Treasure Jar

When we had our day tour at the beach last week, I felt happy and at the same time sad. Happy because I am spending a relaxing day with my hubby and sad that I can’t wear any swim wear to spend this day. Ugh, I’d be an unsightly person had I done that.

I remember a running joke a SIL made of herself, “whale watching”. That could be me alright and I’m not laughing at the joke anymore.

Been on the look out for something that will make me lose some of those unsightly pounds. A friend suggested I try herbal supplements while another one said to try myoripped and still another said I better make serious commitment to run more and eat less.

I know these suggestions are good but everything else is up to me.

Tags: beach day trip, Bohol, Bohol beach, Bohol Beach Club, coconut trees, hammock, white sand

Summer is one of the best times to enjoy fruits. We heart summer fruits.

I took this photo below at the supermarket we went to after looking at small netbooks for the kids. These netbooks are a bit cheaper now in the advent of tablet pc.

Anyway, re fruits: The supermarkets present them in a very nice way, as compared to the one being sold at the markets. And yes, the former charges double than the latter. I prefer to buy in the market of course because I can get more fruits and even a discount if I buy a lot.

Our summer favorite fruits are watermelons, cantaloupes, mangoes and pineapples. Yum!

Tags: fruits, summer, summer fruits

There’s this wonderful feeling that friends, in real life and online friends are feeling right now: joy and pride. No, these are not detergent brands, but “proud” feelings.

Why? Some of these friends have children who graduated wit honors. One friend even wrote in a chat room where we converge that is is so happy putting medals on her son who just graduated and has been accepted in all four top universities he applied to. One dear friend has also a graduating daughter given a distinction with the sport she excelled in. I know all those early and late hours they spent for practice has been forgotten.

Beyond the certificates of recognition, the trophies and medals and the gifts, children who worked hard to have grades better than their classmates should be given affirmation that they can do what they want, be what they want and achieve their goals and dreams because they give their best.

I hope I would feel the same when my children go up the stage for their graduation day 🙂

Tags: graduation, Graduation Day, graduation giftsd

Below is an article that I -> Treasure Jar, wrote for the now offline internet magazine, WMP.ph and I am posting the commissioned and paid for Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries article here in it’s entirety because I am the author. Someone else copied the whole article and posted it in a site full of other articles copied from different sites. Just like the other article I wrote, Wedding Favor Ideas, this was copied without permission. No, I will not link the site that copied this one.

Sigh…

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Celebrating wedding anniversaries has been somewhat predictable: a romantic dinner date at a new restaurant, a bouquet of flowers, the latest tech gadget, or a piece of jewelry are some of the common gifts couples have given each other for the longest time.

By JCF, Treasure Jar

But gifts should not always be expensive. A heartfelt letter or a card, a handmade project, or a homemade special recipe could be alternative options.

Below are several other wonderful things to do as a couple when celebrating wedding anniversaries:

Take a vacation together. It’s not a problem if the budget is tight; planning is the key to get the best travel deals. Escape for a few days from the hustle and bustle of your daily routine and rekindle that romance you shared on your first year together! For the busy couple, a romantic getaway can be an overnight stay at bed and breakfast places.

Have an adventure together that you will surely remember, like trekking on a nearby trail, or camping in the woods!

Instead of spending buying separate gifts for each other, why not make a purchase that you will both enjoy? How about that new exercise machine to keep you fit?

Share your blessings with others! Arrange a charity event and spend time with kids at a local hospital, or go green by organizing a tree planting activity.

There are no right or wrong ways to celebrate your wedding anniversary as long as you’re having fun. A nice way to cherish the memories is to build an anniversary scrapbook that you’ll update annually; by the time you reach your 50th year, imagine how nice it will be to reminisce together!

Tags: alternative wedding anniversary ideas, celebrating wedding anniversary, how to celebrate wedding anniversary, wedding anniversaries, wedding anniversary, wedding anniversary ideas

So many things happening around the world:  the protests in the Middle East, the big earthquake in New Zealand, the even bigger earthquake/tsunami in Honshu, a looming nuclear radiation threat and another MidEast conflict this time in Bahrain, I just can’t imagine how people will cope, even if they were not in the danger zone.

Not only did people underwent a lot of major changes, fellow Filipinos lost their jobs, whether as blue collar workers, IT professionals with it degrees, corporate executives, and even domestic helpers, our economy and the families who depend on the remittances are all affected by these events.

So how do we deal with these major tragedies?

• We assess ourselves and try to sort our priorities.
• We try to prepare for the worst, not by being jittery and anxious but by being level-headed and practical.
• We try to be cool, even if our insides can be likened to a pot of water in a rolling boil.

Being too much consumed by the news about Japan’s tragedy, I try to see the positive side of these all: a friend and her family safe in Sendai, the 4 month old baby rescued from the rubble, the man reunited with his dog, an uplifting letter from Anne in Sendai, people lining up to buy groceries and not looting and so much more not given enough online space.

Do we lose hope?

We don’t, we can’t lose hope.

Tags: losing hope

So many fellow Filipinos working in the Middle East are coming home.

They are called OFW or Overseas Filipino Workers whose remittances amount to millions (or billions?) of dollars sent to the country every year. They keep the economy afloat and are even called as “Present Day Heroes”.Very apt I must say, for they don’t just “fight” and toil for their families but (in)directly help the country’s economy too.

With the ongoing conflict, they found themselves without jobs and uncertain future. With the rising oil prices along with the prices of basic commodities, we face a difficult life ahead and with what’s happening, it’s bound to be worse.

We all are challenged not just to cut back on unnecessary expenses but to live simply within our means.

Here are some few tips on how to live simply and have fun:

• Recycle
• Unplug your gadgets and spend quality time with your loved ones
• Go walking
• Know when to spot a scam to avoid people easily getting your hard-earned money
• Learn to be frugal
• Have more home-cooked meals

Having less money doesn’t mean having less fun. Happiness can’t be defined with how much you have in your wallet 🙂