Getting Ahead in the Jobs Market

To get ahead in the jobs market, it pays to have experience; but to be able to compete, education and training are a must.

Medical coding is one of the fast growing careers in the field of medical and health care. Medical coders help keep the billing process in order. Their work can be done in an office setting or at home; full-time or part-time.

If you are detailed oriented, organized, efficient, knows how to work with computers and interested in a career in the medical field, medical coding training courses might be of interest to you.

Friday Quotes 1

Starting this Friday and every Friday thereafter, I shall be sharing with you nuggets of wisdom which has inspired and motivated me.

Below is a quote from a book I am currently reading authored by Joel Osteen.

"God is a good God, and He gives good things to His children.

No matter who has denigrated you

or how much pain you've experienced in life,

no matter how many setbacks you have suffered,

you cannot allow yourself to accept that

as the way life is supposed to be.

No, God has better things in store for you.

You must reprogram your mind with God's word;

change that negative, defeated self-image,

and start seeing yourself as winning, coming out on top.

-Joel Osteen

(Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential)

To see more inspiring quotes, visit The Friday Quotes.

"Make your Feet your Friend"

Every morning since Friday, I leave our condo at around 6:30 and walk across the street to ArtsPark for my early morning exercise. I turn on my workout music in my iPod and start my regimen with a 5-minute warm up walk. I stop for stretches. I then briskwalk around the park non-stop for 1 hour. After which, I cool down with a 5-minute walk at easy pace and end with a few stretches.

Upon the suggestion of my friend, Bugsy, I bought a pedometer which I clip on my waistband. The pedometer counts the number of steps I take, measures the distance and time as well as amount of calories burned. Banabear also bought me a small can of pepper spray at Sports Authority for self-defense.

An early morning walk is a blessing

for the whole day.

-Henry David Thoreau

My Reward

You are looking at my newest baby. This is my reward for consistently getting straight A's in school since I started in the Fall of 2008.

Banabear knows how serious I am with school and how passionate I am about photography. As a reward for being a good student, he got me a Canon Rebel XSi/EOS 450D camera.

Although I am a conscientous student, I am also a master procrastinator. I would usually wait at the last minute before doing my projects and would stay up late (or until the wee hours of the morning) to be able to finish them on time. I even stayed awake for 24 hours straight to beat the deadline for a final project in Legal Research.

If you are a student, I do not recommend that you follow what I am doing. Procrastination is a bad habit and I am trying to beat it. It's just that I am usually motivated when acting under pressure.

Banabear would sometimes admonish me about setting my priorities because he would see me blogging instead of doing my schoolwork. But then--- I was able to breeze through school with flying colors - and my 4.0 earned me a wonderful reward.

Buying an RV

One of the perks of living in the mainlaind U.S.A. is the opportunity to go on cross-country visits. Having a recreational vehicle has its advantages for one who likes to travel a lot. Imagine travelling in the comforts of your "home". Whenever you are tired, sleepy, hungry or feel the need to use the bathroom, comfort is within reach. You can also save money on hotel rooms especially when you are in a group. You do not have to worry about unpacking your bags and then packing them again until the end of your trip.

Are you now thinking about purchasing an rv? If you are, then you have two options: pay in cash or finance the purchase.

The cheapest, fastest and hassle-free option would be to buy in cash. That is, if you have the money to spare for the full cash price. Oftentimes, buyers opt for financing where there is less initial cash outlay. Before applying for a loan, it is helpful to take into consideration the following aspects: How much can you finance? How long should the term be? Which company offers the best rate and term? Find an rv finance expert to help you decide which financing company will best meet your needs. And then, get ready and hit the road.

Dusk in the Land of Aloha

Scenic Sunday

Ko Olina Resort

Ala Moana Beach Park

Oahu, Hawaii

Sabbath Afternoon Hike

When I was in the Philippines, I always looked forward to the Sabbath day when I can rest from all "worldly" concerns and spend time with my friends in church doing missionary activities.

When I moved to Hawaii, I was happy to have made friends among fellow SDAs there. When my cousins, Alva and Minnie, came to Honolulu for my wedding, we attended service at a small church at Waimanalo one Sabbath day. In the afternoon, we went with a group of young people who hiked up Makapuu Lookout.

Makapuu Lookout is one of the most beautiful locations in the Windward side of the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The area is well-known to be a migrating path for humpback whales journeying from Alaska to Hawaii. The place has a paved walk, which although steep, leads to terrific panoramic ocean views. The 2-mile trail leads to a lighthouse and a fantastic view of the Oahu coastline and the island of Molokai in the distance. Two small islands, Manana Island and Kaohikaipu Island, can be seen from the lookout.

When we trekked up the lighthouse, it started to drizzle so it became chilly and windy when we reached the top. Cold but refreshing.

My Sabbath afternoon hike up Makapuu Lookout was one of my favorite weekend memoirs.

Becoming an Effective Leader

Former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower once said, "the one quality that can be developed by studious reflection and practice is the leadership of men." One's talent to lead is developed through proper education, training and practice.

Since leaders are made and not born, those aspiring to become leaders in the corporate and governmental field will benefit in courses designed to hone their skills and equip them with knowledge necessary to lead an organization.

Masters in organizational development is a degree designed for the experienced professional who aims to become an efficient and effective leader. One may, however, opt a degree in Master's in Organizational Leadership, a similar but broader program than Master's in organizational development. To get ahead in this competitive world, one must strive to be the best - and excellent training is a must.

Management is doing things right;

leadership is doing the right things.

- Peter F. Drucker

Mesothelioma Treatment

Those of us in the U.S., must have seen Erin Brockovich, a popular environmental and consumer advocate, urging victims of mesothelioma to come forward for help.

Mesothelioma is a serious and rare form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The number of reported incidence of mesothelioma have increased in the past 20 years as more attention has been given to educate people about the disease. The outer lining of the lungs and internal chest wall of the person is usually affected by this disease. It may also occur in the person's peritoneum, heart, pericardium or tunica vaginalis. Most of those affected by mesothelioma are workers whose jobs have exposed them to asbestos particles; however, even family members of those workers are at risk of developing the disease by exposure to the clothes worn by the worker. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest wall pain, fatigue, anemia, coughing, blood in the sputum coughed up and weight loss. Sometimes it takes thirty to fifty years after exposure before the symptoms start to appear, and because there is difficulty in treating that disease, an early diagnosis is important so that the appropriate mesothelioma treatment may be administered.

If you think you or your family member were placed at risk of asbestos exposure, it is wise to seek immediate medical help.

Wii Would Like to Play

I have been looking into the different Wii games especially the Wii Fit series. I do not like going to the gym for cardio workout so I figured that doing one of these Wii Fit games is a fun alternative. When I was still in the Philippines, I was taking streetfighting classes which included Muay Thai kickboxing so I am glad to find out that there is also a Wii Boxing.

My husband's favorite sports are golf, baseball and racquetball. Wii has sports accessories which include baseball and golf so he might be interested in them, too. There is also a Wii rock band drum set, although I don't think hubby will be interested in this because he has two sets of real drums, an acoustic and an electronic set.

There is a wide variety of Wii accessories available in the market. The different accessories makes Wii more than just a video game and an entertainment system but also a fun workout and fitness program.

The Power of God's Love

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

-Psalm 36:7

Happy Sabbath!

Toy for the Kid in Us

When I was a kid, life was simpler. I enjoyed playing teacher and pretending that my dolls were my students. Nanay would buy me a large box of chalk, a blackboard and a book for recording my students' grades. Sometimes I would also pretend that I am a piano teacher and our household helper would be my student. My other favorite toys were tea sets; jackstones (and chinese jackstone); and board games like Snakes and Ladders, Game of the Millionaires, Scrabble and Game of the Generals.

I am now a big kid and times have changed. We now live in the age of technology where video games are now the toys of choice for both the young and the young at heart.

Nowadays, the xbox 360 is a popular toy for the whole family. Produced by Microsoft, it has an xbox live service that allows players to compete online, voice/video/text and chat with each other and download tv shows. It is more than just a toy- it is an ultimate entertainment system.

Health Care

Eight out of the twenty fastest growing occupations in the U.S. are in the field of healthcare, with nurses and physician assistants being one of the highest in demand. In spite of the current economic situation where unemployment is still on the rise, the market for healthcare jobs continue to grow.

Aside from nurses and physician assistants, today's top healthcare jobs include medical records technicians, social workers, clinical laboratory technicians, mental health counselors, pharmacists, physical therapists, medical transcriptionists and medical and health service managers. There is also employment opportunities in health care facilities like nursing homes. No wonder developing countries like the Philippines continue to experience brain drain because individuals seeking a better-paying job opportunity flock to the U.S.

Personal Injury

Here in the U.S., the trend in law practice is concentration in one or a few specific areas of law. For example, a law firm may choose to handle or specialize only in domestic relations, estate planning, business or corporate law, real estate, labor and employment law, criminal law, immigration, taxation or personal injury, among others.

As more attorneys have chosen to concentrate in a particular field, their level of competence have increased. Clients, therefore, prefer to seek legal assistance from attorneys with greater expertise in a particular field over attorneys with a general knowledge of the law or what we call general practitioners.

My first job in Hawaii was with a personal injury law firm in Honolulu. Our firm handles cases where the client is injured either intentionally or negligently, as well as Workers Compensation claim cases.

There are also a lot of law firms in other states handling personal injury cases. In Tennessee, there is a well-known Morristown personal injury lawyer who has been chosen by the Super Lawyers publication as the Rising Star of the Mid-South. Aside from personal injury, he also handles medical malpractice, birth injury, products liability and Workers Compensation.

Let's Connect

I blog, I text, I email, I do Facebook, I Tweet.

- this could be me. LOL!

Hello!

Back in the days when cellular phones were a new technology, most people considered them more of a luxury. Not anymore. Today, they are considered an important gadget, a must for every person- young and old. The cellular phone started out as a simple phone which can be carried anywhere. Today, cellular phones have evolved into a very modern device with such features as SMS, camera, calculator, alarm clock, web browser, organizer, music player, games, personalized ringtone, wallpaper, and a lot more.

Because of the convenience of using a cellular phone, most people have given up their landline phone in favor the the cellphone. Unlike the regular telephone, cellular phones can be carried anywhere; therefore, communication is easy. Cellphones come in handy especially during emergencies or in remote places. Now, it is easy to stay connected with family and friends even when you are several continents away.

Early Morning Walk

I woke up early this morning and decided to do an early morning briskwalk around Artspark which is just across the street from our condo. Back home in the Philippines, I used to go on long walks on Sunday mornings with my friend in church and we would start not later than 5 a.m. However, at 6 o'clock in the morning, Artspark was still dark and empty and because I am not familiar with the area and how safe it is, I waited until 6:20 when the morning was getting brighter before heading towards the park.

At 6:20 a.m., the park was still empty and except for the sound coming from vehicles passing along the roundabout, Young Circle was quiet. As the morning grew, the air became warmer and three or four people started coming to the park. Yesterday, I went on an early evening walk around the park, too, and enjoyed a couple of minutes of exercise. Since coming to America, I have not been engaged in sports activities so losing weight here is a challenge.

On the Hollywood Boulevard area, there stands a single baobad tree on the western edge of the park which is surrounded by six artist designed sound poles that gives out a beautiful sound. It is an audible rendition of the tree's life energy waves that were recorded over a period of time. The collected energy data was converted to use the sounds of harps, wind, and ocean in a recorded audio track. Hearing the music everytime I pass by the area makes me feel like I've been transported to an enchanted place.

The photos you see in this page are shots I took with my cellphone camera during my walk.

Monochrome Friday: Orange County Courthouse Clock

On display at the Orange County Regional History Center

Orlando, FL

Wise Shopping

What is an econnoisseur? It is a person who insists on the highest quality at the lowest price.

We can be an econnoisseur if we know how to shop wisely. Here are a few tips:

• Plan your purchases. Make a shopping list and stick to your list. Avoid impulse buying because chances are, you will end up spending for items which you do not really need. Stuff bought on impulse usually end up kept in the cabinet without being used.
• Find a store which offers good prices. Compare and choose one where you can find the highest quality at the most affordable price.
• Look for a good sale. When you are in a store, check out for deals like clearance sales and discounted items.

With today's economic crisis, it is wise to take extra planning and time to find ways to stretch our dollar when shopping.

Get Serious, Girl!

I need more self-discipline when it comes to pleasures of the palate. I am supposed to be staying away from food that would wreck havoc on my weight, but yesterday, I overindulged (again) in "bad" food. Since I was home alone (hubby is now in NYC), I decided to walk to Starbucks and treated myself to a caramel frappuccino venti - loaded with carbs. Later that afternoon, I met with my newfound Pinay friend and we ended up having a large plate of vegetarian pizza for dinner - loaded with carbs. As if those were not enough, she took out two small packs containing several pieces of Red Ribbon and Goldilocks polvoron for dessert - again, loaded with carbs. I took home with me the Goldilocks polvoron and they are now inside the refrigerator seducing me everytime I open the fridge. How will I be able to collect my $1,000 "trim down to 110 lbs." reward if I continue giving in to my healthy appetite? Man, I need D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-E.

The clock is ticking. I am running against time and if I am not back to my old weight of 110 lbs. come "judgment day", I will forfeit my reward. For the nth time, I am going to do it the right way. Starting today, I promise to eat correctly. Tomorrow, I am going to the pool for a few laps and walk around the park. It is a better alternative to sitting at home and raiding the fridge. I will also try the weight loss supplement that I purchased months ago and see how effective it really is in helping me lose weight. Those diet pills are supposed to help in burning fats but also contain antioxidants for general health supplement.

Not every weight loss pill in the market is safe or effective so that we must exercise caution. Reading medical and consumer reviews about the product will help us determine its safety and effectiveness. And like any other medicine or health supplement, it is important to seek doctor's advise.

Inside some of us is a thin person

struggling to get out,

but they can usually be sedated

with a few pieces of chocolate cake.

Motivated to Lose

I am on a weight-loss mission but I end up giving in to my cravings for carb rich goodies when dining out. The Chinese buffet around Broward County is very hard to resist. Last Saturday while we were out shopping for new wardrobe, hubby offered me a very good incentive to lose weight : $1,000 shopping money if I trim down to my old weight of 110 lbs. by September 1. Of course, I agreed to his proposal. Who wouldn't?

The other day, we amended our agreement to extend the period to September 10. In order for me to get that whooping $1,000 reward I need to be seriously careful with my diet and do some exercise. I have a slow metabolism so I wonder if there is an effective fat burner that could help me achieve my desired weight.

Man Quits Sports

10 Reasons Why a Man Stopped Attending Athletic Contests

1. Everytime I went, they asked me for money.

2. The people with whom I had to sit didn't seem very friendly.

3. The seats were too hard and not comfortable.

4. The coach never came to call on me.

5. The referee made a decision with which I could not agree.

6. I was sitting with some hypocrites - they came only to see what others wear wearing.

7. Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.

8. The band played some numbers that I had never heard before.

9. My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.

10. Since I read a book on sports, I feel that I know more than the coaches anyhow.

P.S. With apologies to those who use these same excuses for not coming to church.

Source: Church bulletin of Ebenezer SDA Church

Relaxing in Comfort

I like our present location in front of Hollywood's Young Circle because we get a good view of the Broward County skyline. I like living in the neighborhood of sidewalk cafes and fine dining restaurants. A major supermarket is across the street and Starbucks is just a three-minute walk. We get free jazz music on Thursday afternoons at the park without even leaving our place. From the balcony of our 14th floor unit, we get a clear view of the sunset, and the lightning on a stormy afternoon. I especially enjoy gazing at the glittering city lights at night. However, I am also excited (and counting the days) about moving in to our new place at Coconut Creek. Instead of the glittering city lights, I will have a serene and peaceful view of the lake from the balcony of the master's bedroom. On a hot day, I can take a refreshing dip in our small swimming pool at the backyard which overlooks the lake; but with the hot and humid weather of Florida during the summer months, lounging on the poolside on the daytime is not really fun. At least, not for me who is not a big fan of the sun. I think it will be more fun if we have a gazebo at the backyard where we can relax with a book or enjoy an afternoon nap after a few laps on the pool.

Gazebos come in different styles, designs and sizes. You can even create your own design and have it custom-made according to your preference. A gazebo on the lawn is a perfect place for relaxation, for entertaining, and a beautiful and dramatic addition to the landscape.

Scenic Sunday: Memories of Kaneohe

When I was living in Oahu, I loved going to Kaneohe for its super cool weather and beautiful scenery.

Weekend Memoirs: Hawaii Army Museum

One of the places I visited on my last weekend in Hawaii was the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii. Housed in a 19th Century Coast Artillery Battery located at Fort DeRussy on Waikiki Beach, the museum tells the military story of Hawaii from the ancient times up to the Vietnam conflict. Each period is displayed in a separate room complete with sound effects creating a real "you were there" experience.

Renewing Ties

When I was 13 years old, I joined the International Youth Service, a pen pal organization for teenagers around the world between the ages of 10 to 18 years old. That was during the era when e-mail was still unheard of. Through IYS, I met another 13 year old girl from Pertunmaa, Finland named Pirjo. We communicated regularly for several years and even after college; but I stopped writing around the mid '90s when I became too busy with work.

Although it has been more than a decade since we communicated, I have not forgotten about my friend. Three days ago, I did a Google search for her name. Lo and behold! I found her listed in Facebook. I immediately sent a friend request and a message re-introducing myself. About 30 minutes later, I received her reply:

What a lovely surprise to find you here! Of course, I remembe you : -). I've search you many many times from FB, but never with a success :-).

I've thought about you often and wondered how you're doing. You really made my day. I'm so happy to hear from you. This is one of the reasons I love FB.

Now we have an easy way to be "penpals" again!

Have a great day and I hope to hear more about your life.

Warm wishes,

Pirjo

Thanks to Facebook, I am reunited with my friend.

The New Driver

After passing the written and vision test onThursday, I am now a holder of a Florida temporary driving permit and preparing for my road test. When I was still living in Hawaii, driving was not really a primary consideration because I was able to get around Honolulu without much hassle by taking The Bus. After all, Oahu's public transport system was very efficient and one of the best in the U.S. When we arrived in South Florida last month, we discovered that getting around by public transportation is difficult. Therefore, obtaining a driver's license has become a must.

As soon as I start driving, we will need two vehicles. My husband is already thinking about what make and model to get as a second vehicle which will be added to our existing auto insurance policy.

When buying auto insurance, one important consideration that must be taken into account is the cost of insurance premiums. We should make sure that we get the best coverage for the price we are paying. With today's economic situation, we need to be prudent with our spending, and it includes looking for the best deal on auto insurance.

The Ocean Lover

After having lived in Hawaii for more than two years and where going to the beach was a favorite pasttime, I have become an ocean lover. I lived in Waikiki during the last three months of my stay in Hawaii where I woke up each morning to the sight of the pristine blue waters of Magic Island and ended the day admiring the beauty of the setting sun. I never got tired taking photographs of the ocean and the skies, the rainbows, sailboats and the surfboards. When my hubby decided that it was time to move back to the mainland, he chose South Florida as our destination. While here, we stayed for two weeks in an oceanfront condo with a beautiful view. Right now, we live just about five minutes away from the Hollywood Beach and Broadwalk and less than thirty minutes away from the Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Having experienced the joys of island living (sun, surf, beach) in Hawaii, it is time to explore the mainland. One vacation destination that interests me is the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The 200-mile long string of barrier islands has beaches, a couple of which were voted as one of the Ten Best Beaches in America and the Seven Best Family Beaches in the East Coast; a town was voted as one of America's Favorite Beach Towns and another, as one of the Ten Best Surf Towns in the U.S. Known for its temperate climate and wide open beachfronts, Outer Banks is a major tourist destination where visitors can enjoy the sun and water while have fun learning about history by visiting its various historical and cultural sites.

Tagged by Ria

It's been quite some time since I played tag; but Ria is back and it's Tag Time again!

10th Picture in Your 10th Folder

Las Vegas visit in January '09

Thess, Fortuitous Faery, Party Girl Ria, writegirl, Lorille, Meryl you've been tagged.

Jammin' at the Jazz Bar

Sunday afternoon at the Blue Jean Blues, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Bright Words for Dark Days: A Reason

A beautiful message which brightened my day.

"God has you there for a reason. You may not understand it.

He may be trying to do a work in you.

He may be trying to teach you, to push you, to stretch you,

to see how you're going to respond in that difficulty.

Or God may have put you in that situation

to be a part of the work He's doing in someone else's life.

God may be using you to influence other people.

But whatever it is, you might as well choose to be happy,

knowing that God is directing your steps

and He has you there for a reason."

- Joel Osteen

Ephedrine

Ephedrine, a substance found in the Chinese herb ma huang, was traditionally used in Chinese medicine for treatment of respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis. It contains a substance which dramatically increases metabolism and was popularly sold as a weight loss supplement, energy booster and athletic performance enhancer. However, due to several reported cases of adverse effects from its users, the FDA banned ephedrine from the market. An ingredient called alkaloids ephedrine has been found to be unsafe, particulary on the central nervous system and the heart. However, not all ephedrine contain this dangerous substance and further studies are being conducted to create a formula that would have the same positive results sans the dangerous side effects.

Lead Me, Lord

My future may look bleak and uncertain, but I lift everything up to you, Lord. You know what is best for me.

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

And we know that all things work together for good

to them that love God, to them who are called

according to His purpose.

-Romans 8:28

Monochrome Friday: Uniforms

World War II Uniform Jacket

On display at the Orange County Regional History Center, Orlando, FL

What's for Lunch Today?

I've been on a weight-loss mission for almost twelve days now. "Almost" because there were some days when I went over my carb intake. For example, the other night, I indulged myself to a taco salad after having a hearty but healthy broiled salmon dinner. I am slowly (painfully slow) losing those unwanted pounds although I still have a looooonnnnng way to go before I reach my ideal weight.

When I am on diet, I prefer eating at home when I can prepare my own food. Dining out is just a good excuse to break my diet. When I do the grocery, I am very particular about the amount of carbs in the food I choose, and I make sure that I buy only those which are carb-friendly. I am glad that I can still endulge in my favorite comfort food - chocolate through Carbsmart's chocolate ice cream bar. It may not be as rich and delicious as Haagen Dazs but it is friendly to my abs and thighs.

So what did I prepare for lunch today?

I stir fried some broccoli, red and yellow peppers, carrots, celery, sugar snap peas and tofu (firm) in szechuan sauce.

I also prepared deviled eggs (substituted pepper for paprika).

Juice is pineapple-orange flavored Crystal Light (0 carbs) and dessert is CarbSmart chocolate ice cream bar (3 net grams).

Who says you can't have fun while you're on diet?