Tuesday, June 30, 2009

It's Gloria Naomi!

What do you get when you combine a supermodel and a lady president? Well, you get ME of course! LOL! At least, that's what my 1950's name says. I went into fits of laughter when I found out what I am called if I was born 59 years ago!

Anyway, thanks to my pretty little Samantha and sweet Mommy Ria for asking what my 1950's name is.


Your 1950s Name is: Gloria Naomi



What's buzzin, cuzzin?



A New Look!

Hello everyone! I know I have been silent and absent for sometime now. No updates even since Monday, last week. Well, I have been busy moving to my new place here on Blogger and I am happy to announce that all is well! I am now back with a new look! It is quite different from my previous look but I hope you like it!



The layout is free and designed by Simply Fabulous Blogger Templates and then I did some tweaking on the header. The scrapbook elements from the header were inspired by the Happy Go Lucky Kit from Shabby Princess Designs.

And oh, kindly update my blog URL to http://www.kikamzpera.com/.

Thanks a bunch guys!


Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Moving!!!

I am moving again.. this blog I mean. From a hosted subdomain, I have decided to move this blog to blogger and have it registered to my own domain. I hope it will be the last.

Please watch out for the new look of Just About Anything.. coming your way soon!


Monday, June 22, 2009

A Prayer Of Thanks

It is a very beautiful day today. The sun is up. The air is cool. The earth is still moist from yesterday's rain. Here is a prayer for all of you in the hopes that you realize that we indeed, are more fortunate than others.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off ris ing. Thank you, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is bu rned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud. Thank you, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced. Thank you, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, for the opportunity to work. There are many who are jobless.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest. Thank you, for life.

Photo credits: http://www.myspace.com/naieauxmi


Yellow Monday: Which Way?

MellowYellowMondayBadge

schwangau

This is a lovely town called Schwangau in the State of Bavaria which is famous for the Schloss Neuschwanstein and Schloss Hohenschwangau, two castles built for the late King Ludwig II of Bavaria. This were taken at the village where the yellow post markers tell you which way the the restaurants, shops, WC, hotels and tourist information booth are.

which way?

There were also hiking trails in the area. The directions in the yellow one tell hikers how long it is to the next town and restaurant.

umbrellas

This restaurant is painted a pale yellow. The umbrellas are now folded at the end of the day. The street is now quiet but used to be flooded with hungry and excited tourists.

schwangau and schloss hohenstein

Can you see the castle yonder? That one is Schloss Hohenschwangau where King Ludwig II spent his childhood. It was also painted in yellow.


Sunday, June 21, 2009

A Little Bloom Here, A Little Green There

gardening

image ©www.gardeningtools.us

What have I been doing on weekends lately?

Our small balcony has got me a little occupied. I have been busy buying blooms and greens which I later on replanted into bigger containers. I can't believe it's been a while since I held earth in my hands and did a little gardening. And I must say, it was very relaxing despite the backache that I get after sometime of stooping or squatting for too long. I do hope our little plants will grow and keep us relaxed during those lazy weekends. The balcony is now frequented by the family... all that is missing though is a garden sofa and a table and we could spend the entire day there!

I hope I can find a second-hand furniture shop so that it will be cheaper! Gotta scour the web then! Hope everyone has a Happy Sunday!


Friday, June 19, 2009

Mommy Moments: That's My Dad!

mommy moments

The rest of the world is celebrating Father's Day on Sunday, June 19th. We celebrated it here in Germany last May 21st. To learn more about how we celebrated it, click here.

Anyway, it's Friday once again and another Mommy Moment to share. Because it is almost Father's Day, allow me to share some things about the Father of the house.

1. He loves his family more than anything else. Next to God.
2. His day is not complete without playing Warcraft DOTA, his week without reading Naruto Manga.
3. He is busy as a bee at work but never takes it home with him.
4. We share the same passion for traveling.
5. He loves cars, F1 and go karting with a passion.
6. He is vocal about his feelings and downright honest with it!
7. He has a different way of making lambing: he asks for a massage and always gets it.
8. He amuses me at very unexpected moments.
9. As a first time Dad, he is doing very well.
10. He always looks forward to being home with us.
11. He prefers to stay at home and spend it with the family rather than spending it with friends.

out for a driveblack forest viewing deck
training in shanghaia day out at the zoo
)
red brick warehouse in yokohamaup close and personal with her dad

To Hanhan, thank you for being the father that you are to Sam. I know that you have sacrificed a lot for the family and that we are always on top of your priorities and at every decision that you make. Thank you for being the greatest dad there is!

papa and mama at our wedding reception

And to my Papa, a warm Happy Father's Day too! I am very thankful that you have raised me as a good person and have taught me great lessons in life. I know you have sacrificed a lot for us to give us the best education we can have and I hope we have made you proud. I am proud to say that you have done a very great job as a Father to me and my siblings. Salamat Pa for all the love, the nurturing and the support.

To my Hanhan, my Papa, Tatay and to all the fathers and daddies and soon-to-bes in the world:

Fathers Day Comments


Thursday, June 18, 2009

Ear Infection Anyone?

Mommies beware! Your child could get this too!

Last Monday, Sam caught a cold. At first I thought it was just the change in weather but I noticed that her walking became unsteady. She has no balance that she always falls each time she walks. She bang her head twice on the floor in the process. Also, she doesn't like to eat. She has always had a good appetite but yesterday was an exception. Not a single bite. She would only drink milk and water. Her crying wouldn't stop too as she tried to sleep last night and I thought it was just difficulty in breathing due to her stuffy nose. She was only able to sleep at around 2:30 this morning and woke up crying at around 7:00AM. My poor, poor baby!

This morning, I called her pedia and made an appointment. At 10:00AM, her pedia checked her and we found out that she has ear infection. She was given antibiotics as the infection is caused by a bacteria.

So if your little one is cranky and keeps tugging at his/her ear, has had a recent cold or sinus infection, has no appetite, has difficulty sleeping, and seems unsteady when he/she walks, chances are big that he/she has an ear infection. Children and toddlers are most susceptible to this illness because the part of the ear called the Eustachian tubes are too short and horizontal so that fluid can't drain easily. This explains the reason why we usually cover the ears when bathing babies and small children.

So I hope this helps! Have a nice evening everyone!


Attack of the Raging Pimples & Wrinkles

I have always considered myself as a low maintenance person. I don't spend much on beauty products and skin care because first, my lifestyle doesn't call for it, and second, I don't have a sensitive skin that some women are unfortunate to have. I do get bad skin days once in a while, with a few pimples emerging during my monthly cycle. And the occasional "sun burn" especially if have been under the sun for too long. But my worst skin days came about a couple of years ago when I got pregnant with my first baby.

attack of the raging pimples

When I was pregnant with my baby, my hormone levels seem to have gone amok and pimples sprouted everywhere especially on my face! It was so very bad, really, as you can see from one of the photos. The pimples were big and red and they made my face look swollen! Also, it was winter time, and my skin became very dry that I had the urge to always scratch where it itches. The drying made my face look wrinkled too! I was also big, making me feel less confident and ugly. You could just imagine my agony as I try to keep my pimples in check and my skin moisturized to keep the wrinkled look away because I am not used to using skin care products. A simple facial wash was enough for me before.

Now I worry even more on how to take care of my skin and protect it from the elements. Especially now that summer is here in Germany and the day is too long and the sun only begins to set at 9:00PM! Surely, I would need to find some good skin care products that will help prevent aging and wrinkling and keep it looking fresh and young. The only problem is that there are so many skin care products available in the market today, making the search more challenging and difficult. Good thing there is www.wrinklebest.com that offers reviews on the best wrinkle cream and also gives clueless consumers like me, on what to look for in a wrinkle cream.

If you want to find out more about anti-wrinkle products and want to erase a few lines and improve the look of your wrinkles, pay www.wrinklebest.com a visit. You just might find what you are looking for.


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Head Banging

Ever notice your toddler head banging? It has been a while that I noticed my little one banging her head especially when she tries to sleep and when she tries to get my attention. This has worried me because she might hurt herself and injure her head. But after reading an article from Baby Center about head banging, I felt reassured knowing that it is surprisingly common at her age.

There are a number of possible reasons why toddlers do this. Among them, to quote:
Self-comfort. As strange as it may sound, most toddlers who indulge in this behavior do it to relax. They bang their head rhythmically as they're falling asleep, when they wake up in the middle of the night, or even while they're sleeping. Some rock on all fours as well. Developmental experts believe that the rhythmic motion, like rocking in a chair, may help your toddler soothe himself.

Pain relief. Your toddler may also bang his head if he's in pain — from teething or an ear infection, for example. Head banging seems to help kids feel better, perhaps by distracting them from the discomfort in their mouth or ear.

Frustration. If your toddler bangs his head during temper tantrums, he's probably trying to vent some strong emotions. He hasn't yet learned to express his feelings adequately through words, so he's using physical actions. And again, he may be comforting himself during this very stressful event.

A need for attention. Ongoing head banging may also be a way for your toddler to get attention. Understandably, you may tend to become solicitous when you see your child doing something that appears self-destructive. And since he likes it when you fuss over his behavior, he may continue the head banging in order to get the attention he wants.

A developmental problem. Head banging can be associated with autism and other developmental disorders — but in most of these cases, it's just one of many behavioral red flags. Rarely does head banging alone signal a serious problem.
What should we do then to minimize the banging?
Experts suggest fostering the child's love for rhythm through music. What I usually do is I try to give her enough attention when she is not banging her head and I give her lots of physical activities: running around the house, dancing, playing ball, playing hide and seek. We also do rhythmic dances and claps while listening to her nursery rhymes and songs. Sam also loves to drum her hands on any surface and I encourage her to create some rhythm while doing so. And with all these, and the experts' suggestion, I noticed that she is not banging her head as much during the night.


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

My Sweet Little One

My little Sam has grown a lot since we arrived here in Germany. These photos were taken at the park one fine Sunday afternoon. We just heard the 12 noon mass and the weather was perfect. We decided to walk around the park near the church before we head home. We thought, there might be something interesting going on there that will be worth our while.


One fine Sunday in Schlossplatz... SWR is the star of the day.

True enough, there was. I guess it was a celebration of music by one of the leading stations here: SWR. My little one had a yellow balloon for herself which the crew gave out to children for FREE and we sat on the park grounds under the shade of a tree. We listened to good music and watched the people pass by. The most entertaining part was when Sam took some photos herself and then danced in front of us when I sang one of her baby songs.


My sweet little Sam in all her curious and adorable glory.


A photo taken by Sam.. I guess she wanted to take a photo
of her balloon but took a snap of this couple instead.


To The Rescue

I can still recall my days as a "corporate slave" and all the trainings that we had to go through for professional and personal development. Among the countless trainings was the one on fire hazards and safety. We had to learn the basics - from bandaging and first aid, firefighting and of course, rescue.

I can still remember our trainer's words: "When on a rescue mission, be it minor or major, always have the presence of mind and bring along with you the needed equipment such as first aid kits, bandages, stretchers and Medical Backboards because you never know the severity of the scene until you are there. And be sure to assess the scene before you do anything else!"

medical backboard

I was awed at the sight of my coworker strapped to a piece of board and learned that in a rescue operation, there are various equipments used, one of which are the Medical Backboards. These are important in rendering a victim immobile or to simply restrain them to prevent further damage, and for easier lifting and transport of the victim. A typical backboard or spineboard usually has handholds for rescuers' ease of lifting and carrying the victim and also strapping pins to hold the victim in place.

We had to learn how to strap a victim properly on a backboard, learn the different techniques in firefighting, and had a simulated search and rescue operation on the last day. It was an exhausting three-day training for me but a very rewarding one because I know now how to save a life should the opportunity call for it.


Monday, June 15, 2009

Mommy Jac Loves Me!

I have been blogging for almost a year now. If I can still remember, I wrote my very first brief blog post last June 25th 2008. And from that short blog post came countless others. My blogroll and online friends even grew, thanks to the many mommies I encountered along the way.

One of them is Mommy Jac and her blog, Mum's Special Diary, which is turning a year old on July 1st! WOW! I guess that calls for a celebration! Mommy Jac is a Pinay mommy blogger from Japan who writes passionately about life and her family, and never forgets her friends when she gives out awards and tags. She is a very proud mommy to her two beautiful princesses Kei and Rio. Do check her blog out for more of Mommy Jac.

As for the awards, I am so honored to receive the Creative Mom Blogger award from her!

award

Begin Copy

Here's the simple rules:
♥ Take your award and put the logo on your post.
♥Link the person who awarded you.Remember each recipient of the award should acknowledge the person who honored them and go to Mom's Special Diary to copy and paste the award.
♥Put your own blog title and link.
♥Nominate at least five deserving moms.

1.Mom's Special Diary 2. Just About Anything 3. You're NEXT!

And this equally beautiful "Your Blog Makes Us Smile" award:

Thanks Mommy Jac for the thought and for these awards. What a wonderful way to start the week!

Now, I am passing on these awards to my fellow mommy bloggers:

Mommy Juliana of Pinay WAHM
Mommy Iceah of Chicken Heart
Mommy Mira of A Moment to Exhale
Mommy Joe-Ann of My Life
Mommy Cecile of Down Home with the Kenyons


Yellow Monday: Window Shopping

MellowYellowMondayBadge

It was a fine day for a stroll. It was a holiday and we chose to spend it in beautiful Baden-Baden. The shops near Lichtentaler Allee were filled with yellows! From pharmacies (apotheke) to fashion boutiques, one can really tell that summer is just around the corner! However, holidays here meant closed shops! It would have been nice to browse through the shops but because they are closed, you can only enjoy the goods from the shops' windows. Literally, it's window shopping!


From a pharmacy's window.


Nice yellow dresses from one of the many fashion boutiques in the shopping street.


Friday, June 12, 2009

Mommy Moments: Outdoor Fun!

mommy moments

Today's theme I love, Hubby loves, Sam loves! Outdoor fun indeed! Even as we were going out as a couple, we see to it that we get to see new places every once in a while. More so now that Sam is here. There is just nothing like going someplace new with the family.

going for a ride!at europa park
kiddie rides at europa park
at Wilhelma Zoo with the giraffeson the way to BMW world
Excursions in Germany
. She enjoys our outings all the more because
she can now walk and can recognize things, animals and people.

We love going on trips and traveling to places. I guess that is one of the perks of living abroad and each time Hubby gets to have long holidays, expect that it is bound to be spent somewhere else. I guess I am one lucky Mommy. Always able to see new places and try new adventures!

Sea Paradise, HakkeijimaAnpanman and Sam... BILOG!
Sea Paradise, the first (L) and second (R) time around! She has grown!

I guess the first time we took Sam outdoors was when she was only two months to Sea Paradise in Yokohama. More trips followed: the Giant Buddha in Kamakura, Showa Kinen Park in Tokyo, Tokyo Disney Land, Zoorasia in Yokohama, and the beautiful shrines of Kyoto to name a few. Of course, there are the usual weekend strolls at the mall or at the park, which she equally loves.

resting at the cafeinside the car during our Yamanashi Trip
In Kamakuraat Zoorasia, Yokohama Zoological Gardens
Yamanashi and the beautiful Mt. FujiAt Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa
Travels around Japan: Yokohama, Yamanashi, Kamakura, Tokyo.

Sam at the neighborhood Obon Odori
At our neighborhood park in Yokohama, Japan: Sam wearing her yukata (L).

I know that little by little, Sam becomes aware of the places that we go to. She even gets excited each time we ask her "Uban ka? Uban?" (Want to come with us?) And she would be content sitting on her stroller or her car seat.

More outdoor fun here.


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