While having lunch today, an idea about making another blog suddenly popped into my mind. I was thinking of writing some trivia about the Philippines, my home country. Why not? That would be another venue to showcase and promote Philippine culture and history. Then I remembered some bloggers buzzing about Today.com, another paid blogging service. I attempted to sign up for this service but it said on the screen, “
Registration unavailable in your location.
Whaatttt???!!!! So I guess, it’s not available here in Japan. Oh, well, I will just have to do it in good old, reliable and free Blogger.com. Lol! Watch out for it guys!
When we wake up every morning, we give thanks for the gift of life. Just the fact that we wake up in the morning is something to be grateful for! Indeed, we are lucky to have been able to wake up. Others are not so fortunate.
When we are able to see God’s creation, in all its splendor and glory, we give thanks for the beauty of life. God’s greatness is manifested in the morning dew, the roar of a waterfall, the cool mountain breeze, the bees buzzing in the meadows, the birth of a child, sunrises and sunsets, children’s laughter, the vastness of the sky and the ocean, the smile of a friend. Yes, there is beauty in all things, big and small.
When we emerge victorious in the challenges of life, we give thanks for the ability to make choices and face the consequences. Because not all of us are brave enough to take risks. Not all of us are brave enough to decide for ourselves.
When we are able to do things because we are capable, we give thanks for the ability to do so. Some are not as fortunate as we are. We can see, some are blind. We can hear and speak, some are deaf and mute. We can walk, some are crippled.
So the next time you complain about how unfortunate you are, then think again! If you are having a hard time, remember that you are going through this phase so that you may better appreciate what is easy. You can only see the beauty of the rainbow after a raging storm. So be strong! And be grateful for life.
Whenever we eat outside, I usually order Hamburger Steak. Why? Because I know it is safe to my pallet… I know how it would taste like. Lol! What I like about Japanese family restaurants is that their servings are just enough and contains the complete food group with soup, a vegetable side dish and desert. Itadakimasu!
It’s the 4th of September and this is one of my most awaited times of the year because it’s my mother’s birthday. Yes, I love my mother. And I am not ashamed to tell it to the whole world. Today is her 58th Birthday and this is the second year when I am not around to celebrate it with her. But even if distance separates us, always know Ma that you are always in my heart and thoughts.
My mother is not a perfect one but she has made my life a very meaningful one… I will not be where I am now without her constant guidance, love and care. She has taught me to be patient, to wait for the right moment. She has always been persevering in all her endeavors that I too learned to be one. Her simplicity has allowed me to see for myself that simplicity is beauty. Her faith in God has guided me to the right path, allowing me to live a good life that is centered on God, and her belief that God hears and answers our prayers have led to a life of prayer, trusting and having faith in the Lord. She has always encouraged me to pursue my interests may it be singing, dancing, painting, drawing, writing, reading. Talents are meant to be honed and used and shared with others she used to tell me, so that when God asks what I have done with the gifts he had given, I would have an answer.
My mother is all this and more. And words are not enough to express how thankful I am for having a mother like her. I hope that I have also been a good daughter to her. Know always Ma that you are the wind beneath my wings… and now that I am a mother, I will teach to my children the good values that you have taught. And just like you, I will strive to be a good mother to Sam. Thank you, Ma for loving me unconditionally.
Mama, about to hand me my boquet on my wedding day.
Moi and Mama on my wedding day.
Happy! Photo taken during Lolo’s birthday memorial.
At my sister’s place. With cuz Dennis, nephew Miggy, and Moi.
Close, open, close open. Mama teaching Miggy how to close and open his hands while smiling at the camera. With her is Papa.
Mama, Miggy and Moi who just arrived from work.
The proud Lola at the reception of Miggy’s baptism..
Christmas at my cousin’s place. An annual family gathering that has become a tradition.
I have been blogging for two months now. I guess you can say that I am a newbie in the blogging world. Because I am still starting out here and don’t have enough resources to pay for my own webhosting service, I signed up for a free account as a subdomain. Hence, Just About Anything was born.
I am thankful for this free service but it has its limitations too. I have only 50MB of alotted memory making it very limited for me to post photos. I can only customize my blog design in terms of widgets or perhaps I just don’t much about html scripts, etc. Hmm.. I am not complaining. I’m just stating a fact.
So what now? Well I have been thinking a lot about moving my blog into my own domain. I am considering it almost everyday but there are just too many web hosting services out there that says theirs is the best thing or the least expensive. But which to choose? That will be my most difficult task as a blogger ever.
Thank God I came across web hosting reviews my question is just about to be answered. This service just has everything you need to know about web hosting: from web hosting ratings to web hosting awards and reviews.
If you are just like me who is seriously considering moving your blog to a new domain or web hosting service, do check out web hosting reviews. It would also be smart to know some interesting web hosting tips so that you will know which service to choose. You wouldn’t want to move just because a friend is using such service, right?
It is one of those days when I feel so glad that I gave blogging a try. Not only do I get to meet great writers and persons, I also get to receive some lovely surprise from the blogosphere. I did mention here that I joined a blog contest, a very easy one at that. I also know that I would have a one in a hundred chance of winning, very slim chance really because of the many bloggers who also joined the contest. But when I opened my email this morning, Hoto over at ThaCash dot com informed me of the very good news. I won the first prize in his second contest. WHeee! I can’t believe it!
I was very excited this morning that I wanted to write about it immediately. But, I still had to go to the Immigration Office to get my work permit, bring Sam to the doctor for her third and last dose of DPT vaccine, and then go to Gaba for my second interview. It was a very full day, indeed. So it is only now that I get to share this good news with all of you. Thanks a lot, ThaCash.com for the prize. And I hope you would cook up more contests in the future. Maybe, just maybe, I might just get lucky again.
Summer is about to end. Before it does, Dad took us to Zoorasia after the English mass service last Sunday. It was a totally unexpected trip. We were still in our Sunday attires and I haven’t brought towels, extra change of clothes, packed food, some water and other necessities that go with a family outing. So you can just imagine the sweaty faces, wet shirts and aching feet that we got afterwards. But it was all worth it! However totally unexpected the trip may be, we had a very great time.
Zoorasia guide map, and tickets
The Yokohama Zoological Gardens or Zoorasia is located in Yokohama City. It proudly holds up to its main theme, “co-existing with all of nature and living beings” by the naturalistic settings that they have created. Step into a whole new world and experience the cool forests of the Subarctic and Asia, the wild jungles of the African Rain Forest and the Amazon, and the wild Japanese countryside. The display of endangered species and wildlife animals from different parts of the world allows you to experience a zoological trip around the world.
The nice thing about the park is that you can see all of the attractions in one day because there is a main route. If you want to skip one attraction, you can take the shortcuts that have been provided. Also, with elevators and slopes, the park is highly accessible for people with strollers and wheelchairs, so that everyone can come! The recreation areas are great for kids wanting to have a rest or play. The nature trails allow you to experience natural forests. There are also dining facilities scattered around the park - the Jungle Cafe, Aussie Hill Grill Restaurant, and the Haagen Dazs Cafe. Restroom facilities and vending machines are also available at various locations around the park just in case nature calls or if you ran out of drinking water.
Zoorasia is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm from Wednesdays to Mondays. Admission fees range from 200JPY to 600JPY depending on your age age. It is accessible by train/bus via the Tsurugamine or Mitsukyo Stations on the Sotetsu Line or the Nakayama Station on the JR Yokohama Line. From each station, you will take a 15-minute ride by bus bound for Zoorasia. If you are going there by car, it is about 15 minutes (approx. 6km) from Yokohama Machida I.C. of the Tomei Expressway, about 5 minutes (approx. 2km) from Shimokawai I.C. of Hodogaya Bypass, and about 20 minutes (approx. 7km) from Kohoku I.C. of the Dai-san Keihin Expressway.
I know I promised everybody that I will be changing my Entrecard widget soon. So now, it’s here! I finally got around to finishing my EC widget today and it’s already “live” on Entrecard. Hehe!
It’s more colorful now, compared to the standard Black text card that used to grace my EC widget. So why the flower and the colored pencils? This has it’s own story to tell. The flower, which is the gerbera, symbolizes a life that is in bloom, alive, and happy. It also indicates that the owner of this blog is a woman. :) The colored pencils which come in different colors, represent the many passions and the many situations in life that make me who I am today. Yes, my blog is Just About Anything… because life is everything.
The Month of August has been an exciting one! I got to meet new friends, most of who are also stay at home moms and/or wives just like me! Here’s a little thank you to those of you who have been consistent in dropping on my site. Here’s wishing that you keep visiting!
Time for deserts everyone! I love chocolates! It has always been my alltime favorite from candies, to cakes, to ice cream and drinks. I am in the mood for something soft and sweet so I decided to go to the nearest konbini (convenience store) to buy myself something chocolatey… And I found just the perfect treat: a serving of chocolate mousse!
