101 Beautiful Endings with CIF (and a Giveaway!)

About two weeks ago, I was invited by CIF to attend a special Mother's Day event. It was held at ABE at Serendra. The purpose of the event, aside from treating moms for Mother's Day, was to launch CIF's newest campaign called "101 Beautiful Endings with CIF".

It was such a memorable event for me because CIF made sure we had a nice lunch at ABE. They gave away prizes to some participants plus there was a LOT of delicious food. Check this out. These are just some of what we ate that day. Thanks CIF!

Anyway, for those of you who don't know what CIF is. Here's some info. 

CIF Cream is a revolutionary non-scratch surface cleaner that cleans even the most stubborn dirt and grime. It's available in Original, Lemon and also one with Bleach. It can be used not only in the kitchen but also in the bathroom, the living room and even outdoors. In fact, there are 101 ways to use CIF! It's definitely tough cleaning but with minimal effort. It sure does make cleaning the house a lot easier and faster for moms like me. 

During the event, they showed us samples of what types of dirt and grime that CIF can clean. They gave us samples of dirt placed on different types of surfaces such as glass and tile, etc. We were asked to try cleaning everything using CIF.

I chose this ceramic tile with a stain from burnt on soy sauce, sugar and oil. I used just a small dot of CIF on a piece of cloth. It only took a few swipes and the stain was gone! It really does make cleaning easier. All it took was a really small amount of CIF. Just rinse or wipe it off and that's it! For a WAHM like me, who's constantly juggling taking care of my family, work and household chores, this is definitely a big help.

Another highlight of the event was the introduction of Ms. Suzi Entrata as CIF's newest mom and brand ambassador. She graced the occasion and talked about how much CIF has helped keep her entire house clean. 

So now, here's the best part for you guys. You'll get a chance to try out CIF too by winning a giveaway. Yup, I'm giving away three (3) CIF gift packs consisting of several 250 ml bottles of CIF Cream. 

It's so easy to join. Just follow the Rafflecopter instructions below. Here are some quick rules and guidelines first.

• This giveaway will start on May 21, 2013 and end on June 3, 2013.
• This giveaway is open to Metro Manila residents only.
• You must do the Mandatory Entry in order for your other entries to be valid.
• Winners will be announced on this blog and on its Facebook page and Twitter account.
• Winners will also be notified via email. They must respond to the said email within 48 hours or else I reserve the right to pick another winner. 
• Winners must claim their prizes by meeting up with me somewhere in Metro Manila (preferably either Makati City or Bonifacio Global City). 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hurry and join now! Make beautiful endings only with CIF. Good luck! :) 

On Writing and Continuous Learning

I have always loved writing ever since I was a kid. So, it's actually kind of weird why I only decided to make writing a serious money-making venture last year. I so love being a freelance writer and have very high hopes of becoming a really successful one someday. However, before that happens, I still have a lot to learn and learn is what I'm doing right now.

I've been thinking a lot about my profession lately. I've been doing a lot of writing but I've been doing virtual assistance and social media management too. While being a virtual assistant is, I think, something I'm good at, doing administrative work doesn't really give me as much excitement as writing does. Doing social media is, on the other hand, really fun but also very time consuming and a lot of hard work. While I like doing these things, I must admit that writing is my first love. 

With that in mind, I've decided that I should focus more on improving my writing skills and on finding more writing opportunities so that I can be the best in what I do. Of course, one way to improve is to learn. So, I grabbed the opportunity to take this free writing course in Coursera.org called Crafting an Effective Writer: Tools of the Trade.  

Coursera.org is a company that partners with colleges and universities around the world to come up with various courses to offer for FREE to anyone who wants to learn. Yup, they're for FREE. Isn't that great? For a WAHM like me who stays at home most of the week, online is really the perfect place for me to learn. I'm so excited about this learning opportunity because not only is this the first class I'm taking from Coursera, it's also my first online class ever!

This particular class, which will last for 5 weeks, will actually take me to the very basics of writing, which I think is something every newbie writer should brush up on. The class started only a few days ago and I've already finished all the assigned readings and other required work for the entire Week 1! Excited much? I can hardly wait to start on Week 2.

Since this class is going to take up some of my time during the week, I expect that it will take time away from my blogging. So, if I won't be blogging much this next four weeks, you'll know it's because I'm not only busy working but also busy taking classes. I hope, whatever your profession is in life, this inspires you to continue learning as well. After all, there's always room for improvement. 

Canyon Cove Vacation Day 3

I'm finally blogging about the last day of our Canyon Cove vacation. For those who missed reading about our Day 1 and Day 2, just click on the links. 

Anyway, we woke up early on Day 3 knowing that we already have to check out by 12 noon. So, we really wanted to make the most out of our last remaining hours at the resort.We had a quick breakfast and got ourselves ready to go to the beach. While we were getting ready, Zoe wrote this message on the sliding glass door leading to the balcony from our room. Ain't it sweet? I guess, she and Ziya really enjoyed the vacation because it was just so full of bonding moments for all of us. Nothing beats quality time with your family.

Similar to Day 1 and 2, we spent our time at the beach just swimming and playing and trying to build castles and find shells on the shore. 

However, what's different is that this time we also tried kayaking. A free one hour kayak ride was included in our vacation package and so we made sure we were able to avail of that. I rode the kayak with Zoe. Here's a photo of us before we left the shore. Of course, Ziggy had to pose with us first. Understandably, he couldn't go kayaking yet.

It was really nice kayaking with Zoe although I made sure we didn't go too far from the shore. My arms were already aching after several minutes, a sign that I am so not fit! It was enjoyable just the same because the water was calm and clear. It was great! When we got tired, we turned over the kayak to hubby and Ziya so that they could take their turn.

Unlike Zoe and I, my hubby and Ziya really went far! It's not surprising though because my hubby's arms are undoubtedly stronger than mine. However, they were not able to complete our one hour slot, which was okay. We just wanted to do it with the kids for experience. It wasn't their first time kayaking. Their first try was in Plantation Bay in Cebu but they were still toddlers then.

Anyway, after our kayaking session it was almost 10 am already and so we decided to leave the beach and go for one last dip in the pool. While we were leaving the beach, an accident happened to this girl. We suddenly heard screaming from some people not far from us. Apparently, this little girl drowned and was unconscious. Luckily, the resort's lifeguards responded immediately and were able to resuscitate her. My girls got a bit scared but since the girl was eventually saved we all calmed down. So kudos to those lifeguards who saved her life. I'm really happy that Canyon Cove have lifeguards stationed all over the pool and beach areas.

Anyway, we were only able to spend about 30 minutes at the pool this time so we made the most out of it. I, of course, made sure we got another family shot. I especially love this one!

We were able to check out on time and we were all really, really sad to go. Even if we were able to spend three days and two nights there, it really felt too fast. We didn't want to leave! For sure, we're going back someday. Here's a photo I took of my kids outside the lobby before we left. Goodbye, Canyon Cove! We had a super great time. 

On the way home, we stopped at RSM Lutong Bahay restaurant in Tagaytay. I wanted to have lunch where there is great food and a great view of the Taal Volcano. I actually was surprised at the new developments in RSM. The last time I was there, they didn't have that many seats at the garden area. But now, they do! I love it! We were even serenaded by this group of singers. Nice!

The food, of course, was great. The girls ordered Sizzling Sisig, one of their favorites.

Hubby ordered Tawilis. So yummy!

And I ordered Beef Nilaga, something you should never leave Tagaytay without eating. Definitely yummy albeit a bit pricey at about Php 500 per order. So yummy!

We headed home after lunch. We were definitely tired when we got home - tired but so happy. It was a truly great trip, one that we will always remember. When I was planning this trip, all I really wanted was for us to all enjoy this rare occasion where we don't have to think of anything else. I wanted this trip to be memorable because it was Ziggy's first trip to the beach and our first vacation as a family of five. Plus, it's the first thing I saved up for since I started earning regularly as a WAHM. 

In the end, I did get everything I wished for this trip to be. I am so grateful to God for allowing this to happen. I can hardly wait for our next trip!

I Passed Out On Our Bathroom Floor!

This is no joke. It's true! I did pass out on our bathroom floor. It happened a little past 5:00 a.m. last Wednesday. Ziggy woke me up asking for a bottle of milk. The second I woke up I already felt dizzy. It felt like my stomach was churning and that I wanted to throw up. I immediately knew I was in danger of passing out because it has happened to me twice before already. But this time, I was really scared because only Ziggy and I were at home. I didn't want to pass out and leave my toddler unattended.

Well, I tried to stabilize myself before I got up. Then I got Ziggy his bottle and I proceeded to go to the bathroom. I left the bathroom door open because I didn't want to leave Ziggy alone outside. I tried to stabilize myself by sitting on the toilet. Ziggy kept going in and out of the bathroom asking me what's wrong. I kept asking him to go back outside because I didn't want him to see me pass out. During one of those times he went out, that's when it happened. I blacked out and fell on the floor. 

I didn't know how long I passed out. It might have been only seconds. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor hearing Ziggy calling my name and asking me what happened. I opened my eyes and saw him standing in front of me. I forced myself to go back to bed with the electric fan focused on me. I started to break out in cold sweat and immediately felt better. So I sent my hubby a text message asking him to hurry home. I knew that by that time he had already left work to go home, which was really good. In a matter of minutes, he was home. I felt weak the next few days after that and it forced me to go to the doctor last Friday.

I consulted a family doctor, who of course questioned me about a lot of things and did the usual check up. She asked me to get a CBC and referred me to an ENT. She said that if the ENT check up and the blood tests don't show anything then she'll have to refer me to a neurologist. That got me really scared. 

The thing is, it's only now that I took this passing out thing seriously. The first time it happened was way back in college. I had a very high fever, woke up in the middle of the night, went to the bathroom and passed out there. Right, it also happened in the bathroom. I didn't think much of it and thought that it was just due to the fever. The second time it happened was after work almost 10 years ago. After a long day at work, I went with my office mates to prepare our Christmas party venue for the party scheduled the next day. We didn't have dinner until that time I passed out at 11 pm. I thought it was just because I was tired and hungry. Since it's the third time now, I decided to take it more seriously, especially since it now happened while I was alone with my kid.

Well, the blood test showed that I am slightly anemic. So, now I have to take iron supplements. I have to refrain from staying up too late or becoming too tired. The test done by the ENT revealed that I also apparently have vertigo, which explains why I get dizzy. According to the doctor, my vertigo was caused by exhaustion and dehydration. Apparently, there's an imbalance in the fluid ruining through my body, which sends conflicting messages to my brain and causes dizziness. What's bad about it is that there is no permanent cure for vertigo and it can also recur any time. The only thing I can do is control the dizziness with anti-vertigo medicines, which I had to take for three days. If it happens again, the I'd have to take those medicines again too. But the most important thing is to drink lots, and I mean LOTS, of water. Ugh!

I'm not a big water drinker. But from now on I have to force water to be my new best friend for my sake and for the sake of my family. This incident has also forced me to rethink my WAHM schedule. Admittedly, I've been trying to schedule a lot of things to make the most out of my day. I feel so exhausted all the time, especially in this heat! But I guess God wanted to give me a wake up call. I am not superwoman. I have to take better care of myself because if not, I won't be able to take care of my family as well.

So, for the past several days, I've been trying to take it easy. Hubby has been more helpful around the house. He has already been great around the house prior to this incident but now he's decided to take on more of my chores. Bless him! I just have to remember that he has to rest too. I've decided too to put a stricter limit to my work hours. Before, the earliest time I go to bed is 1 am because I only get to work a lot at night. But now, I've decided to stop working already by 11 am. Let's see how that goes and how these changes will affect my WAHM life. Hopefully, it will be for the better. 

Canyon Cove Vacation Day 2

I can't believe I haven't blogged for a week now! Things have been so hectic with work. I guess, work does have a tendency to pile up when you go on vacation. Oh well. 

So, last week, I shared with you what happened on the first day of our Canyon Cove vacation. Now, let me share with you what happened on Day 2.

We all woke up at 5:30 a.m. on Day 2 because we wanted an early start to make the most out of our only full day at the resort. We were already set to check out by 12 noon on the 3rd day. So, while the girls and I got ready, my hubby and Ziggy went ahead to the restaurant at the resort to take the free breakfast that I got for paying for an extra person charge. Then, off we went to the town to have breakfast at Jollibee.

I wasn't able to ask hubby to take photos of the free breakfast. But he did say that it was the usual buffet Filipino/Continental breakfast. We didn't attempt to try the restaurant out for the other meals because we already knew it was going to be very expensive. So, that morning we trooped to Jollibee.  But not before I had a photo session first at the balcony located just outside the reception area. It had a fantastic view of the pool area, don't you think so?

For those interested to know, at the town you can choose from a few fast food joints to have your meals. From what we saw, aside from Jollibee, there was also Chowking, Andok's, Dunkin Donuts and some other local restaurants and fast food joints to choose from.

After breakfast we hurriedly changed to our swimming gear and headed straight to the beach, where we spent the entire morning. I love the beach during the early morning because the water is still really calm and there aren't many people yet.

That time we brought Ziggy's dump truck to the beach too, which he of course excitedly filled up with sand.

The girls got busy trying to build a sandcastle. Actually, the sandcastle idea came from the hubby. He was REALLY determined to make one and was teaching the kids what to do. It was really nice watching him. He was just like a kid! I tried to help too at some time point but honestly, I was more interested in taking photos. 

Here's one photo I took of my water baby, Ziggy, who showed no fear of the water. He's so adorable to watch wading at the beach in his mismatched rash guard. It turned out that the bottom of the Lightning McQueen rash guard we bought him was too big and so we had to let him wear another one instead. Oh, and that hat he's wearing with his name on it, got lost at the end of this morning beach trip. It really made me feel bad because he loves that hat and wears it every time we go out especially when it's sunny. 

I was just happy watching my family at the beach. I tried to relax.....

..... but ended up taking photo after photo after photo.....

Then it was time to have lunch and so we ate and took a nap. It was so nice to take a nap with my entire family in the room. The bed was super comfortable. The room was cold enough. It was just so relaxing that we ended up waking up at 3 pm already. So, by the time we were ready for our afternoon swim it was already 4 p.m. Because it was late already, we decided to just stay at the pool this time around. 

The girls and I headed to the pool first and so we got to try the deeper parts of the pool. It was nice to actuallyswim and not just wade on shallow water.

Hubby and Ziggy decided to try the playground first, which Ziggy enjoyed. He loves going on the slide and so that's what he kept doing over and over again.

They finally joined us in the pool, though. The pool area was nice because there were a lot of tables around and some lounge chairs. There were also a lot of shower stalls so you can rinse first before taking a dip in pool.  

Another great thing is that there were a lot of lifeguards around surveying the area so you feel safe. They actually approached us when they saw that we took Ziggy to the deep side of the pool. Apparently, they discourage that but since we wanted to do it, they just made us sign a waiver form, which was okay. 

We swam in the pool until it got a bit dark. We witnessed our second sunset at the resort and it was AMAZING.

At the end of the day, we were so tired but we didn't care. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we didn't want the day to end. We were so sad thinking that we'd have to go home the next day.

Stay tuned for the my post on Day 3 of this trip. 

Canyon Cove Vacation Day 1

It has been four days now since we got back from our short beach vacation but it's only now that I actually got time to blog! I'm so excited to share with you what happened on our trip. Let me start with Day 1. Warning, this is going to be a long post.

To give you a background, I've been planning this trip for months. I have been looking for the perfect place to go on our first vacation as a family of five. My requirements were pretty simple. It has to be near enough for just a road trip. It has to have a nice beach, a pool, playground and the rooms should be comfy and spacious enough to fit all five of us. Plus, the cost should fit my budget.

I thought it would be easy to decide but on the contrary, it was nerve-wracking. I had so many choices. It was only last month when I finally decided on Canyon Cove because of a voucher deal for 50% off that I saw on Metro Deal. It was actually a friend of mine who suggested it to me. I immediately bought vouchers as soon as I saw the deal. The package did not include meals but it was okay with me. The vouchers were good for 2 so I got two vouchers. I was told that I just need to pay for the extra person and that would include breakfast. I didn't mind. It passed all my other requirements and I was getting 3 days/2 nights accommodations for 50% off. SOLD!

So, last Wednesday, April 24, off we went to Nasugbu, Batangas where Canyon Cove is located. It actually had mixed reviews online but hubby and I decided to give the place a try anyway. I was especially so excited for this trip because 1) it was to be Ziggy's first beach trip, 2) it was to be our first vacation as a family of five, 3) hubby and I needed a break from work, 4) we needed an opportunity to bond with Zoe and Ziya and finally, 4) because this was to be the biggest reward taken from my earnings as a WAHM. So, this trip was a BIG DEAL.

Here's a photo of my kiddos en route to Canyon Cove. Check in time was at 3 p.m. We left the house at 10:30 a.m. so that we can arrive in Nasugbu by lunch time. 

It was a nice enough two-hour road trip. Thankfully, for half of the journey, the kids were asleep so we didn't have to deal with a cranky toddler who wanted out of his car seat. We arrived at Nasugbu at 12:30 p.m. We located the resort first then headed back to the town proper for lunch. We ended up eating at Jollibee, which of course was Ziggy's request. We couldn't leave the place without having ice cream!

Then after lunch we went to Canyon Cove and arrived there at 2:00 p.m. I wasn't expecting that we'd be able to check in early. There were already a lot of people in the lobby waiting to check in. But surprisingly, the staff at the reception were very efficient and we were able to check in to our room just 10 - 15 minutes after I fell in line.

We checked in to Room 217 at the North Wing. It was the same floor as the lobby so we didn't need to use the elevators. It was a bummer at first because our beach view from our balcony was blocked by trees. But in the end, it was very convenient for us because it was easy to just come and go from our room.

We had a Superior Room with a King bed and a day bed. The girls and I ended up sharing the King bed while the boys got the day bed. The room was actually pretty nice and clean. It didn't disappoint at all. 

Hubby loved the LCD TV and the fact that it had Star Movies, which we don't get at home.

The kids loved the day bed.

Here's the first family photo we took during the trip.

After settling in, we didn't waste any time and prepared to swim. We tried the pool first. The resort had a really big pool that had several sections. There was a section shallow enough for toddlers to wade in and Ziggy loved it!

Beside the pool is the volleyball court. Our voucher entitled us to free use of the court but we didn't get to avail of it because none of us really played volleyball.

Of course, we were excited to try the beach. I think I was the most excited of all because it was Ziggy's first time. When he stepped on the beach with his Crocs still on he got a bit concerned that sand was getting to his feet. But as soon as we told him that it's okay and removed his shoes, he didn't mind at all. Here's a shot I took of him taking his first barefoot steps on the sand!

Here's another one I took of his feet covered in sand. Toddler milestones! I love it!

The sand wasn't Boracay white. It was fine in some parts but became a bit rocky as you near the water. The water wasn't exactly the cleanest. But it was clean enough for me not to worry about my family's health. The place wasn't exactly deserted. There were actually a lot of people for a weekday but not too much that it felt claustrophobic.

We all enjoyed playing and playing and taking photo after photo after photo.

I especially love this one with me and Ziggy. Ahhh, mommy moments!

Of course, there were daddy moments too.

Hubby even found a little quiet time for himself. I said a little because it really did take only a few minutes. Haha! 

We stayed on the beach until the sun set. It was really beautiful. 

Then we showered and had dinner at the town proper. Afterwards, we headed back to the resort and watched Brave on Star Movies then we fell asleep. It was, indeed, a really nice day for our family. It was a day all about us....all about LOVE. I wish there could be more days like this.