How To Make Things Last Longer

Here are some tips to save money and help the environment by learning how to extend the life of some of your stuff.

CLOTHES

A simple way to stretch the life of all your clothes? Skip the dryer. If you are not a resident in a high rise where strictly no-sampayan rules apply, hoist up a few more clotheslines so more clothes items can be hang to take advantage of our hot tropical sun.

FOOD

Food spoilage is often the result of improper storage. Learn how to store the foods that you eat regularly.

CANDLES

Stick candles in the freezer a couple of hours before you use them. This will cause the wax to burn slower and more evenly.

MATTRESSES

Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for flipping and rotating your mattresses to prevent premature sagging.

REFRIGERATOR

Vacuum the condenser coil every three months (once a month if you have pets)

MARKERS

Revive dried out markers by storing them vertically (tip down) for a day or two. If that doesn't work, try dipping the tips in alcohol for a few minutes.

Simple Car Care Tips

Some people who own a car aren't mechanics, some even don't even have time to check their cars as long as the car looks good and have no problems. But if you are a responsible driver you should always check your car every other week or the better before driving. Whether you own a big car, a small car, or a secondhand car, you can do something to avoid costly repairs and keep your wheels running smoothly. Even washing your car regularly (and maintaining its cleanliness inside and out) can help keep your vehicle in top shape. Here are some simple tips to minimize trips to the car shop.

IF YOU HAVE AN SUV

• Use only the proper tire size for your vehicle. Proper sized tires keep the mechanical parts under your car intact.
• Always check your tires for lumps and misalignment. Big tires are always expected to be strong and durable, but they are just as fragile as any tire.
• Have your hand brakes adjusted to maximum. SUV's are heavier and need more hold on the brakes than smaller vehicles.

IF YOU HAVE A SEDAN

• Change oil every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers to keep your car's engine in good shape. Sedan are so smooth that you can's tell if it's time to change oil already.
• Always have your wheels aligned after your tire hits a deep hole in the road. Sedans have weaker stabilizers than AUVs and SUVs, so not giving immediate attention to it might damage the other parts under your vehicle.
• Always keep your carpets clean to prevent dust from accumulating inside the air conditioner's evaporator. Aircons of small cars are located under the dashboard near the floor, so keeping your carpets clean helps prevent aircon damage.

IF YOU HAVE A SECONDHAND CAR

• Do a one time overall checkup of your car to find out it's quirks. Knowing what went wrong with the car before ownership was passed on to you will help you pinpoint what needs to be attended to.
• Take care of minor concerns as soon as possible. Those little tics and grumbles your car makes can indicate that there's something wrong, act fast and save on more expensive repairs later on.

Lunch at Hukad inside Abreeza Mall Davao City

Grandpa invited us to have lunch at Abreeza mall yesterday, he wants to show us a place where he had previously eaten. He had all praises for the place because of its delicious foods. The place he was referring to is Hukad which was located at the 2nd floor of Abreeza mall, not much familiar yet with the exact place in the second floor so if you ever decided to go there, just ask around.

The place is not that big though but the waiters and waitress are very accommodating. We only ordered a few foods, I hope we had ordered more because the food was (and my father was right) DELICIOUS, to be exact lutong pinoy and on top of that unlimited rice!!!! that alone my friend is a big YES for me hahahahahaha. Here are photos of the place and some of our orders.

Hukad sa Golden Cowrie

Accommodating staff (rice please hehehehe)

Some of our orders Cebuano Kinilaw, Bicol Express, Blue Marlin, Chicken Barbecue, Sago at Gulaman.

Money And Frugality Tips

Being frugal doesn't mean being a miser. It just means using restraints in your resources so you can achieve lasting and more fulfilling goals. Below are some tips on how you can live this way:

1. Buy a used car. The most expensive miles on a car are the first 10,000. So let someone else drive those for you. You save a lot of money considering how little value the car has actually lost.

2. Be patient. Don't buy that new gadget today even if everyone has it. Wait a month or two and the price will certainly go down.

3. Buy airline tickets as far in advance as possible. Buy at least two months in advance and you'll get the cheapest rates. For holiday travel especially, buy as soon as you can.

4. Never buy extended warranty. New products usually come with a 90 day or one year warranty anyway.

5. Make your own meals. Eating out is expensive if you do it often.

6. Get a better cell phone plan. If you've been using the same cell phone plan for two years, chances are there's something better out there. Call your mobile provider to find out.

7. Be bank wise. A lot of banks charge you checking fees or minimum account balance fees. Find a bank that does not.

Your Office Desks is Dirtier Than Toilet Seats

You might be surprised when you read this, especially if you're an office worker. But your desk has more germs than your toilet. And if you're a woman, you have more bacteria on your desk than your male co-worker.

A study has been conducted and has found out that the average office desktop has 400 times more bacteria than the average office toilet seat.

Though women's desks typically look cleaner, the knickknacks are more abundant, and cosmetics and hand lotions make prime germ transfer agents. Makeup cases also help keep germs, along with phones, purses and desk drawers.

Using a hand sanitizer and using a disinfectant on office surface helps. There were 25 percent fewer bacteria on surfaces that were regularly disinfected once a day.

Liturgical Vestment Made of Indigenous Materials Showcased at The Museum of Transfiguration Monastery, Bukidnon

The highlight for me during my visit to The Museum of Transfiguration Monastery in Bukidnon was the different design of Liturgical Vestment made from indigenous materials found here in the Philippines. Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated with the Christian religion. The designer of this masterpiece is no other then Dom Martin Gomez, who before entering the monastery was a well know Haute Couturer. Even though he left the limelight when he entered the monastery his passion for designing still burns in him. He started conducting research on indigenous materials by visiting places in the Philippines, tapping talents from the countries best weavers from several tribal groups to help him on his designs. I have the complete photos of the exhibit but I will only post some of his works because it will take time and space on my site.

Rose chasuble of piña-seda (pineapple-silk blend) has "calado" (drawn thread work) all over the surface with stylized petal designs embroidered all around the hem and on the stole. For third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and the fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday).

Green chasuble of cotton hand-woven in the Mountain Province in Northern Luzon. T'nalak material of abaca woven by the T'boli of South Cotabato is used for the stole. Green hand embroidery in weave stitch traces the T'nalak design.

Yellow-gold humeral veil of hand woven abaca from Kalibo, aklan has geometric embroidery made in Lumban, Laguna.

Ecru benediction cope of hand-woven abaca from Kalibo, Aklan is embroidered in satin stitch with the various flowers of the Philippines by the "bordadoras" of Cavite. The whole surface features drawn thread work done by the "bordadoras" of Lumban. Held in place by a gold plated morse, this cope may be used for benediction on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1).

Procession canopy made of hand woven abaca embroidered in "Langkit" patterns. An embroidered dove, the symbol of the holy spirit, is at the center. Shell beads and carved cenarion and mother of pearl shells in petal shapes hang like tassels all around the edges. Wooden poles are usually used to hold the canopy during processions.

Simple Uses for your Old Stockings

Here are some ideas on how to squeeze out more uses from those old stockings.

• Wear on chilly nights to warm your legs.
• Since stockings are quite strong and elastics, use them to tie things together.
• Convert into cleaning rags for delicate surface like glass or porcelain. Perfect also for buffing leather shoes or bags.
• Make into stuffing for dolls or pillows.
• Cut off a segment and use as a headband to keep hair in place while you're doing house chores.
• Put one stocking over the other, then use as a basket to store garlic, onions or small fruits.
• Weave several stockings together into floor mats or macrame flowerpot holders.
• Put mothballs in a stocking to keep them from rolling around the closet.
• Roll a stocking to keep them from rolling around the closet.
• Roll a stocking around a sturdy stick - now you have something to sweep hard to reach areas or the toilet bowl.
• Patch up the hole of your window screen with a selection of stocking.

Home Office Do's and Don'ts

If you intend to give up a real office to work at home. Here are tips for doing it right.

• Pick a conductive work area. Setting up shop in the bedroom or kitchen won't work. The best choice is a room with a door to serve exclusively as your home office, even if it's just a small storage space at the back of the house.

• Establish house rules. Set down office hours and a don't disturb if it's not an emergency policy, and have everyone observe it (or at least try to).

• Avoid distractions. Lock the door and wear earplugs if needed to drown out the sound of the TV set, the phone ringing or the doorbell chiming (unless it's the kids clubbing each other). The optimal time to work: between 12 midnight and 4 a.m.

• Dress up for work. Adopt your corporate routine - take a bath and put on proper office attire. Not bothering to change your duster will send the message that you're not taking your work seriously.
  

Scrub suits are not just for Nurses

When I was still a student in nursing what I really like wearing is my hospital scrubs uniform. I really feel comfortable wearing it, it's loose, it's also attractive. Sometimes I'm tempted to wear it outside after our duty, but its against school regulations to wear our nursing uniform after duty. Wearing it would mean a penalty of additional duty hours from a specific area and a fine. So after our duty we change to our type A uniform or civilian clothes.

Now is different from our days, hospital uniform are sometimes used as casual wears. You'll see people wearing nurse scrub tops with a denim jeans. They looked so cool. There was this time that I ask a person wearing a scrub suit at the mall and asked if shes a nursing student. She told me no, she just likes the design of it. She told me she had this scrub sets ordered online. Wow the net sure make things possible and convenient. As for me, I'm going online too and will buy a pair of custom made scrubs for me and my wife, she too loves to wear

Tips on Choosing a good pair of jeans

Most people have a number pair of jeans in their closet but use only one or two the most. That's because they love the way those jeans look on them. The next time you buy jeans, keep the following things in mind so that you pick a pair of jeans that will be among your favorites.

• Choose a pair that fits you comfortably no matter what the size on the tag says. Some people refuse to get a better fitting pair because they're in denial that they've jump one size bigger.

• To make you look taller, the length of your jeans should cover your heals and should reach the floor. So when you shop, wear shoes with heels that you usually wear with your jeans.

• Go for darker jeans. Light or stonewashed may make you look bigger and heavier. If you're conscious about your behind, stay away from jeans without pockets. Choose angled back pockets instead.

• Flared legs add bulk so opt for boot cut instead. Aside from being stylish, this cut gives an illusion of longer legs.

• Bring a friend along to help you decide how the jeans look on you.

What Will Happen If I Pull My White Hair

Hmmm. sounds familiar. Well you can hear that from old people, they will tell you that you must not pull your hair, cause it will grow and multiply!! Well I'll tell you this, Its a mistaken notion that pulling or cutting out one white hair will make it multiply. What will actually happen is that you will have one less hair strand on your head or at best it will be replaced by another white hair. The Bible says, "Gray hair is a crown of glory, it is gained by virtuous living" (Proverbs 16:31). But if your salt and pepper hair is bothering you, consult your hair stylist about the different coloring options you have. If you're coloring your hair for the first time, you might do yourself favor by avoiding home remedies. Correcting green hair might be more costly and inconvenient thank you think.

Cosplay At Gaisano Mall Davao

The last day of the 1st Mindanao Toys, Hobbies, and Collectibles Convention was highlighted by the Cosplay contest although there where plenty of people who roam the mall with their costumes, but not of them joined the contest. I really admire people who do Cosplay, especially those good ones, they are really creative an to top it all brave to face all those people wearing those costumes that they have made. The contest started almost 3pm, but to my dismay much of the contestant who joined only buy or borrowed those costumes. Only a handful had really made their costumes. So here are some of the contestant who joined the event.

The cutest of all contestant he's only 7 years of age, BANKAI hahaha



I have always been a fan of the Avatar: The last air bender, this guy got it right especially the head. Though he's form looks like a Kamehameha.



Itachi of the Akatsuki, I love the cloak of the Akatsuki.



I don't know who this girl is portraying but shes kinda sad...



The black knight?? hes costume looks nice, right??



this kid cosplaying Naruto, Kagebunshin????





There are plenty of contestant who Cosplayed Naruto characters, this two is cosplaying Anbu of Naruto series.



I really don't know who that is hahahahhaha.



I think these two are cosplaying as Assassins?? They said these are original characters.



Don't know this one too, although i think i saw this on hero channel long ago.



I think she's one of the cutest and prettiest of all cosplay contestant.



SAILORMOON, moon prism power makeup hahahhaha together with Tuxedo Mask.

I did not wait for the result of the contest, i was already tired and my feet is killing me. But i hope that they would be back next year or soon, for another event. More power to you guys.

1st Mindanao Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention

Toys, toys and lots of toys. The Gaisano Mall Davao held the 1st Mindanao Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention. And there was plenty of toys and collectibles to feast your eyes. I notice that most of the toys there where Gundam, well who doesn't like robot. There where also the usual miniature army toys. My brother got one as a gift very long ago. And we did not even finish assembling the aircraft carrier hahahaha. But upon seeing one at the display made me praise the person who had the patient to built it. i don't even know the names of some of the display, some of the characters are new to me. Well not to make things longer, here are some of the nice photos I have taken during my visit.

Camiguin 2010: Soda Swimming Pool

The 4th stop in our tour of Camiguin is the Soda Swimming Pool. The name itself was intriguing to me since, some locals would say that the pool taste like soda, WHOAAAA, really, my mind was already filled with questions like what would it taste like?? coke perhaps or maybe pepsi hehehehehe. As we arrive at the site. When I look at the pool, hmmm its just your typical swimming pool, so i ask a local who's taking a dip at the pool, why was it called Soda Swimming Pool? he said to jump to the pool and taste it yourself to know it. WHATTTTT. I told to myself, is this guy serious he wanted me to taste the pool to see if it's really taste like soda( the pool where a number of unknown stranger have dive in to carrying with them whatever dirt or disease in their body, not to mention maybe someone has secretly piss on the pool "EXAGGERATING IN THIS ONE BUT IT CAN HAPPEN") and he want me to drink it!!! of course i wont drink it. Lucky me there was this one person who said that this was called the Soda Swimming Pool because of its resemblance to the bubbly characteristic of a soda. Ohhh so that's it. hmmm. If you decide to come to Camiguin with your friends and you happen to visit this place, don't tell them the secret ok hahahahaha, it would be a good prank to put on your friends (LET THEM TASTE IT HEHEHEHE).