The Bourne Legacy

The buzz about shooting 40% of this movie in the Philippines is enough to entice the whole Filipino nations including yours truly. The Bourne Legacy is a spin-off from the Bourne movies - The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. I've never watch any of those so I downloaded them last Friday and over the weekend I got to watched them. And I must say I am impress! I like the story, the action scenes, and I think I fall in love with Matt Damon who plays the role of "Jason Bourne" after watching it! Good Brilliant actor and I want  to marry him. LOL. Jason Bourne was a CIA assassin. They were trained to kill. I love the whole espionage, the chasing, how he escapes from the villains, and the twist and turn of the story. I prefer movies with mystery and secrecy involve especially when it includes government agencies like CIA, NSA, FBI and national security. This film is based on the novel written by Robert Ludlum. Now, how does The Bourne Legacy fit in the story?

The Bourne Legacy is a completely original screenplay. A story about another CIA agent Aaron Cross (who was portrayed by Jeremy Renner). No Matt Damon for me in this movie, huhu. As I read it, the premise of the film seems to be that the bad guys want to wipe out all the genetically modified killers that could lead to Jason Bourne-type disasters. This forces Aaron Cross to run for it and I guess that leads to the scenes shot in Manila. The movie will be shown on August 3 and I hope I can watch it in the cinema (or I can wait for a few weeks and download it). Here's the trailer and the jeepney chase is one scene I am excited for: 

Think Before You Drink

One of my New Year's resolution is have a healthier lifestyle. If you think that's easy, think again! It's hard when you're accustom to eating junk foods, and greasy meals, and my weakness - softdrinks and artificial juices. I am failing big time with self-control. I've been sober (from softdrinks) for a while, meaning H₂O only. But BAM! after I tutored 3 students today, I was so thirsty I drank a bottle of Sprite straight up. I couldn't help it. I thought I can continue soda-free for at least a month but I am really having a hard time.

I found the photo above in FB and I felt more guilty than ever! See the sugar below the drinks? Yup that's approximately how much sugar we take when we sip these drinks. How about those brands of beverages that is not shown here? Well, it's easy to know their sugar content. Check the nutrition facts label on the can, bottle or carton. All of the nutrients in a drink are listed on the container by the manufacturer. Look for the sugar label and the digits you see there is the amount of sugar it contains. For example, a 12 oz can of Coca Cola contains 39 g. of sugar. Basically, the larger the numbers are, the more sugar it has. To make a better perspective, here are the presentation of the sugar:

12 oz (355 ml) Can Sugars, total: 39g Calories, total: 140 Calories from sugar: 140

20 oz (590 ml) Bottle Sugars, total: 65g Calories, total: 240 Calories from sugar: 240

1 Liter (34 oz) Bottle Sugars, total: 108g Calories, total: 400 Calories from sugar: 400

Check more images here: sugarstacks

Actually, we need sugar in our daily lives. Sugar, also known as Carbohydrates, gives our body enough energy to keep us active all day long. Certain organs, such as the brain, literally require carbohydrates in order to function properly. On the other hand, when we take TOO much sugar the effects are diseases like diabetes, or heart attack or being overweight. The possibilities are endless. The lesson here I guess is taking sugar in moderation and having them in a natural way! Instead of drinking softdrinks or other beverages, why not drink mango shake or buko shake? Or if you can, stick on drinking water. And have it at least 8 glasses in a day. Hehe. Now I sound like a healthy buff. If only, it's easy as it sounds. :(

After all these informations and illustrations, I will do ALL my power to stay away from unhealthy foods and drinks. God, help me!

Humility

I'm sure the whole world knows about "Bradley-Pacquiao" boxing match last Sunday, 06102012. I didn't watch the fight because I am not really a sporty kind of girl. I don't need to witness it, just want to hear the news who won. So when my sister announced Pacquiao loss, my first thought was: "That was a first!"

Yes, I thought a man like Pacman would never be defeated. And my reaction was somehow sad, I feel devastated. If I and most Filipinos feel this way, how much more Manny Pacquiao himself? But when he was interviewed after the fight, he was cool about it and respect the judges decision. WOW! Now that's what I call humility.

Humility is such a strong word for me. It's so hard to stay humble when you're on top. Or when you know you are better than other people. When you know you possess things that others do not have. We think high of ourselves. We want to be noticed, to be prominent, to be in the limelight rather than on the sidelines. Humility is lost somewhere within our selfish hearts. :(

I know right! LOL. I am a victim of my own selfishness and "I am too good for this" mentality. It's easier to brag and show off when you think you are good at doing something.Wrong wrong wrong. The true meaning of humility is learning to be content when others are elevated above ourselves. Learning to rejoice when someone else is preferred over us, and giving credits to others without insisting on getting it all for ourselves.

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 114th Independence Day Philippines! Just a quick brush up in history. We were colonized and ruled by Spaniards for 333 years. It was a dark period for our country. The inequality, the discrimination, the cruelty, and the abuse that our ancestors experienced in the Spanish time. Then we became a US property for 48 years. The US acquired the Philippines from the Spain in 1898 after the Spanish-American War. Then during the World War I, Philippines suffer 3 brutal years in the hands of the Japanese. When the war broke between Japan and America, Japan invaded our country because it is a perfect strategic location for their military base. US troops we're defeated and Gen. MacArthur flee but somehow made a promise that "I shall return!" And he did! Then the US soldiers fought the Japanese and  almost destroyed their entire fleet. The Americans occupies the Philippines for another one year and then finally on July 4, 1946 the Republic of the Philippines is declared. But according to our 9th President, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, July 4 holds less inspiration for the Filipinos. He believes that the June 12, 1898 declaration (during Spanish era) of the Philippine independence by General Emilio Aguinaldo brings to memory the heroes of the revolution and therefore, Philippine independence is best commemorated in honor of the Filipino revolutionary heroes.Hence, President Macapagal changed the date of celebration of the Philippine independence from July 4 to June 12, which the Filipinos celebrate each year up to this time.

Present Day. After 384 years of being a slave of foreign countries, we're a free country now. Let us not waste this privilege that is bestowed upon us. But let us not forget that freedom comes with responsibility. Freedom to do what is right. Freedom to help the one another. And freedom to reach out to everybody!

Thank You to all who fought and still fighting for our freedom!

Unexpected Shopping Spree

Last Saturday, around 12:00 noon, the electricity were cut off from our whole town! You can't imagine how mad we all are with the scorching heat, and the water shortage and the absence of television. I don't like brownouts. I can't live without the comfort of electronics. So before, we turn wild, we decided to head off to the nearest mall which is in another town. (Please Mr. Henry Sy build an SM Malolos!) That means another leisure time for the little son and another shopping spree for the little girl (a.k.a. ME!) Well, I tried my very best to buy only things that are on-sale and low-priced. And I succeeded! Here's what I bought:

Books from Booksale and my new bookmark

I really think I should get back to serious reading. My reading materials are all about parenting nowadays and I just like to read normal novels. :p I have a complete set of Sidney Sheldon's novels and after collecting all of them, I am looking for other authors. I tried one Nicholas Spark's which is "At First Sight" but I guess I am more into suspense and mystery stories. I found this book "The Rainmaker" by John Grisham priced below P100. I don't know if I will like it or not but I'll blog about it when I am finished reading it. I decided I will have a Book of the Month entry here to force myself to read again! No more excuses!

Can you guess what are these yummy looking tiny things? 

They are eraser! Yes, I am reserving them for Christmas! Or maybe I'll just collect them. Very cute and very affordable. Priced at P50 per box and the box contains 6 pieces of erasers. I bought 3 boxes. Looking at them makes me hungry! Lol.

Cowboy hat

I think this is a steal at P88. And I bought it so I can have a costume for Halloween party this year. Ooops did I say Halloween when we are only in the month of June? Lol! My son also has a costume ready in my mind too! (Spell EXCITED!)

Kato Lychee Juice with Nata de Coco

Saw this at a Japan Home Plus store. I wanna tried it and the taste is fine. Refreshing and not the usual drinks. There are three different flavors but I only bought 1. Maybe next time I can try the others too.

That's how I spend my money last time. My hard earned money I must add. I think I spent it wisely this time. Which is what we all must do when we are confronted by an unexpected shopping spree! Have a good night!

Hollywood Make Over

For the past days, I've been gazing at my sister's super straight hair. She recently had her hair rebonded. How beautiful and neat she looks now! They always say that a hair is a girl's crowning glory. Hair can make or break your look and in my case, it always give me a bad hair day! It's just that I have wavy hair and if not for my Hair Relax session every 6 months, my hair could be worse. I will try Hair Rebond, just like my sister in the near future. But right now, I'll have a virtual "Hollywood" makeover at InStyle.com website. It's a cool application where you can choose whose actress hairdo you want to try on yourself. You can do your makeups too!

Long hair like Sandra Bullock

Short hairdo like Rihanna

A bob cut like Katie Holmes

Medium length blond hair like Jennifer Aniston

Long hair with bangs like Vanessa Hudgens

How about a colorful mane like Katy Perry?

or a super curly hair like Jennifer Lopez?

I think this is the look I like the best. Medium length, color brown, kind of wavy look inspired by Reese Witherspoon. I look good in wavy hair after all. Maybe I just need to style my natural hair to achieve a look like this! :)

TRY yours too!

Speech Delays

While some of my friends were busy uploading videos of their babies talking, I was busy uploading my son's dance skills videos. It's because my son doesn't really talk that much yet. He only speak few words. At first, we are worried for him. Some babies talk as early as 12 months or less. As I consult it to his pedia, the doctor said it is normal for some kids to have speech delay. But being a thorough mother, I want to check the signs if my son's development are still acceptable or do I need to be concerned? I need reassurance. This is what I found in my Smart Parenting Book Guide. Read this:


A speech delay is basically a communication disorder among children who fail to converse properly when compared with other children of the same age. The cause may be because the child is busy learning other skills or she does not get much attention on her speech. Poor balanced diet and emotional stress may also contribute to speech delay. Those children whose parents are abusive are likely to have speech delay, mainly due to lack of communication. At times, physical causes such as mental retardation also lead to speech delay.
Remember that just like other areas of development, a child develops verbally at her own pace. Some toddlers can already point out their body parts before they walk, others not well into their second year. Whatever the case, be patient; as long as you are exposing her to talking, then you just have to sit back and let nature take its course.
However, according to BabyCenter, bring her to your pediatrician if:

At 12 months, he/she:

• doesn't use gestures such as waving or shaking her head
• isn't participating using at least a couple of consonants (p, b, etc.)
• isn't somehow communicating to you when she needs help with something

At 15 months, he/she:

• doesn't understand and respond to words such as "no" and "bye-bye"
• can't say at least one to three words
• doesn't say "mama" or "dada"

At 16 months, he/she:

• doesn't point to body parts when asked

At 18 months, he/she:

• isn't saying at least six to ten words

At 19 to 20 months, he/she:

• isn't pointing out things of interest, such as a bird or an airplane overhead
• isn't making at least six consonant sounds

At 21 months, he/she:

• doesn't respond to simple directions
• doesn't play pretend with her toys or herself (brushing her hair, feeding her stuffed toy, etc.)

At 24 months, he/she:

• doesn't imitate actions or words of others
• can't point to named pictures in a book
• can't join two words together
• doesn't know the function of common household objects - toothbrush, telephone, fork, etc.

At 26 months, he/she:

• uses no two-word simple sentences

At 30 months, he/she:

• can't name at least three body parts
• can't be understood by anyone in her family

At 32 months, he/she:

• has difficulty singing fragments of nursery rhymes

At 36 months, he/she:

• doesn't ask questions
• can't be understood by strangers at least half the time
• is unable to articulate initial consonants (for example, says "all" instead of "ball")
• is unable to name most common household objects

SOURCE: The Smart Mom's Guide To The Toddler Years (13 to 36 months)

♥♥♥♥♥

My son is in his 20th month. As I see it, there's no need for me to be alarmed. He can point to things and he knows his body parts. He understand words and has a connecting actions with it. His diet may be causing all these because he still has poor appetite. He is now officially a picky eater at this stage. Sigh. I have to find a way for him to eat more! I know growth and development differ from one kid to another.I know my son will talk in his own sweet time. But I'll keep this pointers in mind.

Close your mouth and OPEN your arms!

In other words, stop nagging and just hug your child when they are in trouble or have problems. And you will get a positive response from your kid. It works for me and my son. :)

Brigada Eskwela 2012

Last May 21-26, 2012, the annual Brigada Eskwela was launched by the Department of Education (DEPED). It  aims to engage participation from the community to help clean and make the school ready for the opening of the classes this June 4. I accompany my sister this morning to help her clean her classroom. It's never too late to participate in Brigada Eskwela, right? We arrange the desks, sweep the floor, remove the dust, and put in order the text books.

After some time, my son and I walk around the school to get some fresh air after cleaning. I was surprise a two-storey classroom is now mightily standing in my old dear school.

Just built last year.

Parents and students are all busy preparing for next week's classes

My sister busy distributing the text books. 

They are new so pupils take good care of your books, ok?

Tomorrow, my son and I will go again to Panasahan Elementary School. We never know when our service would be needed again. Goodnight!