So today, I wanted to get started on that list.

Food got in the way again though. Haha. I started on Phase One again, this time, the boyfriend is supplying me with the food. He cooks them for me. When I arrived home before 3pm, there was tilapia on the table. We had that for lunch, him with rice, and me with greens. The adobo-like sauce and garlic served the perfect dressing for my lettuce! I didn’t take a photo because the boyfriend was too hungry to wait up.

So then I thought I should continue to setup another blog (as if I needed one!). This time, it will be about my efforts (or lack thereof) to lose weight, and gain health. I’ve got soooo many health issues lately that may or may not be related to my obesity. Okay, they’re not new really. I’ve had them for quite awhile and they just decided to resurface all in the same month! Ugh. That was, I guess, a wake up call. To finish what I started in July. Eat healthy, and move around! A blog to document that would be nice.

But I didn’t get the chance to work on my PC for a few hours yet. The boyfriend installed Starcraft II yesterday, and started to play this afternoon. That took awhile. I played SC the first time it came out many many years ago. I doubt I’ll have time to try this new one out. We’ll see.

When I finally got the PC all to myself, I just couldn’t get myself to write about anything. Not any theme. Thoughts of yesterday’s hostage crisis, and its aftermath are still pretty much prevalent, and as I mentioned last night, I have no intentions of adding to what’s already being said. Then there’s the happy news of Ms. Philippines Venus Raj landing 4th runner up to the Miss Universe. I saw her Q&A portion while having lunch at the pantry, I knew then that she was doomed. Haha! But she still makes us proud. After all, she came that close to the title, and she has such positive energy in her.

Then while browsing through blogs, I saw one sporting a premium WordPress theme from Elegant Themes.

All of a sudden, I felt like getting a membership to the exclusive service is the answer to my redesign dilemma. For $39 I could get a new skin for this blog, and one for The Newbie Photographer. There would also be a suitable theme for the new blog I’ll launch soon (once I pick out a domain name). The membership is good for one year and you get to use any and all of the themes already released and will be released during your membership. You can use them on an unlimited number of blogs too, as long as they are yours and you’re not developing them for others. You can still take control of how your blog looks by tweaking the templates. If you don’t want the linky to Elegant Themes prominently displayed on your site, you can take it off too.

Do any of you use Elegant Themes? I’d really love to hear about your experience with them, specifically about customer support. Any info you could share would be greatly appreciated. Of course, if by reading this you decide to sign up with Elegant Themes as well, just click on the banner and sign up! Doing so will give me an affiliate commission that will go towards the membership. hehe

But seriously, what do you know of this theme club?

You read that right, she’s having a contest at her blog right now, and there’s $300 up for grabs! Wow, that is a lot to give away

There are three ways to win in this contest and there will be more than just three winners! You can check out all the details on the contest page, just click on the image on this post, but let me whet your appetites by posting what’s up for grabs:

I. Blog post

• 1^st prize
  • $50 cash thru paypal
  • One month Adgitize coupon worth $14
  • one month ad space

• 2^nd prize
  • $20 cash thru paypal
  • Make up goodies

• 3^rd prize
  • $10 cash thru paypal
  • one month ad space

II. Point System

• 1^st prize
  • $100 cash thru paypal
  • dot COM domain + blog hosting
  • Blog Make over
  • One month Adgitize coupon worth $14

• 2^nd prize
  • $30 cash thru paypal
  • dot COM domain + blog hosting
  • one month ad space

• 3^rd prize
  • $15 cash thru paypal
  • One month Adgitize coupon worth $14
  • one month ad space

III. Raffle Draw for participants with minimum 300 points

• One month adgitize coupon worth $14
• 2 -$10 cash thru paypal
• 4 – $5 cash thru paypal
• 5000 ec credits
• 2000 ec credits
• 3 – 1000 ec credits

If nothing on that list has gotten you excited to join yet, then I don’t know what will! Haha

Since the availability of an anti-cervical cancer vaccine in the country was announced, I have wanted to avail of the shots. Yesterday, while waiting at the OB-GYN’s clinic, I finally got to ask the doctor’s assistant for info on them. The vaccine is administered in three shots within 6 months of the first one. Each shot costs either PhP3,500 or PhP4,500 depending on the brand. The difference, according to the lady, was that the more expensive one prevents the strain causing genital warts as well, while the other doesn’t.

The cost is considerable, but if you weigh it to the fact that you get protection from cervical cancer, then it does seem worth it. I wonder though, can anyone recommend another hospital or doctor that may be offering the same vaccines at a lower cost?

I could have asked at the Medicard clinic, but they would refer me to another OB-GYN in the same building. I feel a bit disloyal having to go to someone else, haha. So if you’ve had your shots from a different clinic or doctor at a lower cost than what was quoted here, would you please be so kind as to give me a recommendation? I would appreciate it.

Why is important to get the Cervical Cancer vaccine?

An article from the Mayo Clinic website mentions that in the US alone, 40% of those diagnosed with this disease die. In the Philippines, about a third of those infected do not get well. Cervical Cancer also strikes at any age, could be when a woman is still young and about to start a family.

There are two types of vaccine available, both blocks HPV types 16 and 18 which causes about 70% of cervical cancer cases (source). One of them, Gardasil, also blocks types 6 and 11, which though not associated with Cervical Cancer, are associated with genital warts and mild Pap test abnormalities. I guess this is what the doctor’s assistant was referring to as the more expensive brand and if so, I don’t see anything wrong with going with the one from GSK.

Who should be vaccinated?

Girls as young as 10 years old may already avail of the vaccine. This is recommended so their immune system sets in before the virus and the cancer even has a chance to step in and develop.

I encourage girlfriends to consult their doctor soon, and avail of the cervical cancer vaccine. This can even be our ‘bonding’ activity. Let’s go together, and then do something fun after the shots.

They weren’t together when we were still at the UP. In fact, Mayeen and I only shared one class with Gelo - Psych 180. We would sit very near the door, with the cool wind blowing through PHAn. I remember we’d talk a LOT, mostly Mayeen and myself, with Gelo occasionally joining in. Haha.  

The Officiating Celebrant at their wedding took the time to make his homily truly personal. He talked about the story of their love, and how it was all about waiting. Waiting several years after college before they finally became close as friends, a few months before they officially became a couple, a few more years before the proposal. And then there was the wait for the actual wedding day. 

I am super happy for Mayeen, someone I consider to be one of my very best friends. She has had her fair share of heartaches, but I believe it really was only Gelo whom she gave all her heart to. And though I don’t know Angelo all that much, I know he takes care of her and will continue to do so. 

The wedding was simply yet lovely. The reception was… wonderful. The food was great, and the company was awesome. We invited other N6 blockmates to sit with us at our table, but as it turned out, we should have been the ones to move to theirs, lol! Our table was so far to the back (granted, it was right next to the bar, and very near the food), but we felt left out in some parts of the program . There was pride though in knowing that we had the pleasure of being friends with both the bride and groom, haha. Among us too were the soloists from Church and at the reception, Carla and Pauie.  

I could see how close the couple were with both sides of their growing family. I think it was Angelo’s relatives who danced towards the end of the program. It was nice of them to really take time out to choreograph and practice!  That signalled the start of dancing too, at which point the ladies and I were ready to leave. 

We also made sure that Mayeen and Gelo got their money’s worth for the photo booth! 

Good thing too that this photo booth was available. By the time we were at the reception, my feet were in pain! I hadn’t broken in my new pair of high heeled shoes, so they easily brought me to such misery. Haha! I wasn’t on Paparazzi mode at the reception and took very few photos. It was a good thing that Alfred was with me at the Church and he did his photographer duties. He didn’t join us for the reception anymore, because he had shift very early the next day (3am) and needed to sleep. When I told him about the lechon and the bar though, he regretted leaving early.  

This is the second church wedding in our small circle of friends. Mayeen is the third to get married. I think Pauie will sing at all our weddings, so she’s got at least four more wedding marches to sing to (five, if Raech ever decides to get married in a church). I love these ladies! I miss them so, and I could get used to seeing them a lot, if only we really could. It was fun seeing Maye, Lynne and Carla again too. Except for Maye, I hadn’t seen them since 2002! 

All the best wishes to the newlyweds! They’re flying to their honeymoon tonight, and I wish them a safe flight and a very happy trip. I know they aren’t planning to get pregnant anytime soon, but I do look forward to seeing Mayeen and Gelo with an Ergo baby carrier holding their little one (or two) in the next few years

But now, I may actually have a chance at owning one! If a Coach bag finds its way to my arms, it will be through this $300 Worth Brand New COACH Satchel Bag Contest!

Take a closer look at the bag here. As soon as I read about the giveaway, my heart pounded and I was excited! Sorry, I totally forgot from whose blog I learned of this yesterday. So sorry to deprive you, wonderful blogger, of the chance to get more points through this referral.

This the first ever contest being hosted at Mom Conversations, and so it deserves our support The rules to enter are very simple and you can find them in the giveaway post. Check it out, and if you do decide to join in, don’t forget that Verabear referred you!

I can feel it, I will win this bag. It is already mine! Lol I know I’ve said time and again that I have no luck in raffle draws, but maybe this time will be different. I will win this bag!

Thank you in advance to the amazing giveaway sponsors, I shall review your blogs in a few days

Main Sponsors

College Grants for Women : Fun Family Vacations : Pontoon Boat Cover : Baby Shower Theme Idea

Level 1 Sponsors

Beauty Tips and Tricks : Get Smart Blog : Practical Beauty Tips : Spices of Life : Review My Opinions : New Haircuts and Hairstyles : Fabulously Frugal : Weight Loss the Healthy Way

Meanwhile, I’m off to wring out the rugs which have accumulated dust and doggie hair. Snow Pea was here visiting Zune (and no one knows when or how he got in) when we arrived home, and well, they’ve made a mess of things. It reminds me of what my brother told me the other day about an officemate who lives in a condo with his small dog. He asked him about the dog being left alone, where does he pee? Well he’s smart, the owner says, he pees only on the piece of newspaper laid out for him. For our Zune, he normally pees outside, but not always in just one spot. And sometimes, the area reeks of dog pee (not all the time, and it isn’t really awful. No, I’m not just saying that because I’m used to it). The brother tried the newspaper trick with Zune yesterday and it seemed to have worked.

But today, upon arriving home, I found pee all over the place. Haha. Tomorrow’s a new day and another chance to try.

Here are some ideas and I’d love to hear feedback for them:

• Like from my Got Heart Planner Giveaway, each comment posted on my blog (during a specific timeframe) merits one entry.
• Blog about the giveaway and get bonus points (to be determined or TBD).
• Blog about Baby Jon Angelo and earn even more bonus points; supporting his cause by giving a donation and/or purchasing Breathe Hope bracelets would earn additional points too! (advocacy for Jon would be awesome!)
• Subscribing to my RSS feeds, will be a requirement. This would be for three blogs: this one, The Newbie Photographer, and Between the Covers.
• Prizes include: Human?Nature gift pack/s, a book (it’s pre-loved, I unintentionally bought two of a certain title) or two, a reusable bag or two…
• If you’d like to help me out and sponsor more prizes (cash/in kind, maybe even free trial of services you offer like brochure printing, or blog design, or something), I’d super appreciate it and blog about YOU!

I’d love to launch the contest on July 1

So what do you think? Would you sign up?

Click on the photo (which I borrowed from the family’s site) to get to his website and learn more about helping out with his cause. I am already cooking up a small giveaway for my birthday next month, and his bracelets will be a central feature of the giveaway. I don’t have mine yet (haven’t ordered), but I sure will have one, along with members of my family

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