Fun with Online Contests

I can't believe it's already the end of the year 2011 and I was absent in my space for the most part of it. How time flies...

Now that it's December, I found the time to join some online contests. I've been a huge fan of radio contests in my younger days and was lucky to have won a few small but useful prizes. I've joined a local TV show trivia contest as well a few years ago and got lucky to win.

I'm not so lucky with raffle contests. The most I got was a beach towel from a local raffle draw. I still have to win that car or an all expense paid trip somewhere outside the Philippines or even just within the country. Who knows?

I'm trying my luck now in online contests and I've joined three so far for this month alone. The prizes at stake are not that big but I'm here to have fun. If I win, good. If not, better luck next time.

I spotted one of these online contests by hoshigirl that's giving away a pack of Elf Cosmetics and got curious so I decided to join. I use makeup every now and then mostly on special occasions. The lipstick, however, is one of my best friends. It's one of the effective ways of lightening up your face even without a blush-on and eyeshadow.

So what's next? More online contests for me while I still have the time to join. The key is to have fun and think positive. You'll never know when luck strikes.

Driving and What You Get From It

I've long wanted to drive a car. I did get a chance to learn how to drive a decade or so ago when I was already working in the broadcast industry. I was persistent and I asked my father to teach me. We used my aunt's manual Ford Escort car then and after several weekend sessions at an empty lot along diversion road, I was able to drive on the highway (but only for a short distance). I had to let my father take the wheel when we reached the area where traffic was slow.

But that was it. I forgot why I stopped. Perhaps, I got busy with work and my father was preoccupied, too.

It was only last year that I resumed my driving lessons courtesy of my sister-in-law's former driver. This time, I'm using an automatic Honda car which my hubby bought for our family. It's very easy to drive an automatic vehicle what with only two controls to handle -- the accelerator and the brake.

Early this month, I finally got my driver's license. And last weekend, I started driving on my own. Yay!!! What an achievement for me. I'm now a licensed driver. Although late it may seem to others, for me it's never too late to do anything you've always wanted to do. And that includes driving a car.

Driving a car is a great feeling. It helps boost your confidence and improves your alertness. What matters is you know how to follow traffic regulations and for sure, you'll be on the safe side.

So there. If you want to do something or learn a new skill, find the time to do so and enjoy every minute of it. No matter how small it may seem as long as it makes you happy, then GO DO IT!!

New Year Prayer

Another new year is about to start and what better way to end 2010 than to say a little prayer. Thank you Lord for all the blessings you have showered to me and my family this past year. Thank you for the gift of life, for my family, relatives, friends, work and for continuously guiding us in our journey through life.

Thank You for this New Year. Let me do according to Your good pleasure and purpose, pleasing You in every area of this life. Thank You for Your mercy which makes all things new each morning -- even after a day of failure.

I pray that 2011 will be a fruitful one for all of us. May you continue to provide strength and guidance as I carry on my daily responsibilities all for Your Glory.

Why I Love Biking

I have always loved biking. I remember learning how to ride a bike at the age of 6 or 7 courtesy of my father. Since then, I have always wanted to bike. In fact, my greatest wish is for the Philippines, or even just Davao City where I live now, to have a public bicycle program that will encourage people to use their bikes in going to and from their destinations similar to Denmark and Japan.

Looking back to the old days when I often went biking with my big brother, cousins and friends inspire me. My two brothers used to be professional bikers and joined several competitions and I'm proud of them. Today, my big brother continues his passion and brings his bike wherever he's assigned to work in. Another cousin of mine before got hooked to mountain biking.

One of the greatest memories I have was when me, my two brothers, my younger sister, three male cousins and a male househelp went biking around Iloilo City early in the morning. That was fun and truly unforgettable. We were all prepared for that tour the night before. The truth is, we all slept in my cousin's room that night already in our biking getup so that when morning comes, we're ready to go.

I also used to tag along my big brother whenever he goes out to bike. Each of us had a bike then so I would bike along when he meets his friends at the plaza. It's also from him that I learned to do some tricks such as biking hands-free.

There are just so many good memories I have about biking that it urges me to do something more than mere riding a bicycle. Hopefully, I can turn that into reality.

For now, I do bike around the neighborhood once in a while using my son's BMX bike. Sometimes, I bike alone or other times, my little girl would ride along with me. I'm even amazed how fast my 5-year-old Charlotte was able to learn to bike and I taught her only once or twice by guiding her and giving her a little push. The next thing I knew, she's already biking on her own using her friend's bicycle.

It's great to be hooked on biking. It gives any rider a great feeling. The health and environment benefits should also not be forgotten.

Water is Precious

It's Blog Action 2010 today and I'm glad to be taking part in this worldwide campaign this year. With focus on water, let me share my own views regarding this very important part of human life.

Water is vital for humans. Not drinking this liquid for several days can lead to death. And so as water resources are being threatened today around the world, it is a must for people to do their share in conserving water.

At home, I always tell my two kids the importance of not wasting water. This is regardless where they may be -- in the house or in school. I often get upset when I see that they're not following my advice but I keep reminding them in the hope that it will eventually sink in their minds. Constantly reminding them of their duties is part of the discipline process especially when it comes to children.

So what specifically can you do at home to save water and lower your water bills? You may have heard these steps many times but it won't hurt to echo them all over again.

1. Use a glass of water when brushing your teeth.
2. Use the last set of water when washing clothes to water your plants.
3. Fix leaking pipes and faucets right away or turn off water supply while you're waiting for your plumber.
4. Don't take too long in the shower.

These are only a few steps but when done consistently, they can help you save water at home. Do your part, too. It feels good when you know you've done something right and helped the environment.

The "Ber" Months

September had gone by so fast. It's like it was here for only a few weeks and we're now in the second "Ber" month. Time flies and in less than three months, we will welcome Christmas once again.

Christmas is a very special occasion for most of us here in the Philippines. We always look forward to it and we even prepare for its coming at the start of September. And so it's only in the Philippines where Christmas is celebrated the longest because it spans the entire "Ber" months.

Another point is that it's not only the families that are readying their homes for the holidays because even the shopping malls are one in this early Christmas preparation. We see homes already being decorated with the usual stuff -- Christmas tree with colorful lights, mistletoe and other decors. At the malls, all items that have to do with the Yuletide season are already out for sale. Some are even offered at a lower price.

I strongly believe that the early Christmas preparation is the Filipinos' way of staying positive amidst the possibility that they won't have everything they want this coming holiday season. At least, we all look forward to this joyful season with hope in our hearts and that's the spirit we need to have regardless of our status in life.

So stay hopeful and joyful!!

Being Filipino Means Being a Sulitizen

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A "SULITIZEN" refers to a Filipino who puts great value in whatever he or she does. This person knows how to make the most of every situation that involves work, school, time, money, people and relationships and does his best to find solutions to life's problems and challenges.