Romance? Yeah right..

Out of sheer boredom, I created this..

It's not much, but I still think its pretty (oh well I love my own so sue me.. teehee). Anywho, Lurtsil would probably think me mushy for quoting Beethoven's letter to his Immortal Beloved (you can read these letters here). Don't you just wish you would receive a love letter from you beloved? I know I do. I'd probaly swoon from too much "mushiness" (if there is such a term).

Lursil and I had this argument just this morning about romance. Well I believe that romance only belongs in books and movies. The sweep-you-off-your-feet, can't eat, can't sleep, reach for the moon and stars, die-for-you love. Or maybe I'm just expecting too much from real life and that what happens in books and movies can't also happen in real life too?! She thinks otherwise though. Maybe someday I'll realize that I'm also living a love story too?! That cracks me up though.. oh well.. maybe I'm just a bit hard unemotional cold these days.. Or maybe I just need a little whack on my head..

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Money Management

“It’s not how much you earn, it’s what you do with your money.”

I came across this interesting quote while doing my usual work online. It strikes me how accurate this is. Most of us always complain about the balance between our low income and high expenses, and how our income cannot match the demand of our daily expenses. We work so hard to match our income with our expenses, when all we need to do is the other way around – we should match our expenses with our income.

It’s not so much as having so little, it’s all about spending beyond our capacity. Most of the time our wants are greater than our needs, this will lead us to spending for things we don’t necessarily need. Living extravagant lives will only makes matters worse. Frequent buying of new clothes, dining out, going out with friends and family, and even the cost of transportation (no matter how small, say Php 8.00 for a tricycle fare) will really cut out a big chunk on your finances.

No matter how we feel that the cost of living is too high, or we have so many bills to pay, too many things to buy, there is still a big chance that we can set aside even a very small amount for our savings. Small amounts saved regularly will add up over a period of time. It may be a bit difficult at the start, but as your savings grow little by little, saving becomes easier, it becomes a habit; it becomes a pleasure. Remember as you add more to your savings you will also be receiving interest that will definitely make your savings grow even more.

It’s hard to fight the urge to spend what we have, but think of the greater good that will come out if you spend less. Learn to say no to spending and start saving now. You can even open a time deposit so you will not be tempted to withdraw those funds.

The formula I used in saving is this:

INCOME – SAVINGS = EXPENSES

Each month I take about 30% of my monthly income for my savings. I don’t compute for my expenses first, I compute for the amount I’m going to save. It’s been working well for me and I’m quite pleased with the interest I’m earning. Most people spend first then save what is left of their money. This might not be very effective. You don’t want to ask at the end of the day “where did my money go?” This question frequently comes up after spending on a day-to-day basis without having a budget plan.

What is really needed is to change the way of thinking to a “save now and buy later” approach. So what are you waiting for? Save now!

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Books3x: The Cold Moon

I finished reading The Cold Moon by Jeffrey Deaver days ago and I'm quite late on making my book review for this assigned read. I just love murder mysteries and suspense thrillers - be it books or movies. But most of the time I go for books.

Jeffrey Deaver's books never ceases to amaze me. His Lincoln Rhyme series has always been my favorite. He was first introduced in The Bone Collector (turned into a movie, starring Denzel Washington), and since then I'm hooked to the series.

Click on the image below to read my full review on The Cold Moon.

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Something something about me

I got tagged by Lurchie.. I know I have a lot of work to do.. but I need to rest and unwind for a bit.. teehee...

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
-- A Turkish classmate of my father back when he was studying in UK. I don’t know the spelling though.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
-- Last week?? I think…
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
-- Before, now I think my handwriting changed. I’m always typing nowadays..
4. What is your favorite lunch meat?
-- Buttered prawns but I'm allergic to prawns so fried chicken.. heck now I'm allergic to chicken.. so I settle for steak I gues...
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
-- Nah.. I have two doggies though that I consider my “kids”.. hehe
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
-- Hehehe maybe…
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
-- Uhuh.. sometimes…
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
-- Yep yep..
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
-- Hell yeah!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
-- I don’t like cereals much.. Kelloggs corn flakes?
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
-- Nope.. I just kick them off…
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
-- Physical strength or emotional? Physically – nope! Emotionally.. maybe??
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
-- Anything chocolatey.. I like strawberries and cream too!
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
-- Their hair? :D
15. RED OR PINK?
-- Pink!
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF?
-- Lately? My uhmmmm…. belly. <<<< same here!!!!
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
-- E.M.A.
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
-- Nah!
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
-- I’m not wearing pants and shoes. I’m wearing blue shorts and bluish purple-ish flipflops.. eheheh
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
-- Tiramisu… E.M.A.'s leftover birthday cake... heheh
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
-- Baby I love Your Way by Big Mountain
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
-- I was black before, I think I’m now a purple..
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
-- Lavender
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
-- E.M.A.
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
-- Yeah… we go way way way back…
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
-- Tsk tsk tsk don’t like sports.. heheh
27. HAIR COLOR?
-- Blackish browinish??
28. EYE COLOR?
-- Dark brown..
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
-- Yeahp.. my vision is, I think, 200 in one eye-225 in the other?? I’m going blind!! HALP!!
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
-- Pizza and pasta!! AND Chocolates!! AND Ice cream!!
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
-- Happy endings, definitely…
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
-- I watched Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End again yesterday… I just looovee Jack Sparrow…
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
-- White…
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
-- Winter…
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
-- Hugs then Kisses…
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
-- Ice cream… Cake… Ice cream-cake.. anything.. heheh
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
-- Not sure..
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
-- Not sure either..
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
-- Brisingr by Chritopher Paolini and Cold Moon by Jeffrey Deaver …
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
-- The mouse? <<< teeeheee… isn’t it obcious?!
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
-- Didn’t watch TV last night.. I was reading Brisingr..
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
-- The rain..
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
-- Beatles.
44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
-- Manila… hehe
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
-- Ahhhmmm.. ahhhmm… ahhmmm… eating? Hehe cooking??
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
-- Dumaguete City, Philippines
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
-- No one… I’m tagging anyone who wants to be tagged. hehehe

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Happy Birthday Babzy

It's E.M.A.'s birthday today and as much as we want to spend this today together, time and circumstance just won't allow us. But I know someday, somehow, we won't have to spend days like this apart...

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Blog Makeover

I've been revamping this blog since yesterday, trying to find the perfect template that suits me, and adding some this and that too. Well I could say I'm pleased with the results. I don't know much about HTML codes and stuff like that, and have been so afraid of tweaking codes. I failed before and lost some links and all after trying to change some of the codes (see post).

Well, after much hard work (well it was a lot of work for me! ), I have finally managed to give this blog a presentable look. It's a whole new look for me. I think this will do, for now... until the urge to do another blog makeover surfaces.

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nonsense

Nothing much to say, I'm so bored today. hmmmm.. that rhymes! :) ...just another ordinary day.. teehee.. don't mind me.

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Inheritance Cycle - Brisingr

So I've finally finished reading Eldest (book 2 of the Inheritance Cycle). It's still a good read but quite longer than it should be. There are a few events and descriptions in the book that have no really significance whatsoever in the main plot. I still enjoyed reading it though. See my review here.

So I will now be starting book 3 - Brisingr. Ohh I cant wait to finish the Inheritance Cycle. Christopher Paolini shaped the events in the second book in a way that would make you want (need?) to read the next book. If you want a copy of the Inheritance Cycle, I'll give you an ebook for free... :)

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Old songs

I'm in a mood for old songs today, mostly songs from the 80s. I have been blasting my speakers with songs from the 80s since this morning and singing along, unmindful of those who heard me. heheh

There is this song that's been stuck in my head for days now, and maybe this was the cause of my mood for old songs.. It's called "Don't Cry Joni". What's your favorite old song? Well this is one of my all time favorites - sweet and a bit sad too.. enjoy!




Jimmy Please Say You'll Wait For Me
I'll Grow Up Some Day You'll See
Saving All My Kisses Just For You
Signed With Love Forever True

Joni Was The Girl Who Lived Next Door
I've Known Her I Guess Ten Years Or More
Joni Wrote Me A Note One Day
And This Is What She Had To Say

Jimmy Please Say You'll Wait For Me
I'll Grow Up Some Day You'll See
Saving All My Kisses Just For You
Signed With Love Forever True

Slowly I Read Her Note Once More
Then I Went Over To The House Next Door
Her Teardrops Fell Like Rain That Day
When I Told Joni What I Had To Say

Joni Joni Please Don't Cry
You'll Forget Me Bye And Bye
You're Just Fifteen I'm Twenty Two
And Joni I Just Can't Wait For You

Soon I Left Our Little Home Town
Got Me A Job And Tried To Settle Down
But These Words Kept Haunting My Memory
The Words That Joni Said To Me

Jimmy Please Say You'll Wait For Me
I'll Grow Up Some Day You'll See
Saving All My Kisses Just For You
Signed With Love Forever True

I Packed My Clothes And I Caught A Plane
I Had To See Joni I Had To Explain
How My Heart Was Filled With Her Memory
And Ask My Joni If She'll Marry Me

I Ran All The Way To The House Next Door
But Things Weren't Like They Were Before
My Teardrops Fell Like Rain That Day
When I Heard What Joni Had To Say

Jimmy Jimmy Please Don't Cry
You'll Forget Me Bye And Bye
It's Been Five Years Since You've Been Gone
Jimmy I Married Your Best Friend John

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Rainy days and Sundays

They say we also have 4 seasons here in the Philippines - hot, hotter, wet, wetter.. hehe well I could say the "wetter" season is finally here. We have had two typhoons every week starting September. Maybe we'll have another one this week..who knows. The weather these days is getting crazier huh. Don't get me wrong here, I love rainy days, especially when you have someone to snuggle up with. ;)

Ok I'm done. My brain just can't seem to work today. Maybe because of lack of sleep (from crying to much last night...) and the endless pouring of the rain. Or maybe I'm just... blank? I'm going out to find something to perk me up. This current state is just bad for my health.

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Eldest - Book 2 Inheritance Cycle

After reading Christopher Paolini's Eragon (book 1 of the Inheritance cycle), I'm hooked with the story. Don't be discouraged by the movie version of Eragon (it didn't give the book much justice), I'm telling you the book is really good. To think the author is just a year older than I am and he's already selling bestsellers?! Hats off to him..

So now I just got my hands on a copy of book 2 - Eldest. I know I still have much other reading to do but I just couldn't wait to finish this trilogy.

I'll make my review for this book once I'm done reading. Check out other reviews at Books Books Books. We also give away free ebooks, just so you'll know..

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Junkfood, junkfood, and more junkfood

I have been loading up on junkfood lately. Blame it on the cold wet weather or something.. teehee... I could not bring myself to indulge on chocolates because of these melamine scare from China. So I turned to my second love instead. Can you turn your back from this..?

or this??

Well maybe you can, but I certainly cant. So I indulged and ordered two, so sue me! :) I'm starting my Octoberfest with junkfood. Ok so I'm blabbing.. I'll stop now, and go grab another slice of pizza... YUM! What a way to start October..

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