One of the things I love to do almost every weekend is to bond with my loved ones.  I believe that doing away temporarily from regular routines and chores will improve our quality of life, in other words, it will make us happier and healthier.

So a couple of weeks ago, my family and I bonded together by strolling to SM here in Ecoland, since it is second to the nearest mall from where we live, (the first is Gaisano, Toril). One of our most favorite routines after grocery-shopping and running errands like paying internet and electric bills is to look for the most recent restaurant where we could dine and relax. As you see, bringing along a 2-year-old toddler is exhausting.

And here we are at Peri-Peri.  Suffice to say, the ambiance is cozy, classy, and less crowded (as you see in the picture). If you opt for privacy, this place is meant for you.

Pardon the combs on the table, we  let Chesska play on them while  the foods are underway. Actually those are giveaways after  buying creamsilk conditioner.

Honestly, we've never been to Peri-Peri before despite being regular customers of SM for several years, not because I am known for being thrifty, it's due to the fact that I'm not so obsessed with processed foods like deep-fried foods, and much less oily foods. However, I promised in my previous post to blog all restaurants at SM, so I erased the thoughts of processed foods in the meantime. hehe

Back to peri-peri

Peri-Peri offered a wide selection of menus that you might want to try one of these days. And wanna share with you the foods we ordered.

Peri-Peri Kids Meal with Ice Tea Served 
Price: 165

It includes 2 pcs. Cornflaked Chicken Tenders, Macaroni, and Cheese Fries. Obviously, Chesska couldn't consume this platter of foods so I decided we would share together (na lng).

All I can say is that the macaroni is tasty, creamy, but too sweet which makes me satisfied easily. Probably my taste buds can no longer tolerate too sweet and flavorful foods since I am already used to "matabang" (less tasty). Ever since we chose to have a healthier lifestyle, we made sure to minimize sugary or salty foods in the house.

On the other hand, the corn-flaked chicken is crispy, yummy, and tender though the servings are bitin (not enough to make us satisfied). The fries have just an ordinary taste much like from any other food chains.


Chicken Rappa without Drinks
Price 158

This is what Ronan ordered, consisting of fries and grilled chicken breast with lettuce, tomatoes, and sauce wrapped in warm tortillas.

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I'm not a fan of pizza but my family and I found ourselves at Shakeys for lunch, one Halloween weekend at SM Ecoland. But before we landed to Shakeys, we first went to "Hukad", and began browsing their menu but most of the dishes offered were heavy (typical lutong-bahay with a twist and unli-rice), and due to the fact that I started dieting due to weight issue (ha!), we left and hopped to Shakeys.

I was not kidding when I said this was my fist time to enter Shakeys (since pizza is not my favorite), but Ronan and I  had long planned to try out all restaurants within SM since we used to grocery-shop, window-shop, pay bills, and dine there.

Ok fast forward. The foods I ordered were not mainly pizza, but I assured you it was much lighter than the usual viand-and-rice. The other two, mama and Ronan just nodded in approval.

While the foods were still underway, I turned the idle moments into picture taking.



Finally, the foods were served 10 minutes later.

This is what I ordered - Salad, Chicken 'n' Pizza which consists of half-garden-fresh salad, one piece fried chicken, a slice of a Hawaiian pizza and mojos ( sliced potatoes, lightly battered & fried to a golden brown.). 

Price: 165


What makes this menu even better is the inclusion of the garden fresh salad since I am a semi-vegetarian gal, and mojos (potatoes coated with breading mixes, I guess), that is a good alternative for rice. The amount served is just enough to make my taste buds happy.

While Ronan ordered a Bunch of Lunch - chicken, spaghetti, garlic bread, a Hawaiian pizza, and mojos.

Price: 170



Lastly. mama ordered Hero, Salad 'n' Chicken which contains half hot hero sandwich, chicken, and half salad.

Price: 160


And for the finale,  we ordered Sundae, topped with chocolate syrup, cherry, and whipped cream.

Price: 50 


The ice cream has its distinct flavor and sweetness that is fun to eat for dessert. There's no sawa (you will not get sick of eating even you try it over and over) factor.

Even without rice, the dishes have brought our tummy up to satisfaction level. Not so heavy, and not so light. And obviously not a gluttony.

Although the place where we seated was less spacious and the air-con was not that cold, however, I assured you we had a great dining experience due to good services and foods. My rating is 4 out of 5 for Shakeys.

And so last week Monday afternoon, I received a text message from KFC's manager, I supposed, telling me they'd stumbled into one of my posts entitled, "Chesska's 2nd Birthday held at KFC". The manager was pleased when she came to know I featured KFC birthday package in my blog,  and asked if they could possibly feature my post in their social media accounts. As a novice and starving blogger, to get noticed in one of the popular food chains in the Philippines is something I cannot decline. Without second thoughts, I texted back "SURE NO PROBLEM" (this is my typical answer when someone asks a favor).

After exchanging multiple texts, the manager finally told me to give me a free delivery of KFC bucket meal in return. I became speechless in surprise, but at the back of my mind I said "of course why not".  But guess what,  I asked a favor if they could deliver it Sunday, November 2, lunch time (you see how demanding I was..hehe). So the favor was granted after calling me the following day to update the time and date.

Gladly, yesterday Sunday, bucket meal was delivered right to our door which perked up our lunch. The bucket contained 8 pieces of chicken, macaroni salad or what they call "fixin", rice, 1 liter of coke, gravy, 4 packs of biscuits, and a crayon for Chesska.


Picture in another angle.


My husband was joking if I could possibly blog all the food chains so I could receive more perks next time. How I wish. hehe.

I have nothing to say more but thanks to KFC, Quirino Branch, for this very surprising perk. Till next time.

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This is my cellphone, Firefly Mobile. I bought this two years ago for Php 900 only.

And this is husband's phone, too, Nokia. He bought it 3 years ago for Php 2,000 only.


If you've noticed, they're outdated phones, yet still both functional, serving to our BASIC NEEDS. I reiterate BASIC - Text and Call.

If you are wondering why we didn't upgrade to the latest and hippest phone (though husband and I earned more than enough), my answer is plain and simple, "It can wait until we achieve our ULTIMATE GOAL", which I will reveal later.

Though there were times we had been ridiculed as being Kuripot (stingy),well, it's ALRIGHT because we believe we're just doing right, with our HARD-EARNED money.

I may sound braggy, but we could afford Android phone or tablet with CASH, not CREDIT CARD, (which you may have heard a hundred times that we didn't avail). But as I said it can wait until we achieve our ULTIMATE GOAL.

via: http://wirelessretailstores.com/do-people-choose-iphones-or-androids-based-on-the-cool-factor/ via: http://tabtimes.com/tablets

No offense meant, but I always notice some people keep upgrading gadgets just to satisfy their "wants" in the present, or maybe just to impress others, or to level with their peers. Your personal motive I don't care but just ensure to  know your Wants from Needs.

Upgrading is not only true with gadgets, also true  with other "Lifestyles" that may have harmed your SAVINGS,  intended for the future.

I must admit there were a lot of times I had been drooling of these stuff.

via; http://interiorsbystudiom.com/shop-for-shoes-shop-shoes-jill-zaleski/ http://rap.genius.com/Xv-i-dont-like-freestyle-lyrics#note-1492995 http://www.marmarisnow.com/place/safi-store-marmaris/

And these - House Decorations


Gadgets I can ignore, but this girly-girly thing is something hard to resist. The more I see them, the more they become irresistible. Every time we went to mall for groceries, I was tempted to stop by at dress shops or shoes stalls, but there's something nagging at the back of my mind, reminding me "IMPORTANT GOAL FIRST".
What I am implying is all about delaying short-term gratifications.

The main reason why we delay our short-term gratifications by not buying updated cellphones for example, is because we have to hit our target - fully pay our housing loan in five years time. Let me share you a brief story.

Last 2010, we availed a 120-square-meter house via PAGIBIG housing loan program, payable for 30 years for 5,620 pesos monthly.

What concerned me was in that length of time, many unpredictable events could possibly happen. What if my husband would lost his job since home-based job is unpredictable too. Or we may get broke due to any unexpected circumstances.

This concern had led us to think of ways how to shorten our payment terms. Instead of 30 years, we paid the principal amount (original price of the house) slowly, aside from monthly amortization, to lower the interest and number of years.

And finally, just last week, we already hit our target. After five years of belt-tightening and delayed-gratifications, it yields a fruitful result. A REWARD FOR A LIFETIME.



Since we completely settled our debt in PAG-IBIG,  I could already upgrade my old and cranky phone. (of course husband too, wink...) Yay!

And before I close this topic, I'd like to share this enlightening verse to help us attain our dreams.

via: http://workingwomenoffaith.com/dont-quit-you-will-reap-what-youve-planted/

If you want to know our secret how we handle our money? Please read this post.

Thanks for reading!

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Sounds like a joke but that is not literally my age. I mean I am already 3 years old plus in the virtual world, working as a Virtual Assistant (but my employer insists I am a Webmaster), which is obviously unrelated to my finished course, TEACHING.  I didn't rejoice mainly because I've gone this far, I rejoiced because I survived for over three years working outside my comfort zone.

I still remembered the exact date, July 27, 2011, the day I was hired as a webmaster (kuno! hehe). Ma'am Cathy from Texas (my employer now) who first spotted my resume at onlinejobs.ph, emailed me that she was looking for someone who could work for her as a content writer. I might be a good candidate for the position since she found my personal blog (my old blog checkmath.net) impressive, she added.

"My writing? impressive? really?,  a series of questions I muttered as my initial reaction to her email. To be honest, I am still struggling yet striving to be a good one. Technically,  I still lack of know-how on how to be an effective and persuasive writer, even sometimes I find my grammar erroneous.

And so I emailed back and confessed, "I am not a competent writer,  but I could help you manage your online-business websites since I had been doing some projects in the past using WordPress" (me oozing with guts). After exchanging of multiple emails and chats, and agreeing of the salary and work hours, she finally hired me as a Webmaster.

For three years and 3 months to be exact,  I continue working cheerfully and comfortably in our home with flexible hours for as long as I meet five hours a day, which gave me the freedom to raise my little girl by myself. I praised God for giving me this rarest opportunity, and by His grace I strive to live the fruits of the spirit towards my career ( Galatians 5:22-23 ).

- to become a FAITHFUL employee;

- to show more PATIENCE towards my job - whether easy or complex; whether relax or tedious; (I know I have to work more on this.)

- to accept with a JOYFUL HEART no matter what job brings - whether there is a salary increase or not; whether there is an urgent task that needs to be done beyond my work hours.

- to practice SELF-CONTROL by not surfing the net unrelated to work such as Facebooking, etc; (I have been training myself to do away from Facebook during work hours (unless Ma'am Cathy would tell me "Today is a quiet and easy day; Take the rest of the day off; ") but I have to spank more my butt to discipline myself. hehe..)

- to maintain my GENTLENESS, KINDNESS, and LOVE towards my employer by respecting her suggestions and opinions during our work-collaboration; by using gentle and encouraging words during our chats and emails online.

- Lastly, if I'll  constantly practice all of the fruits of spirit above, I would get a fruit salad of PEACE  - peace of mind and a peaceful life, as tranquil as a lake.

via: kezi.wordpress.com/poetries-potpourri-of-favorites/fruit-of-the-spirit/

I often experienced mothers of older kids telling me that they potty-trained their kids as young as possible because they wanted to cut down their monthly expenses from buying diapers.

I love the thought either - to cut down the expenses - because as a stingy mom, I also want to save extra pesos.

Well, who doesn't want?

Apart from saving pesos , Chesska is getting older already,  and it looks odd seeing her grow, still wearing a diaper - seems as her permanent undies already.

So here are my true-to-life stories on how I got Chesska to graduate from diapering at day time. (Night time will be sooner. hehe)

1. The "No, No" stage.

I bought the potty long before Chesska turned 2 years old. And she was just potty-trained a month ago (she turned 2 years and 7 months then). In the first four months (but not on a daily basis) right after I bought the potty, Chesska refused to use the potty despite everything I've done. The moment I accompanied her to go near the potty, she would cry "No, No". I sat on the potty myself with the best facial expression I could show as if I were peeing and pooping.  I put Teddy Bear, Mickey Mouse, and other stuff toys, too,  just to convince her to go near the potty and sit there if she's about to pee and poop. But nothing worked!



Later I realized I might have caused her stress because there were times she would cry if I insisted her to go near the potty.

If she could only speak, she would probably say this.

Don't expect me to use the potty in an instant way, ok?

2.  Getting to know "Ms. Potty", first.

After persuading-Chesska period, still, she didn't give up to refuse.  Like any other toddlers, Chesska is a kind of tot whom you cannot force if she really doesn't want to. So as to end the war between us,  I became lenient of the training for a few months. I came to realize Chesska is not a military, she's still a toddler after all.

So she was happily playing with the potty as if it were her toy. She would use it as a chair, or she would detach some parts,  or she would use it as a ladder when she wanted to pull up books from the shelf. But I never failed to remind her that the potty is used for pooping and peeing.

Until she saw pictures of potty and toilet bowl in one of her books, I seized the chance story-telling her, "it is a small potty where Chesska poops and pees , and here is the big potty (pointing to toilet bowl) where mama and papa poops".  So every morning, I let her see again the pictures and I kept saying those over and over until it would inject in her mind the use of potty.

3.  Wear undies at day time.

Chesska already dislikes "DIRT". For example, she whines hysterically if she gets dirty or wet,  or when she accidentally spills choco-drink to her clothes. The same is true by letting her wear undies instead of a diaper for a week or so, during day time so she would know how it feels when wet or soiled from urine and  poops respectively. Though I had to sacrifice a bit from washing the stinky undies.

4. I should have waited until she could follow simple instructions.

The main reason why I couldn't get her use the potty was simply because she couldn't yet follow instructions. She could even hardly utter words as well (Chesska was 2 years old then to be exact) by the time I began potty-training her.

However by the time she was able to follow instructions, like when husband and I would ask "Chesska, pick up your toys ", "let's take a bath",  "go to sleep",  "drink your milk", it seems like other things like "potty training" in particular, happened as fast as the other routine she did.

5. Potty-training: The success

Potty training successfully happens right after she can follow simple instructions.  In fairness to her, in just 2-3 weeks of serious potty-training, (well I won't consider the previous months serious due to misunderstanding between Chesska and I. hehe ), I already got Chesska to sit on the potty.

In fact, I am very pleased to hear her say "Ma, weewee (pee), or popoo (poop),   or she could even manage to hold her pee (while holding hers) and run into the potty and sit herself. Though, there was a single instance where she accidentally withdrew a little poop on her undies (hehe) before she was able to sit on the potty. But since we are still in a "practice period", that's still acceptable, anyway. It has been said "Constant Practice Makes Perfect".

At the end of potty-training, and as a teacher and a mom myself, I've learned two things:

First:


 And second:



Thanks for reading and enjoy your day.

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