Mommy Diary

I was browsing an online forum and the topic that caught my eye was the one about how to find a good home for your family.  I have read horror stories that came from poor homeowners who invested in their homes thinking it was the best there in the market.  Unfortunately, the homes they purchased are not like the Tucson homes I know which are durable and long lasting.

I really like reading forums these past few days.  My hubby chuckled at me when I told him I’m getting quite engrossed with this new hobby.  He said he is already a veteran of online forums while I’m still a beginner.  Which is true as I know he has been an active forum member even before we met but I had no interest because the forums he was frequenting were music and gaming forums.

Now that I have discovered women’s forums I must say I’m hooked.  As I said the topic I was reading was how to find the best home for your family.  I have learned quite a few things like how important it is that the house that you choose is not prone to natural calamities like flood, earthquake, and landslide.   Choosing the right developer is also a must as there are developers that try to cut corners by using non-quality materials.  The homeowners who unfortunately acquired these houses are seeing cracks in their homes in just a year or two.  So if you want to avoid future headaches buy your home from  a reputable developer just like the Tucson homes for sale I saw online.

During the last four years, we have lived in four different places. At the different apartments we have lived in plus with our current dwelling place I have encountered different kitchens in different sizes. While a large kitchen can be considered a luxury in our country I have realized the importance of an appropriately sized kitchen. If you have the space then maximize the space for you to have a nice kitchen. I don’t have to stress the importance of this as we prepare our foods three times a day. It doesn’t matter if you have a beautiful soapstone countertop as long as you have enough space to prepare your meals.

You also have to have enough countertop space to put those kitchen essentials like your microwave, toaster, blender, coffee maker, and so on.  Aside from that, I think it’s also important to have, not only one, but two kitchen sinks.  It will add convenience especially when you’re washing those large pots and pans.

Of course, you don’t only need countertop space and sinks.  Another important thing is storage for your stuff.  It’s not a luxury to have those overhead cabinets because you will really put those into good use.  The last thing you need is a disorganized kitchen because you have run out of storage spaces.

Thesis writing is one of the hardest part of college life.   Aside from requiring extensive research you will still have the burden to write the thesis and come up with a document that is well written and comprehensive.  I don’t know how the students were able to do their thesis before internet became a trend.  It must have been real hard for them to go to different libraries and to pore over those dusty books for just to look resources.  It would have taken a lot of hours going from library to library just getting their materials and then burning those candles compiling the information they have gotten.

Now, it’s so much easier now that the internet is already accessible to everyone.  They just type in a few words, search, and the information they needed will be on their screen.  Still, many people are still having a hard time looking for dissertation topics.  They do not know that it was much harder for the students a decade ago.  Fortunately for them, aside from information there are services offered in the internet for those having a hard time.  If you are looking for a good Dissertation format then you can contact those online services to help you out.

Buying online is the growing trend but sometimes there are products and services that you just have to get locally.  Take for example if you want some perishable products to be delivered to your home.  You have to take into consideration from where the product would be delivered or else it will arrive spoiled, right?  Or if you got to see the item first before buying then you have to buy it at a store near your place. So in times like these where else would you look but at the Internet Yellow Pages?

Remember the bulky yellow pages that come with your phone line?  We used to look at it all the time pouring over the pages to find a supplier for this or that.  The internet yellow pages functions just like that but instead of getting the bulky books you can just type in the item your searching for online.  Don’t forget to specify your location before you hit the search button so you’ll be directed to the local businesses in your place.

If you’re a business owner, on the other hand, you can list your business at the Local business directory for free.  More and more people are turning to the internet for their shopping needs and the internet directory will connect your business with prospective customers.

If you’re into online shopping then I know the hardest part is doing your research online.  I bought my digital camera online and I literally spent days researching what the best camera I could afford with my money was.  I wanted one that took the best quality picture and at the same time affordable.  Doing research, as I said, was tedious.  I had to hop from one website to the other so that I can read reviews and compare the different digital cameras.  Then my job is not finished.  After finding one I like I have to look for an online seller that gives the best price on the product.

Fortunately, I have found Items where you can compare, shop, and save.  At Items online shopping becomes a breeze.  I don’t have to hop from one site to another and I get to see review of people who have actually bought the product.  Once you set your eye on something then it’s time to compare prices.  You just click on the item and you would be brought to another page where you’ll see how much it costs in different stores.  Isn’t that so convenient?  Next time I need something I know where I would shop.  Where else but the one that would give me all the information I need?  What about you?

At last, we rode the PNR train for the first time ever.  I’m happy the previous administration pushed through with  the rehabilitation of this railway.  Take note that I’m being super positive on this one.  At least there’s something the government did that makes my life easier.

Z was as excited as I was.  Little boys just love trains!  The train stations are hot and not something to boast about but at least the trains are squeaky clean and the airconditioning is even better than MRT’s.

Inside the PNR Train

It's my first time here.

No seat for me. huhu

From Bicutan to Blumentritt we paid P15 each. Children 3 feet and below are free but Z is already a little over that so we had to pay for his fare. We still don’t mind as it’s so affordable. Our train ride lasted only 40 minutes and we’re already on our stop.

The reason why I’m so excited with this train is because we plan to visit my Dad often.  He lives in Caloocan and without this there’s no way we can visit him as often as we want.  We have to wait for hubby to drive us there and since I’m already guilty of taking away some of his precious rest hours for my errands then it means I won’t ask him to drive us there as often as I want.  But with the train so accessible from our place we can visit him after Z’s classes and be back at home just in time for hubby’s arrival from work.  Talk about convenience!

We were only at my Dad’s for 2 1/2 hours and we had to hurry back home again.  Next time, we really have to go earlier.  At 3 pm we were already at the train station going back home.  We waited for 10 minutes before the train arrived.  In order not to wait too long you have to time your arrival.  Be sure to check the PNR Train Schedule before you go on a ride.

Take a picture of me, Mom, so that I don't forget I rode the train!

Of course, a picture inside too.

Standing only

We're home. Thanks, PNR!

Here is the list of the PNR Train Stations.

List of PNR Train Stations

We came out unscathed by the storm but unfortunately, our internet service was not so lucky.  After the electricity came back, I hurriedly turned on the laptop to check if we have internet.  I was glad we still had and silently thanked PLDT for that.  I took care of some online business for a few hours and then turned it off at lunch time.  When I tried to turn it back on later in the afternoon we had no more connection.

If you’re suffering from internet connection just like ours I suggest you compare internet service with your neighbors  and online to find out which provider will give you the best service.  A good internet connection is fast and stable and at a reasonable price.  They also have to have good and reliable customer support to help you out when you need them.

The good news is as the competition gets tougher the internet providers are doing better and better with providing their customers the best service and connection possible.  Here at our place, we can easily switch and choose from four different providers.

I personally like the bundled deals more than the ones that provide you with just internet connection.  For example, our current provider, aside from internet, provides us with a phone line.  Bundled promos will give you more value for your money.

As technologies become advanced we’re getting more and more satisfied with our connection.  As I’ve told you we had our service interrupted after the storm but it took just 24 hours for it to be up and running again.  That’s not too bad considering that the storm hit us badly.  So I guess I can say I’m still a satisfied customer despite that.

Every Thursday and Friday night we stay up later than usual to watch, Avatar: The Last Airbender cartoon marathon.  Nick channel is airing a marathon from 7:00 to 9:30 pm every Thursday and Friday and we’re now near the end of the series.  Before, I would see Z watch it every afternoon on TV5 but since I was busy before with my job I couldn’t watch it with him.  Now I don’t have an excuse anymore so even though I had, at first ,no interest I forced myself to watch it.  I heard its movie version would be shown in the theaters and I wanted to at least be familiar with the characters when we watch it.

A few weeks later, I don’t have to force myself anymore as I have come to love Aang’s journey to master the four elements with his friends, Katara and Sokka.  Even hubby is hooked and I feel proud whenever I have to explain something to him that he doesn’t understand because he missed an episode or two.  The series is about to end and I feel sad that we don’t have something to look forward anymore every Thursday and Friday night.

Anyway, in doing this I have realized something.  For years, I tried so hard to grow up and be mature but now that I have a little boy I have to be a kid at heart again so we can bond together.  It would take some effort but I think I could get used to this kind of life.

I have to admit — I was a bit skeptical about watching True Blood to begin with. I had heard a lot from my friends about it, telling me how great it is and everything. Unfortunately, the last show they had recommended for me ended up being a complete flop in my mind.

But, one day, I decided to flip over to HBO direct tv channels in San Francisco to watch it, since I had nothing else to do that day. I instantly fell in love with it. I had never been all that into shows that involved supernatural aspects, but the way they have flipped the tables, turning vampires into the good guys worked out extremely well. It helps to bring to light all the problems we humans have with racism in the world.

I also love that they’ve turned vampire blood into a narcotic substance that some humans use in order to get high. Not only does this go to show the problems our society has with drug abuse, but it also underlines the lengths that people will go in order to get their ‘high’. It’s a beautiful rendition that allows for people to take a moment to step back and think to themselves, ‘Is this show really all that much different from the world we live in?’ I have to say, my friends actually managed to get something right this time!

If you’re looking for the PNR train schedule then maybe you’re one of the hundreds of people who are discovering its convenience.  We are yet to try it but I heard it’s a practical way to travel from Manila to Alabang and vice versa.  I heard that the trains are already air conditioned and there is a train schedule twice a hour.

The PNR train schedule is below.  If you’re looking for a faster and convenient then maybe this is the answer for your transportation problems.  It’s cost effective too.  The fare ranges only from P10 to 30.

source: www.pnr.gov.ph/