Panagbenga Theme Song Acoustic Version

As the drums, gongs and flowers reclaim the streets of Baguio once again, here I am wishing I was there.  The Panagbenga Festival is in full bloom.

The 16th Baguio Flower Festival's theme is "The Environment and Community in Harmony." 

More power to you Baguio City, one of my favorite cities in the world.

LP: Kaunti (Few)

Kaunting araw na lang at magbubukang lubusan ang globe thistle flower na ito.

A few more days and this globe thistle flower will be in full bloom.

Scholarships

Brought to you by your friends at http://schoolscholarships.org.

Recently, I've activated my graduate studies again and I intend to spend spring and summer looking for possible grants and scholarships. I'm hoping that since I'll be working full time and I'll the joining the throng of non-traditional students that I'll qualify for a scholarship or a grant specifically for non-traditional students. There's also a good chance of finding minority scholarships like African American scholarships or Asian scholarships. Mind you, but there are even scholarships for left handed people.

If you are heading back to school like me, check out schoolscholarships.org.  This site is a vast resource for all types of information regarding financial aid, grants, scholarships and more. This site is very organized and easy to navigate.  Feel free to search through their athletic scholarships, family scholarships, subject scholarships, and grants sections. I was just reading their grant section, and I find this section helpful and absolutely informative. I'll certainly be using this site for my own research on how to fund my graduate studies.

Do you know anyone heading to college soon? Maybe you have family, relative or friend heading to med school this year. Let them know about this site; they could quality from the many pre med scholarships available at schoolscholarships.org.

What To Do On A Snow Day

I woke up to six inches of snow today, so since roads were unplowed and I didn't want to risk my car getting stuck in sludge, ice and snow, I decided to telecommute. At 6 a.m., I was already out shoveling snow, clearing out the sidewalks and scraping ice on my car; I did hurt my shoulders and back in the process.

The rest of my day looks like this:

• signed on and monitored work e-mail
• make coffee and toast for breakfast
• iced my sore shoulders and back
• cleaned house
• organized living room furnitures
• arranged books into bookshelf
• laundry - washed, dried and folded
• checked work e-mail
• lunch - adobo and rice
• wrote and edited article for submission
• watched "Bridget Jone's Diary" on cable
• called Mom
• checked work e-mail again
• shoveled snow again
• wrapped my hands around my hot tea for warmth - my fingers felt numbed
• in flip-flops, I walked, actually ran, to the mailbox to pick up mail - Mom sent me some Filipino movies
• signed off from work e-mail
• dinner - adobe leftover with rice and tea

With thick socks, a knitted hat, sweater, hand warmers, another cup of tea, and my Filipino movies in tow, I'm heading to my bedroom to cuddle with my electric blanket and rest my sore body. I'll be dreaming of spring.

Goodnight, Mr. Old Man Winter!

Custom Labels

Brought to you by your friends at datagraphicsinc.com.

A few years ago, I worked in Alaska as a fish processor and had to work with packing, sorting, and even mixing machines. If not careful and not properly trained, these machines can cause missing fingers and even a whole hand. Although a worker can be properly trained and being careful at all times, my former company also reinforced our training with instructional custom labels on: how to operate machinery, what to do in terms of emergency, how to stop machine etc. These custom labels were really helpful in times of distress and panic. Also, safety and warning labels were seen where they ought to be to keep us, the workers, safe and an away from harm.

I think this is why companies like datagraphicsinc.com exist. This site offers custom labels for industrial purposes, military specification and commercial applications. For your business, you can order custom labels, overlays, nameplates, UID and barcodes, safety labels, and die cuts from this site. Here's another cool thing about ordering your custom labels here, you can get them in polyester labels, flexible vinyl labels and polycarbonate (plastic) labels, aluminum labels, magnetic labels and glow-in-the-dark labels. Also, their labels can be ordered in several formats from rolls, sheets, to individual pieces.

This is your one-stop shop for custom labels. If you're ordering from this site, you're availing of their: (1) fast delivery; (2) 24 hour quotes; and, (3) premium service. So you need a labels for your business? Why not custom label it with datagraphicsinc.com.

Cuties Of Pyrgos

In Pyrgos, I couldn't resist taking photos of these lovely and friendly cats. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I enjoyed snapping their photos.

"With their qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience, dignity, and courage, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of becoming cats?" (Fernand Mery, Her Majesty the Cat)

Experience Israel

Brought to you by your friends at http://www.destinationisrael.com.

Are you looking for a great study or internship abroad program? Are you looking to experience the beauty, culture and what life is like in Israel? If you're interested in Israel, I think destinationisrael.com can help especially if you're looking for summer programs in Israel. This website is very organized and provides in-depth program descriptions for their Israel internships, study abroad programs and more.

Actually, just by looking at it, I can't help but get excited reading about their available internships in Israel. I think that if you're looking for something more specific that will cater to what you'd like to experience while living, studying or working in Israel, this is a wonderful site to find different types of programs. This site contains so much information on Free Community Involvement, Kibutz Program Center, Tel Aviv Internship Experience, Gap Year Program and more. So whatever your interests are and to start your journey in experiencing your life in Israel, I think this site is absolutely worth checking out and worth bookmarking for future reference.

The Narrow Walkways Of Pyrgos

You need good walking shoes and a bit of stamina if you want to explore Pyrgos. Its ascending, narrow, tortuous pedestrian only walkways and traditional old houses make Pyrgos both a photographer's favorite and a nightmare for out-of-shape people like me. Accompanied with heavy breathing and with a sweaty t-shirt clinging on my back, reaching the top of Pyrgos brought me more than relief but also a breath of fresh Mediterranean air, and a spectacular view of the island.

One of the 33 churches in Pyrgos.

White church buildings and the blue painted domes are a familiar sight in Santorini.

Narrow entrances to residential houses.

The walkways get narrower as you near the top.

This orange cat followed us through our tour.

I think I took this photo when we took a break during the climb.

The view gets better as you climb higher.

We weren't allowed to see the inside of this church. I think it was strictly for Greek Orthodox only.

  A view at the top at last!

Purple flowers adorned the walkway walls as we descended back to our bus.

A map of Pyrgos.

Our tour guide explained that the village of Pyrgos was purposely built narrow and dense to thwart pirate attacks. She mentioned that it was easier to defend a village that is densely contained and protected with walls.

Although I strained during the hike to the highest peak of Pyrgos, I really enjoyed meeting some of the locals who were always smiling and friendly. Next time, I'll make sure to be more fit for more strenuous hikes or walks.

Aerial Photography

Brought to you by your friends at http://www.skycamusa.com.

When I started doing my university search and application, one of the most helpful material I found was the college/university aerial video tours offered in one of the university tours I took. One of my prerequisites in finding the right university back then was to get a gauge of the university's atmosphere, so an aerial photography or videography of the area helps in getting to know what the university and it's surroundings offer for my education welfare and enrichment.

I think that universities and even businesses such as golf courses should look into skycamusa.com, and should invest in creating college/university aerial video tours or golf course aerial video tours. Skycamusa.com's website is to the point, very organized and offers an in-depth description of what they do and what they can do to enhance your business and amaze your chosen audience. Also, do check out the website's sample gallery of their work. I think you'll be amazed to see their high definition aerial video samples. Another thing I love about this site is that, you can get a convenience of an online price quote, online reservations and online payments.

LP: Ito (This)

Ito ang tanawin na kung tawagin ay "Wilderness Area" sa summit ng Haleakala Volcano sa Maui, Hawaii. Sa lahat ng aking paglalakbay, isa ito sa mga pinakamagandang tanawin na aking nasaksihan. Napakatahimik dito at magandang lugar para magmuni muni.

This view is designated as the Wilderness Area high up in the summit of Haleakala Volcano in Maui, Hawaii. In all my travels, this is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. A perfect place to meditate because up there, silence reigns supreme.

Holidays In Brighton

Brought to you by your friends at  www.holiday-rentals.co.uk.

Heading to the United Kingdom this year? How does peaceful walks at the beach, excellent marina restaurants, lovely shops, quiet green parks, impressive architecture and museums sound? Well, you can have it all if you spend your holidays in Brighton, and to make this vacation stress free, www.holiday-rentals.co.uk can absolutely help. This website can help you find great deals for your holiday rentals and find a rental that you'll consider your home away from home.

I was just looking at this site's featured holiday rentals for Brighton and I am loving the apartments available at the Brighton Marina. I am such a water person, so I think nothing beats waking up to the sight and sound of water. This site includes photos of the apartments or houses for rent, an in-depth description of the apartment including price, a map, what establishments or shops available in the area, and directions coming and going to the airport. I think you'll be happy with HomeAway Holiday-Rentals. Here, you can book direct with confidence, find the right apartment, and enjoy a guaranteed HomeAway traveller protection. If you want to get to know Brighton better, you can definitely find out more at Brighton travel information.

My First Glimpse Of Thira

We were still having breakfast when our ship began its slow approach to Santorini or Thira (official name of the island). The night before, I couldn't contain my excitement that I tossed and turned throughout the evening. My dream of visiting Santorini is finally coming true.

From our ship, we took a ferry to take us ashore. Santorini has two ports - old and new. From the ship, we're entering Santorini through the new port. But going back to the ship, we're using the old port. For adventurous travelers, the old port has its own charm, which I'll cover in my next posts.

The village of Oia. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see Oia. We visited the traditional village of Pyrgos instead.

For those who didn't book a tour, they can go ashore by taking this same ferry for a small charge.

Our tour bus. I was the first one who got in.

Brochure ready and ready to explore.

I took this photo as our bus started its ascent of Mount Profitis Ilias.

The islands of Nea (new) Kameni which is roughly 500 years old and Palea (old) Kameni which is 2000 years old (farthest). These two islands are made of black lava and are uninhabited. I heard Palea is known for its hot springs. Perhaps that's one thing I should check out for future visits.

Our bus' first stop is at the 18th century monastery of Profitis Ilias. Profitis Ilias is closed to visitors; the structure is deemed unsafe due to volcanic earthquakes. The monastery of Profitis Ilias is located at the highest peak and is a great place to get a panoramic view of the whole island. According to our guide, Profitis Ilias is currently home to one solitary monk.

Next, the narrow, ascending streets of Pyrgos.

Kids Lockers

Brought to you by your friends at http://www.kidslockershop.com.

When I was attending nursery and kindergarten school, my school didn't offer any lockers for kids or students. I'd end up hauling my bag anywhere I go. Being a kid, it's a hassle to be bringing my bag with me all the time and I do know that sometimes after playing too much, I'd forget where I left my stuff. It would have been nice if my school had known about kidslockershop.com. This site is your one-stop shop for quality kids lockers.

Their website is very organized, and they sell all kinds of childrens lockers such as: kids lockers and cubbie combinations, kids room lockers, and kids stackable lockers. I love that this site has photos of their products and each product comes with an in-depth product description; this absolutely makes shopping online easier. Also, you can use the site's power filter for an easier shopping experience. You can make your shopping experience a breeze by choosing brands, sale price, material, colors and more.

Port Of Kusadasi

My tour of Kusadasi and the areas nearby would soon come to an end. Turkey is such an impressive and beautiful place to visit, and if given another chance, I would absolutely visit again in the future. Historically and culturally abundant, Turkey is a gold mine for history and archeology enthusiasts. And even if you're not into history or archeology, you'll be left awe-stricken with how much this place has to offer. So as our tour winded down, although too tired and too hungry, our feet took us shopping - that is until it was time to go back to the ship.

I wanted to take home one or two of these lanterns, but I was afraid they might brake during the trip.

Shops near the port and yes, these shop keepers can get pushy. It's a very interesting experience especially with bargaining.

Night came too soon.

Sağ olun (thank you), Turkey!

Soon, we were sailing for our next destination - Santorini, Greece.

Event Planning

Brought to you by your friends at  http://www.eventish.com.

Are you stressed out because you've been designated as the alumni homecoming organizer? Are you ready to pull out your hair because you don't know where or how to start planning for this event? Don't waste your time stressing about your next event because eventish.com could and would certainly help. Eventish.com could take out your event planning stress by helping get your thoughts together and start planning instead of stressing. Eventish.com specializes in event management and this company is dedicated to helping you make your company events, weekend/holiday events, birthday celebrations or other family events special and memorable.

At this website, you have access to all the event tools you need - from creating and customizing your event page, setting up a secure event registration and ticketing, to even promoting your event through social media integration. How cool is that! I love that this site has these features: (1) Publish; (2) Establish; (3) Distinguish; and, (4) Accomplish. Also, if you'd like to learn more about the dos and don'ts of certain events, Eventish.com's blog is a wonderful even resource. I certainly enjoyed reading "Wedding Fuss? Do’s and Don’ts for Your BIG DAY!"

LP: Ala-ala

Ala-ala means memories.

Paminsan minsan lang ako nakakain ng tuyo, pero tuwing may pagkakataon na ako'y nakakaluto nito, hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti sa mga masasayang ala-ala ng aking pamilyang salo-salong kumakain nito sa hapag-kainan.

I rarely eat dried fish these days, but whenever given the time to cook, happy memories of my family eating together around this dish never fails to make me smile.

Didymaion - Temple of Apollo, Turkey

After our tour at Miletus, our bus took us to Didyma. According to our guide, Didyma "was a very important sacred site in the ancient Greek world because of its famous oracle and the magnificent Temple of Apollo." Our guide elaborated that "Didyma means "twin" referring to the twins Apollo and Artemis; the Temple of Artemis was built in Miletus. The Temple of Apollo or Didymaion was approximately built in the 10th Century B.C.; the date is still under debate."

Ruins and columns of the Temple of Apollo.

A lion guards the entry way.

There were originally 122 Ionic columns, only three remain intact.

The columns were measured to be 60 ft tall with a 6 feet diameter. (Source here.)

Relief of a Griffin

Medusa's Head, possibly carved by Aphrodisias. (Source here.)

A few facts about Didyma:

• Didyma was known as a cult center in Miletus (Source here.)
• Alexander the Great captured Miletus and handed Miletus full administration of the oracle. (Source here.)
• "The Temple of Apollo (Didymaion) was the largest and wealthiest Ionic temple in Anatolia and was renowned for its holy relics, its treasury, its sacred spring and sacred laurel grove." (Source here.)