Candlelight: 2013 Earth Hour
We have once again participated to this year’s Earth Hour. And just like with the part year’s “tradition”, it gave us (me and my kids) a good feeling in doing so. We once again had a little fun while we “Dare the World to Save the Earth”, as what the Eath Hour Community featured. For an hour, for just last March 31, we turned off the lights and lit up a candle. We somehow, in out own little way, took part of history.
It just makes me wonder, if millions of people around the globe can do it, and whole-heartedly participated in it, why not make this particular event be at least twice a year? Or perhaps, once a month? That would be so much better for the Earth, right? Imagine, there were even some of us who went beyond the hour. It was an “extra mile” and it was good… a very good sign, in fact! I just would like to extend my “pat-on-the-back” virtually to the people behind this event. These people has just proved me right one way or another, that there is good in each one of us. Kudos to everyone who participated this year’s Earth Hour! I know all of us enjoyed the candlelight during that dark (literally) Earth hour. We will be more than happy to participate again next year.
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March is Pet Love: Rabies Awareness Month
March, besides known to be the fire prevention month is also the Rabies Awareness Month. Did you know that the Department of Health have already established 360 Animal Bite Treatment Centers all over the country? This is because of the number of death due to rabies continue to arise.
As we already know, rabies is a preventable viral infection. It does affect the central nervous system and can be fatal. Then again, it is preventable. If you have dogs or other pets like cats or any other warm-blooded animals, have them vaccinated for an anti-rabies oce they are at least 3 months old. The vaccine is also recommended to be done yearly after the initial shot for their protection.
I remember my Mom to have been bitten numerous times when she was a teener and when she already have me. She would always mention before that she is not sure why dogs love to bit her. Funny as it may seem but she is one of the many people who gets terrified with the sight of an unfamiliar dog, especially when it barks loud. She once told me that there was one time she had to follow an old belief to put or rub garlic in the bitten part but realized when she arrived at the hospital, she was reprimanded by the doctor who attended her. She got bit again after and has learned what she should do with the bite. The wound should be washed by just soap and water as soon as possible and head to the nearest hospital’s emergency room. What to do with the pet? Leash them and they had to be observed for up to 2 weeks. If it is not possible to observe the animal, your physician will at once advise for a post-exposure vaccine, as they call it.
Again, with all these info we have on hand and can access, prevention is still necessary. So, let your pets get their vaccines. The cute dogs in the photo were my cousin’s newly adopted pets named Paris and Tarugo. Aren’t they cute?
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Valentine Gift Idea For Him: Tool Box
Are you looking for something different and extra ordinary to give to your hubby, boyfriend, Dad or a male friend this Valentine? Ditch the idea of giving wallets, shirts or shorts since I am sure you have already given them that or those before. =P Try something useful and would give them the manly feel. Why not a tool box instead?
Tool boxes will help your man organize (screws, jack, pliers, electrical tapes, screwdrivers) just about everything they would use most of the time. Though these type of toolboxes are easy to find, make sure you get the ones that are durable enough to hold his stuff. Quality is still a priority in this kind of gift item, of course!
Another suggestion – wrap it with something pretty (should I say handsome since it is for a man? LOL) or sexy perhaps. Whoever the receiver is, he will sure not guess what’s inside. Make it a little extra special with a DIY gift wrap, in Valentine theme. With all these, your Dad or your man will sure give you a tight hug and a big huge smile.
Good luck and Happy Valentine!
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Christmas Cake
With my electric oven, I can’t deny that I’ve been inspired to create and bake goodies for my kids. Aside from being able to make cookies and cupcakes for my elder daughter’s school snack, I also tried making muffins for my toddler. Healthy muffins that is. Something that excites her everytime and wouldn’t mind eating.
Last Christmas, my cousins invited us to join their annual Christmas party and exchange gift. Who would say no? Not me! My kids were totally excited! We all love family gatherings and fun parties like this one. Since there were several families attending the event, a potluck was suggested. I was asked to bring something for dessert. And this was the best way to again, to have fun and experiment and also use my oven! I told them I’d bring cupcakes but I wanted to surprise them so I also baked a cake. It was a 6″ round layered chocolate cake with choco ganache.
From this cake on top to this one below which also shows the cupcakes that came with it. The new cupcake holder of my cousin’s wife was perfect to display the colorful sweets. My nieces and cousins volunteered to decorate the cake and cupcakes and it somehow made me feel glad they had fun with an instant creative activity.
It was a memorable Christmas party we had and I still can see the smile on my face whenever I recall that at least, that chocolate cake I brought at the party was not a disaster. As I look at its photos, I want to be able to bake more successful cakes. Successful not just in terms of look but taste too!
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Hopeful for The New Year
Happy New Year!
In every year, every one is but hopeful for a better life… in all aspect of it. For 10 years now, I always have in my hopes and prayers the best for my daughter K and since 3 years ago, for Roey too. Best of health is first in every Mom’s wish of course. And as we light up every sparkler at New Year’s eve, it comes with a simple wish of whatever we want or like to happen or have for the incoming year. Just like what we do as we blow the candles in our cakes every birthday celebration we have. In fact, if you think about it, we get to celebrate new year twice a year. Every 1st of January and on our birth dates too! We are so blessed, aren’t we?
My elder daughter took this photo of me as I was holding a small sparkler during New Year’s eve. I can not help but remember how these small sparklers give joy to me as a child. But if I get to see and witness the brightness and beauty of grand fireworks display, ahhh…that smile you’ll see in my face is spelled HAPPINESS!
Besides the fact that I was the only person in the house who lit up sparklers, I was the one who baked this cake too! It wasn’t really what I wanted for the New Year but I guess this one’s good enough for us. The real reason was actually, lack of time. Anyways, I used my new electric table top oven for this cake. It was a butter cake topped with a thin coat of choco buttercream, covered with marshmallow fondant. I didn’t have a Yellow food color so instead of using my in-stock White marshmallows for the fondant, I used a pack of Yellow (Banana cut) marshmallows which were store-bought. Designed it with sugar icing stars and mini candies. That’s our sweet something in our table that evening.
And as everyone of us wish for happiness, let us also remember to bring the same happiness we wish for to others. So, let me end this post with borrowed quotes – -
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey
“Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.” – Brooks Atkinson
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Barney Space Adventures in Manila
What more exciting for kids than to see Barney in a show, live!
My elder daughter grew up loving Barney and it goes the same with the younger one. Their adoration of Barney can easily be seen with all the VCDs and DVDs we have at home. It is from Barney they both learned the magic words, “Please” and “Thank You”. It was Barney and Mommy here of course who taught them the song “I Love You, You Love Me”. We have seen recorded Barney show in DVD format but not a live one yet. My elder daughter got to experience Disney On Ice show few years back and so as got the chance to see Dora The Explorer’s show at the Aliw Theater too. Now that there’s two of them, and both saw the ad for Barney Space Adventure show here in Manila, they both wanted to go! Having seen shows like this before, I already have an idea on how much a ticket would cost. I will definitely have to save up for me to get a ticket … I mean, tickets for the 3 of us. Minus the husband – knowing him, he’s not going to join us for sure. I have searched the net for the ticket cost and the details of the show itself as well. Here’s what I have got:
The show will be held at the ALIW Theater at the CCP Complex in Pasay City. The show will run from April 26 to April 29. If I will have to get 3 tickets for the “Price Zone 3″, I should prepare almost 5K. I still have enough time though and if this show will make my kids so happy, I will give it to them. I am sure that for these little kids, this is a once in a lifetime experience.
For more info, head on to TICKETWORLD.
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