Jakie and the Beadstalk

Here is my honest review of the book: This is the first book in the Series of An Unfortunate Tale. Photo credit: Goodreads I got this book for free, so I am not really complaining. I lost sleep (well, it's actually my afternoon nap) trying to finish this right away.  So it's not really a bad book. The plot is interesting enough, and brings back the readers to the world of fairy tales. BUT, there were serious editing issues that, at first, I thought were merely typo errors - but these errors were repeated many times, so  they're not just typo errors, but serious grammatical issues. I wish Mina would be less insecure. Granted, she's a strong gal for facing the challenges head-on. What I love most about this book is the plot, which I've already mentioned. I also appreciate that it is age-appropriate - very appropriate for the YA (young adult) crowd.  I also appreciate that it's not too long - no lengthy narratives, brooding, etc.   It's quite en...

Like last year, Maynilad will schedule water interruptions during the Holy Week for maintenance purposes. This is the time to have an excuse for smelling bad. For the schedule, please check the images below: Or you may also visit  Maynilad's website . Maynilad is providing the following tips on how to store water safely:  As much as possible, store water in containers that have covers. Water stored in open containers should be used within one or two days. Boil the water if intended for drinking or cooking. Store water in multiple containers, large and small.  Drinking water should be stored in clean and disinfected containers that can be firmly closed. Light and warmth promote algae and bacteria growth, so store containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Water stored in plastic containers should be kept away from gasoline, kerosene, pesticides or similar substances because vapors from these products can penetrate plastic. N...

I was browsing through Lazada's items , searching for a waterproof bag. Then I saw this: For a closer look, here's the description: Hehehe. "Rafting, beach, beach (dalawang beach?), boating, skiing are applicable" ( applicable where? ) "Can be used to play at the beach or when drifting, prevent your paraphernalia were immersed in water damage." ( HA??? ?) "When it rains carrying it without fear of being irrigated wet baby, oh!" Yeba! Hindi ko naintindihan!!! Hahahah!  Rice field ba at kailangan ng irrigation?  Here's another winner description of the product: "Barrel can be put inside the phone, wallet, camera swimsuit and other items. Is drifting, seaside essential supplies." So, eto ang pagkakaintindi ko: 1.) Ganun kaliit ang bag- kasya sa phone or wallet! Amazing!!  2.) May camera swimsuit na pala? 3.) Nagdi-drift ang bag at may dalang essential supplies. Wow, kakaibang ability ito!!! This is anothe...

Last Saturday, my friends and I visited San Pablo City to visit its hidden beauties.  One of our stops was Lake Pandin. San Pablo City is the City of Seven Lakes because, well, it has seven lakes. We rented a van so it was not so hard to find the place. Besides, one of our friends had already made an ocular of the place, and besides, she resides in San Pablo City.  About ten minutes from the cathedral, there was a big sign on the left with "Welcome to Lake Pandin."  There's a small parking lot (P50.00) and there are boys who asked us if we want to have a guide to Lake Pandin.  Since our friend knows the way already, we went off on our own. The trek is about 20 minutes- make it 30 minutes including the chicka, the picture-picture portion, and the occasional stretching in between. We started our trek at around 11 so, the sun was really shining oh so brightly already.

Congratulations to those who passed the 2014 Bar Examinations! It was a long and arduous task, but you made it! I especially congratulate  Atty. Mark Orline S. Buena  -  a former student in college sometime in 2004. Many years ago,  when someone asked if all the tears and hardwork during law school was worth it when I became a lawyer. I would immediately say, it's not worth it. At that time, I was working for someone whom I felt looked down on the judiciary - totally contrary to my own views and training. Now, if someone asks me that question, I would say, "Yes, it was worth it!" without hesitation.  You see, if I had not gone to law school, I would not be allowed to teach in college, I would not have met my students (Marian Rivera included), I would not have met Mark. As early as five years old, I wanted to be a teacher (or a singer). I convinced myself to take up law in college, though I had fleeting thoughts of it in high school. Being waitlisted i...

For his birthday celebration, the little boy chose to play in a play area at SM., so we went looking for one. As we passed by the ground floor of SM Annex in Dasma, he saw the thousands of buildings blocks lying on the mat and he immediately said he wants to play there. Wish granted! Imagine sooooo many blocks lying around. I was so tempted to get inside and build me a castle with a moat. But if I stayed there, I was thinking that the little boy wouldn't be as much creative since he would rely on me for ideas. So I let him play with the other kids. Here are  pics of his playtime! Lying on a mound of blocks Look how happy he is!  The fee is P85 for 30 minutes. "One-to-sawa" play is P125. Not bad eh?If a guardian would like to stay inside, one must pay additional P25. Really affordable! I don't know if socks are required but I think they are, for obvious reasons,  you know. Imagine if a kid steps on a block, that would be really ...

I attended a seminar with Chef Sherwin Masongsong of Papa Bear Cakes in Tagaytay City last February.  It was a beginner's class for flower gumpaste making.  I shared with you that I want to "level-up" on my baking skills, so this is it, pansit! I had some classmates who were aren't beginners in baking, but it's their first time to try flower gumpaste. So technically, we were all beginners. Pero, ako lang talaga ang kulelat.  We started at 10 am and finished at 8 pm. Who would have thought this would be really tedious work! And, we were supposed to have additional lessons on sugar veil, and fondant application pero wala nang powers, gabi na ! So, Chef Sherwin just did a demo of it. So here's what we did: Nuts, I think I deleted my other photos! We started from scratch, mind you - with those little buds. And there was a lot of hanging, and drying, and kneading. Basta, masakit ang katawan ko pag-uwi! That's the ever approachable and su...

I passed by the District in Imus, Cavite, and chanced about the Reva sale of slippers at two pairs for P100 only.   I am not sure if the sale is ongoing in all Reva outlets. A pair is originally priced at P129, so the 2-for-100 sale is really a great buy. The designs are limited and the slippers are  for men... and start at size 7.  Since I have big feet, I bought a pair for me (some designs are unisex, kahit panlalake ang itsura, ok lang .  I don't really care because I'll just use this inside the house). I also bought a few more pairs for hubby.  Uh, well, I hoarded, actually since  I was thinking, this can be a good Christmas gift for male relatives. It's so hard to think of gifts to buy for my uncles, cousins, etc, so I thought this would be a good gift idea. ( Ang aga bumili ng pamasko diba? ) So, anyway, I bought six pairs. Here they are: Ay, may magkamukha pala! Hahahaha!  I hope there's still an ongoing sale this weekend as ...

Mom's What Do You Think of this Pencil? Sold at 12 pieces for P39 pesos   My sis-in-law saw this pencil at Savemore and she bought a pack to show me and to ask me what I think about it. Yep, it's  a pencil with the multiplication table printed in small fonts. My opinion is that it is no different from notebooks with the multiplication table printed at the back. Seen one of those, right? This can be used for cheating by kids.  I'm not saying they will, but they can!  Copying from the notebook can be quite tricky since you have to turn your notebook, before answering. But, if the multiplication table is already on the pencil, then copying would be much easier, don't you think? I just hope they are too young and innocent to be thinking of cheating, and I hope by the time they use pencils like these, they've already memorized the multiplication table by then. What about you, would it be okay for you if your kids use a pencil like this?...