I Wouldn't Use These As Children's Room Decor

Remember I want to redecorate our children's bedroom? Well, while I was swirling kids' room looks in my head, I thought of the idea to paint the walls with nursery rhymes or songs characters. Wouldn't that be cute? Hand-drawn and hand-painted Mary and her little lamb, little stars twinkling near the ceiling, and London bridge falling down. WAIT! That doesn't look right. In fact, it seems to be a negative thing to draw. And my children could be forever asking me why that bridge is falling.

My kids have a CD of children songs that we listen to in the car and there were ones whose lyrics seem a bit disturbing. Like this particular song:

Throw someone down the stairs?

Oh, such unfortunate events!

I used to wonder why songs that are supposedly for children, would  be violent or depressing in nature. The reason for that is explained in this post.

Lately, my 5-year-old daughter kept singing the song Oh My Darling, Clementine. She probably learned it in school. Upon researching (read: googling) the words to the song, we discovered that it's a super sad song! The lyrics below are from this source:

“Oh my darling, oh my darling,

My darling Clementine,

You are lost for me forever,

Dreadful sorry, Clementine.

Drove she ducklings to the water

Ev’ry morning just at nine,

Hit her foot against a splinter,

Fell into the foaming brine.

Ruby lips above the water,

Blowing bubbles soft and fine,

But alas, I was no swimmer,

Neither was my Clementine.

In a churchyard near the canyon,

Where the myrtle doth entwine,

There grow rosies and some posies,

Fertilized by Clementine.”

I don't know if I would let my children sing these songs still. But, even with seemingly harmless songs like these, I think parental discretion is needed. I am not sure if there's some research on that, but exposing the kids too much to these nursery rhymes might have a negative psychological impact. Who knows? I am glad I could sing wonderful Christian songs to them instead.

Bankruptcy?

bank·rupt
/'baNGk,rәpt, -rәpt/'bæŋkrәpt/
▶adj.
1 (of a person or organization) declared in law unable to pay outstanding debts:
the company was declared bankrupt |
his father went bankrupt and the family had to sell their home .
■impoverished or depleted:
a bankrupt country with no natural resources.
2 completely lacking in a particular quality or value:
their cause is morally bankrupt.
▶n.
a person judged by a court to be insolvent, whose property is taken and disposed of for the benefit of creditors.
▶v. [with obj.]
reduce (a person or organization) to bankruptcy:
the strike nearly bankrupted the union.
– origin
mid 16th cent.: from Italian banca rotta ‘broken bench,’ from banca (see bank(2)) and rompere ‘to break.’ The change in the ending was due to association with Latin rupt- ‘broken.’
New Oxford American Dictionary © 2010 Oxford University Press

As consumer debt has skyrocketed to over $3 Trillion, many believe the only way out from under the mountain of bills is to declare bankruptcy. But is it right for you? Many myths persist to misinform the public.

“Probably the worst myth about bankruptcy is that you need to be flat broke before you should file,” says Sacramento bankruptcy attorney Gerald B. Glazer. “It is not good to wait until creditors are knocking on your door,” according to Glazer. Planning can prepare you for a bankruptcy that causes the least amount of financial disruption.

I hope nobody I know needs to file for bankruptcy!

Giveaway Dismay

Giveaways are supposed to be fun and apart from driving traffic to the hosts' website/blog, it should foster camaraderie among bloggers or people in the niche the hosts are reaching out to. I like joining giveaways with prizes that I think I, and especially my kids, could use and be happy about. I am thankful to the bloggers who are generous and are clear with their giveaway rules, especially how the winners will receive their prizes.

My latest giveaway winning experience was not a super pleasant one. 

I received an e-mail from the host that I won the diaper bag. I was excited because it was a welcome need although we have already purchased one the day before I knew of the news. This was for my baby boy. The prize would then be kept for our upcoming third baby. 

Although the rules did not state that winners would need to claim the prizes in person, I was set to meet up with the blogger at an event. And I was to meet with the sponsor even. I was a little nervous because I have never met a certified blogger. Then, she contacted me and told me that my prize will be sent via courier to me because she wouldn't be able to attend the event. I was asked for my address. 

I hoped she had taken note of my real name as I have already stated it in the comment section of her blog as part of the requirement. But, because she used my e-mail address as my name, the prize needed to be sent again since the people who answer the door were not familiar with my e-mail address. One sad part was that I had to shoulder the courier charge.

Another sad part was that the prize I was promised was not the item delivered. If we haven't already bought the diaper bag for my 2nd baby, then we would be wasting another trip to the mall. 

I was disappointed with this incident.

Ho-hum Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

My hubby Rix, his friends, the kids and I left at around 1 am last Sunday for the final installment of the 2011 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. I think I was sleepwalking towards the car, with baby in arms! We arrived at around 3:30 am (with a stop over) and were surprised to see the parking lot almost full. Did the other people camp there or something?

Sea of people

So, while it was dark and cold, we sauntered towards the grounds. Rix found a spot near the fence dividing the spectators from the hot air balloons and there we waited. While the balloonists were setting up their stuff, a booming voice was welcoming us, listing down the day's events and providing info on hot air balloons. Paragliders also graced the sky and towards the end of the National Anthem, one of them glided past with the Philippine flag.

Wheeeee!

Mountain/volcano in the background

More Space Needed!!!

Lately, I can't help but scratch my head and be frustrated about my files in our computer and in my laptop. They are so disorganized! I hope there is somewhere I can throw in ALL my files and not worry about losing space. Somewhere I can clean up, label and arrange my files into neat folders when I have the time. I think I need a 500gb hard drive here. Would that be asking too much?

The same goes with our house. I think I am the most cluttered mommy EVER!!! It makes my mind reel when I think of all that must be done, must be cleaned out of our chaotic home. So that I could free up some space and set up a proper room for my daughter. 

Does anyone feel the way I do?

My "Nightmare" Before Christmas

Ah, next week is Christmas already. So fast. I am a bit anxious as I have not finished what I needed to do yet. *almost panic mode*

What can I say about this holiday season? Christmas brings out the best in people. They are kinder, more patient, more generous, they smile more often. I hope this lasts the whole year through, though. Christmas also brings out the worst in people. Counterfeit money are being produced, and more robbers prowl the streets. I fell victim to two of them a few days ago. It was a scary experience, thank God they just wanted my bag and they didn't stab me. I lost my cellular phone, home keys and a couple of ID cards. Good thing my ID cards don't have my residential address. On top of my Christmas tasks, I also have to replace those ID cards. *sigh*

I was afraid I'll dream of the scary robbery scene when I go to sleep. At that time, I was reading the Twilight Saga. I don't know why, but I dreamed of Jacob (but I haven't seen New Moon yet!) instead. So weird! I guess the book had me distracted, I'm thankful for that. But there are times I stare off into space and the images come to my mind's eyes. I had to shake them off. I am sure I won't be going to that place alone anymore.

Anyway, since my cellular phone "died", but not of a natural death, my dear hubby bought me a new one. I am so glad! This is my very first official Christmas gift.

I don't want to get sick..., there!

When I was in college, I had a design class which touched upon the subject of hospital design.

The trend in hospital design at present is its similarity with hotel design. The comfort of the clients and their accessibility is at the top of the mind. The aim is to improve the relationship between doctors and patients. Those that are in need of medical attention need not be intimidated by the hospital's environment. Designers and hospital personnel now believe that the overall design and feel of the hospital contribute to the patients' health improvement. Gone are the harsh daylight fluorescent lamps in the lobby, which are replaced by warm light. Texture and color are being introduced in the areas. Mood lighting is being used in the private rooms and some hospitals have a birthing room for those who want to be with their family as they give birth to the latest addition.

My classmates presented arguments on this. As hospitals are now claiming to be people-friendly, won't patients be encouraged to stay there as long as they want? Would they have the desire to get well? I wonder, can a person be admitted even if they don't have any ailment? If yes, a hospital can very well be a hotel, too!

I know of one hospital that doesn't want its patients to stay, though. I don't mean to be admitted there or be rushed to its ER so often, but aside from its old-fashioned interiors, the health care service they provide are going from bad to worse, in hubby's and my opinions.

• Most of the doctors there are competitive, but some doctors and nurses don't seem to care for what the patients or their guardians say or feel.
• They just relay to us what they have been told and when asked questions, they couldn't seem to give a satisfying answer.
• There is a significant increase in the number of students who are interning at the hospital. When they come to check the blood pressure, the temperature or when they accompany a doctor, they don't even introduce themselves as interns or the doctors don't even tell us that with them are students who are there to observe.
• The last time my daughter was admitted, we were charged for some stuff that we didn't even get to use.
• The radiology and some department personnel seems to be loaded with problems, the people behind the desks are always scowling and unfriendly.

If it weren't for the doctors and its budget-friendly prices, I wouldn't be doing business with them. If I were to undergo my gall bladder removal operation, it looks like I will be having it there. I will try to ask the doctor if I could have it elsewhere. Is that even possible?

I was robbed!

Normally, I wouldn't take a cab. I only do when I would go home a bit late from a girls' night out, and with one of them, who lives near my area, in tow. I am afraid that the driver will suddenly wield a weapon at me and demand for my bag, or take me somewhere isolated, or that outside thieves would open the car doors and rob me and the driver.

Yesterday, I took a bus to Trinoma because I needed to buy a birthday gift, Pampers and Cerelac. Also, I was looking for a pencil case-like holder for Elhaym's toothbrush. I got tired from all the walking and going up and down floors of the department store. After I bought take-out KFC chicken for our dinner, I went out to wait for a cab at the taxi stand. The security guard hailed one for me. When I said Caloocan, the driver replied that it's far (which I believe is not) and that I need to add 30 pesos to the meter price. I didn't argue and I know I should have told him to stop the car, get out and take another cab, but I guess I'm just stupid/lazy like that. Thoughts were playing in my mind. What if I don't pay him when I get to my destination? Or what if I declare that all I have is this much? Either way, I was afraid he'd point a gun or knife at me, he'd even take my cellphone if I say I don't have enough money. I thought that he had already doubled the flag down rate, when I arrived outside our gate, the meter read 185 pesos. I said, "That's so expensive!" as I was handing him the payment, he replied that it's far and that I still lack the additional 30 pesos. I was aghast! I didn't even take down the cab's name and plate number, how foolish of me! (slap on the forehead)

Even though he didn't take a knife to my throat, I still felt that I was robbed. I hope that the Lord will vindicate me and teach that driver a lesson in Karma, like his car breaking down or he'll be shifted to being a sidewalk vendor for life.

Confession: 7 things

Would you think I'm corny if I say I am sort of a fan of Miley Cyrus? And that the melody of her latest song, 7 things, keeps playing in my head, like an LSS (Last Song Syndrome)? I also watch her TV show Hannah Montana when I get to catch it. It's funny, she's funny. I feel like a child for liking her, and liking shows like Totally Spies, Kim Possible, Pocoyo (and his friends Pato and Ely), and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (*sings "M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!").

The 7 things I hate about you
You're vain, your games, you're insecure
You love me, you like her
You make me laugh, you make me cry
I don't know which side to buy
Your friends they're jerks
When you act like them, just know it hurts
I wanna be with the one I know
And the 7th thing I hate the most that you do
You make me love you

And compared to all the great things
That would take too long to write
I probably should mention
The 7 that I like

The 7 things I like about you
Your hair, your eyes, your old Levi's
And when we kiss, I'm hypnotized
You make me laugh, you make me cry
But I guess that's both I'll have to buy
Your hand in mine
When we're intertwined everything's alright
I want to be
With the one I know
And the 7th thing I like the most that you do
You make me love you
You do (oh)

Oh, and I need to get this off my chest.
7 things I hate about "her"(not Miley Cyrus), and more:

1. Conversation with her is 1-way, she does all the talking
2. What comes out of her mouth is mostly complaints
3. She's also a nagger
4. She's bossy and expects others to meet her wants
   
5. And discriminative
   
6. And demanding
7. She thinks she's all that

Woohoo! There's a whole lot more I'd like to list down, but she's not worth every inch of my blog.