tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184488082024-03-08T14:31:40.602+08:00Daydream BelieverRiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.comBlogger354125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-29673223089788275332011-06-26T13:59:00.001+08:002011-06-30T21:56:24.109+08:00The Value of BrandingOh look, I'm back :) I know this site of mine deserves so much more attention than it gets but my offline life just gets in the way. This site is one that I really invested a lot of time and effort to in the beginning, after all. I personalized the template (and this was back when Blogger didn't have the easy to do tabs and stuff! and for someone who has no clue what she's doing, it was a big feat!!!) and even worked on personalizing banners and buttons. And let's not forget this is the site that carries my "brand"....<a href="http://yapatoots.blogspot.com/2005/10/welcome-to-dreamland.html">yapatoots </a>:)<br />
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Branding or personalizing, whether it is a website, a blog, or even a company, is essential. It is through this that your goals, vision/mission and purpose is known, after all. If you were a home based baking business, for example, that specialized on <a href="http://www.branders.com/category/promotional_items_Food_Drink?catid=81737">custom food products</a> creating a logo and carrying a slogan that called that out would be very essential. If you branded your products well enough, and had a good visual reference for it, it can help open up many doors for your business.<br />
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While word-of-mouth advertising is always a good way to go, it doesn't hurt to have a wide array of advertising options. Nowadays there are so many free options, such as through social networking sites like Facebook. I know of a friend who sells hair bows and accessories for children and what she does is offer promotional items for purchases made via Facebook and according to her, she's gotten a good response.<br />
You can also check out those personalizing websites (such as www.branders.com) that offer <a href="http://www.branders.com/">promotional products</a> with your site/products names/logos etcetera. They're quite easy to work with and they offer good deals for big or small industries. Nowadays, ordering promotional and personalized giveaways no longer have to be expensive or limited to the big industry! Be it stickers, pens, t-shirts or what not, branding yourself is definitely the way to go. I remember when I started blogging for business, there was this site that did a keychain giveaway with the name of their brand. Hmmm...maybe I should order some "<i>yapatoots" </i>keychains, yes? :) <i><br />
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</i>Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-64537982150234923462011-06-12T21:38:00.001+08:002011-06-15T14:45:04.532+08:00Eco friendly schools on the rise, reaping benefits The large increase in going green is expanding all over the world today. Schools are proving to be no exception to this rule, as green construction and practices have become increasingly popular in the education system. Faculty members are always <a href="http://theaccidentalteacher.com/2011/03/higher-learning/">looking for what will help their students</a> in the end and many are realizing that eco-friendly schools are putting up some of the best performances in the classroom. With the increase in sustainability and cut on health problems, eco-friendly schools are continuing to become more and more popular.<br />
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The sustainability factor plays a large role in the decisions to “green” anything it seems and schools are no different. Even though the initial construction or remodeling costs of a green school may be more expensive, the cut on long term utilities will more than make up for the extra expenses in the building process. These long term utility expenses will directly reflect one of the great reasons in making a school green.<br />
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<a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/how-to-go-green-school-teachers.php">Making a school eco-friendly</a> can also have a number of health benefits with lower cases of environmental health risks to students and faculty. Through new sets of ventilation and filtering, toxins are cut in an eco friendly environment, which often has a direct result of improved health. With improved health often comes higher attendance. With the higher attendance, grades and performance will likely improve as well.<br />
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Replacing the insulation of a school with green options has been shown to be a great way to cut down on health risks within the education system. Many older schools still contain asbestos fibers in their insulation (a material commonly related to the disease <a href="http://www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com/">mesothelioma</a>). With the choice to use green insulation, many of the health risks that may come with toxic insulation are being eliminated in the process. Even without the need for asbestos removal, green insulation provides one of the best ways to increase a buildings overall sustainability and lower utility costs. In the older schools with toxic insulation, a switch to green may prevent some life threatening health problems, seeing as mesothelioma life expectancy is severe (only an average of a year following diagnosis). <br />
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These are just a handful of the reasons in which eco-friendly schools are having multiple benefits for students and faculty today. Higher grades, attendance, better utility costs, and reduced health risks are major bragging points. Certainly with the upward swing in green lifestyles and the benefits of making a school green, it wouldn’t be surprising one bit to see eco-friendly schools continue to pop up and become the norm.Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-13453204250797148562011-05-15T19:51:00.001+08:002011-06-12T22:45:47.175+08:00Missing The TheaterWhen I was a child (despite the fact that I, um, cannot sing or dance to save my life!!!) I used to do theatre performances. I loved productions...I used to play all sorts of roles and yes, even if I was often off-key in singing, I could get away with it on stage, especially since the singing voices were recorded anyway. The acting part, perhaps, is what I really loved. It's funny because to be honest, I am a very, very shy person. However, when I was younger, I would dream of performing in big stages, not just in the Philippines, but more on Broadway and those big theatres like Radio City Music Hall or Madison Square Garden, or even in those stadiums and coliseums that are great venues for productions. <br />
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As I grew older, my fascination for theater shifted from wanting to perform in it to being content with watching such wonderful plays like Cats and Miss Saigon, as well as the movie based plays such as The Wedding Singer and Legally Blonde. If only theater tickets weren't so expensive and hard to come by (especially here in the Philippines), I'd watch a play once a month!!! <br />
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One play I would love to catch that's coming to my neck of the woods soon is the Cirque du Soleil: Zarkana. I do hope tickets come my way....but wait, I suppose I gotta find out when and where it will be on first. Haha.<br />
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Anyway, what's your favorite theater production? Care to share?Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-24022988204070544552011-05-15T19:34:00.000+08:002011-05-15T19:34:53.721+08:00Fresh StartsI'm back...<br />
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Yes, I know it's been a while. Sometimes I just run out of steam, I guess, managing everything I have to be managing. But anyway, like I was saying, I'm back :) Or at least I'm trying. Teehee.<br />
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I took the past two weeks off from life in general, and today I am ending that little hiatus and well, lets hope I stay on track for a bit.<br />
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See ya around peeps :)Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-13421186379101502112011-04-06T23:21:00.000+08:002011-04-06T23:21:03.067+08:00Alternative Sleepwear and More<span id="goog_2061059178"></span><span id="goog_2061059179"></span>I love sleeping in very loose and comfortable pajamas. No, I do not like night shirts and lingerie, just jammies. However, when I go on overnight trips and have to bunk with a roomie for the night, I kinda need something that doesn’t look too comfy and err....homey. One thing I have discovered are <a href="http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Women/Custom-Scrubs/">hospital scrubs</a>. I don't know if you have ever tried them, but they're quite nice to wear. <br />
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My friend who is a physical therapist actually introduced these to me. Since this is her uniform and she works with kids, she gets the nice ones with cartoon characters and all but for someone like me who is neither a doctor, nurse or therapist, one of those <a href="http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/">discount medical scrubs</a> will do.<br />
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Nowadays, these <a href="http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Men/">medical uniforms</a> are not limited to doctors and nurses anymore. Almost anyone can wear them, in fact. As for me, one reason I like them, besides of course it's inherent comfort, is the fact that I used to wish I were a doctor and so this is as close I get to the profession that I used to want to get into. Haha. And you thought only children played pretend and dress up, huh?Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-39742423511199126862011-03-04T21:38:00.000+08:002011-03-04T21:38:39.105+08:00Looking for InvestmentsMy gosh.<br />
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Today gas prices went up again. I tell you living in this day and age is increasingly getting more and more difficult. Add to that the fact that I suck at saving, right? Soooo...maybe this year I should change that. The question is: what to invest in? Real estate sounds interesting, but they say it's not a good time to buy now. Stocks are interesting, but, I'm not much of a risk taker. Gold is a popular choice but I wouldn't know how to begin trying to <a href="http://www.goldcoinsgain.com/Gold-Prices-Gold-Price-Price-of-Gold-Gold-Spot-Current-Gold-Prices-Gold-Charts/">spot gold</a> deals that are good and what are the going <a href="http://www.goldcoinsgain.com/Gold-Prices-Gold-Price-Price-of-Gold-Gold-Spot-Current-Gold-Prices-Gold-Charts/">gold prices </a>nowadays.<br />
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One reason gold would be a good investment, or so I've been told, is because the <a href="http://www.goldcoinsgain.com/Gold-Prices-Gold-Price-Price-of-Gold-Gold-Spot-Current-Gold-Prices-Gold-Charts/">price of gold</a> is relatively errr, I dunno if stable would be a right term, but what I mean is though <a href="http://www.goldcoinsgain.com/Gold-Prices-Gold-Price-Price-of-Gold-Gold-Spot-Current-Gold-Prices-Gold-Charts/">gold price</a>s may dip from time to time, it always can be counted on to go up again.<br />
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So, whatchathink? C'mon guys, lets go to one of them mines or a <a href="http://www.goldcoinsgain.com/Gold-Prices-Gold-Price-Price-of-Gold-Gold-Spot-Current-Gold-Prices-Gold-Charts/">gold spot</a> and stike it rich? haha. Where's that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow when you need it!!!Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-51123967646952224202011-03-04T21:32:00.000+08:002011-03-04T21:32:16.094+08:00iBlog 7: Not Just Part of the Audience!This will be my third year attending the annual bloggers convention, iBlog, and this year, I have been picked as one of the speakers :)<br />
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Yeeeeey.....Yiiiiikes....Egaaaaad.<br />
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Talk about mixed emotions haha. Wish me luckRiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-24649306925726300042011-02-26T16:50:00.000+08:002011-02-26T16:50:41.963+08:00Ceiling Fans And Dining AmbianceOne of the things I look for when I eat out is comfort. While I may always say that I would pick fashion over comfort when I'm dressing up, when it comes to eating out, I don't like being stuck in a stuffy restaurant. I especially like restaurants that are open and spacious because I truly hate dining in a place where I can't even hear myself think. I particularly like the rustic feel of places that are by the bay or the sea, just like the dining area in my favorite resort (which sadly has closed down already. boo.) Because it's so open and spacious, it is cool and breezy. Sometimes, though, especially during the summer, they need to run the <a href="http://www.hansenwholesale.com/">Ceiling fans</a> to get good circulation going.<br />
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The one thing I like best about having a <a href="http://www.hansenwholesale.com/ceilingfans/">Ceiling fan</a> is that it does allow for good air circulation, especially since we all know hot air rises, right? So if it's being moved around from up where the fan is installed, it allows for more movement, thus dispelling the heaviness in the air that tends to build up. At least that's the best way I can describe it hehe. <br />
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There are a lot of available types and models of ceiling fans in the market. From really large ones for commercial use to smaller, more home-friendly ones, there is sure to be one that will best suit your needs. Before you go out and get one, however, it is important to do the legwork and read about what's out there. I bet there are good deals to be found, such as from <a href="http://www.hansenwholesale.com/">Hansen Wholesale Ceiling Fans</a> among others. <a href="http://www.hansenwholesale.com/ceilingfans/bestfans.asp"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Find out who makes the Best Ceiling Fans here!</strong></a><br />
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<strong style="font-weight: normal;">Happy shopping! </strong>Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-29233344610024990682011-02-26T16:40:00.000+08:002011-02-26T16:40:22.504+08:00Rubbabu: Toys and Other Nice ThingsI recently was invited to a media briefing about a new toy line that is set to hit the market really soon: Rubbabu toys. They are the cutest things, I tell ya. Alright, granted you've heard that time and again, but just go with it, okay? Haha. One added bonus to the whole Rubbabu brand is that unlike many toy brands out there, this one is almost completely environmentally friendly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09T9xfHE7EZ_ap_z9bqUv9qL997jrFYI2vwtze9_lVDVNRaCmrbai4i3AAzkz7lBOpizTE9OL_4CArzD0U3rxAtoSnPm3jVj3IZkOcaZ2LZVJYv_WTIWveGoySYKJsQX3vOIT/s1600/156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09T9xfHE7EZ_ap_z9bqUv9qL997jrFYI2vwtze9_lVDVNRaCmrbai4i3AAzkz7lBOpizTE9OL_4CArzD0U3rxAtoSnPm3jVj3IZkOcaZ2LZVJYv_WTIWveGoySYKJsQX3vOIT/s400/156.JPG" width="225" /></a></div><br />
I made a whole list of why this is such a great toy for kids. Please do read about it in my teacher blog, www.theaccidentalteacher.com :)Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-21604639734070337712011-01-03T07:33:00.000+08:002011-01-03T07:33:01.013+08:00Scrubs...Not Just For Doctors :-)One of the things my friend, who is a physical therapist, keeps telling me is how comfortable it is to sleep in her scrubs. Sure, they're <a href="http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Men%27s-Scrubs/">medical uniforms</a> but since she is no longer with the company that issued those scrubs, she uses it for sleeping. Actually, I was laughing at her when she made it a point to bring these scrubs from here when she migrated to the US. I was telling her she really didn’t need it, but she was like, I want it. She says it allows her to move freely and comfortably. I never really thought they could be comfy, but now that I think of it, doctors, nurses and therapists who use scrubs need to be able to move quickly and freely with what they're wearing, right? <br />
Actually, I love how these nurses and <a href="http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/">doctors scrubs</a> have become quite cute and stylish, especially the ones for pediatricians. They come with cute little characters that are so adorable.From hearts to stars and cartoon characters, these scrubs are no longer limited to plain white, hospital-y looking thingies.They come in all sorts of colors too. I see them when the nannies and caregivers around our neighborhood (yes, scrubs have evolved to being used by so many other professions!). If I were to get a pair for myself, I'd pick a set of <a href="http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/products/Carnegie-Green-%252d-Women%27s-Original-Scrub-Tops.html"> teal green scrubs</a>. That would be so cute I tell ya!Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-78221545151274959542011-01-03T07:03:00.000+08:002011-01-03T07:35:33.815+08:00Back in BusinessAfter another looooong hiatus....I'm back. :-) Wish me luck this time around...I need to keep this blog going. After all, it was the one that kept me company through the long dark nights that I struggled with. It has my inner most thoughts (well, at least those that are available for public consumption teeheeheee) and so I wanna make sure it stays alive.<br />
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I do hope you come back and visit every now and then! Even more, I hope I have new stuff for you to read when you return!Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-89830484715686853282010-07-10T20:35:00.000+08:002010-07-10T20:35:38.877+08:00Statistics....my research WaterlooToday my friend and I were discussing why I still had not gotten my thesis done. Or research for that matter. One one hand, I really wanna get it done, but on the other, I really don't want to. Talk about ambivalence. I guess for one <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help" mce_href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help">Statistics problems</a> make me nervous and it makes me feel incompetent. <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help" mce_href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help">Statistics questions</a> my self-esteem and my general sense of well-being. That's really one thing that's holding me back. I know that I can get a lot of <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help" mce_href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help">Statistics help</a> from my friends and colleagues, but even that isn't enough to motivate me.<br />
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Seriously, however, getting a <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help" mce_href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help">Statistics tutor</a> may help me get over that fear. Finding <a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help" mce_href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help">free Statistics help</a> is actually quite easy, especially now that we are living in a highly technological world. Through the internet, there are many sites to find<a href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help" mce_href="http://www.tutorvista.com/statistics-help"> Statistics answers.</a> An added bonus, it's all available at my fingertips anytime of day. Plus there are all sorts of software to make computing and the like quick and almost painless. <br />
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Perhaps soon I will overcome my fear of research.Hopefully it come before it's too late. But then again....let's see what happens! To be fair, I do join in with group research projects and in the meantime, that's gotta suffice :-)Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-84737054824053027242010-07-10T20:16:00.001+08:002010-07-10T20:16:33.676+08:00Salt Arrives this July!After such a long wait, I am so happy to know that Angelina Jolie's latest movie, SALT, will finally be in theaters this July! As far as I know, this has been in the works since 2009 and I have seen so many trailers promoting it but it isn't till now that we have final confirmation that it will be shown at the end of the month. I CAN'T WAIT!!! Woot!Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-90340724892412305402010-06-30T18:29:00.001+08:002010-06-30T18:31:29.355+08:00The Wonderful World of PDFAs a child, I loved spending countless hours in the bookstore. When I was living in the States, my playground of choice was the neighborhood library. However, now that I am grown up, I don't have the luxury of spending time in those places anymore. In fact, I barely have time to read :-( Right now, the only stuff I end up reading are journal articles and ebooks on my handy-dandy E63.It helps a lot that pdf files are readily available and easily downloaded into my phone so I can read them whenever I am in transit.<br />
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One thing, however, that frustrates me when I browse pdf files online, especially those that are for academic purposes, is that sometimes it is not specified if it is a full article or if it's just an abstract. It would help if there were thumbnails and previews that would allow me to check the files, such as the <a href="http://www.pdfok.com/">newagepdfsearch</a>, without downloading first, that way I don't use up the precious little space left in my trusty lappy.<br />
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Also, as a teacher, I try to save my files in pdf so that I can be more confident in uploading and sharing notes and lectures with my students. This way I am assured, to some degree, that whatever I send is not as easily changed as compared to in a simple document file.<br />
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</a>Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-51985591682045563102010-06-30T17:51:00.000+08:002010-06-30T17:51:50.463+08:00Looking for nominees for the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs?It's just about that time of the year where the blogosphere searches for the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of the year. I found out about this contest last year when I got into the whole blogging scene. Back then, my blog, <a href="http://www.theaccidentalteacher.com/">The Accidental Teacher</a> was nominated!<br />
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This year, two of my blogs have made appearances on the list again! Nominated are The Accidental Teacher and <a href="http://www.fatgirlnomore.com/">Fat Girl No More</a>.I am so honored to actually be nominated, and I can only wish I can actually make the top 10 this year. Competition is tight though!!!<br />
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If you wanna join the <a href="http://www.influentialblogger.net/2010/05/join-top-10-emerging-influential-blogs.html">writing contest</a> and are looking for nominees, please do consider my blogs ;-) One more blog I'm advocating for is my friend Earth's blog, <a href="http://www.survivingautism.net/">Surviving Autism</a> and for foodie fans, <a href="http://www.nomnomclub.com/">Nomnomclub</a>.Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-2571891495229802312010-06-30T15:47:00.000+08:002010-06-30T15:47:19.008+08:00What's in the Rainbow's End?Sometimes I wish I could still believe in the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. That will definitely solve a lot of my money woes and let me have the power to purchase whatever I want, whenever I want :-) I don't really need much, but I would love having the option of not having to be tied down to a job to earn a living. Imagine, if I could <a href="http://www.goldcoinsgain.com/Gold-Prices-Gold-Price-Price-of-Gold-Gold-Spot-Current-Gold-Prices-Gold-Charts/">spot gold</a> at the end of a rainbow were real, given the <a href="http://www.goldcoinsgain.com/Gold-Prices-Gold-Price-Price-of-Gold-Gold-Spot-Current-Gold-Prices-Gold-Charts/">price of gold</a> in today's market, I could sure solve not just my problems, but even other people who matter to me.<br />
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What's also great about having a pot of gold at my disposal is the fact that <a href="http://www.goldcoinsgain.com/Gold-Prices-Gold-Price-Price-of-Gold-Gold-Spot-Current-Gold-Prices-Gold-Charts/">gold prices</a> continue to go up, no matter how bad a market can be. Even if <a href="http://www.goldcoinsgain.com/Gold-Prices-Gold-Price-Price-of-Gold-Gold-Spot-Current-Gold-Prices-Gold-Charts/">gold price</a> fluctuates now and then, it still is a worthwhile investment. This is why, I think, many people invest in gold buillon and bars.<br />
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So, do you wanna join me in finding a <a href="http://www.goldcoinsgain.com/Gold-Prices-Gold-Price-Price-of-Gold-Gold-Spot-Current-Gold-Prices-Gold-Charts/">gold spot </a>at the end of the rainbow??? Hahaha! If only these were real!!! For now, I will settle for investing in gold jewelry! Speaking of which, maybe this would be a great gift for my latest goddaughter, what do you think???Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-23351425760632558472010-06-30T15:29:00.000+08:002010-06-30T15:29:09.606+08:00Eclipse Opens Today!!!!Though I am not a big Twilight Fan, I can't help but get into the whole Twilight Fever whenever it comes up. Last night I got to catch an advanced screening of the latest installment of the series, Eclipse. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it a lot :-) There were a lot of cheesy, funny, and <i>kilig </i>moments that any viewer would enjoy, particularly the female audiences :-)<br />
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Two of my favorite lines: (without spoiling anything!)<br />
<i>"You have to admit, I'm hotter than you!" Jacob to Edward</i><br />
<i>"Jacob....stay!" Bella to Jacob</i><br />
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<i> </i>cute huh? ;-)Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-59009649739610555542010-06-15T12:00:00.000+08:002010-06-30T15:31:31.118+08:00Back from hiatusGosh, I can't believe I've neglected this blog for quite some time....I hope to be able to be more consistent in updating this soon. I've just been very busy with my numerous jobs plus trying to successfully maintain to many blogs mwahahaha.<br />
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Anyway, I will try to be back here more often! This blog will undergo some changes, though, so watch out for that :-)Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-53129090532261151782010-05-20T12:32:00.004+08:002010-05-20T12:46:16.358+08:00AyosDito.ph taps into my inner bagaholic!I swore I will never buy a branded bag in my lifetime. No matter how popular or beautiful these bags may be, whether it is a Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada or Hermés, I wasn't going to buy them. Now...if I were to be given one as a present, that's another story!!!<br />
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Anyway, when I was browsing through the <a href="http://ayosdito.ph/">AyosDito.ph</a> website (I was looking if they had any of those good, sturdy laptop <a href="http://www.ayosdito.ph/li?ca=5_s&th=1&q=Bags&cg=4040&w=3">bags for sale </a> that's suitable for traveling. Last time I went out of town my laptop kinda got squeezed around because my bag was not airplane worthy!) I came across a whole bunch of these branded bags. I quickly dismissed them and wondered why people spent so much money on these bags until I came across something that caught my eye: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4623571386_f7c9c04239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4623571386_f7c9c04239.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Pretty, right? Against my better judgment, I clicked it and fell in love with it even more! *sigh*<br />
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What I like about it is that it's a super simple and classic design without so much fanfare and yet can catch anyone's eye (it sure caught mine!) Plus, it reminds me of the bag in the television show Rubi which stars Angelica Panganiban. Being a big fan of that show I suppose is what attracted me to this bag. Hers was black though, but I prefer this gold version. However, the price tag broke my heart!!!<br />
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Yes, my inner bagaholic suddenly came back to life!<br />
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I guess it's back to the bag search for me since this is an impossibility for me! Luckily AyosDito.ph has a whole bunch of other beautiful bags, some preloved, some brand new. I'm sure something here will fit my budget. Let's just hope I don't get sidetracked by all the other products and <a href="http://www.ayosdito.ph/">classified ads</a> in the website or else I'd be needing more than just 217,000!!! This may be a tall order though: browsing through these ads is so easy and user-friendly, plus it makes doing online purchases so easy that it will take every ounce of effort to control myself. Although I have to admit, having online shopping so readily available in a local setting is a great thing. Perhaps I should think about selling some things there too, what do you think?Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-77942742145780696372010-05-12T19:56:00.000+08:002010-05-12T19:56:15.676+08:00Showbiz PoliticsWith the end of the elections, the people's mandate is clear: showbiz is not always a guarantee to Philippine politics. HOWEVER, a large percentage of showbiz personalities still won their various posts. Take for example Lucy Torres-Gomez and Manny Pacquaio. We also have the topnotcher senatorial bet Ramon Bong Revilla. I am not taking away anything from these actors-sports personalities-etcetera turned politician but one thing is clear with me: I hope they do a good job. Perhaps personally I wouldn't have voted for them, but who knows what the next six years will bring. Let's see and hope for the best. Just remember: unlike the movies, there isn't a take two here so please do it right :-)Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-49353326558957078422010-05-12T01:01:00.000+08:002010-05-12T01:01:14.875+08:00Webhosting, HTML and other online languageTwo years ago, I knew nothing about CSS, HTML and all these foreign sounding codes. I figured, why'd I have to learn about it when I had my free blogging platform that worked like a charm. It had built in designs and templates, all I really needed to do was type in my text and click publish. However, after some time I got bored with the backgrounds, the colors and so on and so forth so I started exploring the lay-outs and codes. Soon enough I learned what java script meant and these previously unknown terms became understandable to me. At first, it was limited to just tweaking the html codes. My biggest accomplishment at that time was being able to install my own favicon, thanks to some online tutorials!!!<br />
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Today I have progressed to knowing about bandwidth, cpanel and <a href="http://webhostinggeeks.com/">cheap hosting</a> plans that offered the best package for your blogging needs. I am lucky I have a web host who helps me a lot with figuring out how things work and who gives me tips to improve the monetizing potential of my blogs. It's nice that even someone like me can redesign and tweak my blogs almost completely independently. <br />
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The next thing I have to master with this whole blogging thing is remembering how all these things work and more importantly: the passwords of all my different blog accounts!!!Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-69235146165704062682010-05-12T00:52:00.000+08:002010-05-12T00:52:00.095+08:00Bubba's Vacation!!!I am looking forward to Thursday because at long last, I will be taking Bubba back to the beach!!! :-) The last time we were there was October two years ago and both he and I enjoyed it a lot. The only downside to our trip is the fact that my trusty old point and shoot camera broke down...just when I bought a new battery for it. For some reason, it started taking photos with all these random white lines on it. My online friends say it looks like a lens problem and that having it repaired may not be worth it. I'm gonna give it a shot though, but most likely they're right :-( Funny though, it can still take videos. Let's see what happens from here. I'm trying to stop myself from buying a new one because a.) I don't really need it and b.) I have my SLR camera anyway. But I still want a handy point and shoot!!! Gadget gods please send one my way!!!Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-86756072652200546632010-05-09T16:59:00.000+08:002010-05-09T16:59:23.140+08:00Schoolhouse CleanupOne of the hardest things to do in terms of getting ready for an upcoming school year is updating the equipment and cleaning up the school grounds, especially when you have a limited budget to work with. In our school, one other problem we have to contend with is that since we are renting the building, we cannot just do <a href="http://www.remedial.com.au/structural-repairs/">structural repairs</a> such as changing the roofing or taking down a wall without the permission of the owner.<br />
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If I could, I would really want to explore flooring solutions for our covered playground area because I truly detest the cemented area where the kids play<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4590840275_e6b4b7c023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4590840275_e6b4b7c023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Even though our playground looks nice, that particular area worries me because of it's accident potential. We also have an area near my classroom that has a pebble wash flooring which I want to do something about, such <a href="http://www.remedial.com.au/flooring-solutions/">epoxy slip-proof flooring</a> just like what I saw in the <a href="http://www.remedial.com.au/flooring-solutions/">flooring solutions melbourne</a> site. I think this may make our school even safer for our kids.Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-37001624817209275672010-05-08T16:15:00.001+08:002010-05-08T17:35:02.009+08:00Wanna win some $$$? :-)One of my other blogs, www.yapatoots.com is celebrating it's FIRST BLOG ANNIVERSARY!!! :-) Thanks to a whole bunch of sponsors and supporters, I am hosting a thanksgiving contest and I am inviting you all to join. This is a great opportunity to take time out and give thanks and recognize what we are grateful for.<br />
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The prizes are as follows:<br />
<ul><li><b> GRAND PRIZE <img alt=":-)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://www.yapatoots.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> </b> <br />
<ul><li><br />
<ul><li>$30 USD via Paypal</li>
<li>INFO domain plus hosting for one year</li>
<li>1 Pinoy Blogger Shirt from Lakwatsero</li>
<li>1 Yummy Book</li>
<li>Sponsorship Link for 6 months</li>
<li>running ads link for 1 year</li>
<li>2 125×125 banner ad for a month </li>
</ul></li>
</ul></li>
</ul><ul><li><b></b>Other prizes: <br />
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<ul><li>First Place <br />
<ul><li>$15</li>
<li>1,500 EC credits</li>
<li>A dress from the Fab Recessionista</li>
<li>1 YummyBook</li>
<li>Sponsorship Link for 6 months</li>
<li>running ads link for 1 year</li>
<li>1 month ad space</li>
</ul></li>
<li>Second Place <br />
<ul><li>$10</li>
<li>1,000 EC credits</li>
<li>Starbucks Cap from NomnomClub.com</li>
<li>1 Yummy Book</li>
<li>Sponsorship Link 6 months</li>
<li>1 month ad space</li>
</ul></li>
<li>Third Place <br />
<ul><li>$5 via Pay Pal</li>
<li>1,500 Ec credits</li>
<li>Starbucks Cap from NomnomClub.com</li>
<li>1 Yummy Book</li>
<li>Sponsorship Link for 6 months</li>
<li>ad space for 1 month</li>
</ul></li>
</ul></li>
</ul><ul><li><b>Special Awards</b> <br />
<ul><li>The Early Bird Prize goes to the first officially verified and completed entry (Based on the main contest requirements) <br />
<ul><li>$5 via Pay Pal</li>
<li>Pinoy Blogger Shirt</li>
<li>Starbucks ID Lace</li>
<li>2 ad spaces for 1 month</li>
</ul></li>
<li>Top Commentator <br />
<ul><li>$5 via Pay Pal</li>
<li>1 Starbucks China Demitasse Cup</li>
<li>1 Pinoy Blogger Shirt</li>
<li>1 Yummy Book</li>
<li>Sponsorship Link 6 months</li>
<li>I year running ads at the blog site</li>
<li>2 ad spaces for 1 month</li>
</ul></li>
<li>High Score! <br />
<ul><li>$5 via Pay Pal</li>
<li>1 Pawnacea “Walk in the Park” Kit: a pot of Paw Balm and a bottle of Grooming Spray <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://www.yapatoots.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> </li>
<li>1 Globe Tattoo USB stick</li>
<li>1 Starbucks ID lace from NomnomClub.com</li>
<li>1 Dress from the Fab Recessionista</li>
<li>1 GC 60 minute superskin or cosmeceutical facial from VX Facials</li>
<li>2 ad spaces</li>
<li>AND MY FAVORITE PRIZE: A Starbucks Tumbler! <img alt=":-)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://www.yapatoots.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" /> </li>
</ul></li>
</ul></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.yapatoots.com/2010/05/its-my-blog-anniversary.html">Please do drop by here and join!!!</a></b></span></div>Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18448808.post-44980117500288796742010-05-08T15:09:00.002+08:002010-05-08T15:10:31.778+08:00Never over-estimate a quarter-tank full of gas.I should listen to my mother more.<br />
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She always tells me to NEVER let my gas tank go below the one-fourth line because she says that by doing so, I run the risk of letting the sediment in the gas tank circulate throughout the engine of the car, thus affecting the car's life span. She says that once these problems start up, it can trigger a chain reaction where the gaskets can blow, the <a href="http://repairpal.com/timing-belt-replacement">timing belt</a> and fan belts get loose and what not. In general, I try to listen. However, since I received a BDO Emerald Rewards card which earns me points if I gas up in a Petron station, I tend to be more careless about it because I keep delaying gassing up until I come across such a station.<br />
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Last Sunday, I got in my car and saw that the indicator read a wee bit before the 1/4 mark. I decided that it would be okay enough to drive to the mall where I was supposed to meet my friends and to gas up in the Petron station nearby. Little did I know that there was a massive traffic jam due to the Tears for Fears concert PLUS a campaign rally being held along EDSA. I got held up in traffic for over 3 hours and yes, that 1/4 tank of gas started to run out! I was panicking like all hell!!! I was imagining the worst already because I was stuck in the major thoroughfare with no end in sight! And yes: there were no nearby gas stations!!!<br />
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Lesson learned: listen to your mother!!! I guess she was right when she said be cautious about the maintenance of my car or else it could end up like my friends <a href="http://repairpal.com/honda-accord-2001">honda accord</a> or her toyota corolla which have gotten old and dilapidated and....well....not even the Humpty Dumpty or car repair companies such as<a href="http://repairpal.com/san-francisco-auto-repair"> San Francisco auto repair</a> could put them back together again!Riahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07514733968779406889noreply@blogger.com0