Harana and OPM Vday

LOVE is really in the air today as our dear students serenade us with sweet and kilig OPM songs!  With the advanced technology and lifestyle of the kids nowadays, who would have thought that they could still be primeval for a while?

Thank you, students for the effort of making Vday special! :) <3

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Kids' Pre-Valentine Gift for Teachers

Kids are rowdy, kids are noisy, kids are stubborn, kids are unruly!  Whatever the pessimistic adjectives are,   kids are always kids and kids are just kids.  So, I couldn't do anything about it but just to accept that they are ONLY kids!

Kids as they are, they can be thoughtful, they can be sweet, they can be loving, and they can  be affectionate.  Just simple gestures of serenading and giving of flowers to us, teachers erased all the negative notions we have for kids.

So let them just be rowdy, let them just be noisy, let them just be stubborn, and let them just be unruly.  For kids are still thoughtful, kids are still sweet, kids are still loving, and kids are still affectionate.  So let them just be KIDS! 

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Valentine 101: Prepping Up for Vday

Two more days and it's gonna be LOVE LOVE LOVE day!  So got any plan for your special someone?  For those who hasn't got any yet, here are some suggestions that would surely sweep her off her feet again!

Suggestion #1  Have a Romantic Getaway

For married couples, relive that honeymoon fever by spending a night together alone at

Daminar Riverside Garden

Bluewaves Resort

Suggestion #2  Treat Her to a Romantic Dinner

An intimate dinner for two is still the best way for a hearty talk.  So get your reservations now at

Xian's Finest Restaurant

Photo from Xian's

Big J Grill House

Photo by Enshong Miranda

Suggestion #3  Shower Her with Gifts of Love

Being thoughtful can be shown through giving.  Say your "I love you" by surprising her with 

flowers, chocolates, and stuffed toys from Jabines Flowershop

cupcakes from Mom's Sweet Delight

art balloons from Fascino

Valentine Sweet Nothings are also available at Fascino.  FFF

This is the 100th post of The Other Side of Mae

Related Posts:

Vday Eat-All-You-Can Places in the Big OC

Jabines Flowershop

Fascino's Balloon Art Deco

Valentine Sweet Nothings

How to Have a Date with Yourself on Valentines Day

To the Single-Hearted this Valentine's Day

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Get Fenged Up!

I love everything Chinesy!  Chinese art, Chinese language, Chinese food and of course, Chinese culture!  And one culture that I am very fond of and had eventually adopted is Feng Shui.  

Feng Shui literally means "wind-water" but in real essence, it is the balance of the four elements - earth, wind, water, and fire.  It is believed to improve a person's life by receiving positive energy.  Therefore, the four elements must be balanced and in proper coordination with each other.  Certain blocks must be known in order not to hinder the flow of sheng chi (good energy).

Having said so, there are people who master the art of Feng Shui.  They are hired to see to it that everything in the house, office, or business establishment is in proper place.  Unfortunately, these so-called Feng Shui masters are highly priced.  But as what I've learned from my experience, anyone (Chinese or not) can do Feng Shui!  If and only if, you know what to do!  

Feng Shui for me need not be too expensive.  You just have to learn the basics and here it is:

Photo from www.parent-teacher-child-connection.blogspot.com

The above figure is a simplified bagua map.  It indicates the nine divisions of a space (room/house/store) that are the nine areas or aspects of a person's life.  Say for example, if you want to enhance your money luck as we all want, look at the wealth area in the upper left corner.     Its element is wood so you better place something that is made of wood.  Its number is 4 so have it in relevance with number 4.  Lastly, use the colors purple, green, and gold as accents to that corner.  

Now the question is, what are the specific things that you're gonna need?  Simple!  Just take a peek at my cost-effective Feng Shui paraphernalia:

Washed Coins

Currencies from Other Countries

Red Paper Circles

Joss Paper

Joss Sticks

And of course, we should not forget the star of this year - the water snake!  A figure of a snake with coins must be placed facing the entrance of a room/house/store to welcome positive energy.  Aside from this, I also have my own version of the 9 Emperor Coins (5-centavo coins tied in red ribonette), money boat, and spherical tangerine crystal kept in my treasury.

Charms

So there you have it!  Hope you learned some tips from this post but we must also be reminded that believing in Feng Shui can have both its advantage and disadvantage (like in all other things).  Only believe and do what is enough because too much of something is bad enough!  And no matter how you try to Feng Shui your life, if you have a foul attitude toward others, luck will surely never come to you.  Therefore, the golden rule of Confucius still prevails so giving and sharing are still the most important!

Hong Bao

Gong Xi Fa Cai!  Xin Nian Kuai Le! :)

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I Heart MUHS

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Feature Friday: Jabines Flowershop

Feature Friday highlights businesses, people, fashion, and basically anything under the sun!

This Valentine's Day, make your loved one feel extra special by saying your "I love you" with flowers.  Make her feel the prettiest by surrounding her with pretty and dainty flowers.  And there's no other place in town that provides the freshest blooms than Jabines Flowershop.

Way back in the 80s, Mrs. Quintina M. Jabines grew the most adorable flowers in Ozamiz City.  People came to her to ask some of her precious ones especially during the month of May for Flores de Mayo.  Eventually, people started coming for a purchase because her roses are the best!  And this began her backyard business - selling cut roses to every Ozamiznon. 

Long Stem Roses

As time goes by, the Ozamiz City Cathedral (Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral) requested for flower arrangements.  Through this, Mrs. Jabines took the business more seriously and opened her first flower shop at Port Road, Ozamiz City.  With the support of her husband and children, the family business grew to what it is now today - the world-renowned Jabines Flowershop.  

Altar Flower Arrangement at the Cathedral

Mrs. Jabines' humble beginnings and love for flowers blossomed and for over 30 strong years, Jabines Flowershop has mastered their craft.  They have branches in neighboring cities as Dipolog City, Pagadian City, Oroquieta City, and the Municipality of Molave.  

Fresh flowers are also available 24/7 online!  As proud member of the Teleflora Philippines, Jabines Flowershop reaches out to the world.  One can now order fresh flowers from wherever he/she may be with the guarantee that the flowers are being delivered right at his/her doorstep in good and perfect shape.

Moreover, Jabines Flowershop is also a participant of the extravagant Rose Parade in the US. Their personal touch had brought them to where they are today - a true-blue Ozamiz pride!

Now owned and managed by Mr. Eric M. Jabines, Jabines Flowershop caters the needs and preferences of every customer professionally.  For they believe that

"Words are powerful, but it is splendid gesture when you do it with flowers."   

Familiar with Boy Pick-Up?  Summon his spirit and get a chance to win fresh flowers from Jabines Flowershop.  Just

1.  click the Tweet and Like buttons below
2.  LIKE Jabines Flowershop

3. send name, address, contact number, and your original pick-up line to maryrosalieo@yahoo.com on or before February 13, 2013.

The author of the best pick-up line will be notified by mail.

This is a sponsored post.

Valentine Sweet Nothings are also available at Fascino.  FFF

Related Posts:

Valentine 101: Prepping Up for Vday
Vday Eat-All-You-Can Places in the Big OC
Fascino's Balloon Art Deco
Valentine Sweet Nothings
How to Have a Date with Yourself on Valentines Day
To the Single-Hearted this Valentine's Day

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Eye Candy

candy bag.  mismatch earrings.  candy necklace.  arm candy.  candy rings.  photos by glaiza perocho.  all items available at Fascino.  FFF

  

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Whimsical Wednesday: If a Picture Paints a Thousand Words

Whimsical Wednesday shows my fancy in a myriad of beautiful things.  

I'm addicted with pictures!  I have a vast collection of photos and photo albums since I knew the word "picture"!  I am just so elated with delight as I see this class picture of ours ages ago (credits to Mise for scanning and posting this in FB)!  In this photo, we were still in Grade 2 with Mrs. Carmen M. Guangco as our class adviser and subjects teacher in Pilot Laboratory School.  Mind you, this class was the cream of the crop in the 90's being the first ever SPED class in the whole of Misamis Occidental!  Well, this just shows and proves who we had become today.  Now, let me test my memory bank if I could still name my classmates way back then.

Taken at Gabaldon Building

From top left:  Eduardo Maghanoy, Ian, Gino Carpio, Ronald Malaluan, Stalin Mirabueno, Kirk Benjie Gonzales, Kurt Zion Boncales, Andrew Aldikke George Buot, Felix Zandro Neri, Jojie Arellano, Jan Michelle Lomanta, Melanie Piquet, Virginia Gumantaron, Lizcel Cagaanan, Zharisse Lavendina, yours truly, Susie Ponce, Alma Grace Terez, Elaine Vargas, Brenda Jim Murga, Yonna Villanueva, Eunice Rae Gallego, Esther Caroline Guangco, Jane Ann, Juliemie Gelbolingo, and Alan Odelon Lomanta.

I'm 99% sure that all the names listed above (except for the Ian boy and the Jane Ann girl) are correct and not misspelled (kill me if I'm mistaken)!  And this I proudly did without even looking a copy or did any research! (boastful smile) However, my apologies to the married girls who had already changed their surnames and I also wonder how Ian and Jane Ann are doing now.....

If a picture paints a thousand words, this one does!  Who would have thought that this class had created a doctor, lawyers, engineers, nurses, teachers, IT experts, office administrators, and a model!  Thanks to Mrs. Guangco who had molded us into fine and competent individuals!:) 

Click LIKE if you are one in the picture!:)

    

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To the Single-Hearted this Valentine's Day

".....grieving and mourning over the past for a long period of time won't get you far."

- Hannah Joy Lim

Exactly two years ago, I had lost a love for a plethora of reasons.  Since then, I've been nursing a broken heart.  Well, it's just me.  It's just my weakness to easily accept, let go, and forget.  Additionally, moving on is not just my thing.

However, time had prompted me to accept, let go, and move on.  And as I've read my student Joy2x's article in Expressions (MUHS' school paper), I had been enlightened.  Yes, her words were echoing in the idle confines of  my hypothalamus, bull's eye straight to my already numb heart!  And I think it's about time to get over it!  I have to believe again that everything happens for a reason and there's no point of me lamenting for what I've lost!

So now I'm hoping for my silver lining.  Though the "next please" hasn't arrived yet, I just have to be positive that it is coming the soonest!  And for the still single girls like me, just

Photo from Web

But for those who had already found their match, make Valentine's day a more memorable one by making your loved one feel special.  Valentine Sweet Nothings are now available at Fascino!:)  

FFF

Related Posts:

Valentine 101: Prepping Up for Vday

Vday Eat-All-You-Can Places in the Big OC

Jabines Flowershop

Fascino's Balloon Art Deco

Valentine Sweet Nothings

How to Have a Date with Yourself on Valentines Day

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Teachers' Day Out

Teachers are the second parents

Teachers are taking charge 

Teachers are working hard

                                                                                   

And teachers are also human beings who need a break!  Thanks to our boy wonder, Godwin Liong Tiu for entertaining us to his 7th Birthday Concerto!  Yes you read it right.  Though it was his birthday, he was the one who enthusiastically entertained us during his birthday celebration held at Casa Esperanza.  He sang, played the flute and the piano, and even danced!  He is such a very talented boy who delighted our eyes and warmed our hearts!:)

The success of the said event is credited to Ozamis' finest:  Enshong Miranda Photography,  Sir Federico Araniego as segment host, Kuya Rio "Taz" de Barras as co-host and event director with Miss Cee Navarro,  and Ma'am Juliet Reyes-Rubin for the concept and theme.

More Birthdays to Come, Godwin!:)

After the party, my fellow teachers and I agreed to go out and scout for prom dresses.  The ending, only Teacher Aida had a purchase - a pair of beautiful earrings.

At Mango, Gegee Mall

And to treat ourselves after our effort, we had carbs and carbs and carbs at our favorite hang-out (or only Teacher Christ's?).

Deo Kept Us Company the Whole Time

So to complete our teachers' day out, something kilig happened!

Because I had failed to have mine after efforting much in my get-up! :(

Thank you, teachers for a fun-filled Sunday!:)

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Four-Ingredient Recipe

Late night when my cousin Rio visited for a small talk (not that she came from a far-away kingdom).  Naturally when people huddle, they crave for food.  Since it was already late to go out, I just rummaged the pantry and found four ingredients that would do!

Ingredient #1  Elbow Macaroni

Ingredient #2  Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredient #3  Chicken Breast in Can

Ingredient #4  Edam Cheese

   So just like a magic, we instantly had some goodie for the late-night foodies!

I was so glad that I had summoned the spirits of Rachel Ray and Martha Stewart, brainstorming on what could be done with what is available! 

Master Chef Wannabe

Looking forward for another late-night cooking and eating with the family!:)

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