i'm still alive!

The first day of December probably prodded the lazy me to peek in my blog today and write a short post to let everyone know that I still exist. :) I couldn't let this day pass without saying hello and many thanks to my loyal readers and EC droppers who still continue to come to my blog even when it's very silent here.

God bless you all!

spreading the symphony of love

A couple of months ago, I tagged BK of Symphony of Love with my simply seven post. He graciously declined joining it but was generous to give me a link to his ebook, the Symphony of Love. That's not all, he also told me I can share the link with 7 other people. :)

BK said...

Hi, thanks for tagging me. It is very much appreciated. Pardon me that I would not be playing along. However, I as an appreciation for this simply seven tag, please feel free to pass along the complimentary copy of Symphony of Love to any 7 people who you appreciated. I have already sent the link to download the ebook through the Entrecard message. You may pass the download link to them privately. :)

Once again, many many thanks for tagging me.

Since Christmas is around the corner, I thought now is the best time to share the book with my readers. All you have to do is be the first 7 commentors of this post and I'll send you the link as soon as I can. Btw, this ebook costs $6.95USD and hey, we're getting it for free! :)

Many thanks to BK!

shhhhhh

Hubby said, if you don't have anything to write about, then don't write. I guess I'm going by that rule lately. Actually, I've been lazy the past weeks ergo my silence. But my offline life goes on!

all for a good cause ;)

When I was in college, I used to join many contests (except beauty contests! haha) and I was more often fortunate! I'd win t-shirts, CD's, concert tickets, money and a lot of goodies. One time there was this contest on TV, and they were giving away prizes ranging from big cash to appliances and since the rule was very simple, I tried to join.

So the rule was, they will be showing off their logo in several programs, and all the contestants have to do is to write the name of the show and the date when the logo appeared. One of the shows included was a soap opera which I watch while keeping my bedridden grandmother company late at night. Along with the entry, a bottle cap or a wrapper of the sponsors' products should be sent too.

The most practical product for me to send in was wrapper of sanitary napkin coz us girls, use this every month for a week long (the most). So I bought plenty! I went to the supermarket and filled up the shopping cart with sanitary napkins! Hahaha I didn't care what the people have to say. Okay, that was the craziest I ever did just to win.

It did pay off. I won but not the big prizes. I got 50 (or was it more?) movie passes which I wasn't so thrilled about. I ended up giving most to my cousin who helped me wrote down my numerous entries and sealed the envelopes. At least I already had a year's supply of napkins. ;)

Anyway, since Christmas is nearing I think I'd try my fortune once again by joining the contests happening in the blog land. There are many. If ever I'd win, the money would go to a good cause - myself! Hahaha. Do let me know if you know of any contests. And if you see many contest posts here, please don't complain! :)

lainy's birthday bash contest

Hear ye! Hear ye! One of EC’s top droppers, Lainy of Lainy’s Musings is celebrating her birthday soon and to celebrate that special day, she’s sharing her blessings to everyone with a contest!



There are many prizes at stake for us all – cash, free blog lay-out, free ads and lots of EC credits! Wow! Hurry and visit her blog now and see how you too can join the contest.

Special mention to her generous sponsors who have made this contest possible, thanks to them!

The Designer Chic | AZ Blogging | My Blog Says | Mapiles.com| Your Partner Online | Twerlermz BLog | Happy Family | My Kawaii Life | Reveiling Oneself... Expressing the Real Me | Twinkletoe Writing Space | Everyday Life | My So Called Life | In The Eyes of the Beholder | A Woman Under God's Grace | Random Ramblings | Briggs Time for Escapades

Please don’t forget to check out Lainy’s other sites.

Our Journey To Forever
Kuerdas

Happy Birthday girl! May God shower you with good health, happiness and more LOVE!

Update on the contest's prizes:

This contest shall give away the following prizes:

*
Blog Lay Out valued at $30
*
20, 000 EntreCard credits
*
$50 Cash Prize
*
Ad Spaces in 6 different, high traffic-blogs for one month

how to achieve PEACE

Are you seeking for peace?

World peace man, world peace! Everyone is aspiring for it, fighting for it and some are even dying for PEACE.

Well yesterday's reading from Phil 4:6-9 was a gem of a revelation for those seeking peace (God's way). Here's how:

Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,
if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
Keep on doing what you have learned and received
and heard and seen in me.
Then the God of peace will be with you.

simply ugh!

I have just sent the 1000 EC credits to my top dropper and I am not so happy with one thing. Here's the confirmation message I got:

1000ec + 125ec transfer fee has been debited from your account and sent to Entertain Me

Boy oh boy! This is the reason why I'm not giving out rewards next time. The tax transfer is too much!!!

To my other top droppers, please wait till I have enough EC (plus transfer fee charge!) to send out. Duh! Well anyway we're allowed to send 1000 EC credits per week so that means I have reached my quota for this week.

my top 5 droppers for september

In case you don't know, I'm giving out 1,400 worth of EC credits to my top droppers every month. 1,000 EC credits goes out to the top 1, and 100 EC credits each for the next 4 top droppers.

But because of the major changes on Entrecard's transfers, credit transfer limits, etc. I sadly announce that this will be the last.

Thanks everyone! I hope you'd still continue to drop here everyday even without any rewards. :)

Top 5 droppers for September:

Top 1 dropper - Entertain Me - 1,000 EC credits

Top 2 dropper - Happy Caity - 100 EC credits

Top 3 dropper - Rainydazeee - 100 EC credits

Top 4 dropper - Symphony of Love - 100 EC credits

Top 5 dropper - Searching for Me - 100 EC credits



I'll transfer the EC credits as soon as Entrecard is done fixing the bug.
I kept getting this message when I sent out EC credits earlier:

Serious error

We have a bug in our software, an automatic report has been sent to our developers and more whips are being applied as we speak. We apologise for the inconvenience.

unexpected blessings

HAPPY! :) Well, who wouldn't be happy when blessings came pouring down on me all in one day?

First I received an offer from a new company asking me to write reviews for them. Second, I made $80 from my blogs. Weeeeeeeellllll, it might not be much for you, but for me, it is. :) I'm grateful for the blessings.

the peeler

I always forget to buy this one thing – the peeler. When I am peeling vegetables, that’s the time I remember that I need one. I’ve always told my husband to remind me when we’re shopping that we should buy a peeler. But he forgets too. And it happened again yesterday!

We did our weekend grocery shopping. We usually shop at the big store but it’s out of the way, so we opted for the small one beside our flat. That’s where we park our car anyway. The store was quiet, and the usual buzz of shoppers was missing. It was unusual for a Sunday.

When we were already outside the store, returning the shopping cart, hubby picked up something and asked “We need a peeler, right?” Oh no! We forgot to buy again I thought silently. But hubby was quick to show me what he picked. “Then here it is!” and handed me a shiny silver peeler with a big grin. We looked around, but there was nobody to return it to. The parking lot had few parked cars but no one was around, except for an old man in the other lane pulling out a shopping cart.

We looked at the peeler. There was no doubt it was still new and unused. But the question is: where did it come from? If it fell from someone’s cart, it would still have the store mark and price tag (which it didn’t have) and it’s unlikely that someone would bring a peeler to shop. Mysterious, isn’t it?

I believe finding it was not a coincidence at all. I’d like to acknowledge that it’s a gift from above. Who else would know that it is the very thing we need? And it was the perfect one coz hubby is left-handed and I am the opposite. Guess what? The peeler has a dual sharp edge which can be used for both left-handed and right-handed user. SIMPLY AMAZING!!!

simply busy :)

If you're wondering why my posts are trickling in the past weeks, it's because I am busy. Family has to come first! I wish I have the luxury of time to blog anytime I want like everybody else.

Anyway, Dad informed me yesterday of another sad news. My aunt's mom died, she was 88 years old. It brought back memories of my grandma who died at the age of 80. I miss her and I wish she was able to meet my little girl. I'm sure she will be delighted and amused with her. Oh well, she can always see us from above anyway so there's nothing really to be sad about.

On a different note, I got a complimentary copy of Symphony of Love, the ebook from BK (my top dropper for August!) of Symphony of Love. I tagged him before with my Simply Seven post which he politely declined but gave me this special gift instead. How nice! He told me I can share the ebook with 7 people of my choice. I still haven't picked yet; I might do it next time. So watch out! It might be YOU!
_______________
It's Sept. 8 today! Happy Birthday Mother Mary! :)

1400 worth of EC credits goes to...

As promised, every month starting August I'm going to give 1,400 worth of EC credits to my top 5 droppers. 1,000 EC credits will go to the TOP dropper and 100 EC credits each for the top 2-5 droppers.

SO here are the TOP 5 droppers of August for Simply Euphoric:

Top 1 dropper - Symphony of Love - 1,000 EC credits

Top 2 dropper - Lainy's Musings - 100 EC credits

Top 3 dropper - Cookie Travels - 100 EC credits

Top 4 dropper - Taste of Both Worlds - 100 EC credits

Top 5 dropper - The Orange Derange Lab - 100 EC credits



Thank you everyone for dropping in my blog!

If you want to win 1,000 EC credits, you know what to do! Simply drop here everyday in Simply Euphoric! Very easy, right? :)

life is wonderful!

Thank God for that! We might not have everything we want but we're very blessed to be living a wonderful life! We can eat when we want to, we're living comfortably, we're all healthy in the family and we've got a happy relationship with each other. There might be some difficulties along the way but that's how life is. Once in awhile you get tested, and it's up to you how you handle the situation. I can only pray that when tough time comes, I'll have enough patience and strength to get through it triumphantly.

To Sassy Mama Bear: I'm doing very well. Thanks for asking. :)

By the way, it's almost end of the month. I'm already excited to give out the 1,400 EC credits to my top 5 droppers!

regrets

Last week we received a sad news. A close family friend of our parents died. Tito B was having coffee with his wife that afternoon; she left him for awhile to get something and when she came back in the living room, she found him already slumped unconsciously on the sofa chair. They brought him to the hospital but nothing can be done anymore. It was a sudden death. I bet none of them expected it.

When such incident happens, we get to ask ourselves many questions and probably in the corners of our hearts, there are some regrets; should-have-beens and if-onlys... I know I have.

-----

Whenever I met Tito B, he would always ask how's my husband and when we'll ever have our kids. Like all our family and friends, I'm sure he was also excited to see the fruit of our love.

Three or four months ago, I was carrying my little girl when I saw him from afar with his wife. I wanted to go near them and show them my daughter but was too tired that time. I didn't grab that moment and it has slipped away, never to come back.

God bless his soul. May he rest in peace.

simply seven

Sassy Mama Bear tagged me! I didn't even know she has noticed this blog of mine till she left a comment on my post. Well anyway, I am supposed to write infamous 7 things about me which is pretty hard to think of. Maybe I should ask my sister, she might have tons to say about me.

Anyway, let's get the ball rolling; get to know me and the rules of this game:

1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Share 7 things about yourself, the odder the better
3. Tag 7 People, and let them know they have been tagged.
4. Wait for everyone to scream at you, or actually participate.

-----------------------------------------
Here goes my seven:

1. A decade ago, I got addicted to internet specifically Freetel chatting that when I close my eyes to sleep I can still see the green Freetel screen blinking.

2. I used not to like eating ice cream on a cone even if friends would (beg to) pay for me. You know why? Coz I don't know how to eat it! It would melt and drip down my hands. It was a big mess. Until somebody showed me the trick how to eat it the proper way.

3. When I was pregnant, I didn't like riding public transport. My wonderful hubby has to drive me all the time, anywhere I want to go.

4. I like to eat unripe peach and dip it in salt.

5. We live beside a beach yet I don't know how to swim and I'm even afraid to ride on small boats.

6. I used to wonder how people can manage to have more than 4 blogs and still have a life. Now I have like 10 or more. Geezzz!

7. My favorite food is cockroach! (hahaha just kidding there! can't think of anything more)

I'm tagging some of the EC droppers of my blog:
1. A Moment to Exhale
2. New Horizons
3. Symphony of Love
4. Leaf in de Forest
5. Regalo Ng Diyos
6. Mom's Point of Vieau
7. Bytes of Cookie

let's make it every month then! :)

In my previous post, I wrote there that I will award 1000 EC credits to my top dropper and 100 EC credits each for the succeeding 4 top droppers for the month of August. Since I posted it kinda late, I want everyone to know that I'll make this top EC dropper reward a monthly thing and I'm already announcing it as early as today. :)

If you want to be my top dropper, drop in here at simply euphoric everyday, every month!

Lots of love to everyone!

i'm giving out 1000 EC credits and more...

You read it right! :) I decided to give out 1000 EC love credits for my TOP 1 DROPPER for this month - August, and 100 each for the top 2-5 droppers. I hope to see you all in my blog and keep on dropping! :)

Have a nice weekend everyone!

thank you, i'm alright!

How are you? They ask me every time I go online. My family has been checking on me on a daily basis if I'm alright. Thank God I am. It wasn't as hard as I've imagined my life would be since hubby left for work abroad leaving me with our baby. He'll be gone for only two weeks anyway. And though there are many things I couldn't do because of my limited capacity, I'm still okay. As I've told mom, as long as we can shower and eat, then we're okay. :)

my hands are full!

It's been two crazy days of being alone with my 11 month old baby. Her dad is somewhere far, working for the family. Anyway, this is a big challenge for me. How will I be able to do the household stuff with a baby following me around and sticking to me like a leech? It's tough! I have to sneak out when she's asleep to do as much work as I can which usually fails coz she sleeps too short.

But on the brighter side, I'll have rescue 911 coming soon in 8 days! I just have to be more patient!

My heart goes out to all single mothers who not only have to work hard to make a living for their kidS, but also have to take care of their needs when they get home. Hats off to all of you!

count your blessings!

No matter how often we hear this phrase, we always tend to focus on what we lack. Agree? :) We're so blessed that we have a GREAT God who doesn't mind our shortcomings and complaints and still continues to pour out His graces on us.

It's already a week since I have this unsightly and painful wound in my leg that's been bothering me. Should I count this as a blessing? You might ask, "How can it be a blessing?" Well, I don't know what's God purpose for this but He must have a good reason for it. But please Lord, let this cup pass. Thanks! :)

the crack on the wall

There's a crack on our wall. I tried to fixed it and it was okay for sometime, or so I thought. Until last week when it showed its ugly zigzag form again. It needs another fixing, I said to myself. I did what I could do to repair it and make the wall all smooth and nice, but the wall crack just had a life of its own. I guess I'll leave it that way for now. Couldn't think of anything better to do.

How about you? How do you handle difficult people; those crack on the wall?

inside the box

Last Friday, one of our less-fortunate neighbors (a grandma) came to the house to ask for help. They needed money for the medicine that was scheduled to be injected on her grandchild. Hers was such a sad story.

The previous Friday, she fell on the slippery concrete floor of the communal bathing area (where they take a bath and wash their clothes); and hit the back of her head real hard. I don’t know what her mom was doing at that time and why she wasn’t able to watch her child. She seemed okay probably so there was no cause to be alarmed. But on Saturday, according to her grandma, she came running and complained that her head was painful, then she vomited. The grandma didn’t’ even know about the accident that took place the day before. They were able to bring her to the hospital on Tuesday since they don’t have money for hospitalization. Her mom is a housewife, taking care of another baby and the stepfather doesn’t have a regular job.

Anyway, it was found out that she had an internal hemorrhage then she had a stroke and later fell into a coma. The poor girl is only two years old! My grandma suffered the same fate before too. The vein in her brain snapped causing an internal hemorrhage and ended in a stroke. Doctors told us she had couple of months to live but we were blessed that she lived longer though she was bedridden. So we know that this little girl had little chance to survive. It would be a miracle if she lives.

When we got home last night, we noticed that there was a small crowd gathering in the multipurpose hall. Candles were flickering in the dim night. Now the little girl is back, inside a coffin.

the dinner

Got a great dinner tonight. Fish, veggies and fruit shake. Hahaha! You might protest "You gotta be kidding! How can that be a great dinner??" It might be simple yet it's something I've missed eating for years. Don't complain, okay?

what makes you happy?

The little girl was jumping up and down and flashing a big smile as she ate the biscuit being fed to her by her grandma. Hers was a face filled with happiness. It takes a simple biscuit to make her day. It makes me ponder and ask myself this question (again), "what makes me happy"?

more reasons to smile

I cut the top 10 reasons to smile into two coz its lengthy. Anyway here's the second part to give you more reasons to flash that toothsome smile to everyone you meet:

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure.
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin.
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger.
The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful.
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive.
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

how many muscles does it take to smile

You've probably heard it too, they said it takes a lot of muscles to frown but way less when you smile. But how many exactly? I've been browsing the net hoping to get the answer but I wasn't successful.

Anyway, if it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown then why do we usually find frowning a much easy way to do? Hmmmmmm...

To encourage you to smile, here's a list of Top 10 Reasons To Smile from Mark Stibich, Ph.D.:

Smiling is a great way to make yourself stand out while helping your body to function better. Smile to improve your health, your stress level, and your attractiveness.

1. Smiling makes us attractive.
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood.
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling is Contagious.
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress.
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System.
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

ants at work

One morning still drowsy from sleep, I noticed the exodus of tiny ants on the floor by the wall. Without a thought I squatted on the floor and gazed at the busy bodies. How sociable these tiny ants are! Whenever they meet their own kind, they'd stop and kiss each other. At least that's how it seems to me.

The time I idly spent that morning wasn't a waste. I learned important lessons observing the ants at work. I would love to share them with you but I'd rather let you discover them yourself. Why don't you do the same thing I did - watch the ants in action and maybe, just maybe, you'll pick up lessons from them.

the attack of insomnia

Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights, insomnia was my regular visitor. Even if I'm already very sleepy, I still find myself lying wide awake in the middle of the night for hours. What's happening???

I read the mental causes of insomnia, written there are stress and poor mental attitute about sleep. I think stress is the culprit in my case. Whenever I lie down, many thoughts would start to float and fill my mind. Arghhh! It says "Your concerns may make your mind too active, making it hard to relax." I wish I have a button which I can push to shut down these thoughts clouding my mind. I really want to sleep.

still breathing

Finally. We've eaten lunch, I've fed the baby, washed the dishes, cleaned the kitchen counter top, cooked for dinner in advance and had shower. Right now I am very sleepy. Afer posting this I'll head right to the bed. Laundry has to wait till later when I feel re-energized. Oh and then there's a movie waiting for me and hubby to watch too.

How about you? How's your Saturday so far?

*by the way, I made the header image this morning. thanks to turbomilk.com for the fish graphics and heavengraphics.com for the paper.

happiness

What makes you happy?

Is it the love and care of the people close to you?
Is it the presence of someone?
Is it because you achieve something?
Is it because of the beautiful day?
Is it the smile on a baby's face?
Is it hearing your favorite song on the radio?

Happiness is a choice. Let us be happy each day even amongst the hardships of life, war, hatred or suffering around us.

smile at me!

She smiled at me! It's amazing how a simple thing such as a smile from a baby made me happy. She was gazing at me intently as if I was the most important person in the world. Nothing could be more wonderful than being looked up by the little girl sitting on my lap. You bet, she's my baby!

investing for our future

I was encouraged by my mom to buy a condo unit for investment purposes. Why not? The only question is the money. So after the pros and cons, I've decided to go on with it, with my hubby's approval of course.

I have to work real hard to be able to come up with the monthly payments. It will be a year till I am free from it. I hope everything will be alright, financially speaking or else. The current work situation looks gloomy but with faith and action, I pray I'll be able to succeed. Help me Lord!

overly excited

I’m excited to start this blog! It’s the end of the month, and here I am planting a seed – my new blog! The end of February ushers the birth of my blog. How sweet.

I have tons of things to be euphoric about. My life! I’ve got a loving and happy family, humble possession, simple meals, the joy our little girl brings, a comfortable place to live in. Shall I add more? Good health, good friends, good appetite (yeah are forbidden to eat this and that by their doctors), lastly a good and AWESOME GOD! Agree?