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What Blogging brought me

Sorry Annamanila for the delay of this meme. Reason is that this meme is similar to my talk on Personal Blogging Experience which I gave at Digital Filipino’s Blogging and Social Networking Forum last January. And I didn’t feel like blogging about a similar topic just yet.

I started this blog almost a year ago and Blogging has brought me so much, more than I ever imagined it to be. I feel that writing about it might look like bragging . Yet I believed I just had to share it so you will continue to blog. Who knows what blogging can give you?

The Good things

1. It became a platform for my advocacy

-It inspired bereaved family members to start a blog , a memorial site or read The Compassionate Friends website
-It also inspired women or mothers to start blogging ( I was told)

2. Expanded social and business network.

My main purpose for the blog is my advocacy and not to plug my webhosting business. I mention my business in passing at my ABOUT ME page. Somehow, readers discover and order hosting plans. Business is quite good that I had to close down a fast selling plan. Because of blogging, my social network now encompass new bloggers/friends that share my love for the internet, technology information and blogging. I have very few “offline” friends (save for my siblings) that share my passion for the internet.

3. It brought an Award (I’ve never received an award before) and Magazine , Radio Newspaper and TV interviews.

Thanks to Google and my search engine optimized titles, my blog is often ranked high for certain keywords. Somehow I ‘m contacted for resources on recovery, health, grief, internet related topics.

4. Pride that even if I am not a creative writer, I continue to hone my writing skills through blogging.

Writing is a work in progress for me. I am still learning.

5. It started my [tag]problogging[/tag] career.

Based on the criteria of this blog entry on Top Pinoy Probloggers, I am listed in the Top 10. (and 3rd as an independent blogger)

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Garage Sale

Garage Sale
It was only 7:00 AM as I groped for the time in my cellphone. The maids woke me up from my dreaming mode. A “crowd” was milling by the front gate. Wow that early. This meant that I had to back out my car. A few days ago I plastered “Moving out -[tag]Garage Sale[/tag]” at the bulletin boards outside the 3 gates of the village. I look over at my junk that piled up at the garage. How horrible! Did all that exist in this house? Good riddance. Excited shoppers soon ran inside.

Much as I don’t like this neighborhood, garage sale finds are often interesting especially from “Expats leaving” . There are avid garage sale shoppers over here. It’s probably one reason my own household accumulated so much junk in nine years. Not that I am saying my garbage are of great value.

It’s comforting to know that everyone is still asleep as the neighborhood invades my garage. Family members won’t balk at their precious junk being disposed. Butch still refused to clean up his closet. I will soon invade it , promise. By the end of February, I will have another garage sale for the bigger items. I will be disposing my furniture, refrigerator, dining table and who knows. The cloud walker has to go.

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Marie Claire Magazine Features Country’s Female Bloggers

Marie Claire
Grab the February 2007 issue of [tag]Marie Claire[/tag] Philippines Edition. You will read the article written by Luz Rimban entitled “The Secret Lives of [tag]Pinay Bloggers[/tag]”. I feel so vindicated . Finally , there is an article that I can show to puzzled family members that explains what blogging is or what my online business is all about. An ex sister-in-law once confided to me that certain family members think I do nothing but sit at the computer all day . How can one explain in simple terms that I earn a living online? Maybe the magazine article might help.

Other female bloggers featured are Connie (but of course) , Wysgal, Lori, Chuvaness and myself.

Looking at the photo taken during the second week of December…

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Bo Sanchez interviews some bloggers

interviewbo.jpg
Watch this video interview (Bo’s Daily Reality TV show) of Bo Sanchez with bloggers, Jun , Sorsi Aileen Apollo of Google Philippines and myself, during Saturday’s Blog Parteeh ([tag]blogparteeh07[/tag]) .

onetruelove.jpg In the video, watch as Jun ‘s vision for his blog is to spread the Good News of Jesus to just one blogger who in turn will reach out to another blogger. Imagine how Jun has reached out to Sorsi by recommeding the book, “How to Find your One True Love” by Bo Sanchez. Also in the same video, Sorsi tells Bo how the book made her re-examine her life to the point that she resigned from her current job to one with more responsibilities and leadership. Aileen Apollo discusses that her job at Google was God’s gift to her.

Bo’s site says:

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Blog Parteeh 07 Photos

I was so utterly busy so forgive me for the delay on the Blog Parteeh Aftermath ([tag]blogparteeh07[/tag]). Thanks to the Steering Committee. It was well organized considering we had barely two weeks to put it all together. This means we can really pull a party together in few weeks notice. I heard the next party is on June since there is an Iblog Summit 3 on April 13 and 14.

me and bloggersbo sanchezIMG_4167.jpg

The highlights according to me:

1. I won a Google T-shirt thru the kindess of Aileen Apollo, Google Philippines Country Consultant, which I in turn gave to my husband.

2. My daughter, Lauren finally joined the party but she was sooooo fashionably late. Thanks to her dad. I think she enjoyed
herself much as she thinks that she got stressed out.

3. I had fun even if I was the oldest among the bloggers. Haha! I felt like a Mother Hen making sure the tables, chairs, decors and food were all in place.

4. Abe treated the Steering Committee to coffee after the party.

5. Bo Sanchez interviewed me via a video podcast. Wow!

6. Even with less than two weeks preparation time, the event was quite organized. Kudos to Carlo, the logistics guy in charge. And the Steering Committee:

Read More »Blog Parteeh 07 Photos

Blogger Meet-up at Blog Parteeh! 2007

Being 25 years older than the average aged blogger (who are usually mid twenties), I discovered that my age is meaningless. Enjoying the company of bloggers even makes me feel ageless. It tickles me that I am NOT referred to as MAAM, Ate, Mrs. Dado or respectable titles like that. I am just plain Noemi to bloggers. I get a kick everytime Abe, Gail, Jayvee etc. calls me by my first name. See, I feel old when I am addressed as Maam. I cannot imagine a blogger calling me “Maam”. I’d rather combust. That’s how different I feel when I am among blogger friends.

I am digressing. This post is supposed to promote the next blogger meetup which is the Blog Parteeh! 2007

k-blogparteeh07.gif
The Blog Parteeh! 2007 is the largest blogger meet-up ever organized by bloggers for bloggers. The Steering Committee has worked so hard to organize this event and find sponsors. So, to make the process of joining the event more interesting and spicy with a bit of a buzz, read how you can be part of this parteeh!

What: Blog Parteeh! 2007
When: January 27, 2006 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: View Map
6th Floor (Poolside Area)
Classica Tower 2 Condominium
HV dela Costa St., Salcedo Village,
Makati City 1200

Without gracious sponsors , the party would have not been possible.

Read More »Blogger Meet-up at Blog Parteeh! 2007

Weight Loss Competition

Now that my 10 week [tag]weight management[/tag] program is over, I reflect with a slight disppointment over my [tag]weight loss[/tag]. I expected to lose more than 10 pounds in that 10 week period. I guess my age and the Holidays made it extremely difficult to follow the weight management regimen. I lost a total of 9 pounds. I should be happy but not really. That 9 pounds was my weight gain I needed to lose anyway. I still want to lose 15 more pounds to attain my ideal body mass index. Don’t get me wrong.

The expense of shelving out 7,700 pesos was not wasted. Today, I am able to exercise longer with greater stamina reaching 300 calories an hour unlike before where I only burned 100 calories an hour. Talk about quality exercise this time. That entailed 30 minutes of cycling and 30 minutes of treadmill with a 4.0 gradient and a speed of 5.5 . Even if I am not happy with my weight loss, I am pleased with the exercise benefits. More endorphins makes a happy me. While contemplating the renewal of my contract with Fitness First weight management, I caught sight of the colorful Del Monte Booth by the gym lobby.

Looking closely at the brochure, I became excited.
weightloss1.jpg
The brochure screamed ” Do you want to lose weight and get the BODY you’ve always wanted. I continued on flicking the pages of the brochure of Del Monte’s Fit ‘N Right Challenge …

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Street Dancing Traffic Cop

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Meet Traffic Enforcer Noel Quilatan. Every morning on my way to the gym at The Fort, Taguig City, Noel is a sight to behold amidst the magnificent skyscrapers in the background. His cheery disposition lifts my spirits for the day and revs me up for my daily workout. You will find the Noel at the intersection of Mckinely Road, Makati and 5th ave of the Global City. What makes this traffic enforcer different ? Well for one, his traffic signals are choreographed to his own rhythm. It’s unlike other robotic traffic cops you see waving hand signals here and there. He executes slick dance steps unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Second, his sunny smile beams all day after hours and hours of dancing to the tune of traffic stop and go.

My husband surmises that Noel might be crazy. His reasoning “How can anyone smile all day handling Manila traffic with the tropical heat hitting on you? One has to be crazy to beat all that.” That got me thinking. Is Noel crazy? Or does Noel just have high endorphin levels? Or is he just enjoying his job? And again, I remember a series in Grey’s Anatomy where a woman was found to have high endorphins due to a brain tumor. I brushed my husband’s theory aside. Maybe he is just born with a positive spirit.

Noel is quite popular with the Makati and The Fort residents that he even got featured in Ms. Vicky Morales “Wish ko Lang”, a wish giving show. Surrounded by stuffed toys given by generous motorists, Noel’s wish was to see his mother whom he hadn’t seen in years. Noel could have asked for material gifts but he preferred to be with his mom. With tears streaming down his cheeks, Noel’s wish was granted.

I wish I had taken a video of Noel’s dancing moves . Here are a few photos posted by European websites:
Read More »Street Dancing Traffic Cop

How to tell a Loved One to Stop Smoking

stop150.gifThe first time I puffed a cigarette was when I was 18 years old in utter defiance of an ex-boyfriend who refused to leave me alone. Thinking he’d get turned off with my smoking, I blew smoke into his face. Unfortunately, that didn’t work. He continued to pursue me relentlessly until I met my husband. (having another boyfriend didn’t stop him but that’s another story) The sad thing was I got hooked into cigarettes till my mid-thirties. Until one day….an 8 year old Lauren wrapped her arms around me and begged me “Mom, smoking is bad. I learned in Science class that you could die of lung cancer. I don’t want you to die. I love you mom”

The heart rending plea tugged at my heart. Of course I didn’t want to die. How could I leave my children alone? I looked into Lauren’s imploring eyes “Yes, dear. I will stop smoking“. I kissed her cheeks. I couldn’t stop smoking right away but the thought did occur that I should give this vice up. And I did . It wasn’t hard. In fact, I felt triumphant that I conquered the smoking habit.

Little did I know that 8 years later, a reversal of roles would occur.

Read More »How to tell a Loved One to Stop Smoking

Hearts shoots up at the World Pyro Olympics 2007

world pyro olympics
Imagine eating grilled prawns or even Angus steak amidst sparkling heart-shaped fireworks. Just add wonderful company to that scenario. What a perfect night to watch the World Pyro Olympics between Germany and the United Kingdom. It’s my first time to witness such a grand display of color and lights. The event was even more meaningful when I met up with famous adventurous blogger, Anton , problogger Abe together with Anton’s friends or followers (?) like Tanya, Brian, Ivan, Sam, and I forgot (sorry guys forgive me for my frail memory) at the Highland Steak , SM Mall of Asia. The plan was to take photos at the venue proper but Anton wanted a change of scenery. Dining at the second level where Highland Steak House is located proved to be an advantage. The spectacular view of the World Pyro Olympics was simply amazing. My point and shoot Canon Powershot A710 IS does not do justice to the spectacular fireworks. The captivating colors turned up overly exposed and white. Frustrated at my futile attempts to take great photos , I ended up taking short videos which I uploaded to youtube such as these.

Read More »Hearts shoots up at the World Pyro Olympics 2007

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a mom blogger who advocates constructive engagement in issues on family & society.
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