Your Credit Score

The U.S. is a credit card nation. Every person I know here transacts with a credit card and carry only a few cash in their purse. In this country, credit cards are a convenient form of payment, and a necessity if you are making online purchases. However, you must use it wisely and not spend beyond your means. In order to qualify for a mortgage or car loan, you need to have a good credit history. Your credit card helps you obtain one. If you pay promptly, this will improve your score. How will you know your credit score? One way is to do an online credit report.

One Sunny Day

After several months of chilly weather, it was 80 degrees in Broward County the other day. Finally, the sun came out and the weather got warmer.

'Twas a perfect time for outdoor fun.....

Banabear and I had lunch out on the lanai and spent the rest of the afternoon outdoors.

Ahhh! What a beautiful day!

Reviewing for my Criminal Litigation finals

Figuring out how to crack open a coconut.

Baby coconuts

We have two coconut palms in our backyard.

Cold beer on a warm afternoon. Refreshing!

On Fat Burners

There are a lot of diet supplements, fat burners, appetite suppressants available in the market today. In fact, when you go to stores such as Costco, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, you can see a whole section of these over-the-counter weight management pills.

One of the more popular ones is alli diet pill. It is marketed as a low-dose version of the fat blocker Xenical. There are mixed reviews about the effectiveness of this product. However, one thing is for sure: diet and exercise are still the best way to losing weight.

Beautiful Bird on the Lake

While having breakfast this morning, I saw this bird walking along the side of the lake. It looks like a heron. Is it?

Let's Zumba

I enjoy my Zumba class at 24 Hr Fitness. I am not fond of aerobic classes or working out at the gym. I find them boring. Back home, I was into competitive sports (badminton and bowling) and streetfighting (including Muay Thai kickboxing) which I really enjoyed. When I moved to the U.S., my hubby got me a 24 Hr Fitness membership but I rarely worked out. In fact, I would always come up with excuses just to stay away from the gym. In my three years as a member, I must've used the club's facilities less than 20 times. When we moved to Florida, the 24 Hr Fitness nearest to our place had a 25 meter indoor pool. I'm glad they had one because I enjoyed lap swimming. Swimming (and the whirlpool) was the only thing I enjoyed about going to the gym.

I love latin dancing so when I discovered this fitness craze called Zumba, I was happy that there were several classes offered at 24 Hr. Fitness. For those who are not familiar, Zumba is a fusion of dance (latin and other international dances) and fitness routine conceptualized by Beto Perez, a fitness instructor in Miami, Florida. In my gym, they have classes on regular Zumba and Zumba toning (one to three pound weights incorporated with the dance/exercise routine). I also found out that they offer Latin Spice. I haven't seen what they do in that class but the schedule says "feel the beat and move the feet to authentic Latin style dance moves for an awesome cardio workout." Hmmm.... sounds interesting. I might check that out on Friday.

An hour of dancing is a FUN way to sweat those fats away.

That Stubborn Pimple

One of the signs that a person is entering the adolescence stage is the appearance of skin blemishes like pimples. However, this skin problem is not exclusive to teenagers as I have later on experienced. People at the age of 20, 30, and even older can have acne problems which are sometimes worse than those experienced by teenagers. When I was in my 30's, I had my worse case of acne problem triggered by an allergic reaction from a facial cream. I thought it was no big deal and instead of seeking treatment for acne, I just masked the rashes with face powder so that it won't appear noticeable. However, the rashes worsened. When I finally sought the help of my dermatologist, I was told that my acne was already on its third stage. I was lucky that my skin doctor's one of the best because the acne surgery did not leave any scar on my face.

Hormonal changes, pollution, chemicals can cause acne problems to young and old, alike. Proper skin care and healthy diet are important to prevent and/or treat this problem.

Retirement at sixty-five is ridiculous.

When I was sixty-five I still had pimples.

-George F. Burns

Walk the Walk

You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

- Matthew 5: 14-16

Have a blessed Sabbath!

Photo Hunt: Addiction

Photo Hunt

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

Friday Photo Flashback

September 15, 1993

The photo above was taken during my birthday. With me is my niece, Rozene, who was 3 years old at that time. She was my "Junior", my first baby.

2010

This is Rozene 17 years later. She's now a young lady, but she'll always be my first baby.

On Fat burners

After almost three years of binge eating, hubby and I are now careful about our diet. We eat in small portions and have cut back on our carb intake. Based from experience, losing weight is achieved best with healthy eating and exercise. Hubby and I have started walking and we're going back to the gym. This afternoon, I'm starting zumba class and excited about it.

As I grow older, I've noticed that my metabolism is slowing down. When I was in my teens, my biggest problem was how to gain weight. Decades later, my problem has become the opposite. It does not help that I also have a very healthy appetite.

I read about how fat burners can help increase one's metabolism which helps hasten weight loss. Of course, that means, taking the fat burner with healthy diet and exercise. I should check the top 10 fat burners and see which one is the safest and most effective. That means looking into the ingredients and the reviews that come with each brand.

Pindot

Filipino: Pindot

English: Press

Ang tatlong bagay na hilig kong pindutin araw-araw:

Ang aking cell phone

Ang aking laptop

Ang aking mini notebook (eto ang gamit ko sa paaralan)

The three things that I love "to press" everyday:

My cellphone

My laptop

My mini notebook (I use this in school)

Animals at Honolulu Zoo

Getting Fit

I went on a 45-minute brisk walk this morning and felt refreshed when I got back. I had planned to walk for at least an hour and half but it started to drizzle. I did not want to get caught in the rain, so I had to cut it short and headed back home. I have started cutting back on my carb intake although I have not strictly gone back to my Atkin's Diet yet. I have also resolved to do some physical activity. Earlier today, I checked the classes offered at 24 Hr Fitness where I am a member. I am not particularly fond of gym but I need to do something if I want to lose weight. On Friday, I am going to check the Zumba class at 24 Hr. Fitness. I can alternate that with swimming.

It takes discipline to lose weight. I have been very careless with my diet for a long time. It is now back to healthy lifestyle.

Three Years in America

I arrived in the U.S. on April 19, 2007. Today, I celebrate my third year in my adopted country. My three years in America (2 years in Hawaii and almost a year in Florida) has taught me a lot of things. I have become emotionally stronger and tougher. I've learned to be independent, patient, more persevering and magnanimous. My life here is filled with trials. Life away from home is not easy, but I have learned to cope and go with the tide. I believe that God will not give me more than I can handle and the trials I face will make me a better and mature individual. My Lord is faithful and He is there to guide me, just as He has guided me all through these years.

My Lord has good plans for me. I look forward to a better tomorrow.

Hawaii, 2007

Hawaii, 2008

Florida, 2009

Florida, 2010

Decorative Flooring

The picture you see on the left is a replica of the mosaic terracotta flooring we have at the front entrance of our house. The flooring in the foyer is also made of mosaic tile. These tiles, made of intricate patterns and designs, are popularly used in home entryways and backsplashes because of its unique and/or colorful effect which makes the floor more attractive compared to plainer flooring tiles. They are also popularly used in countertops, bathrooms, and swimming pools. Mosaic tiles are also popular with commercial establishments (malls, hotels). Next time you visit the mall, look at the floor. Is it made of patterns and designs of different colors and shapes? Chances are, you are walking on a mosaic floor tile.

Assurance for Tomorrow

Death is inevitable; therefore, having a life insurance policy is beneficial because life insurance affords financial protection to our loved ones that we'll be leaving behind one day. Although not everyone of us can afford a costly life insurance, there is an affordable alternative: term life insurance. In this type of insurance, the premiums are dependent upon the length of the term and the amount of coverage you choose. Since the policyholder can choose the length of the coverage period, this is usually good for such needs as preparation of your child's college education. It is good to shop around for companies that give the most affordable term life insurance quotes. You won't know when you will need it. As the saying goes, always be prepared.

Old Lahaina Courthouse

During my spring break vacation at Maui last year, I visited the old Lahaina Courthouse at the famous historic town of Lahaina. Built in 1859 from the stones of the demolished Hale Piula (iron-roofed house intended as palace of Hawaii's King Kamehameha III), it was in this place where the Hawaiian flag was lowered and the US flag raised, marking the annexation of the Hawaiian islands to the US.

Today, the old Courthouse is houses the Lahaina Heritage Museum where visitors will find artifacts on Hawaiian history.

located at the basement of the courthouse

Artifacts on display at the museum include a machete and pressing irons used during Hawaii's Plantation era (1860-1990).

Ko (sugarcane) was first introduced to Hawaii by Polynesian settlers more than 1,000 years ago. One of the "canoe plants", ko was carefully stowed aboard large double hulled canoe which were sailed across the vast Pacific Ocean from the Marquesas to Hawaii.

In the 1840s, sugar plantations began to develop in Hawaii, and the California Gold Rush created a strong, new market for sugar. With reliable and rapid steamship travel to the U.S., and new laws in Hawaii that allowed foreign residents to buy and lease land, sugar plantations grew and prospered. Demand for sugar increased again during the American Civil War when Southern sugar harvests could not be shipped to the North.

With the growth of the plantations, there was a relentless demand for cheap labor and soon immigrants were imported: Chinese at first, then Japanese, Filipino, Puerto Rican, Portuguese and Korean. The workday was long; labor exhausting and both on the job and off, the worker's lives were strictly controlled by the plantation owners.

Skilled and supervisory workers arrived from England, Scotland and Germany. In a short amount of time, their customs and culture mingled with those of the other immigrants creating the "melting pot" that characterizes Hawaii today.

Plantation houses were built for the growing population of workers; each ethnic group living in its own separate camp. Soon the music, foods and culture of these diverse people began to infiltrate the community. Shops opened sending out the aroma of Asian, Portuguese and Filipino foods. Chinese sundries, Japanese fish markets, Portuguese bakeries, and other businesses run by the immigrants to the islands, filled the newly constructed buildings along Front Street in Lahaina.

The Plantation Era lasted for 130 years, from 1860 to 1990 when high labor costs and unrest, as was change in global politics lead to the decline of Hawaiian sugar.

- from The Lahaina Heritage Museum

Bloodred Sunset

Hollywood, Florida on a sundown