Back up!

Last week, while I was doing my files back-up (from office laptop and thumb drives to my external hard drive), I discovered that most of Julia's October to December digital photo files are corrupted.  I couldn't open the file folders!

Seriously, I thought I was going to collapse.  I couldn't breath well, I was sweating!

I frantically googled:  "How to recover corrupted folder?"

According to Microsoft Support, here's how:

1. Click Start and then click Run.
2. In the Open Box, type chkdsk f/ <drive>:
3. Click Ok.

My blood pressure started to normalize when I was able to open all of the file folders again.  Some photos where fully recovered.  Some, still unreadable or cannot be previewed.

Luckily, I have a copy of some of the corrupted photo files in my net book.  But I lost a lot of good photos, too.

Moral of the Story?  BACK-UP REGULARLY and BACK-UP the BACK-UP.

Here's a helpful link on backing up your photos.

Photo from Whatever you do, back it up!.  

REAL LIFE

We celebrated Julia's 1st birthday at REAL LIFE Foundation.  We sponsored the Saturday feeding program at Victory Pasig Center, Brgy. Kapasigan, Pasig.

Transforming lives, families and communities
through hope and  education

The program feeds about 120 malnourished children (ages 3-10 years old) every Saturday.  The children are organized into 2 batches.  As a feeding partner, we were asked to play games with the children, prepare and serve food and drinks for them and more importantly, listen and talk to them.

The 1st batch started at 9am.  We were late, thanks to the Bourne Legacy shooting at Quezon City that day!  Anyway, in preparation for the Big V-Day, instead of playing games, the kids were asked to make a Valentine's card for their parents.

Julia with REAL LIFE Kids

Julia's young Uncles - JJ and Ralph with Ms. Rhia Atilano of REAL LIFE Foundation

While we were helping the kids create their masterpieces, Mama Cita and her friend, Gloria were busy at the kitchen with the other volunteers.

Meal of the Day:  Adobo, Egg and Rice!

When the kids were done with their V-cards, story telling was up next with Ms. Sony dela Calzada, the Director of Partner Relations.

As soon as Ms. Sony declared "The End", the kids rushed to the comfort room to wash their hands... our cue to start bringing in the food!

Julia supervising the feeding program :-)

REAL Life Foundation is passionate about providing a better future  for underprivileged Filipinos by giving them access to a good education and transforming their communities through community service.  They have 3 programs:  LIFE Scholarships, LIFE Coaching and LIFE Line.  Check out their website for more information.

It was a great experience for all of us.  Don and I will definitely make this a family tradition.

REAL LIFE FOUNDATION
4th Floor Every Nation Building
32nd Street corner University Parkway
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
817-1212 local 336
Loof for Ms. Rhia Atilano

Lucky you!

Julia is one year old today... well, almost.  She was born 7:59am.

As promised, I will announce the lucky winners of my blog giveaway.  If you specified in your blog comment the item you want to receive,  then, your wish is my command :-)

For those who didn't mention what they want to win, I trusted my instincts in selecting an item for you :-)

• 3 Winners of Sassy Hairsies

NINA GAERLAN-REVECHO

JAMIE REYES RIVERA

MAI DANGANAN
(Surprise Design from Sassy Hairsies)

• 3 Winners of Post It Gift Pack

FRANCES PABLO
KATHERYN VALLESTER
RACHEL CANALES

• Starbucks Gift Certificate

JENIFFER GANGAN
(P200 worth)

• Nail Spa Gift Certificate

AJ GANANCIAL-BUSTAMANTE
(Express Hand and Feet Treatment)

Congratulations to you all and thank you for joining my blog giveaway!  You have to reply to my email  so I'll know where to send the item you just won :-)

Check out results by Rafflecopter in my original post.

Post-It®

I mentioned in my on-going blog giveaway that Post-It® is one of my favorite things.

Yes, I'd be lost without Post-It®.  That is not an exaggeration!  You see, I easily forget things.  And I can't blame the spinal anesthesia because even before my CS delivery, I always write my to-do, to-buy, to-discuss, to-announce, to-pay, to-pack, to-approve, to-clean lists so I won't forget!

In my job, I receive calls and emails, talk to my colleagues, get instructions from my boss and sometimes think of ideas while working on my laptop.  That is too much for my memory to handle! :-)


So, you will see Post-It® Notes scattered in my work area.

My laptop...

My phone...

My documents...

Of course, inside my drawer...

Aside from its functionality, I prefer using Post-It® because of the variety of colors and the reliability of the repositionable (I just call it "tanggal-able") adhesive.  According to their global website:

The Post-it® Note was invented as a solution without a problem: Dr. Spencer Silver developed a unique, repositionable adhesive, but the 3M scientist didn't know what to do with his discovery. Then, six years later, a colleague of Dr. Silver, Art Fry, remembered the light adhesive when he was daydreaming about a bookmark that would stay put in his church hymnal. The rest is history.

I use it at home, too... for phone messages, grocery list, labels for Julia's things, "Don't Forget" reminders, etc.  My box full of Post-it® has the size appropriate for every need and the color fit for every mood.

A box full of Post It® Notes, Flags and Arrows inside my cabinet at home.

This "invention by accident" is definitely a must-have for all busy moms like me.

Get the chance to win a Post-It® Gift pack... join my birthday giveaway now!

Check out the history and fun facts of Post-It®s.

Rafflecopter

My on-going birthday giveaway at Julia's Mom is hassle free because of Rafflecopter.

Rafflecopter is the easiest way to create, run, and enter online giveaways.  Try it now!

As they launch their services to the public, they are giving away an Apple iPad 2 (16GB) and Amazon Kindle Fire.  Follow the simple instructions below:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

6 long weekends coming up!

Proclamation 295 by PNoy declares the regular holidays and special non-working days for 2012.

6 LONG WEEKENDS... S-I-X!  Yey!

Check it out!

My daughter will never sing Super Bass!

I was impressed that an 8-year-old girl can sing the Super Bass with attitude!  She can really sing and she memorized the lyrics!  I was impressed even more when Ellen gave her the opportunity to meet Nicki Minaj.  Her reaction was priceless!  With over 26 million views at You Tube, no wonder it ranked number 3 in the Clickiest Viral Videos of 2011.

When I read the lyrics of the song, I began to ponder on my role as a parent.  I began to worry about how I can be a positive influence to Julia.  How can I teach her to live in ways that please God when her environment teaches her otherwise.  The media and social media are fast challenging our role as parents.  Without noticing it, our kids are being influenced by the shows they watch on TV, songs they listen to, the games they play online or even fashion trends (Remember the "I'm too pretty to do my homework so my brother has to do it for me" shirt?).

As a mom, how do you build your child's character and spiritual foundation?

Share your thoughts and best practices.

-------------------
P.S.
Why my daughter will never sing Super Bass?  Well aside from the fact that she's only 11 months old... read the lyrics.  Check out the meaning.  

Sharing my Blessings

Today, I am a year older.  My life is not perfect, but my blessings from the Lord are beyond measure!

To celebrate my birthday and to spread the love and happiness, I am sharing my blessings by giving away some of my favorite things :-)

• Sassy Haisies Headband

Donna  (1 winner)

Jill (1 winner)

Surprise  Design (1 winner) 

•  3M Post-It Gift Pack

Various Post-Its (3 winners)

• Starbucks Gift Certificate

Starbucks Gift Certificate worth P200.00 (1 winner)

• Nail Spa Gift Certificate

Express Hand and Feet Gift Certificate (1 winner)

You have until January 29, 2012 to join.  Just follow the instructions from Rafflecopter below.  I will announce the winners on Julia's 1st Birthday, February 4, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Death and Christmas

In 2009, my aunt was diagnosed with triple negative breastcancer.  After more than 2 years oftreatment, she died last December 11, 2011.  Six days after, my lola died in her sleep.

We are a close-knit family that’s why the sadness and pain thatwe feel is beyond measure.  There aretimes that I wonder what Christmas will be like for us after this.  

By listening to Pastor Jun Aguilar’s preaching last Sundayat Victory Fort Podcast, I was reminded that the celebration of Christmas isbeyond the family gatherings, the Noche Buena or the gifts we give and receive. It is also beyond our current situationor emotional state.  Christmas is acelebration of the birth of Jesus, God’s son, whom He sent for our salvation.

Whatever our situation is this Christmas, let us rejoice becauseJesus is with us!

Listen to the podcast here.

Caleb's Closet Giveaway - I hope I win!

As mentioned in my previous blog, I went to Numa this morning.  I was contemplating on buying a Charlie Banana diaper.  Since it will cost about P5,000.00 (2 cloth diapers, 6 diaper inserts and 1 roll of diaper liners), Don and I decided to research and learn more about cloth diapers before committing to it.  If only I can get a sample, I thought.

An angel must have heard me because I came across the Caleb's Closet giveaway at Chronicles of a Nursing Mom blog.

I hope I win!  (**fingers crossed**)

DO NOT HIRE ANAMAE LIVRANDO!

Anamae "Poison Ivy" Livrando

Beware, mommies!  Anamae poisons her employers and steals from them when they are in the hospital.  She was arrested last 2008 but managed to escape.  She was employed by a Filipino-Chinese family and did the same modus operandi.  She was apprehended in Binondo last August 2011.

Read full story at Philstar.com

SSS Member na si Yaya!

Yes, it's official.  SSS member na si Yaya Lani.

On her 6th month, yaya went to the nearest SSS Office and applied for SSS number and remitted her first contribution.


I am blessed with a yaya who is patient, reliable and trustworthy.  I must say, I got lucky.  I know its very difficult to find a yaya like her these days.  Don and I make sure we pay and treat her well.  But of course, we are never complacent when it comes to matters concerning Julia.  We make sure that yaya follows our rules and standards.  We make sure that we are still primarily responsible for taking care of Julia and yaya is just there to assist us.

Yaya does her tasks as instructed.  She also takes initiative in making sure that Julia's welfare is a priority.  More importantly, I can see that she loves taking care of my daughter.

I know its only been 9 months so I sincerely hope she will not change.

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PS.  I encourage those with housemaids to read the Labor Code of the Philippines.  We have responsibilities outlined in the Code to make sure that our helpers are treated fairly.  As a matter of fact, there is now a House Bill (Kasambahay Bill) that proposes for additional benefits and protection to household helpers.  My opinion about it?  I'm not sure yet..  ;-)