What I Do Full-Time

Being a mom is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week job. I learned this fact when I had my son. Parenting changed the course of my life. I set aside my career plans until he was four years old. Then, I went ahead and pursued my teaching career. I may make other career plans in the future, but all of them will have to be part-time. I am a proud full-time mommy after all.

What I Do Part-Time

I was born a Gemini so expect me to always have my hands full of everything and anything I can get my hands into. I am a wife, a daughter, and a friend. I am a Language and Reading teacher. I am also a blogger and an internet addict. I am a music lover, a photography and photoshop newbie, a travel bug, and a Mc Gyver wannabe.

Home Office Furniture

When I started working at home, I was using a conventional computer desk and an office chair that I bought for only 500 pesos back in Laguna. Back then, I did not find the need to update my home office furniture. Besides, I only get to use the computer for an hour a day when I was still teaching in a regular school. It worked for me for almost five years and I thought that it would only be a waste of money. That all changed when I started having shoulder, back, and hand problems after working for hours in front of the computer.

I experienced numbness from the my right wrist to thumb and middle finger. There were also times when sharp pains started jolting through my palms and fingers. My shoulders ached like they were falling apart. It was Carpal Tunnel Syndrome developing and it was because I was sporting the wrong posture while working.

The desk I was working on was too high and the office chair I was sitting on didn't have arms. I also had the tendency to cross my legs while typing on my computer. While there still wasn't a need to wear wrist support, I was advised to rest my hands for a couple of minutes every hour. I also refrained from using the computer mouse too much that I was forced to memorize Microsoft Office keyboard shortcuts. I also stopped playing Facebook games, huhuhu :( But aside from these, what really made me feel better was having the right work desk and chair. My elbows are now resting on my office chair's arms which are at level with my desk.

Having ergonomic office furniture is an integral part of my job. It did not only make my work easier but it also made my body more comfortable. I suggest that you also assess your workplace at home. Observe yourself when you're using your computer. Are you slouching or leaning too close to the monitor? Chances are, your desk and chair are to blame. If you can't update your office furniture at the moment, just make small adjustments so that you won't need to suffer from aching hands and backs.

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On Online Selling

Have you noticed how online selling, especially in Multiply, has become a hit to enterprising Filipino entrepreneurs? A few months ago, I thought of starting an online shop for our "pre-loved" things. I envisioned an online garage sale of sorts but that was before Multiply announced the need to declare if the account is a personal account of an online seller account. It sounded complicated for me. Plus the fact that I got busy with my writing tasks. So, in short, I backed out.

Since I am part of the organizers of our high school batch's 15th year reunion, I discovered that two of my high school batchmates are now successful in their online selling ventures. Their online shops are both hosted on Multiply and they accept payments through bank deposits and Smart Money and G-cash payments. They keep their payment options to these three because it's more uncomplicated for their clients. Other bigger online businesses have merchant accounts that make them capable of accepting credit card payments. I guess, my batchmates won't need to find a merchant account reseller for them to have one because, normally, average Filipinos do not use credit cards in online shopping. Then again, they will definitely need to have a merchant account once they get global.

Have you tried selling goods online? How has your e-commerce experience been so far?

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Spa at The Medical City

Moms and dads, do you know that there's a Spa at The Medical City? I never knew about it until yesterday when I graced an intimate meeting with the doctors of the Center for Wellness and Aesthetics. We were toured around this part of The Medical City (which I will be writing about later by the way) and I almost forgot that I was in a hospital.

Spa at The Medical City

I was told that the spa is actually outsourced and the provider has a branch in Banilad, Cebu. Too bad, there were patients scheduled that day that we were not able to go inside and take a peek. But hey, Dr. Oyie Balburias (the handsome doctor in the photo) promised us a free trial to review their services. I'll just write a follow-up post after that. I wonder if there's a hot tub with a nice hot tub cover over there, hmmmm....

Anyway, in the meantime, I can share with you their list of services:
  • Philippine Hilot Massage
  • Hawaiian Lomi Lomi
  • Indonesian Deep Tissue Massage
  • Oriental Foot Massage
  • Aromatherapy
  • Facial
  • Manicure
  • Pedicure
For those of you who are sick and tired of waiting in line for your name to be called at the doctor's office, the Spa is definitely an option. You can find the Spa at The Medical City at the Center for Wellness & Aesthetics, 6th floor, Podium Building. You can call 635-6789 loc. 6619 or 6620 for the prices.

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The Coin Purse Project

Around three weeks ago, my boy went home holding his work education project for their last term this school year. They were given pieces of leatherette specifically cut to make a small coin purse. They were already asked to punch small holes in each side of the material so that a nylon cord can be sewn into them to fasten the sides of the coin purse. Well, as easy as it may sound, it was not an easy feat for my boy.

That day, he went inside my room with a face full of disappointment and despair. He was frustrated and even questioned the purpose of the project. I explained to him that even young boys should be taught how to sew. I even told him how my dad made sulsi(sewn) the hems of our long pants back then. Oh well, I'm sure he'll understand someday.

I admit, what he did wasn't really pretty at all and, at that moment, I knew I had to help. Can you blame me for helping him finish the project? At least, I and his teacher knew that he already did his job in school. I just had to make it look a little nicer, hehehe. And besides, I love doing handicrafts! I give credit to my school for the handicraft skills I know now. I know how to embroider, to sew, and to crochet. It's a pity that we weren't taught how to knit. I could have made pretty knitted rugs if I only we were taught how. Even girls in our class were taught carpentry. There was really no stereotyping on what boys and girls should do and I appreciate that now.

Back to the coin purse project.... Here's the finished product:


I had to cut the edges of the cloth that were already sewn together. I asked Rap to use a ruler as a guide and mark the leatherette with dots using permanent marker. Then, our houseboy used a soldering iron to punch holes through the dots. I did the sewing part.

It looks cute, doesn't it?


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LSM 3rd Trimester Exam Reviewer for Grade 3 Science

LSM Grade 3 Science 3rd Trim Exam SY 2009-2010

You are free to reprint it should you find it useful as long as the watermark is left unaltered. The contents of this reviewer should only be used for personal purposes. I would also appreciate link backs to my site. :)

Contents:
  • Light
  • Colors
  • Sound
  • Force
  • The Soil
  • Waters of the Earth
The worksheets I am posting were either used by my son or my students. As such, the course guides that were used in making these reviewers were only the ones issued by their respective schools. For worksheet requests or for sharing your kid's course guide, send me as message through mail [at] the24hourmommy [dot] com. I will try to furnish one but that will still depend on my available time and references. :)

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LSM 3rd Trimester Exam Reviewer for Grade 3 English

LSM Grade 3 English 3rd Trim Exam SY 2009-2010

You are free to reprint it should you find it useful as long as the watermark is left unaltered. The contents of this reviewer should only be used for personal purposes. I would also appreciate link backs to my site. :)

Contents:
  • Verb Tenses - Simple Past and Simple Future
  • Adjectives - Series of Adjectives and Degrees of Comparison
  • Adverbs - Time, Place, Manner, and Frequency
  • Conjunctions
  • Reading Comprehension - Inferring Character Traits and Predicting Outcomes
  • Sequencing Events
  • Fact or Opinion
The worksheets I am posting were either used by my son or my students. As such, the course guides that were used in making these reviewers were only the ones issued by their respective schools. For worksheet requests or for sharing your kid's course guide, send me as message through mail [at] the24hourmommy [dot] com. I will try to furnish one but that will still depend on my available time and references. :)

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A Made-to-Order Couch!

In line with our home renovation project this summer, my husband and I decided to update our furniture and change our green-colored leatherette couch. We are lucky that our home is just a few kilometers away from the Mandaue Foam Center in Ortigas Avenue Extension. We checked the shop's stocks for a couple of times before settling on a cute two-seater super comfy couch made with cloth. It was a steal at only Php 7,000. (See the picture below)


The best part of it all is that we were able to have it made-to-order for the same price! We still chose the same brown fabric but we opted to have the throw pillows made of bright red, hihi! The sad part is that we have to wait for three weeks before it is delivered. Well, it's really not a problem at all because we are really not in a hurry since there's still the construction project being done in our home.

My husband initially wanted a 2-seater lazy boy in front of our TV but I thought that home theater seating does not really belong in the living room. And besides, they cost way too high! Since we saved a lot from not getting recliners, we also got a mahogany coffee table set which I am planning to set beside the living room window. The set costs more than the sofa, though but it's hardwood so I guess it's worth it.

I'm going to post the photos once the new couch is here. Stay tuned!


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LSM 3rd Trimester Exam Reviewer for Grade 3 Filipino

LSM Grade 3 Filipino 3rd Trim Exam SY 2009-2010

You are free to reprint it should you find it useful as long as the watermark is left unaltered. The contents of this reviewer should only be used for personal purposes. I would also appreciate link backs to my site. :)

Nilalaman:
  • Pagbuo ng pangungusap sa tulong ng mga parirala
  • Mga uri ng pangungusap
  • Pag-gamit ng wastong bantas
  • Paghambing sa pang-uri at pang-abay
  • Pang-abay na pamanahon, pamaraan, at panlunan
  • Pagtukoy sa mga bahagi ng isang liham at mga uri ng liham pangkaibigan
  • Pagpapakahulugan sa tsart o graph
  • Pagbibigay ng Angkop na Pamagat
  • Pagkuha ng Pangunahing Diwa
The worksheets I am posting were either used by my son or the students in my tutorial center. As such, the course guides that were used in making these reviewers were only the ones issued by their respective schools. For worksheet requests or for sharing your kid's course guide, send me as message through mail [at] the24hourmommy [dot] com. I will try to furnish one but that will still depend on my available time and references. :)

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LSM 3rd Trimester Exam Reviewer for Grade 3 Christian Living

LSM Grade 3 CLED 3rd Trim Exam SY 2009-2010

You are free to reprint it should you find it useful as long as the watermark is left unaltered. The contents of this reviewer should only be used for personal purposes. I would also appreciate link backs to my site. :)

Contents:
  • Baptism of Jesus
  • Temptation of Jesus
  • Call of the twelve Apostles
  • Parables of Jesus
  • Miracles of Jesus
  • Passion and death of Jesus
  • The risen Christ - we celebrate Easter
  • Our Lady of Lourdes
The worksheets I am posting were either used by my son or my students. As such, the course guides that were used in making these reviewers were only the ones issued by their respective schools. For worksheet requests or for sharing your kid's course guide, send me a message through mail [at] the24hourmommy [dot] com. I will try to furnish one but that will still depend on my available time and references. :)

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My Ringless Ring Finger

My son was asked by a classmate during their son's "Family Day" in school a week ago. I overheard the conversation and, apparently, it was about me. The classmate asked him if I was really his mom or just an aunt. Of course, I was flattered at first thinking that the boy saw me as someone younger to be a mom until he said, "but she's not wearing a wedding ring!" Why is it the kids are smarter nowadays? LOL!

Actually, I lost my wedding ring. Oh, wait. Let me re-write that statement again. It should be: My husband lost my wedding ring years ago. We slept over in my parents' place during a party. I took a shower and I asked him to wear my ring for fear of leaving it someplace else. It must've slipped out of his pinkie finger. It wasn't found anywhere. Oh, well.


Do I feel bad about it up to now? Hmmm... not too much. I was promised that I will have an even more beautiful ring as a replacement. I haven't got one to date, hehe! Shhh... don't tell my husband that I'm ranting about it here. A pretty ring or a few loose diamonds can make me feel better, haha!..

But seriously, I have lived without a wedding ring for more than five years now and it's not really an issue. The ring is just a symbol, anyway. What matters most is the love that binds the marriage.

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