I heart credit cards

I have to honestly say that credit cards are my lifeline. I swear I cannot go shopping without the plastic in my purse. I don't usually bring cash when I hit the mall (because most of the time I do not have cash! Hahaha!) so having a handy credit card always saves the day.

Since Dad gave me an extension of his VISA credit card, I knew right away that it will be used for my shopping escapades. Now that I am driving our car pretty much everywhere around the metro, Mom has finally decided to give me an extension of her Shell credit card so that we could have rebates whenever we gas up at Shell. Oh, and an additional card means more means to buy stuff!!! Woohoo! Coolness!

I think it's easy now to apply for credit cards. Take Credit-land.com for instance. The site offers reliable and timely information on online banks’ credit applications. Doesn't matter if you have a great payment history or if you bad credit score because they will match you with a credit card that is right for you. The site also provides info about any issues related to bank deals.

Call me a slave of plastic cards but in the world we live in today, who would still care about cash? It's all about credit cards, baby! Get yours and let's all get shopping crazy!

Whoopee!!

Yessss! I am once again alone in the laboratory... Times like these make me ponder more on what's been happening in my life. I get to think more about my plans and goals as well as bum about the bad times I've had for the past few days.

At 23, I used to think I have achieved much already in life than most 23-year-old girls do. But if you really think about it, nothing has changed in my life; I am still stuck in school, still can't earn my own money, and still can't move on in life. Simply put, I am still nobody so I have no reason to think I am great after all. While my other friends have moved on into the world of professional work, here I am living in the world of school work with no job experience whatsoever.

Honestly, I can't wait to graduate from my post grad degree. This has been exhausting my energy for the past year; I literally have no time to meet up with most of my friends because I spend my weekends in the lab. It's like my world revolves around the four walls of the Sensors Lab alone. Argh!

Anyway, enough of my whining... let me get back to my lab work now before I get any more Bea Alonzo-ish dramatic. It's almost 8 PM and I need to catch the last shuttle trip.

Wordless Wednesday #1: The Shore

I love the shore and the sand! The pictures above were taken at the Shangri-La Mactan in 2006.

Earth Hour 2008

Last year, Sydney made a powerful statement about global warming by turning off its lights. Over 2.2 million Sydney residents and over 2,100 businesses switched off their lights, which led to a 10.2% energy reduction across the city. This event was the first ever Earth Hour.

This year, the Earth Hour has been turned into a global movement. The whole world will make a stand against one of the greatest threats our planet currently face. Tonight at 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, 24 cities around the globe will participate in Earth Hour 2008 and I am very proud to say that Manila, my Manila, is one of them.

Manila will switch off its lights for an hour tonight to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming. We shall witness the entire stretch of Roxas Boulevard, a road that spans through 3 cities from Manila to Parañaque, join the rest of the world for Earth Hour. Likewise, the City of Makati will take part in the event by turning their lights off along Buendia, Kalayaan, JP Rizal and Ayala Avenue.

According to the Earth Hour website, even SM Mall of Asia will shut down its lights for Earth Hour. Similarly, HSBC, Intel, Canon, Coke, Jollibee, Greenwhich, and Chowking will be participating in Earth Hour by turning off the lights from their billboards and signages.

I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE each one of us to take part in this campaign to prove that we, the people of the world, can effectively work together and fight global warming.

The Earth Hour is just the first big step, but we know that the real challenge goes way beyond this great start. From switching off lights to unplugging appliances when not in use, we can live up to our commitment to save our planet. Together, our simple efforts can collectively make a difference.

We can change the world. We can make everyday an Earth Hour.

So tonight at 8 PM, let's be one with the world. Let's turn out our lights for one hour.

One hour, Manila. Earth Hour.

Just missing my blog

I can't even log on in to my email account. Can't post pics for Wordless Wednesday. Can't do tags. Can't do opps (actually, there are no opps to do!) Haaaay.

I am doing this post because I terribly miss blogging, and I won't allow my busy-ness and laziness to take over me once again.

I need to update this blog over the weekend, I just hope I find the time to do so. Free, chill time is so scarce these days.

Congrats, Lia!

Would like to congratulate Lia Inocencio, my partner in CRIME, for successfully defending her thesis!!! Magna Cum Laude, baby!

Oh, surprised with the visitor eh? Haha! I knew you'd love it!

Mad props to you, Lia girl!

I love the 90s

You Are 56% A Child of the 90s

Ah yes, the 90s! You remember them - and they were totally phat. Or totally dope. Or totally da bomb.

Are You a Child of an 90s?

This was something really interesting. I guess 56% isn't that bad... I grew up in the late 90s. Haha! Feel free to take the quiz!

Increase thy Alexa Rank

We all know how Google made our blogs sink into the rut by bringing our PR down to zero. It's been months since this has happened, but we have to admit that we still face the implications of Google's bitch-slapping PR drop even to this day. Its effect is so extensive that it has directly affected our paid blogging opportunities, hence reducing the amount money we can possibly earn.

Bloggers, though, can still pin their hopes on one tool: the Alexa Rank. And I say there is hope in this tool because there are networks (like ReviewMe and SponsoredReviews) that base your blog strength on your Alexa Rank and not just on PR.

However, the problem with the Alexa ranking is that it is based on the number of people who visit a website with the Alexa toolbar installed into their browsers.

If you look at it, the Alexa ranking is really an inaccurate way of determining a blog's strength, but at least it's something that we bloggers can still somehow manipulate and do something about.

How to improve one's Alexa ranking? Let us count the ways.

1. Since the ranking is based on visitors who have the Alexa toolbar installed into their browsers, then the most basic step to improve your rank is to install an Alexa toolbar into your browser. Get it by clicking this.

2. Once the toolbar is installed into your browser, make your blog your homepage. This increases traffic to your site and it affects your ranking.

3. You have to tell the world about the toolbar, so make your friends install it as well. You can probably make a post about it in your blog.

4. Post on online forums and remember to display your blog's URL. This way, you are creating a buzz for your site.

5. People look for timely and interesting content online so make sure you blog about something that is currently a "hot" topic. Interesting topics can make people flock into your site.

6. It is sometimes boring to see words all crammed together in blog posts so make sure you use pictures to attract more readers.

7. Personally, I would advise you to participate in sites like Wordless Wednesday to make people check out your blog. By doing this, you attract visitors who would likely comment on your post, thereby increasing your rank.

Basically, content is the key. Make your posts as interesting as possible. Think about your posts and carefully write them.

Good luck!

Go Philippines!

I would like to congratulate Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez for placing third in the race around the world! You guys made an Amazing Race record of having the most collective leg wins in one whole season (eight 1st place finishes out of a possible 12!) Woohoo!

Come to think of it, if you add the costs of all the prizes you received for finishing first eight times, you might just end up having a sum that is more than the $100,000 grand prize!

This season has led me to one great realization: I WANT TO JOIN THE AMAZING RACE ASIA 3.

I will not just sit and watch teams pass by. I want to be there... right in the middle of the action.

Registration for the next season dubbed as "The Amazing Race Asia 3 - The Hardest Race Ever!" is until 25 February 2008. I have to find a partner fast. So, who wants to be my teammate?

Let's do this and make the motherland proud! Go Philippines!

I met HappySlip!

I just came home from Christine Gambito's (aka HappySlip) Meet and Greet at Mag:net Cafe, Bonifacio High Street and I am still overwhelmed by the experience!

Call me a fan girl. Call me whatever. One thing I know is that the whole experience was amazing!

I will post a detailed entry about this as soon as I get the pics from Jo, Maan, and Gorce (just because my camera has a great timing for losing battery charge.)

I am on a high!!! A HappySlip high!

I am Queen Paranoia

The events happening lately in my life are bringing me closer to my sanity's threshold. Paranoia's driving me to the edge, and it wouldn't be long before I wear a straightjacket. Seriously.

What kills me more is that I can not openly talk about this whole paranoia thing. You see, since I am Queen Paranoia right now, I am too paranoid that the people involved in the situation may get the chance to read that the hoopla has taken me this far -- that alone might just bring joy to their pathetic lives.

By admitting that I am becoming paranoid of some things may indicate that people around me are slowly becoming successful of their mission: to take me down at all cost. I don't care if this is just a figment of my mind, but I will not allow them to completely drive me to my wits' end.

I must stop here before things get crazier.

ANTM = Excitement

I just learned that the new season of America's Next Top Model (Cycle 10) will be starting on 20 February 2008! Oh boy, am I excited!

You can check out the girls of this new cycle by clicking this.

It's ANTM time once again! Woohoo!

Laziness takes over

I really wanted to do some of the pending posts I have on my list, but I am afraid laziness is taking over me. I know I must not give in, must control myself, but the force is very strong and I can't fight back. Haha!

I shall have enough will power to posts the following SOON:

1. Evil Girlies' Dinner
2. Manalangsang End-of-the-year Reunion
3. My Cebu Sinulog trip

If there is one thing though that I can't help but make a post about, it's definitely the paid opps that send in $$$ into my pockets! Haha!

Diba? Who can ever say NO? Lalo na if you have lots of bills/debts to pay or if you've been thinking of getting something from eBay? Who can say NO?!

Haaaay. We have to admit it. It's keeps us longing for more... and we love it!

23 years! Beat that!

Praise be to God for giving me 23 wonderful years of living this beautiful life! And I am so ready for 23 more! I offer everything to you, Lord!

Much, much love to my Mom, Dad, Jhozelle, Abi, Ate Peachy, Ate Ricca, Ate Al, Kris Crooc, Inah Datuc, Leah Casio, Peter Pardo, Kat Marcial, Emar Largo, Karl Edejer, Hannah Vergara, Sheila Colandog, Fr. Ching, O.P., Liz Ocampo, Jhun Galicia, Maian Miguel, Teij Bonaobra, Daisy Casio, Jolleen Balitaan, Ernest Lim, Kris Nuguid, Coco, Cor, PA Flores, Ivan Puno, Mam Karen, Sir Bergs, Dra. Rhona, Lia "the Empress" Inocencio (haha!), Renee Tady, Jenny Carreon, Apol Espino, Eds Briones, Dianne Mancita, Shenley delos Santos, Khriz, Mary Alarcio, Kat, Prue Dy, Cheryl Chua, Kix Abaya, Minay Estacio, Leah Gatdula, Mark Alarcio, Theen Agravante, Jay =), and to everyone who made my day verrrrrry special! *huuuuugsss to all of you*

Just a thought:

When I look back and wonder how I ever made it through, I realize it's not because I've been clever, but because GOD has been wise; not because I've been strong, but because GOD has been mighty; not because I've been consistent, but because GOD has been faithful.

Basta IKAW! Amen, Lord, Amen!

OMG!

OMG! I just learned that Heath Ledger has died!

Awwww. No more Brokeback Mountain Part 2 =(

Manila, my Manila!

Woohoo!!! I'm sooooooo happy to be back home!

Just got home this morning from my ultra amazing but equally tiring Cebu trip. Gawd, I missed Manila! I missed my bed! I missed the jeeps! I missed the internet!!!

I planned to sleep the whole day, but then I realized that I have to wash the clothes I brought with me to Cebu because I have almost none left for tomorrow! I finished washing them all just before doing this post, and believe it or not, my hands are numb and shaky while I'm typing this! Talk about first time washing clothes!

In as much as I want to post my stories and pics in Cebu, I really couldn't do it now because my hands aren't cooperating and my mind is going blank. I promise to post entries about my trip as soon as my mind gets back in shape.

Argh! I am delaying posts for the Nth time and I hate it!

Anyway, hafta go now. My body is longing for my bed. Tata!

Love and Hate

Fillers galore!

1. I love to eat: donuts! yumyumyum!
2. I hate to eat: SINIGANG -- believe it or not!
3. I love to go: to Cebu! Later na yan! Yebah! (I luuurve going to malls too!)
4. I hate to go: to DOST. Haaaaay. Life.
5. I love it when: I wake up in the morning and realize it's Sunday so no need to rush.
6. I hate it when: it rains.
7. I love to see: shooting stars.
8. I hate to see: rude drivers on the road.
9. I love to hear: Fr. Jun's Sunday homilies.
10. I hate to hear: loud sounds from my neighbor's TV at 3 AM.

Just grab this tag if you need fillers.

It's all in my crazy little mind

It's 20 minutes past 3:00 AM. Yes, I have to go to school later, if that's what you want to ask. But honestly, I've never been a morning person, so school time is more or less a little past lunchtime for me. Therefore, sleeping is not an option right now. My mind is so much wide awake that I'd be needing tons of Prozac to send me to dreamland.

Well, I'm up because this one site recently launched a new paid opp worth $25.00. Twenty-five freaking dollars... that's like a thousand pesos. A thousand pesos for 100 words. Deym. I've been refreshing the page for several times now and all available slots for this certain opp has been reserved. Why are they all so fast when it comes to reserving opps?! What's my DSL for?! What's my updated PC for?! Argh.

Oh. I refreshed the page just now and the opp is gone. Boo.

You have to agree with me when I say that once you earn money from blogging, you just can't help but long for more. What makes it even more attractive is that you get payment in dollars. I mean, come on... who wouldn't want that?! Not that I am some money-loving blogger, but I'm sure you do get where I am coming from. Just think: $1 = 40 pesos (in fact, is kills me that from $1 to 50 pesos it dropped to just 40 pesos.)

Oh, by the way, can you just imagine how Google hates us paid bloggers? Yeah, they did drop our ranks to zero, but that won't necessarily make us stop! Haha! I'm sure they've been trying to figure out a better (and maybe a more permanent) way to eliminate us off the web. Again, boo to you, Google!

Hah. I've never refreshed a page this much in my life, but it seems that nothing is happening to the page displayed on the other tab. Haaaay. I am nearing my give-up threshold.

It's probably time to finish this blabbering. Sorry to waste your time reading crap. This whole thing, everything written here, just kept on popping out of nowhere. No coherence, no flow. It was just popping! Must be from the wild, little corners of my sometimes-insane mind.

Bah, I am making no sense here. Peace out.

Where has blogging taken you?

For some people I know, blogging has been a major source of cash. I believe it has been, for some, a career while staying at home.

I have read about people who have used the money they earned from blogging in a variety of ways. One has bought Louis Vuitton bags using her blogging money. One has bought so many shoes via an online store in the US. Another one bought Coach wallets for her and her husband (you hear me, Ate Peachy? Haha!) And even my cousin in the US has started paid blogging to earn money to buy kikay stuff!

As for me, I have not touched the money I earned since I started blogging. I reckon it's time to use it, to finally reap the fruits of my labor.

So next week, blogging will take me back to one of the best places I have been to in the Philippines. I can't wait to go back to...

Magellan's Cross

Cebu Cathedral

Fort San Pedro

Cebu Provincial Capitol

Taoist Temple

Mactan beaches

Shangri-La Mactan's coastline

Tita Ellen's beach

Tita Ellen's White Mansion (with the La-Z-Boy sala set!)

Sinulog, here we come! Take me, Cebu, take me!

Now it's time to ask you, where has blogging taken you? Feel free to answer =)

Is it just me or is it the world?

Today, I realized that no matter how careful you are on the road, you will always encounter a rude driver who's ready to take you down no matter what.

Thank you, Lord for keeping us all safe.