Car is a necessity not a luxury

Since we moved here I didn’t get a chance to check on my car’s condition, I felt guilty knowing how helpful she is to us and yet I’m not giving some of my time and care she deserves. One time when I was driving home, I saw the maintenance minder popped up in my dashboard. So unexpected that really concerned me a lot. Then I recalled the last time I brought her to the dealer for maintenance has been a while. Good thing that one of our friends knows how to fix it. I found out that the oil went down to 15% and I needed to do oil change immediately. We went to buy oil and filter and proceed in getting it done before it leads to a more major problem. We drained it and I got to see that the oil was already dark, like black. We used one quart of oil just to clean and wash away the old dark oil from my tank, I don’t care if I used the whole quart, my objective is to see my oil back to its clear color, which is closely yellow like the cooking oil. I don’t want to end up giving my car a tune up, you know. This one is my treat for her.






I have a Honda Civic 2008 and I love it. I also like old car models like Acura Integra but I’m afraid that it could cost me much in repairs and maintenance since it’s old. Vintage cars are also head turners nowadays but it’s also kind of pricey in terms of updating and finding its obsolete parts. Oh well, whatever car you have if you don’t appreciate what she can do for you and your family, Pretty sure that she will be taken for granted and before you knew it, you might ended up paying so much for the repair or even worse you might get into a serious accident that you might regret at the end. Win-win solution should always be considered, your car helps you, you give the credit back by maintaining it right. For me, car is as important as food I take each day, without it I'm like lifeless (if that's even a term).

Merry Christmas!!!

My child can read part 2

One thing my son misses from Maryland is his school’s playgroup. He started going to school in Maryland when he was 2 years old. We won’t forget how fun and full of learning it was (I know because I’m also inside the classroom every class). The ‘Infants and Toddlers’ and ‘ABC class’ that he was attending really helped him a lot to develop his confidence in mingling with other kids. Aside from him attending school, my wife and I are always assisting him to learn more in the best we can. My plan of finding him a new school here in California is in my priority list, but unfortunately, we moved here late September when all schools are closed for new registration and we need to wait for next year for him to be included. As of now, he’s attending Sunday school in New Life Christian Fellowship church; while we are in the service; all the kids are in a separate room for the Sunday class. I’m so happy about it because, this time, not only his academic skills are being developed but also his spiritual aspect. One night when we are praying, he includes Kuya Noy (their Sunday school teacher) and the other kids (his classmates) in his prayer.
“… and please take care of mommy, daddy and me… and Kuya Noy and other kids…”
I know that he’s in good hands with them because I saw it myself when I stayed in the classroom since Clarence doesn’t want me to go away from him in his first day. Plus the fact that Clarence said I love you to his teachers really shows how comfortable he is with them. Started with a prayer then all their story-telling and fun activities are about Jesus and children with good behavior.

We don’t want him to be deprived of the things he could learn from school, so we always find time at home to do some activities he used to do in school. There are story-telling, painting and now reading. We’re proud to say that his reading skills are taught by us, his parents. No other people made him learn to read but us. I’m planning to bring him in McKinley Library twice a week for they have a program for toddlers. Circle time or story-telling. I always believe that my son will do well someday and we will support him to the best we can. This is part 2 of my blog where I show the whole world how good he is. At the age of 2yr/11 mos. he can read 3 letter words and when he reached 3yrs/6mos. old he can read a full sentence. A bit struggle for some words but I know with a little more patience and with some fun-strategy learning, he will be able to read without any mistakes in no time. Please have time to watch the video below to see his progress.



My child can read part 1 can be accessed by clicking this link

Use Thy Gifts

When I was still clouded with insecurities, low self-esteem and fear before, I always tell myself that I don’t have any talents nor I can do anything. I’m so shallow that when there are people doing small things which are different, I was easily amazed and felt jealous. I even blame my parents for being deprived of things other people gain from their riches, I was thinking then that if they only give me all the things I needed, I will be as good as those people I envied. –See how dull it is. I lived with these negative thoughts throughout my life but one very thing I kept on wondering was – in spite of all these obnoxity, I was still being taken cared of and blessed with a better life than others.

This was all answered when I started my curiosity about Jesus. I noticed that if you are interested in something, you’ll find a way to know it more and more. I started looking for answers and I believe God assisted me in the right way. I went to many Christian churches, and was able to join Couples for Christ.. –this started everything. My spiritual health began to nourish and little by little, took away my wrong thoughts about myself. God uses His people as instruments to make me a totally new person. I was grateful to what He has done for me. Even greater, He lead me the way to be closer to my brother here in California who encourages me more of my faith with Jesus. He put me in their church, New Life Christian Fellowship which made my understanding deeper with the weekly teaching of their Pastor and spiritual conversations with his family. I was able to realize things I don’t think I ever had before—and these are my gifts.

I learned that everybody has given a gift, big or small, unrecognized or obvious. These are all from God if we treasure and claim it. Gifts that are already within us ever since and the only thing we needed to do is to make it richer and pure. Make use of it in the right and best way we can. Thank God for thy gifts and offer them back to Him – for He is worthy of all of these. How?

As simple as this writing, I don’t even consider this as a gift before, but now I’m using this to reach other people as a form of thanksgiving and to serve Him in the littlest way I know. From now on my knowledge in computers will be shared to others according to what God has planned for it. My patience in teaching as what I worked before being Class Instructor can be used in trying to deliver what I know. Gifts of tongue, friendship, and love made my little ways into its biggest mission and that is – to serve our Almighty God.

If you know how to play guitar, use it – in fellowship;
If you are an athlete, use your power to reach your team mates and introduce God;
If you are a teacher, use it in spreading the word of God;
If you are a caregiver – read the Bible to your patient, show them goodness;
If you are good in photography – use it in showing the beauty God had created for us;
If you’re a simple worker – use it, give hope to others by helping your colleagues in getting out from the darkness;
If you’re a musician – use it in giving glory to the Lord;
If you’re a lawyer – use it to give the right justice for all who are in need;

A simple task you can give may create a big impact to others as what had happened to my life. Use thy gifts and share it with others.

It's About Time

I just noticed that most of my friends and former college classmates chose to get married at this time of our age. Last year 3 of them had their wedding and this year 2 more. No one likes to be left behind. Probably, because at this stage, I believe that most of us reached stability in life and becomes more ready to face another life’s challenge. We’re not getting any younger. I supposed. Sadly, some of my friends are still looking and even worse, one of them hasn’t experienced to have a girlfriend in his entire life. He has other priorities than his own happiness. Love can wait, he reasoned out. But he can’t deny it because he’s longing to have a partner is somewhat getting into our conversation most of the time. There’s one time I teased him to look for a pickup artist and learn from that person. Well, he’s not that desperate he defended. He told me that he already has prospects and all he needed is to be noticed. I told him that it will all depend with the right pick up lines that he’s going to deliver, I guess. Sometimes, a simple “Hi!” or “How are you doing?” will do the trick. I also added these other lines and advised him to have the guts to say it when he gets a chance.

"Pardon me, is this seat taken?"
"Excuse me but have we met before?"
"I’m just new here can I ask you something?"

I admit to him that I’m not good with this but I can say that the important thing is to get the woman’s attention, and once he got it, he should know what to do next. He should also seek dating advice from our other friends who have lots of experience from girls, and when I say lots, I mean numerous of exes, which made them experts in these kinds of stuffs. All I can say to him now, is to be serious in finding the right girl for him and when he did find her, make sure that he’ll get to know her better and that she’ll be the one that will be with him for the rest of his life – For he deserves to be happy, and I wish him all the best!

Another Time-out story

I was surprised when my son put his stuff snake in the corner and kept on saying "Stay there, Mr. snake!". That's what we're doing to him as his time-out when he's misbehaving. And when I asked him what Mr. Snake did to get a time-out like that, I laughed when I heard the reason..



"Daddy I put him in the corner because he's sticking out his tongue, that's not nice! diba? (right?)!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's another special day to celebrate, Thanksgiving. It's so special that should actually be done everyday. I would like to share my son's prayer that he's citing before meals maybe your children can use this as well, simple yet meaningful. Here how it goes:

" God is good
God is great
Bless the food
We're about to eat
Amen "

With a combination of his sweet smile makes the food so rich and blessed. He started this before he reach 3 years old and from there on, he was able to memorize it and get to know the real meaning of it. It's a good christian practice for our children to give thanks to the Lord. As what we all believe, It is right to give Him thanks and praise. "All that we have and all that we do, we give it back to you Oh lord, Jesus."

Know how the enemy works...

For us to know how to deal with the enemies we should know how they work. This will enable us to defeat them strategically and effortlessly. This opponent’s plan is apparent whenever we do good things for our Lord Jesus.

Collection and Investment in One

Have you ever considered having some collection items? When I was a kid I collected matchbox, a toy brand for miniature toy cars. I got them from gifts, trade-ins and personal purchase. I always proud just looking at them. How they accumulate so fast with different models making one unique from another was so fascinating to me before. But where are they now? Some of them were lost when we moved, some were given to my cousins and some more to my playmates. I thought that it was not a serious collection that I should continue because it doesn’t benefit me much aside from just giving my passion with those toys a chance to be fulfilled when I was a kid. It’s more of a hobby, I guess. Now that I’m mature enough to handle manhood, I think! I’m planning of something that will benefit me and at the same time I will also enjoy in a more sophisticated way. Someone suggested to me to collect coins, but this time, not the old-fashioned way of just putting them on display for everybody to see and being proud of it. If it’s possible, he urged, try putting it as an investment. That’s why I’m talking about not ordinary coins here but gold coins.



You know what I’m thinking? I’m kind of trying to make it more interesting by putting these coins in a chest, making it look like a real treasure, which it is! The sparkle of gold really attracts my eyes especially when they pile up in one place. But this is not the way how to deal with these. This just proves how immature still I am. The real questions are, what should I know first before I buy my first ounce of gold coin or bullion? When should I buy? As of the moment I don’t have a clear knowledge about this kind of business but it’s worth contemplating as one possible income source. Like everybody says, Gold is money.

Truly One Dream Vacation

While I’m browsing my video files in my computer, I found the one when our good friend Connie brought us to “beach” somewhere in Maryland. I quoted the word because it’s not actually a natural beach but it’s man-made. The first time we went there we were so excited because I can say right there and then, on Clarence’s account, that it will be one of his first time experiences. I never brought him in a beach so I know that it will be a totally new surrounding for him. He only sees beach in cartoons from Ni-Hao Kailan and Dora’s sand castles episodes. He has an idea but he doesn’t know how it feels like to step on a real sandy beach. It was really beautiful, calming and breezy, you will not think that it’s man-made only when Connie told us that the water is not sea-salt but instead fresh water like from rivers or lakes. But Clarence enjoyed it a lot. It’s still his first time though, experiencing a man-made beach is quite a different thing that we can proudly put in his photo book. It’s a memorable experience for us with Connie and her family during the last days we had in Maryland. Now, we are still looking forward to bring Clarence to a natural beach for him to see the beauty and the wonder that nature brings. I found one in the internet where a complete vacation package awaits tourists and nature lovers to see, it is the Oceanfront Myrtle Beach Resorts.

Having a nice vacation and teaching Clarence to appreciate nature in one occasion will be great. Myrtle Beach Resorts offer hotels, golf courses, museums, parks and more which are all located near the breath taking shores that will really make you feel relaxed and think that you’re out at last from the busy moving world. This will fulfill our plan of showing Clarence the natural beach he is longing to see for the first time with a plus of experiencing other things that Beach Resorts Myrtle Beach can offer. I hope we can do this soon. As of the moment, enjoying Clarence videos are still worth our time-offs to relax and enjoy family togetherness.

Good news for First time Homebuyers

First-time home buyer tax credit extension approved
November 5, 11:59 AMReal Estate News ExaminerBroderick Perkins

The first-time home buyer tax credit extension and expansion has won Congressional approval and is on its way to President Barack Obama.

He's expected to sign the measure as early as tomorrow.

The U.S. House of Representatives, this morning, voted 403 to 12 to pass the measure, following unanimous U.S. Senate approval yesterday.

The measure was passed as part of unemployment benefits extension legislation H.R. 3548.

The extension and expansion of the popular first-time home buyers tax credit gives both new and move-up buyers a tax incentive to buy a home until at least April 30, 2010, longer for military personnel.

The new tax credit extends the existing credit for first-time homebuyers, worth up to $8,000, and offers a new credit of up to $6,500 for some existing homeowners.

The reduced credit for existing homeowners is available to those who have been in their current residence for a consecutive five-year period.

The new rule also raises the qualifying income limits to $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for joint taxpayers, from the current $75,000 and $150,000.

The maximum allowed home purchase price is $800,000.

A home buyer must have a sale agreement in hand by April 30 and close escrow by June 30, 2010.

Military personnel, deployed overseas for a minimum of 90 days in 2008 or 2009, would have until April 30, 2011 to claim the tax credit.

That's all good news for the housing market.

The National Association of Realtors says as many as 400,000 resale transactions (1.2 million for both new and resale homes) were completed specifically because of the first-time home buyer tax credit, since it began, and that put a dent in the housing inventory.

Home sales also add property and sales tax revenues to the coffers of local governments as reduced inventory helps boost prices and home values.

Fortunately, the tax credit also has been available at a time when often have been below 5 percent.

Fortunately, the first-time home buyer tax credit's availability has coincided with mortgage rates often hanging below 5 percent, according to Jeff Howard, CEO of Erate.com.

As the Nov. 30 tax credit deadline neared, reports from the Commerce Department, revealed new home sales slipped 3.6 percent in September and were down 7.8 percent from September 2008.

Wholesale is a Big on sale

When it comes to saving money I always make sure that I’m updated. I collect coupons, wait for the on-sale and seasonal promos and look for good deals in different stores. I also joined wholesale stores like Sam’s Club in Maryland. Even if there’s a membership fee, you will still find it cheap to buy products in packs or bundles. My reason, if you’re going to use a product more often anyway why won’t you buy plenty of it in much lesser or cheaper price when you have money to do it. I find it a good deal to buy bulk of baby diapers there when Clarence was just 11 months old. Even if Clarence used almost 5 diapers in a day, my stock of diapers will still be good until our next scheduled shopping.

When Clarence turned 2, I tried using training pants so it will be easy for him to go whenever necessary because that was the time I also teach him going to the potty on his own. Still, I used the same practice in stocking up of diapers and I can tell you that I did not waste a single one. Now that he’s more than 3, and potty trained, I continue using it and I found Huggies Pull-Ups good for him which he only wears during the night when he goes to bed. When you try to check our pantry and closets you will find packs and bundles of bathroom tissues, canned goods and snacks. Products that will count a year before it expires. I can say that I saved a lot in a wholesale store.

Another Day of Shopping

Remember my article about Shopwiki, well my wife’s friend, Tina had read about it and wishing that she could shop also using the site. And when I asked, what’s preventing her to do so, she replied with annoyingly tone saying, “Hello???, I’m in Australia!!!”. Well I get back on her by saying… “Knock knock Tina, you’re just in Australia and not on Mars! Hehe”. I mean if she was able to read my article in the internet, she sure can try searching for Shopwiki too in her area. That’s the power of the internet. I asked her to get a pen and dictated to her the website’s address for Australia since I’m already in front of my computer. She’s so excited about it. I can’t blame her because she’s not that really good in computers, I know that! since her profession is not related in modern technology, (Tina, if you’re reading, please admit it, Lols!). I even told her that it’s also available in UK and France where some of her cousins live.

After they had a very looong talk, I asked my wife if she still has a plan to go out and buy an electric fan. Maybe you’re wondering why should we need one considering it’s almost winter. I know in Maryland, where we used to live, cold temp. starts on fall season but here in California we’re still getting 79° inside our apartment, turning on the air conditioner is a waste of money that’s why electric fan is in our TO BUY list. We went to Arden Mall, it’s so big and there’s a lot of stores. But we didn’t get any luck finding an electric fan, one of the store crews said that they only put out products based on the current season. I guess we’re going to check the Chinese outlet that my brother recommended us to go. My wife spotted a kid’s store and check for Clarence’s pants. I thought she will just look around but when she asked for the wallet, I refused. I told her that the “2 for $22” promo ($13.50 for 1) pants she’s holding is available in Shopwiki with a lesser price but same quality and style. Check this out.



This is just $4.98 each and you won’t be needing to get 2 pairs to save money. Instead of getting 2 of the same style, you can shop for another one. When we got home, I show her the site’s directory and she was overwhelmed with a lot of choices from different stores. I taught her how to sort it based on price and brand. Again, I know she felt lucky having me around hehe..

Animator vs. Animation

How I wish I have the talent in making such programs like this. This really amazes me. Those who are familiar in computer stuffs will surely appreciate this. Kudos to the one who created this, my advice for you is give yourself a break, try to stay away from computers for some time. LoLs!

Where is she?

I can't figure out where the girl went. Of all the challenges I tried to solve, this one left me hanging. Even if I did stare at her with all my concentration. I still can't get it. I think there's a clue in the sound but it's really hard to hear it right. Better to increase the volume of your speakers. Maybe you can help me with this mystery. Leave me a comment when you know the answer. Thanks.

Our Neighborhood

Friends and relatives always ask us about our new place. I can’t describe it in words, fortunately, I found a video that will best describe the neighborhood where we moved in. The video will also show the Mercy General Hospital where my wife got her new job. The hospital is just beside our apartment. There’s also a park six blocks away from us. We just need to walk to that park whenever Clarence wishes to go there, check out the second video below. I took the video the day after having a heavy rain so it doesn't show the real beauty of the park which is supposedly clean and bloom with flowers. So far, most people we encountered are nice and friendly. How safe it is can be seen at night time, you can still see people in the park, jogging, feeding ducks and playing even at around 7 pm. The only disadvantage living in downtown is the noise of new building constructions and cars on the roadways but all in all, we are beginning to like Sacramento.

Fun Day with our Friends

One thing we’ll surely missed in Maryland is our dear friends who made us understand that homesickness doesn’t exist in America. They were the ones who accepted us for who we are. They helped and supported us till our last day in Maryland. When we left them I felt the same way I did the day I separated from my family in the Philippines. Truly, they made a significant part in our lives. Friends, who we can count on and always there for us in times of fun or trouble. Our CFC Family made us grow in love – love for God and love for family. They inspired us to be in our best, as individuals and as children of God. They totally changed our lives for the better. God really works in mysterious ways. I knew from the very start that meeting the CFC organization was not an accident. They are instruments of God used to make our struggled lives straightened. I owe to them the happiness and the peace of mind me and my family are enjoying right now. For all of these, we take this opportunity to thank them for everything. Our CFC Household Family, Bro. Jun and Sis. Babes Sacay, Annette and her family, Connie and her Family who were there in the last days of our stay in Maryland.

The video clip below will show you how much fun to be with them. You may need to increase the volume because the original music background I used was not loud enough. (Music by Wayne Waltner – God, Family and Friends)








We miss you so much!!! God Bless you all!!! Continue bringing God's blessing to all!!!

Al, Lorie and Clarence

Looking for TV

Ten days in California without TV! We’re planning to get one but we don’t know yet what brand and how big but definitely a LCD one. I want the one that can be connected to my computer without me buying an extra pc interface or converter. That’s the reason why we just subscribed for internet and phone service because we don’t have a TV yet for Direct TV. Whenever I visit my brother’s house, I always watch their recorded shows because they do have DVR and service from DirectTV too. It’s helpful because we don’t want to miss the news in the Philippines regarding the flood caused by Typhoon Ondoy (Tropical Storm Ketsana). For now, that’s one of the means we're using to know what’s happening in the Philippines.

My son already misses his favorite cartoons and shows. When we were in Maryland, I used to give him schedule for watching TV but only programs that have my approval, of course, educational and descent. So once we get a TV here, the next plan I’m thinking is to call Directv and inquire about their promos and special packages. I know they give good deals in a cheap price.

New place, new look!

I didn’t expect moving to a different state will be that so difficult. We came all the way from Maryland and arrived here in California last week. We wish to bring everything we have, like our old stuffs; appliances, furniture, clothes and etc. but we just really couldn’t. The expense that we will be having for the shipping and packing will be more than the value of these stuffs. We just brought what we really needed and the others we sell and gave to our friends. Now, we are starting to settle down and little by little establishing again things we needed for this new beginning. We looked for bed, sofa and some utensils in our first day here, then we subscribed for internet and phone services. Now, we are looking for our new clothes to wear since most of our clothes were left to our friends in Maryland. We’re just new in this place that’s why the internet really helps us a lot. I searched and surfed till one of the net shops got my eyes’ attention. It is Shopwiki which gives a variety of choices for men’s clothing. One thing I liked about it is being organized, they will make it easy for you to shop for the particular clothing type you need. You can sort it by size, by season and by style. Like the one I found in their men’s outwear. Check this out.





Leather jacket is one in my priority list, since there’s no snow here in California, I can still use it for winter. Their styles really made me look for more options in their site plus tips and links that you can use as your own fashion resources. If you are looking for signature clothing, they also have men’s clothing designer page. There’s nothing you could ask for more. In stating this, I remember the time my nephew begged from his dad a stylish drawstring shorts which I found in shopwiki’s jeans section. I’m sure he will like this one.



I would also recommend to him to check the Surfing and bodyboarding section since he always complain that he’s getting bored with his old sports and kept on looking for more adventurous sports or hobby. Now that we’re here in California, I can be my nephew’s buddy in some of his manhood activities. Being close to my family is one of the factors why we chose to transfer here. I hope everything will be perfect in this new environment we chose to live. And I do hope that our new look will match this new place.

I Left My Heart in California

I wasn’t able to update my blog for a long time for we’ve been busy in our vacation in California. We visited my brother’s family in Elk grove. Finally, after 5 years of being apart we’re so thrilled of being together once again. When we got there, we ignored the almost 8-hours flight that we’ve gone through. We talked overnight along with my sister-in-law and their two bright kids. My brother finally had the chance to meet my son face to face. I told Clarence that he is his legitimate uncle because my son usually refers all our male friends as his uncle. We really liked their place, especially when you see most of your “kababayan” (fellow Filipinos). It’s like you don’t feel you’re away from your hometown. We enjoyed once again eating Filipino food like sizzling sisig, crispy pata (pork hocks), daing na bangus (salted-dried milkfish), pancit (stir-fried noodles) and etc. They brought us in Seafood City where we saw all the food chains that are originated from Philippines like Jollibee, Red Ribbon and ChowKing. All staff and crews are Filipinos, they are everywhere. They are free to use our own language which I seldom hear from other people for years. It’s like a hang-out for Filipinos and if you see an American inside, you’ll think that he is the foreigner in his own land. Well, the American who goes there are actually either spouse of a Filipino or friend of a Filipino. My son really loved playing with his cousins and staying in their big house. Play parks are also everywhere with just less a mile away from each other.

In my other post, I talked about transferring to California and I believe going there for just a little visit made us decide to pursue this plan. We already did what is needed to do in our moving and I’ll tell you, it’s not as simple as that. We already established a home in the apartment here in Maryland. I mean furnitures, appliances, stock of canned goods, supplies and everything. But the very thing that we’ll surely miss is our friends. There are lots of things needed to consider in this kind of transition; application of new apartment in California, cancelling of accounts in our Internet Service Provider, job hunting, auto shipping and etc. We’re thinking to call Direct TV to learn if we can bring our old account with us. I know there’s also Direct TV in California because my brother is actually using their service. We enjoyed watching programs from it especially my brother has DVR which recorded everything we'd liked to watch while we are out of the house. I do hope that Directv has a moving and relocation program because I really loved their service. It will be easier for us to establish a new beginning if some of our old stuffs are with us.

We hope and pray that this decision is right for us. I believe my son will have a better future in the new environment he’ll be living in. Our deciding factor always ends about him. What’s best for our son is always our priority regardless if we already established a stable life in Maryland. Because we saw good schools in California, how safe it is and the support of the relatives around.