other option which is to apply for Fiancee Visa and have the wedding in the US so that we won't have to be separated again after the wedding which should make life easier for us once we're married because we'll be in each other's arms after the most important day of our life.

Because of the change in plan, we set another date for the wedding which would be February 29, 2008 because it is kinda unique since that date would come every 4 years, which is the leap year. We also consider the fact that he would be baptized on the INC church on the end of January because I am a member of the Church and we believe that we shouldn't marry someone who doesn't have the same beliefs as ours.

We then decided to meet in person before we start to apply for the Visa to prove that what we felt for each other is more than the love we have on the Internet.

It was September 12, 2007 when he arrived in Cagayan de Oro City. Of course, who would ever forget our first kiss which took place in the airport right after we were beside of each other. It was so quick, I couldn't even remember the feeling, because the Taxi driver immediately took his luggage which distracted his excitement to kiss me because he was worried someone would snatch his things.

When we arrive at the house, he then suddenly grab something from his bag which is a purple rose. It was not real though but I love it because it was the first flower that he gave me and the color is my favorite.

The very next day, we went to Davao because my relatives and close friends live there. We checked in in our hotel and ate late lunch at the Mall just in front of the hotel where we're staying at. Right after we ate, we went to find an engagement ring for me. We end up in a made-to-order ring which I get the chance to choose my own design. It is a semi-spiral 14-carat gold ring with a diamond in the center. But since they still need to make it, we need to wait for an hour for it. While waiting, we had our first date at Merco Claveria branch. I ate ice cream while he only had water since he can't eat sweets because of his diabetes and we just ate our lunch so we're still full.

Then we went back to the hotel and we already have the ring that time yet he doesn't want me to have it. While dressing up for the church service, he suddenly knelt down in front of me, showed me the ring then ask the common yet special question "Will you marry me?". To his surprise, I said no, then he immediately stood up and was about to leave but I managed to pull him and plead to ask me the same question again and he did, this time I said YES. Why not?!

So, that's the story of our engagement.

Mar 4, 2008

Approved I-129F Petition

February 25, 2008


Dear Petitioner:

The State Department's National Visa Center has recently received an approved I-129F petition filed on behalf of your fiance. This letter is to let you know that within a week the petition will be forwarded to the appropriate visa-issuing post where your visa interview will take place.

Your fiance will soon receive a packet with instructions from the consular section on how to apply for the Kl visa at that post and what documents will be required.

Sincerely,
Bureau of Consular Affairs


This is is the letter that my Honey received and it just shows that we're heading into something now. All are moving now and we know that in due time, we don't have to wait again for this and all. We're so excited to have my Visa and be in each other's arms again be married asap to start our new lives together. Life is just to WONDERFUL!

Approval notice sent

It is such a lovely day because this is what I found in my email:


Application Type: I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On February 19, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.



I have been waiting for this and now here it is. I'm so glad that the processing of my Visa has improvements now. But it would be better if I already have my Visa and i'll be in my Honey's arms again until forever. But I know that we'll get there sooner, but I wish that that sooner will be at this very point of the day because God knows how much we missed each other. But I know that everything would be worth it. We'll just have to wait and everything would be done on it's own time.