Rings, symbolic of wedding bands and engagement.

The Greeks and the Romans gave rise to the traditional marriage bands and engagement rings.
A ring symbolizes a complete circle, no break or it is a continuous circle. No matter what reason it brings, the purpose of wedding bands and engagement rings is to express ones deep emotions of our ever faithful love and happiness, and eternal commitment.

I had my wedding ring in 24 karat gold, looked nice in my fingers, but too soft and fragile to wear all year round. I feel like its melting when I cook, I had to keep it or else the shape of the ring could get worse.

For those of you who have plans of getting a wedding band or engagement ring, an 18 karat gold is the best gold for rings, strength is good and not too bright to look at.

June is a popular time for weddings, but December is the next popular month to say " I do "
Christmas is in the air and so does weddings in December.

When did you have yours?

Dawn Mass starts tonight

Days will be numbered starting tonight and oh! days will pass so fast and it will be Christmas
day. It is the 15th of December but in the village where I live, dawn mass will start tonight at about 7pm. This is a good time for those who leaves home for work early in the morning , even students can hear the mass and complete the novena till Christmas day.

I remember when I was a lot lot younger and my mother brings me to the dawn mass at 4am.
wah, getting up in a cold morning was hard, I end up half awake in the church but goes wide awake when I smell the Pinoy delicacies as puto bumbong (purple rice cake steamed in bamboo moulders)
and bibingka (another kind of rice cake baked under and over a heat from a clay stove with charcoal) Yum!

Anyone in love before they get into college?

How strict should parents be on having their daughters and sons get to be romantically committed?
Is there a best time parents have to allow them? Some of you have gone through this experience, and some of you have teens who are now into a relationship? Mommy's out there who may read this, didn't you feel troubled to find out that your kids especially your daughters are now into a relationship? Please share what your insights are, your experiences and your advices. I know we can't be hard on them, but nor can we be so complacent. We want our daughters overly protected and we do not want them to plunge into something they will be sorry for later. Please leave your comments here to ease a troubled parent.

Better to be safe than sorry

Car tires, have you checked them lately? Some of you can have the fanciest car but did you know that car tires like food has expirations? Even when the tires are just stored for years can be defective and can cause accidents on the road? I am so shocked to hear about the terrible accidents caused by old and expired tires. Pls check the link http://videos.komando.com/2008/08/23/check-your-tires/to
further enlighten you about checking your car tires. Keep safe everyone!

Whispering "Guides to Writing"

While on the train I was reading a career guide tabloid and let me share with you some tips in composing letters. According to the writer, most common flaw is verbosity(verbose), kilo metric sentences and high-falutin words. And the writer suggested to follow these simple tips to spare our readers from eyestrain.

1. Write shorter sentences.

2. Think "irreducible minimum" meaning don't overdo with your details. Drop less important details.

3. Use shorter words such as use for utilize, try for attempt, end for terminate and so on.

4. Write with your audience in mind.
You know what you wrote but never assume so will your readers. Assume ignorance on the reader. Hence:
Be aware you may be jumping into a conclusion without giving the logic.
Consider adding a brief background to shed more light on your main subject.

Your 1st Name Tells a lot 'Bout Who You Are"

I was tagged by Liza at Mom's check nyo and below comes the meaning of my full name.
Looks like I'm born to be a good kisser...check yours.

Rules:

Link the person who tags you; Repost the tag with the title "Your 1st Name Tells a lot 'Bout Who You Are", Tag as many as you can.

Have a good time knowing the meaning of your name!
Here is mine:

C: People cant help but check u out
A: Best Gf/Bf any one could have
R: You love to kiss
M: Handsome/Beautiful
E: You Are Great Kisser
L: AWESOME KISSER
I: People love you
T: You are loyal to the ones you love
A: Best Gf/Bf any one could have
____________________________

A: Best Gf/Bf any one could have
B: You love a certain someone
C: People cant help but check u out
D: You are really lovable
E: You Are Great Kisser
F: Easy to fall in love with
G: You never let people tell you what to do
H: You have a very good personality and good looks
I: People love you
J: People Adore you
K: You're wild and crazy
L: AWESOME KISSER
M: Handsome/Beautiful
N: Easy to fall in love with
O: Best kisser ever
P: You are popular with all types of people
Q: You are a hypocrite
R: You love to kiss
S: You are Freaking CRAZY!
T: You are loyal to the ones you love
U: You really like to chill
V :your not judgmental
W: You are popular
X: You never let people tell you
Y: Sexiest bitch alive
Z: Never good enough...

Tagging: Everything under the Sun, Learning at Home sometimes

Dried Seaweed and Electrical Tape

rice roll shaped in triangles or nigiri




dried seaweed

My daughter and her two male friends were having a discussion about food this weekend over our dinner table. My daughter serve them wafer rolls, cheese biscuits and chocolate. One guy was lactose intolerant so he had to read the ingredients really hard at the packets. He can't have any of those food, but he can't help it and still ate a minimal portion and He said that it was so good. Food discussions led to a Japanese cooking show that my daughter's boyfriends saw on tv. My daughter is familiar with Japanese food. I serve some at home and they like it But her friends are not so particular about Japanese food stuff and I heard one guy said something like, he likes a rice shaped into triangle with some fish filling inside and then wrap with a thing which looked like an electrical tape. Heard my daughter say, "Hahahaha you call it nori or Japanese dried seaweed!"

Funny how he compared nori to an electrical tape. I wonder how he would compare Japanese curry rice topping with?

GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS

Oh my! Many people could be panicking now on what gifts to buy for Christmas, for their families, friends, co workers and maybe a handful of Godchildren.

Costs of living is really bad now a days and buying gifts could be stressing. It can even be hard to squeeze your budget.

But should gifts be expensive? In this trying times, we should learn how to be creative and not burden ourselves with too expensive gifts.

Kids will probably opt to get toys for Christmas or we can bake them their favorite cookies.

But to the older group why not give them something that they can read every now and then. Like a letter telling them how you appreciate them and how they inspire you could mean the most to them. Most of the time we miss to tell people how good they are to us and this is the time to express our thoughts through personalized letter. This is something that they can keep in their drawers and in their hearts for a long time.

I do keep cards and even up to now I do go over them and read them no matter how old the cards/letters are. And it makes me smile, something that I truly love and will keep till I am old and gray. Definitely priceless gifts I have.

And so I whisper to you, go start writing your thoughts about your love ones, because gifts need not be expensive to be priceless.

One funny Chinese movie

Poor me, internet connection was really bad, I was not online for quite a while, I was home one day and I watched a funny Chinese movie. I never laughed out so loud for some time now, but feels great to burst out laughing, it relieves tensions.

I don't know how old the movie is but it was funny. I don't really like martial arts movies, but this one got me so excited. Martial arts plus comedy kept me entertained. I would not mind picking another movie like it just for laughs. Really funny!

Yelling at Dawn

How can you practice patience if a loud mother( a neighbor) yells at her household at 4am? It is either she is angry with her kids, her house help, or she could be fighting with her husband. It is something that don't really matter to me or my household because she does yell within the four corners of her house, but she is so loud that my kids wake up an hour and a half earlier. Should this loud lady yells at 5:30 am, that is just right on time. I can save money to buy batteries for the clock. She could be our alarm clock. Please suggest something, to help this poor woman keep silence at least before its due for my kids to wake up. Sigh!

WonderMom showered me with awards.

Thanks so much wondermom for this 3 lovely awards. Feels great!

Whisper from a Stranger

My internet connection and land line has been acting up for the last months now and yesterday I had to drop by the server's business office to follow up my complain, and as I was waiting for my priority number in a bench outside the business office (there was no place inside all seats were full with complaining customers) a shy looking gal approached me, she handed me her leaflet of a competing telephone server. She explained the product so well if I had the money then I would like to buy one. She sat beside me in the bench and after I knew it, she was telling me about her life and why she's there working as a sales agent for a telephone company. I felt so much for her, listening how she is working, away from her two year old daughter. Her only child is under the care of her ex boyfriend's mom. She can't say her mother in law, because she was never married to the father of her child. When I asked her about him, she smiled and said she feels and hears that the guy is seeing someone else. She looks young but she's in her late 20's. I felt she is hoping that one day he would marry her and live together as a family. But as I hear her speak and whisper that her supposedly mother in law doesn't want her near her daughter and the guy seeing someone else, I don't see a happy ending. But miracles are made to happen...I Hope.

It was an hour of letting her feelings out, she opened her heart and whispered to me. I am total stranger. I handed her my name card, just so she can follow me up if there will be a need for me to buy a phone from her. And lastly she whispered " Can we be friends if not a client?" And happily I said, "Yes" while I walk to the business office to log my complain.

It was a short one hour of waiting being with a total stranger. But it was all worth it.

Halloween Awooooooooohispers!

This time of the year many get so excited having parties on costumes, well at least for the upper class or maybe a small village trick or treat celebration for the young and the young at heart. On the 31^st of this month, it will be a spooktacular day for the youth and the kids as they prepare the whole village to its trick or treat for kid’s ages 3 to 12. I’ve had the chance to give treats to kids and it was an awesome sight to see them knock on our door with their very cute costumes. They are suppose to frighten us but the lovely kids couldn’t scare us much, they are all so cute even with their scary make up.

This year another same event will be held, more fun scary spooktacular games and spooktacular party, Great prizes awaits the best Halloween costume.

In television ghost and ghost stories are the topics. Do you have your own personal story to tell? Or do you believe in ghost? Aha let me share to you my personal experience. My father died when I was 19 and in the Philippines it is a tradition that we offer 9 days of prayer for the soul of our departed, and in one of those nights while we were praying, the butterfly décor hanging by the window kept on moving which me and my mom noticed. Nothing to wonder if it was moving, there is air everywhere of course. But we wondered why the movement was not sideways? It was moving as if someone was pulling it downwards. Goose bumps were all over me. Could it be my dad’s presence?

Oh well, let your beliefs decide. If it is my younger brother who hears this, he would definitely say that it was not my dad’s presence but it was my strong imagination or it could be the evils spirit trying to deceive humans?

There are many more scary stories all over about ghost and the paranormal, but yes I would like to listen and no thanks I don’t want to feel any. No to ghost hunting.

Are there some of you who are into it? You are such tough guys.. Wohooo!

Happy Halloween!

The Air Whispers Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching and once again the MOMS Organization in my son's school will be selling pre owned goods. From house wares to clothes, shoes, perfumes and toys. Every year starting August we collect different stuff from the students. Things that they don't need at home but can be sold to raise funds to benefit two areas. One, the proceeds of the fund raising will be used for the improvement of my son's school and two, items will be sold at very low prices to the nearby depressed areas. Imagine shopping for items ranging from 50 pesos (that is about a dollar) and below. I personally price tagged the items, so buyers are of advantage to do their early Christmas shopping on October 25 and 26. The flea market venue will be located near the residence of the less fortunate ones so they can benefit buying something good as new for a very low price. Items are slightly used but it is a good way to shop these days, practical to do in these times of world wide economic crisis.

Christmas is the time of giving; this is the time when everyone feels joy despite the odds.
No matter how little we can give it is our tradition to express love on Christmas by giving.

The capable people even go to orphanages to distribute items such as milk, food, medicines, clothes and toys.

But over and above the material things, let us share our Love this Christmas and whisper to our loved ones how grateful we are to have them in our lives.

Have you gone Christmas shopping yet? Rushing could mean more expense, might as well plan and do make your shopping list.

Countdown ‘till Christmas starts now….

High school 26 years back

Yes, you read it right, i graduated from high school that long ago and i lost contact of my mates till I get interested clicking my mouse and found my mates one after the other. And so we had our silver jubilee on 2006, we organized a semi formal gathering, at least a big percentage of my class were present. Some were not there, due to the limited time we had searching their whereabouts.But it was a blast. Can you imagine us acting and conversing like we were in high school?I know everyone matured through time, small fine wrinkle traces, and we still think that we still look the same! Added pounds isn't an issue though. We are all happy to see each other back.

We are scattered around the globe and good that most of them took effort to be home for the reunion. We still keep in touch through emails and looking forward to another reunion by 2010.

High school is something that we all cherish. Even during retirement we would imagine ourselves sitting in a park, hang out in a batch mate's house, or in a resort just taking things slow and enjoying a cup of coffee. We could be whispering closer to our ears because by then when we are a lot older we could have a hearing loss. Lol that is how we tease everyone.

Business Head celebrates her birthday

Other than the usual routine, I happen to be an associate for Sanctuarium.It is a company that caters to all memorial care under one roof. The first of its kind in the Philippines, it is a memorial service with first class hotel amenities. To know more about it please email me at chungsanlu@gmail.com

Every month our Business Head conducts our monthly meeting to discuss promos and incentives to client and agents. This month our meeting falls on the 14^th of October. Just like a regular meeting she leads the meeting well, but unknown to our Business Head, in the background a few associates was busy setting up the birthday surprise for her. She was so overwhelmed by our simple gesture of singing her a birthday song and offered her a cake to blow her candles, and a big snack for everyone. We had ice cream too but many can’t take as much, most associates are over 40.(sigh) I think it would be safe not to reveal her age. ( Shhhhhhhh I’m whispering she just turned 53) But seriously, she doesn’t look her age. To give you a description of her, she is cudly, Chinese looking and with fair skin, and to top it all I can see that she’s got a very kind heart. She is not only a business partner to us but also a good friend.

Our Business Leader can do without heading our team but her dedication is excellent. She can motivate her associates to push through, although there are many times that selling is hard. She keeps on keeping us updated, always on call 24/7, even when she gets a break and goes out of the country. She is very dependable. But what strike me most is her quality of standing confidently as a leader without being bossy. It is her trait that wins her associates attention therefore making her associates work for a sale.

Best Wishes to a dear Boss…Cheers!

From beyond life whispers

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon after a stroll at the mall. At home while watching the television, the segment about a father and three kids pierced my heart for the love they have for the wife and the mother. February of this year, they lost her due to a lingering illness, but her passing was not a hindrance for the father and the kids to communicate with their mother by writing their thoughts and lovely messages through internet blogs. Their love for her has no boundaries. They use the internet to document their daily messages to the loving wife and mother. The husband undoubtedly expressed his love for her, the children updates her with their daily activities as if their mom is still living.

Life on earth is very limited. People have to go in God’s time. People who are left behind live the good memories of their dear departed as what the husband and children are doing until now.

It is never easy to lose a loved one but to see how beautiful this wonderful family copes, life and love still whisper beyond the passing of their loved one.

50th Wedding anniversary, Whispering Sweet Nothings.

It was a good Sunday morning and my family attended the 11 am mass.The priest surely caught his congregation’s attention by his homily. He shared to us the story of a grandpa and grandma who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. It was about the strong bond that kept them together for 50 years. The family of the couple rejoiced and celebrated their 50^th anniversary by throwing a big gathering. The couple renewed their marriage vows. Everything was done as if it was their first wedding, exactly the same wedding they had 50 golden years ago. I am hats off to this lovely couple for keeping their vows until now that they are old and gray.

Nowadays, it is quite difficult to remain married. Many marriages just end in a click. Couples have differences, petty and repeated arguments that lead to nothing but separation. Problems within the marriage become too hard to handle but is leaving the marriage the best solution? Probably we would say yes, but the grandparents didn’t have a perfect married life either, they were just like any other couple who had their ups and downs, the only difference was, they remained to their vows and they accepted each other for who they are without fail for 50 long years. Everyone in the family was happy to see them together, applauded by the their children and their spouses, grandchildren, great grandchildren, their dearest relatives and family friends.

Now I am rewinding my thoughts and I remembered what the priest told us 16 years ago, during our wedding, and the priest said “For your marriage to last a lifetime don’t forget to whisper sweet nothings to your spouse, because if you do neglect that, both will whisper nothing sweet.” Check it out guys, you and I may be neglecting to whisper sweet nothings to our darling, honey, babe…whatever your terms of endearment are, let us keep it as sweet as it takes.

That could be the grandparents secret to their marriage bliss. Who doesn’t want to duplicate them? Do I hear some whispers out there?

Kids whispered "Mom that was a great lunch!"

It was a long and tiring week for my son who is on his 6th grade. His second quarterly exams made his week busy, while I was around him guarding or rather guiding him to do his reviews for his exams. In between we would argue about his loud music while his eyes on his notes. I thought he can't do both at the same time. But son said, he can handle doing both. Wow! I just can't remember me studying like he does when I was his age. Mommy was the kind of student who studies when my area is really quiet, no music and no murmurs please. That will totally distruct me. Anyway seems like the music worked well for my son, he's got good test results. Thank God for that!

It is a Saturday and both my kids are free from school task and mommy is home. Our house help makes things a lot easier for me and we all appreciate that. She does the cooking too. But today I grabbed her work in the kitchen and I cooked our lunch. It always excites them when I get my hands in the kitchen and do our food. I made a tuna steak marinated in our local lemon and soy sauce with salt and pepper to taste. The drippings of the steak makes them want to ask for more, I balanced the fish with a chayote, sauteed in lots of chunky garlic and a little butter. Just imagine my kids, they feasted with todays lunch and the smile in their faces are just so priceless.

There maybe a lot of mothers out there who entrust our kids' food with the house help or the cook in your own homes, but kids would like and be as happy to see their moms enthusiastically preparing their favorites in the kitchen. We had a great lunch shared with my mom and our house help.....and KIDS WHISPERED, "MOM, THAT WAS A GREAT LUNCH"

And it always is exciting for me to hear it from my kids, such music to my ears!

My first Whisper

hi Everyone,

Shhhhhhhhhh. let me whisper to you how I pulled my seat, face my monitor and made this blog.
It was my mom who told me that Liza is hooked in computer while making each day of hers a lot of fun. I know Liza by name, but I think I've only met her once and we didn't really had the chance to talk or even shhhhhhhhhhhhhh whisper our little bits of secrets. And so years have gone by, until I was able to drop by her place with my mom, and there goes our unending exchange of stories.

I like to say, that looking how vibrant she is telling me about blogging, I readily felt that I want to do it. She looks so excited, very eager to blog and still manage to do her duties being a wife, a mom and a store owner. Not a dull day with her, I can see!

And so, finally I am here. This blog will whisper to you anything about what my heart and my mind will see, it can be about me, my family, my friends, and even the people I see along the way. I may whisper something fun, something good, something exciting but not limited to these.
Expect something teary, heartbreaking and sentimental. After all, that's what life is all about.

See you...