Mabuhay Pilipinas!

Philippines is currently celebrating its Independence Day. Obviously, it's Holiday. Looking at my Facebook timeline, I could see a lot of my friends taking their trip to the beach, must be hangover from the summer season. But anyway, here's me greeting everyone a Happy Independence Day! May we all grasp the value of our freedom, to learn to take care of it. Mabuhay Pilipinas!

a photo from Google, I love how Google can get so creative

Frustrated Lady Drivers?

Inspired by GirlTalk’s thread of the same title, I decided to give my unsolicited advice about driving. Well, I am no expert about the topic but who knows, I might be of help.

1. Rely on your senses. Use your eyes and ears to judge the road. Fact is, I have the habit of turning off the audio when driving. This is to prevent myself from getting distracted. I want to hear the sounds of the busyb street, the beeping of cars or the giddy crowd trying to cross the wrong point.
   
   
2. Focus. It pays to put all your attention on the road. Stop talking and if you have to do something other than driving, stop the car. It pisses me to see some drivers who would talk on their phones while on the wheels. Some people are extremely unpredictable when driving so ensure that you don’t hurt yourself or anyone when you drive by giving all your attention to what you are doing.
   
   
3. When in doubt, don’t. The scratches on my car are purely the result of my poor judgment. So if you think you cannot go through a narrow lane, don’t. Give yourself the favor of being safe.
   
   
4. Believe in yourself. Well, this could be the irony of the previous rule. When I say you believe in yourself, you have to grasp what’s fear from what’s doubt. Have the ability to trust yourself. There is a starting point for everyone. You cannot expect to hit the road like racecar driver all at once. It is a process, you know.
   
   
5. Start small. Do not be discouraged if at first you cannot get it. A little improvement of having been able to drive a few miles then learning how to do simple parking are actually great milestones. Sooner or later, you will learn something better but for now, start small.
   
   
6. Do not become too self-conscious. Admittedly, I am tired of hearing people talk about how poor a lady driver drives. This sends some consciousness inside of me. Now, becoming too conscious about your driving ability only leads you to perform poorer. So back to rule number 4, believe in yourself.   

Back to Blogosphere

It's been...long.

A lot of things happened to me, well, a lot of good things actually. Right now, I am just happy and well. Thank God.

I am back to blogging. I just thought I can spare some minutes during weekends to write.

So how about a tight hug?

Hey!

I could no longer write long paragraphs here. 

Mind is lost in oblivion. 

I want to rant.

I want to feel grateful. 

It's just that, I could not compose my thoughts so I am posting this reminder instead: 

I'm gonna push through, I know, like I always do. 

Just have to avoid negative and look at the positive. 

Carpe Diem by Robert Frost

Age saw two quiet children
Go loving by at twilight,
He knew not whether homeward,
Or outward from the village,
Or (chimes were ringing) churchward,
He waited, (they were strangers)
Till they were out of hearing
To bid them both be happy.
"Be happy, happy, happy,
And seize the day of pleasure."
The age-long theme is Age's.
'Twas Age imposed on poems
Their gather-roses burden
To warn against the danger
That overtaken lovers
From being overflooded
With happiness should have it.
And yet not know they have it.
But bid life seize the present?
It lives less in the present
Than in the future always,
And less in both together
Than in the past. The present
Is too much for the senses,
Too crowding, too confusing-
Too present to imagine.

*****

Here's me reminding myself to let it go and let it all out!

What made you smile today?

Everyday is a new blessing to be happy and to make someone happy. So what did you do to deserve a smile today?

Playing the Juggler Again

You surely know that familiar feeling of chasing time. Sometimes, you like to believe that there are more than 24 hours in a day. You try to juggle every aspect of your life and stretch out your limits, simply because you know that one simple mistake can mess up big time.

Well, I have been playing that part lately. But I am not giving up. I am not giving up because there are more reasons to hold on. I am not giving up because in the end, everything will turn out just fine. I am not giving up and I am not complaining because I don't have the right to do so. And I am not giving up because I have great kids to cheer me each and every time I am feeling down.

So how are you juggling your life lately?

What are your inspirations to move forward? 

Winner

The winner is.....

                                                            Bing Toledo!!!!!

Thanks for liking RansomGram and please send us your address. :)

Finally, the Easier Way to Join the Contest

Well, the first mechanic for the contest was admittedly difficult so to let someone finally win the prize, I am making this easier.

Finally, win this:

So here's what to do:

1. Visit and Like RansomGram's page at Facebook. Click on the logo below to be directed to their page. Or simply type https://www.facebook.com/ransomgram?ref=hl

2. Share the page to your friends and Tag 5 people along. Tell why you like the app. Just think of something creative. We don't care if you used it or not, just let your imagination work. :) Note: please also tag us along your post so we can track our contestants.

Easy!

PS: You can download the app here: https://itunes.apple.com/th/app/ransomgram-picture-message/id563789619?mt=8 




On February 10, the liking contest will end and I will post the winner at this blog on February 14.

Contest Update

The contest is up. Well, it didn't went well so I am trying to change the mechanics, just so someone could actually win the price. Visit the blog again on Wednesday to learn the "simpler" way on how to win.

Birthday Treat

Who wants some cupcakes on my birthday?

The maker of RansomGram is giving us a treat, someone’s going to win this delicious goodie: a pack of bath essentials, including Cherry Cupcake body wash, Marshmallow Cupcake soap, and Strawberry cupcake shower cream from Beauticology.

This contest is open for anyone provided you follow the instructions below. You can join as much as you want.

So here’s what to do:

1. Download RansomGram. It is a picture message app perfect for perking up your photos.  Here’s the link: https://itunes.apple.com/th/app/ransomgram-picture-message/id563789619?mt=8
2. Comment on the app’s page.
3. Capture a screenshot of your comment
4. Hit me a message at (vinness.bilon[@]gmail[dot]com) with the screenshot.

As easy as this, you get a chance to win this baby!  

            

On the 28^th of January, I will choose among the comments posted. So be as creative as you can be. I will announce the winner on the 30^th.

Let’s see how this contest goes. If this will become a success, I will host more contests in the future!

PS: You might also like to "Like" the page of RansomGram at https://www.facebook.com/ransomgram?fref=ts

The Birthday Craze

I love birthdays... So I make it a point to celebrate this special day the best way I could. Well, it is not about spending or going crazy over shopping. It's about celebrating YOU and the people who have been with you in the journey.

Birthdays are something I am crazy about. Even my mom finds me weird that I am more excited comes May when she's to celebrate her birthday. I usually have something planned for the day, no matter how simple or cheap it is. Another proof, well, I was the one who actually started the "plan" about lola's birthday celebration this month. 

Aside from Lola, I am a January baby too :) This year, I just want a time to relax so I am treating myself to a massage and luckily, a friend said she'll join me so it will be fun, I'm sure. I am a massage aficionado and there's a spa here left unexplored, so we will go there. On the day of my birthday, I will actually have to join the kids attend another birthday party of one of my cousin's daughter. I know I can choose not to go but since the kid is really close to us and because they also braved an hour ride from their place to ours during my daughter's birthday, we will do the same honor to them. So no celebration on my actual birth date, I will just have to go to mass for thanksgiving. But the next day, we will have a lunch date with the whole family after another mass because it's Sunday by that time. So there you go. 

The Grateful Apos

Lately, I have been driving to Polangui on weekends to plan for our lola's secret party. Well, it is no secret anymore since we already gave the invitations and we decided to get lola involve in the planning. After all, one of the greatest perks of holding a party is becoming involve in the planning stage. The stress and the worries are all worth it in the end. 

Lola is turning 90 this 19th of January. She has always been my number one fan, and I am so grateful for that. She's the kind who would believe in me with all her heart. She has always been supportive even during times when even I could not understand myself. I remember those days when I would cry every time lola has to leave our house here after a week of visit. Now that she's old and her body's getting frail, I am the one who would visit her place along with the whole family. I might not be there for her weekly but Lord knows how much I try to reach out. 

I always love the simplicity of Polangui. It is a place where you get to enjoy wonderful homemade snacks. The prices are cheap and people are friendly. You do not have to worry about buying this or that or not having enough money on your pocket. Everything is within your reach, from banks to grocery stores. 

So back to the topic... You see we are holding this simple party. I am so elated that all her apos did actually contributed for the success of this party. Everyone is taking part and doing the best way they can, and boy, I am just so proud of my cousins. When I say 'everyone', I literally mean EVERYBODY! No one seems to be sitting and watching the others do the work. Everyone has their parts to play. And I am so thankful for the internet for making communication less stressful for all of us. So this Saturday, let's see how we're doing. All for Lola's benefits! :)

Rainy Tuesday

How are you?

It's raining really hard here. I'm in Bicol, by the way.

This afternoon, school was suspended so the kids enjoyed half of the day playing while the mom had the chance to work on her stuffs. Yes, that's the reason why I am blogging.

Anyway, as you would already know I am changing my blog to its own domain name. I guess its about time.

Not yet time to hit the sack, but I'm bidding everyone a great night! Sleep tight and keep warm :)

Welcome 2013!

Hello 2013! How's everyone?

I've been thinking of giving this blog a makeover. Its just ironic that while I've been working to make other people's websites look good, I left my blog totally at the dark. Well, just a few blog name change and perhaps a URL change with do the trick. I'm excited!


Will keep you updated.