Bible Stories Book for Kids (and Adults, too)

interesting to read inside out

My youngest daughter is now interested in reading stories and lately on Bible stories.  She's beginning to ask me to tell her these stories which I can only narrate a few.

Make-up Brush Guard ( A must!)

Lately, I'm being addicted to online shopping.  How lovely it is to find items that were not commonly found in malls!  Isn't it great to do your shopping without leaving your home?  How lovely it is to find items that were not commonly found in malls!  Beware though, you must know how to control thyself from execessive shopping.

the variety pack for Php 250.00 (6 pcs.) - enough for my few brushes 

Lessons Learned from Discount Vouchers

As moms, we are always on the look-out for sale, discounts and promos.  Imagine my excitement upon learning discount vouchers being offered online.

While surfing the net last year, I stumbled upon Metrodeal's offer for Cheesecake Factory’s 10^th year anniversary promo – 50% off on best seller cheese cakes!  Isn’t that great???  I checked on the branches’ locations and there is one in Tomas Morato (convenient for me).

Imagine my disappointment when I went to Tomas Morato branch to learn that I still need to call and reserve for a cake.  I was supposed to have this cake on Apol’s 11^th birthday.  No choice, so I went to Red Ribbon for my back-up plan.  It was my fault anyway for not making a reservation.

Then after two weeks, I called to claim my vouchers since I have two and still haven’t used any.  I’m dying to eat a cheesecake!  I got my second disappointment.  I learned that there is a branch assigned for each voucher.  Unfortunately, mine is in Glorietta!  WTF!!!  This is really frustrating already.  I seldom go to Makati since it’s very far from home and the office.  I only go there for a company visit, with free service of course!

With these mishaps, I was not able to use my discount vouchers since it's so incovenient for me to go to Makati.  That is Php1,200.00 loss for me.

This is not the first time that I was disappointed with discount vouchers. First was with Dezzato Moichi restaurant.  I bought 5 vouchers for my birthday.  I’ve checked the photos online and found the ambiance and food appealing.  But to our surprise, the food doesn’t taste good.  It was a bad way of celebrating my birthday.  My kids even complain of not being satisfied with the food (until now, when they remember that event).

Today, I saw my Citibank billing statement and found out that they charged me additional Php 250.00 (as  a service fee) for items amounting to Php398.00 that I availed through Ensogo.  It turned out, I only had a discount of around 10-20% instead of supposedly 50%. 


Are discount vouchers not good?  Not really, you just have to be aware of the fine prints.

To avoid this from happening again, here are my tips (based on my own (not-so-good) experience):

• Be sure to read very well all the policies and details incorporated on the offer.
• Check very well the locations where you can claim the voucher.
• Be sure that the restaurant, brand or any establishment that offers the discount is well known.  At least you knew what to expect.
• Check the validity period.
• Think 1000x before buying travel vouchers since you can only claim the plane tickets when there is a promo and available seats.
• Check with your credit card provider; if there are service fees for every online transactions made.
• Have self-control in availing the offers.  You might not really need the offers anyway.

Discount vouchers can give us big savings, but we have to be aware of all the terms and conditions and consequences before availing one.  You might end up paying more.

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www.ensogo.com.ph

http://metrodeal.com.ph

www.cashcashpinoy.com

Into the Deep (My 4th Intro Dive)

Chasing Nemo

I had apprehentions in doing this for the 4th time since I had a traumatic experience on my last dive.  That was also in Batangas.  At that time, there is a strong underwater current so it was hard for me to be still  and breath properly. I was gasping for my breath and my mask is being penetrated with water.  I was not able to complete the alloted time and fear has defeated me already.  So there's no choice but to go up and surrender.

But I have to conquer that fear.  And this is one opportunity that should not be missed.  So off to my 4th intro dive. First step is signing a waiver.  Sabi nga ni chyng (www.chyngreyes.com) - "malakas ang loob ng may insurance".

Finding Peace in Mabini, Batangas

Keeping up with the daily needs of life can leave one's body and mind exhausted.  With my unforgiving body now (blame it on the age!), a weekend getaway is a pure bliss.  And blessings come in unexpected moments. 



tranquility...

Israel Trip: Dining in Tel Aviv

The only words I can describe dining in Tel Aviv - healthy, bland and expensive.  This is not the place for my gastronomic treat.  I think I lost some pounds during my stay here (but doubled when I returned home...or maybe I'm just dreaming...haist!).  Most of their foods are either grilled or eaten raw.  Another thing I noticed, they are served in huge proportions; to think that Israelis have great bodies.  Where do they put them????

-Day 1 Dinner-

We dined in a hamburger joint along the shore.  I'm overwhelmed with the servings.  The burger looked small in the picture though.


I was able to finish only half on this plate...

The shakes and drinks are huge as well.  The shake is more than enough to fill my hungry stomach.  This humburger meal alone costs around 100NIS, that is Php 1,300.00.  Fortunately, all our meals were shouldered by our host company.