My Belkin Wishlist

My family and I love to travel. Every chance we get and when money is not an issue, we take on a new adventure to a new place. This 2016, we have been blessed to book a promo flight to Korea. It would be our first time to experience Korea. So, my mindset in making this list is centered on our upcoming travels (God willing).  And oh, they are also the perfect Christmas gifts -- for me, hubby and our teenager.    

So, presenting to you my Top 5 Most Wanted Belkin Product: 

1) Belkin 2.4A Universal Charger Kit (White)

A world power in my control!

The ability to plug in to local power outlets anywhere in the world is vital for staying connected and safe when work or pleasure takes you out of the country. The Global Travel Kit provides one charger with 6 interchangeable tips that safely cover the 6 dominant power formats across the world. Plus, with 2.4A output, it gives the fastest possible charging for all your devices, whatever country you're in.   In a snapshot, its features are impressive!

Universal charger for ALL countries that works with any device

6 interchangeable regional plugs in one box

2.4A output for fastest charging

2)  Belkin Charger Kit with Lightning to USB Cable

The Belkin Charger Kit comes with a 1.2m/4ft Lightning to USB cable, so you can charge your Lightning connector devices at top speeds. And because it's removable, the cable can be used anywhere - plug it into your laptop to charge and sync, use it with the Home Charger to charge from the wall, or the Car Charger to charge on the road. Compatible with most iOS devices with a Lightning connector port.

It is compatible with the most mobile devices!
The USB ports on the Belkin Car Charger and Belkin Home Charger are both universal, so you can plug in any USB charging cable to charge a variety of different mobile devices at the fastest possible speed, including any brand smartphone, any brand tablet or any another mobile device.

It is easy to use!
The Belkin Chargers for Car and Home are extremely fast, but also extremely small. Plug the Home Charger into any wall outlet and it seamlessly blends in without blocking your other outlets. The Car Charger's low-profile design sits in your dash without getting in the way of your other controls. And at just less than ounce each, they weigh less than a few quarters in your pocket.

It is perfect for any family with multiple devices!
Because it's so versatile, the Belkin Charger Kit with Cable is the best charger kit for families with different devices to charge. No more drawers full of old chargers and cables, no more fighting over the chargers, and perhaps best of all, no more wondering which charger is compatible with your device. When you need to switch between multiple devices, simply swap out the cable.

At A Glance:
Ultra-compact home charger plugs into any wall power outlet
Low-profile car charger plugs into any car power outlet
10 Watt/2.1 Amp each
Universal powered USB port
Includes separate 1.2m/4ft Lightning to USB cable

3) Belkin Family Rockstar 4-Port USB Charger

A charger that's great at sharing!
The multi-talented family rockstar provides an enormous 5.4 amp total charging power across four USB ports. That'e enough power to charge two tablets and two smartphones, all at the same time. Any port can charge any device thanks to an intelligent smartchip, which recognizes the connected device automatically for tablets that means optimal charging at 2.4 amps. Wall-mountable and boasting a ten foot cable for convenient placement, this chanrging her will make power struggles at home a thing of the past. This is made for USB devices.

4)  Belkin Dual Swivel Charger with Lightning to USB Cable

It includes removable lightning to USB cable!

The Belkin Swivel Charger comes with a 4-foot Lightning to USB cable, so you can charge your Lightning connector devices at the fastest possible speed. The smaller, more durable Lightning connector is reversible, which makes plugging it in easier than ever. And because it’s removable, the cable can be used anywhere—plug it into your laptop to charge and sync, or use your own car charger to charge on the road. Great as a replacement cable or if you simply need an extra.

5)  Belkin AC Anywhere + USB Port

The USB port allows simultaneously charging of MP3 players, cellphones amd any other electronic devices.  There is also a built-in cooling fan for temperature protection. And that concludes my Most Wanted List.  I found all these Belkin products from Lazada website and they are from the merchant BELKIN PH BY MACPOWER.

Do check-out the Belkin products in Lazada through this link: http://www.lazada.com.ph/belkin-ph-by-macpower/

 

Taking Gifting to the Next Level

Time flies so fast...I know it's cliche but the rate in which a day passes just keeps on getting faster and faster as I get older. Why is that? Was it just the other day when I was preparing our kids for the opening of school year 2015-2016. Where did July, August, September and October go? And now, we're talking about Christmas and wish lists! Wow! 

This Christmas, my family and I wish to celebrate its real meaning, and that is Christ. Far more than just a holiday, Christmas is a  celebration of God's incredible act of love. Knowing this, it is but fitting that we remember His birth by giving each other gifts and sharing this love with others, most especially the less fortunate. This is the time to give back, the season of gifting. 

 

 

What is your Christmas wish list for yourself?

The things that I wish for come Christmas time have become fewer and simpler. In fact, they are not things anymore. But though I no longer wish for material things, I do appreciate the gifts I receive during Christmas.  They are indeed, blessings.  All the MONEY (imagine setting aside a portion of  our meager income or bonus), TIME (to think that we don't even have enough time for ourselves),  EFFORT (choosing and then buying and lining up to pay, wrapping, etc.), and THOUGHT (what to give??; where to shop??)  that go into the gift are the real gifts.  That thing inside that wrapped gift is just the trimming. That's how I see it.

Just like every year, I wish to have a vibrantly colored journal with lots of blank pages where I could write down my thoughts and anything under the sun. And then stickers and colored pens which I will use for my journalling.

I also love to receive baked goodies for Christmas. I have the sweetest tooth and a pack of cookies or a box of pastries or cakes are such a delight to have.     

What are your Christmas gift ideas for your loved ones this year?
For this purpose alone, I will limit the term "loved ones" to my family, those in our household. 

For my husband - A toy. Not those toys for the big boys, okay since I cannot afford them but a real toy, like some Lego bricks. 

For our eldest daughter - The new Tomb Raider PS3 game. The Tomb Raider series is the playstation game I was hooked into while I was "bedresting" the whole time I was pregnant with her.

      
For our 2nd daughter - A box of hard-to-find Crayola colors or pretty markers and pens. She's our artist and she's really fond of creating something with her hands.

For our youngest daughter - A wooden doll house. She loves to play doll houses with her "ates", furnishing and decorating them.

For our househelp - A new set of pillows.  So she can lay her head to a wonderful rest after a long day.

 

For our dog - A big bone with a ribbon, as suggested by our girls (I'm thinking of a left-over "bulalo"). 

How do you plan to give back to others this Christmas?

This last question thugs at my heart.  Eversince I graduated from college and started to earn my own keep, I have developed this desire to do something about the plight of our street children and contribute something (tangible items and non-tangible items) to an orphanage.  Orphans and abandoned kids have a special place in my heart maybe because I am an orphan myself.  When I was still single, I would join my brother and his family to a Noche Buena food-giving project to street children or to those just living in a "kariton". Soon after, I organized a similar project, this time, with my yuppy friends, right before Noche Buena.

Last Christmas, I encouraged my kids to clean and pack all their baby toys to giveaway to an orphanage. We personally brought the toys and their pre-loved clothes (which cannot fit them anymore) to the orphanage. We even met some of the children and spent time with them. 

There's always this feeling of blessedness when I'm involved in doing some acts of charity and kindness.  I want to teach our 3 girls the blessings of giving and not to be too attached to material things. In a world of apathy, how else can our kids learn compassion? 

This Christmas, I would like to take action once again to bring joy and happiness to orphans and abandoned children. When I stumbled upon this contest, read the mechanics and learned about the prize, I got excited.  The first picture that came to my mind were orphans hugging their own teddy bear.

Every year since 2012, my family has been privileged to be visited and caroled by a group of orphans. This time around, more than giving them money and providing them with snacks, I'm actually thinking of giving each one of them something to hug, a stuff toy, from our kids' own collections.

I also plan to visit again an orphanage. Together with my husband and 3 kids, we would spend one whole afternoon in this orphanage, feeding the kids, mingling and playing with them. If chosen to be a winner of this contest, we will gift each of the young orphans a teddy bear from the SM Christmas Bears of Joy. But more than anything else, I would like to give them my love and warm embrace even for a short time. And maybe these small steps would be the start of fulfilling one of my dreams...that of putting up a children's orphanage.


Illustration by: Noelle Aguilar

I know putting up an orphanage involves a lot of money. But I am inspired by the story of George Muller, a Christian evangelist who in the year 1836 put up an orphanage in Bristol, England. This orphanage was built by prayer and it cared for a little over 10,000 orphans.  Building an orphanage is my way of giving back. It is my gift of hope to the Filipino children who have been neglected, have lost their loved ones, or in one way or the other, have been left on their own. This orphanage will provide the basic needs of a child from food, water, clothes and education. But more than these, this children’s orphanage will provide them with love and care just like being in a family. In the confines of this building, they will never feel alone or abandoned or worthless. Here, they will feel special and precious. After all, they really are. Here, the children will learn to pray, experience God’s love and provision.  Here, they will know Jesus.  

A very arresting photo of our street children

And when the children are ready for adoption, they will leave the orphanage equipped with Godly-values and prepared for the world.  These children will have a strong sense of compassion.  They will share their joy and love with others who are like them.  They will make a difference and they will be the difference that the world wants to see.

I have big dreams for this children's orphanage and for the children themselves. My prayer is that while inside the confines of this building, their lives will be impacted and once they get out, they in turn will impact the lives of others. 

Having been orphaned at an early age, I know how it feels to almost give up hope.  Losing my parents at a young age is like losing everything.  Everything about a little child speaks of innocence and trust.  Children have pure hearts and can easily love with all their hearts. This love inspires us to see God's unconditional love.  I want to preserve the purity of their hearts to love and accept love, if only I can. Even Jesus Himself said, "Let the children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for such is the kingdom of heaven." 

To me, there's really no better way to celebrate Christmas than by giving ourselves to and sharing our blessings with those in need.  May we all have a blessed and merry Christmas.

“For more updates about this year’s “Merry SM Christmas” campaign, visit SM’s official Christmas microsite (https://www.smsupermalls.com/merrysmchristmas2015) and follow its official social media accounts at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls), Twitter (https://twitter.com/smsupermalls), and Instagram (https://instagram.com/smsupermalls/); and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through Viber (http://chats.viber.com/SMsupermalls). Shoppers can actively share their holiday merriments inside the SM Supermalls by posting their photos on social media and adding the hashtag #MerrySMChristmas2015.”





#IDoItTwiceAWeek

I will begin this story by asking you to sing a song with me, popularized by Right Said Fred in 1992. Along with the lyrics are pictures of the star of this post to interpret each line of the song. 
 

I'M TOO SEXY 

(To the tune of I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred)

(Altered lyrics by: divine_viva)

 

I'm / too sexy for my love / too sexy for my love / 

Love's not going to leave me

 

 

I'm / too sexy for my skirt / too sexy for my skirt /

So sexy it hurts

 

 

And I'm / too sexy for my man / too sexy for my man /

Like Dong and Marianne
  

  

Though I'm / already past my forty / I still can pose like Miley /

I'm feeling clean and sexy         

 

Chorus:

I'm a mother / you know what I mean /

 

  

And I do my little turn on the sidewalk /

On the sidewalk / on the sidewalk / yeah

I do my little turn on the sidewalk

 

  

I'm / too sexy for my car / too sexy for my car /

Too sexy by far
 

And I'm / too sexy for my hat / too sexy for my hat /

What d'ya think about that
 

 

Repeat Chorus

 I'm a mother / you know what I mean /

And I do my little turn on the sidewalk /

On the sidewalk / on the sidewalk / yeah

I do my little turn on the sidewalk
 

I'm / too sexy for my bath / too sexy for my bath /
 

(Pause)

My "p - - - y" (censored) bath!!

 

   

" And I use Betadine® Feminine Wash, twice a week for my "toot-toot" bath! "

 
 

The End

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

There are many things that women consider important, whether one is a career woman, a domestic goddess, a socialite, a tomboy, a girly-girl, etc, and one of them is taking care of our personal hygiene. 

 

I teach our 3 girls to love and care for their body. More than simply being clean, practicing personal hygiene helps us to live a healthy life because maintaining cleanliness prevents us from catching forms of diseases, thus, preventing us from getting sick. 

 

Caring not only for our appearance but more importantly, for our "body smells" is important to our self-esteem.  When we smell good and clean, no doubt, it increases our confidence and adds to our "feel good" aura.  For us women, it even makes us feel sexy. 

 

I love it when I smell and feel clean and fresh...especially down there. Sometimes, it's not enough that I just wash it mild soap and water while taking a bath. I want something more than that and that's where Betadine® Feminine Wash comes in.  I use it twice a week during normal days. But during my "red days" when I feel so much discomfort and have this icky feeling, I use it everyday. It relieves my intimate area of itchiness and irritation and protects it from infections.                             

 

After every use, it sure leaves me clean and feeling sexy, because "Clean is the New Sexy." And I do agree!

 

 

If you want to know more why Betadine® Feminine Wash should be part of our feminine hygiene, read on or visit http://ph.betadine.com/en/ph/feminine-care 

BETADINE® Feminine Wash encourages Women to do it Twice a Week

--BETADINE® Feminine Wash, the doctor-trusted antiseptic feminine wash, proves that having a feminine hygiene routine is a foundation of confidence and sexiness for women.

“Sexy” for the longest time, has been an ideal that women strive for. Often, it is defined as an attitude, especially today that women have limitless opportunities before them. However in being able to harness that inner sexiness, women have to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.

To achieve that, women have to know that they are protected against feminine discomfort. Any woman can testify the discomfort of irritation down there. Irritation is caused by germs and bacteria, which can lead to infection as well.

That irritating feeling shouldn’t be taken for granted. It makes for a more self- conscious, distracted and simply un-sexy feeling. Women need to take care of themselves, and they can begin by staying clean in their intimate area. Fortunately, BETADINE® Feminine Wash is here to help.

Betadine believes every woman has the right to be sexy. Women just need the proper intimate hygiene to be protected from itchiness, irritation and odor. That is why Clean is the new Sexy.

Today, BETADINE® Feminine Wash is pioneers the Sexy Clean revolution. It is a movement that encourages women to become their sexiest by staying clean down there, which means applying BETADINE® Feminine Wash TWICE A WEEK. It’s a feminine hygiene habit for women who want to experience less irritation and be more confident and sexy. It can also help lessen odor for that extra confidence boost. Even during and beyond the dreaded RED DAYS, BETADINE® Feminine Wash delivers that clean and sexy feel for an irritation-less week.

BETADINE® Feminine Wash is Povidone Iodine 7.5% antiseptic feminine wash that protects from common germs that cause feminine discomfort. It’s known as the most prescribed product by Medical Doctors to mothers after giving birth, and it ranks number 3 in the Feminine Wash Category. It’s also number 1 in Liquid Anti Septic Feminine Wash Category.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's All Goto Macky's

Macky's Eatery serves the best goto in Marikina. Foodies and non-foodies alike rave about it.  I was introduced to Macky's goto by my husband and from that time on, there is no other place I can think of to eat a bowl of delicious, piping hot goto than in Macky's.

 

This eatery is almost always full come merienda time on weekends. Macky's is located along a narrow street and has no parking space, well, just that space outside. But still, the lack of parking doesn't stop the people from flocking here.

Macky's goto is unadulterated. It's how I like my goto to be, just the right balance of everything they put into it. It's addicting. Paired with their Tokwa't Baboy, it's a perfect combination! 

I don't know what makes their goto a winner. I really don't. All I know is that they have the best goto in town. And I bet many will agree.

There are other eateries in Marikina which you can find through OpenSnap app.

OpenSnap is an app designed by a hungry team, utilizing the full OpenRice content from one million restaurants across Asia. The combination of passion for food and knowledge in this industry is the perfect recipe for the ideal photo dining guide.
 

For more restaurants and food finds, download OpenSnap app from App Store or Google Play.

Pan De Amerikana - A Gem in Marikina

 

Visiting Pan De Amerikana along Ordonez St. in Marikina is the closest I could get to Holland.  This is a gem of a place.  Who would have thought that this place specializes in baking pandesal?

 

I am really out of words to describe this charming place. It's something out of the ordinary. What we see outside -- the WINDMILL -- is just its first attraction. Once inside, you will find a lot of interesting and fascinating things, making a camera an essential item to bring if you plan to visit. It is like a museum set in a rural area -- I'm thinking, Vigan. 

 

Art lovers, antique collectors, artists, curious people, people who are fascinated with unusual stuff, Ariel of Little Mermaid (who likes to collect almost everything) will have a delightful experience here while eating pandesal.

 

 

There's a hammock, a gigantic chess board, a koi pond, a calesa, a rope bridge, collection of colored bottles, and a lot lot more. There's also an area where you will see ruins and collonades.

 

 

 

Their menu is quite extensive and not limited to Pinoy favorites.  They even serve T-Bone Steak and Caesar Salad! But they were not what we ordered.  All dishes are affordably priced. Yes, you're Php200 will go a long way here.

  

For less than Php500, we already had four viands, rice, drinks. The sisig was the most expensive dish we ordered.  Waiting for your orders is never a problem because there are so many things to see around you, in a way, keeping you entertained and your eyes busy.

Liempo, Laing, Lumpia & Sisig

Before leaving, we took home a paper bag of their hot wheat pandesal, which we ate on our way home. I forgot to take a picture of them. 

We went home satisfied and had a smile on our faces. It was a just a trip nearby but the experience of dining here took us far away.

 

Every foodie should have Pan de Amerikana in Marikina as part of their must-visit resto. It's a real treasure trove and you won't regret it.

OpenSnap is an app designed by a hungry team, utilizing the full OpenRice content from one million restaurants across Asia. The combination of passion for food and knowledge in this industry is the perfect recipe for the ideal photo dining guide.
 

For more restaurants and food finds, download OpenSnap app from App Store or Google Play.