sunnysideup tagged: Breast cancer awareness

Here's a tag reminder for all women to practice self breast examination. I got this from Leah :)

Reminds me of a cyst in my left breast when I was in college. One day it (my left breast) just felt itchy, as I was scratching I discovered a small lump. Didn't give it much thought until the next day when I realized it was still there.

I told my mom about it and apparently she also had one during her 20's. Anyway, we decided to have it removed. I was lucky because it was small and benign plus I only had to undergo a minor operation. In fact I was out the same day. The lady doctor was also nice, she was talking to me the entire time and making jokes to relax me. It also helped to know that there is no known case of the big "C" in my family.

On a hindsight this experience became positive because it created awareness in my dorm. Word came out and my dorm mates all checked their breasts. A few of them made a discovery and also undertook operations.

Anyway, here are a few reminders my doctor gave me:

• Avoid wearing tight brassieres especially those with metal linings
  
• Avoid/Lessen caffeine intake
• Be conscious of sleeping position, preferably avoid sleeping face down.

Here are a few more facts about breast cancer. (Facts taken from Women’s Health)

* One in eight women or 12.6% of all women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.

* Breast cancer risk increases with age and every woman is at risk.

* Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer.

* Seventy-seven percent of women with breast cancer are over 50.

* Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 15 and 54, and the second cause of cancer death in women 55 to 74.

* Risks for breast cancer include a family history, atypical hyperplasia, early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after age 55), current use or use in the last ten years of oral contraceptives, and daily consumption of alcohol.

* Early detection of breast cancer, through monthly breast self-exam and particularly yearly mammography after age 40, offers the best chance for survival.

And now here is the tag and the rules:

1. Put the logo in your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who shared it with you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4. Add your link to the list of participants below
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

PINK Sisterhood
1- Fara 2- Massy 3- N.O.Y 4- Mariuca 5- A Great Pleasure 6- LadyJava 7- Kim 8- Pink Thoughts 9- Turn-u-Off 10- Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 11- STAY AT HOME MOM 12- Fida Abbott 13- Also Mommy 14- Janice Ng 15- Juliana’s Site 16- The Painted Veil 17- Heart of Rachel 18- Mga Muni-muni 19- littlemsfirefly 20 - My Happy Thoughts 21- Underneath It All 22- Cellulitic Bliss 23 - A Matter of Perspective 24 - Sunnysideup: I choose to be happy!

You are tagged: Rocks, Claire, Jannesse, Amy, Emz, Umma, and Badet.

sunnysideup perspectives: Don't talk if you have nothing good to say.

Today I am blogging differently. As a norm I only write about happy and light things because I strongly feel that our current lives are tormented by too much negativity and senseless rants. Sometimes, we just need a break from it all.

Today, however, will be different. I am writing about a blog I read from my egroup N@W. This is something that we should spread. The blogger narrates her 11-year old daughter's horrible experience of racism. How she was bullied with racist remarks. Words that will forever scar her. I just hope that will just make her stronger and will not stop her from being her best.

As a general rule, please. . . "Don't say anything if don't have anything good or sensible to say."

Do read the blog.

Stop racism. Let just make our lives better.

Thank you series: Green tea flavored toothpaste and chocolates!

Tea is the staple drink of the Chinese. Most of them have tea in their water bottles in fact water bottles in China have built in strainers that automatically separate water and the tea leaves/flowers.

Anyway, I've also noticed how popular Green Tea flavor is in China. I find it amusing actually but my hubby doesn't. I think it mainly because he detests the taste of tea while I have grown to love it. In fact, I'm very much fond of drinking tea so finding the green tea flavor in some other consumer products is not at all a bother to me. I'm also addicted to Nai (Milk) Cha (Tea).

So far we've discovered that there is such as thing as Green Tea flavored (Colgate) toothpaste and Green tea flavored (Hersheys) chocolates here. When we bought both products we originally thought were mint flavored. Of course we only relied on the drawing since we couldn't read Mandarin. Hahaha, I couldn't help but laugh at how my hubby reacted when he discovered the truth with his first bite. Oh well, this benefits me though cause I get to eat and finish all the chocolates hehehe. Yummy! :) (hmm this doesn't do good for my diet though.)

Anyway, if you love tea like me there are plenty of possibili-TEAS. Here is a list of tea beverages offered in restos or beverage stores.

Milk Tea
Basic Milk Tea
Green Milk Tea
Tapioca Milk Tea
Coconut Jelly Milk Tea
Coffee Jelly Milk Tea
Honey Milk Tea
Vanilla Milk Tea
Hazel Milk Tea
Caramel Milk Tea
Grass Jelly Milk Tea
Hokkaido Milk Tea/ Green Milk Tea

Green Tea
Basic Green Tea
Coconut Jelly Green Tea
Tapioca Green Tea
Honey Green Tea
Passionfruit Green Tea
Plum Green Tea
Lemon Green Tea
Yakult Green Tea
Ice Cream Green Tea
Grapefruit Green Tea

Black Tea
Basic Black Tea
Coconut Jelly Black Tea
Tapioca Black Tea Honey Black Tea
Passion Fruit Black Tea
Plum Black Tea
Lemon Black Tea
Ice Cream Black Tea

Others
Peach Oolong
Hot Ginger Tea
Hot Ginger Milk Tea

sunnysideup finds: Super Obama game

Happy Monday!

Just want to share something I found on the web. Check out this video game, by Zensoft, with Obama as the main character. It reminds me of Mario Brothers :)

Thank you series: One day budget trip in Macau

It's my second time to visit Macau and at the rate I'm going, I'd probably be visiting Macau once every month. Last October it was to celebrate my birthday, this time (November) it was to be the tourist guide of our friends who are here on a business trip. On December, I expect to go there again to attend a Gawad Kalinga event.

Anyway for our trip my hubby and I prepared a packed day for our friends. We only had one day and we had to make sure that we make the most of their visit. I'm just glad that they enjoyed amidst the hot sun and aching leg muscles. According to them, it felt like 'Amazing Race' but it was all worthwhile.

Check out our itinerary. (Consider that we came from China mainland and that we only had a day. We also opted to make this as cost efficient as possible so we opted NOT to stay overnight although we were very much tempted to stay the night so we can do some shopping the next day :) ).

7:30 am Left our houses to catch the bus.
7:45 am Arrived in Fuhua hotel and bought our bus tickets. We took the bus ride from Zhongshan to Zhuhai/GongBei. Cost per person is 20RMB per person

9:00 am Queued in China immigration, exiting China.
9:15 am Queued in Macau immigration, entering Macau.
10:35 am We exit immigration and ... arrive in Macau. We began taking pictures! Incidentally it was the day of Grand Prix Eliminations. :)

10:40 am Took the number 3 bus and headed for San Malo. Cost per person is 2.5Macau Pataca per person

10:50 am We arrive at San Malo. After a few minutes of deliberation we decided to eat lunch at Pizza hut.

11:10am Lunch is served!

12:00noon Began our sightseeing in San Malo. Visited Ruins of St. Paul and the Macau Museum.

1:30pm Took the number 33 bus to Taipa. Cost per person is 3.3Macau Pataca per person
2:30pm Got a little lost but we found the Venetian eventually. It was ok though since we got to take a few more photos of the streets of Macau.

3:00 to 5:30pm Time spent admiring Venetian (inclusive of idle/rest time. We just had to sit a while to relax our aching feet).

5:45pm Left Venetian via cab going to Macau Tower. We opted to skip the 'free bus ride of Venetian' to maximize the time. Cost of cab ride for 4 people is 50 MOP from Taipa to Macau tower (Not bad eh :P )

6:00pm Arrived in Macau Tower. We also visited the stores Toys R Us and Warner Brothers. As always shopping and photo moments took a little longer.

6:45pm Arrived at New Yaohan mall and had our dinner at Sakura Tei. Yummy! :)

7:30pm More sightseeing for us at Wynn and Lisboa. We enjoyed the bright lights and the 'Dancing Fountain.'

8:30pm Tired to the bones, we now decided to go home. We hailed a cab who brought us back to the border. Cab ride to border from city for 4 people costs 50 MOP.

8:45pm Now we had to exit Macau immigration and enter China immigration.

9:30pm Done with immigration. Less people when it's late so queue was faster.

10:05 Now time for us to take a cab home. No more bus at this time so we had to take a cab. Took us 10 minutes to negotiate with the cab for a ride from border to Zhongshan City. Cab ride home for 4 people costs 200 RMB.

11:00pm we arrive at the Zhongshan. Now we needed another cab who will bring us home. Had to hail another cab who knew Zhongshan better.

11:30pm Arrived home. Cab ride home for 4 people costs 50 RMB.

A few things to note:

• In Macau, HK dollars are accepted by stores but I do suggest that you have your money changed to MOP (Macau Pataca). This will help you save a little more since HK dollars is a little higher that MOP.
  
• Venetian is such a big place, you need at least 1 whole day to visit it's every nook and cranny. However you can prioritize what you want to see. Maximize the available touch screen floor plans found at the lobby. There are also free maps for you to refer too.
• Gondola rides in the Venetian cost around 105MOP per head for adults and 60MOP for kids. It's cool, romantic with live singing from the boat drivers.
  
• Venetian is also in Taipa island so best to group your visits. (Example: Taipa island = Venetian. Macau island = St Paul Ruins, Macau Tower, Grand Lisboa, Fountains of Wynn etc)
  
• The area of Grand Lisboa and Wynn are best visited at night. The lights are amazing so day trips are suggested in Macau tower, the Museums, St. Paul Ruins and the shopping area.
• Cost of activities in Macau tower are: Bungee jump = 1700MOP Skywalk= 780MOP Entrance fee to enter the tower = 100MOP
  

Sunnysideup tagged: Wonder Woman Award and The Year That Was Tag

Thank you Amiable Amy for my first ever award :) Haha at least I get to be 'Wondah Woman' for a day!

I want to pass on this award to Emz, April, Leah, Janesse and Jacque.

I also dedicate this award to all the women who tirelessly and continuously do their best to keep their homes and families bright and sunny!


Now here's a "historical" tag from Leah and Emz. :)

In 1977 (the year you were born)

Jimmy Carter becomes president of the US Most of the 10,000 Vietnam War draft evaders are pardoned by President Carter Singer Anita Bryant starts her "Save Our Children" crusade against gay rights Elvis Presley dies in his Graceland bathroom Congress creates a Department of Energy Anwar Sadat flies to Jerusalem in a dramatic gesture of willingness to discuss peace Orlando Bloom, Shakira, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liv Tyler, and Ludacris are born New York Yankees win the World Series Oakland Raiders win Superbowl XI Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup Swedish music group ABBA passes The Beatles as having most records sold Star Wars is the top grossing film The Shining by Stephen King is published "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone spends the most time at the top of the US charts Three's Company premieres

What Happened the Year You Were Born?

{START COPY}
1. What happened in the year you were born? Take the quiz by clicking the link above.
2. Post the result of the quiz in your blog.
3. Tag 5 people who you think are born on a different year than yours.
3. It would be interesting to know the age of your blogging buddies plus of course get to know a little about history few years back.
4. Add your name on the list below. Indicating also the year you were born.

Leah (1976), Quinnie (1977) You’re next! I’m tagging Jeng.

Thank you series: Congratulations Simon!

I'm very lucky to have very creative and talented friends. From video editors, animators, designers to composers. One of them is Simon Peter Tan. I've witnessed how his career flourished and how he has made it a point to share his talent. With him, God always comes first! That's why he is also greatly blessed.

Anyway, last year he composed the summer station ID of GMA network, and recently he also put music to GMA Networks 2008 Christmas station ID. I like the song, it's simple and very refreshing! Just right for the modern, materialistic and cluttered world we live in. Congratulations Simon!

The GMA network video can be watched in YouTube. (sorry couldn't embed so I just linked it here)

He has also been very nice to me and my hubby. He worked on our wedding theme song by putting music to my words. Simon, and his wife, Jacque, also sang the song for us. Here is an AVP, I made using the song.

Thank you series: The Revolving Restaurant in Zhongshan, China

As I mentioned in my earlier blog, we went out last weekend and had dinner with friends. This time we tried 'The Revolving Restaurant'. It's located in the upper floor of the Fuhua Zhongshan hotel, also very near the Sun Wen Xi Road.

Food was good and the view was great. It took two hours to make a complete revolution and it was just enough time for us to enjoy the food and the company.

One small reminder: In case you will be eating here soon, don't leave your bag on the side. The glass walls are steady but your floor isn't :)

"My view from the restaurant."

"The walls."

"My favorite Pearl Milk Tea."


"Our salads, Caesars and Chef."

"Meat and rice galore."

Thank you series: Welcome to China Lot and Anna!

Last week two more colleagues of my hubby arrived. They will be in China for a month and just like us they were welcomed to China with a dinner in a hotpot restaurant and night out at Alex bar.

All Filipino group, except for CK (a German who's almost Filipino :) ).

We also accompanied them for a shopping day at the Sun Wen Xi road, it's shopping area also called walking street. I was so delighted, afterall, I miss being with women. I truly enjoyed the day with them, shopping is soo much more fun and the dinner talk was absolutely intense. :)

Thank you for the stories, I learned so much from you. Welcome to China girls!

Thank you series: Paskuhan sa Gawad Kalinga in Macau on Dec 2008

God is truly great!

Yesterday I got to chat with my childhood friend Jill. She told me about the upcoming event of Gawad Kalinga in Macau next month. I'm just so happy and ecstatic that my tears welled up as soon as I read the news. It's just amazing how God knows our needs and our heart!

Lately I've been missing my service and friends. Also been experiencing a little drought in my spiritual life. I do pray and read the bible daily but I miss the church and community that I had in Manila. So you see, her news was just so timely for me. Best of all I will have the chance to spend time with one of my bestest-bestest childhood friends, Jill. (Of course we will be with our hubbies this time! :) )

Jill and I in 2005.


Old pic with friends. Now 4 of 5 are married.

Anyway for SFC and CFC members, Filipinos or anyone interested, the GK event 'PASKUHAN SA GAWAD KALINGA', will be on Dec 6, 2008 in Macau. Sorry don't have the exact details yet, but will post it here as soon as I do. There will also be a GK forum on the eve of Dec 5.

God bless you all and Happy Friday!

Sunnysideup tagged: Friendship Flowers

Happy Friday everyone!

Got a new tag from Emz today. I'm a neophite blogger and its a pleasant surprise to meet new friends.

Start copying here:
Here are the rules for this tag;
1.) Copy the badge and put it on your blog,
2.)Link back who pass you this tag,
3.)Spread this tag to at least 7 or more bloggers who you think you are friend with.

And lovely are the blossoms
That are tended with great care,
By those who work unselfishly
To make the place more fair.
And, like the garden blossoms,
Friendship's flower grows more sweet
When watched and tended carefully
By those we know and meet.
And, if the seed of friendship
Is planted deep and true
And watched with understanding,
Friendship's flower will bloom for you.

I also want to pass this Friendship Flower tag to my new and future friends: mecheel, umma, yeung, claire and jeng. Got 5 only though since don't a lot of bloggers yet :)

Sunnysideup perspectives: An Election of Change

I'm not an American but I've been following this exciting election since the announcement of Obama as Democratic party's candidate. Thanks to Broadband internet and the impressive campaign monitoring of the media, I've been kept abreast on the campaign trail (Sarah Palin, Joe the Plumber, the VP and Presidential debates etc)

I also got to ask 2 people about their picks before the election. Both of them are Asians based in the US. I asked them who they are likely to vote and they said - Obama.

I find this election monumental and special. Simply because it offers so much hope and 'change'. Change seems to be the keyword here. Anyway, its amazing to see how things has transpired and how one person - a minority with very diverse roots - can rise up to one of the most powerful position in the world. I do hope that Mr. Obama's background and diversity will enable him to create a really positive impact to the world.

Hopefully we will see real change and that things do improve for everyone, especially since we are now seeing how we are all interconnected.

God bless the world!

Sunnysideup tagged: Weird Things About Me

Thanks for the tag, Jeng. Wow this is my first tag ever!:)

Rules are rules. To tag along: you have to list 7 weird things about yourself, post it in your blog, tag at least 7 people (list their names), and comment on their blog to let them know that you just tagged them.

1. I love pearl milk tea and almost every sort of tea. (Not very weird but not common for Filipinos either)
2. I like the smell of long closed cabinets when opened.
3. Before I leave the house, I need to check the doorknobs again. Usually I go back after a few steps to check if it is locked.
4. I can't sleep without a blanket.
5. I don't miss rice and can survive happily without rice.
6. I like eating french fries dipped in ice cream.
7. I prefer using Spoon and Fork pair/sets. It just feels unbalanced and uneven pag di magka-pair.

I am tagging Rhea, Jacque, Irmee, Leah, Badudet, Tintin, Amy.

Sunnysideup finds: The Secret

A high school friend of mine has been telling me about "The Secret". I never got to watch and never got to borrow her copy, but I did find a 20minutes snippet at YouTube, as uploaded by aSecretagent.

Basically it shares that our thoughts affect our day and our lives. It's a worthwhile watch.



What do you think about this?

Sunnysideup perspectives: The seasons of our lives

I'd like to share a very inspiring video by Bo Sanchez. It's about the seasons of our lives. When we experience growth, failure, change and end. I can relate so much especially since I'm in a moment of many changes in my life.

This is also very timely since we just had All Souls day and Halloween. Reminds us of our need to grow and move on. Plus it's a great way to start our week. A blessed Monday to you all!



Got this video from Youtube, uploaded by Annasamovar.

Thank you series: My first Halloween in China

I spent my Halloween weekend quite differently this year.

1. I was not able to go and visit my mom's in her garden resting place so I just lit a candle for her in our veranda and said my prayers. In the same way, I am not able to bond with my dad, since this is usually our 'day off' to bond and go to my moms grave.
2. I wasn't also able to meet up with my old friends, usually I also get to meet them since they also a a family, parent or grandparent, buried in the same cemetery were my mom is.
3. I was not able to see the entertaining mall decors and Trick or Treat costumed kids at the mall.

But,

1. I shared the moment with my hubby. This is our first Halloween as husband and wife. Soon it will also be our first Christmas together.

2. I got to attend another feast here in China. It's a thank you ceremony complete with dances and acrobatic performances. I was told that it was a celebration hosted by a realty company, to give thanks for their successful projects and to bless the new project they are going to build. I guess, one of the best ways to ward off bad karma or spirits is with a celebration.

3. We also spent a Halloween evening in Alex bar. It was pleasant and fun to see people in wild and wacky costumes. Bumped into a group of young expats on the bus already dressed for the fun evening.

Happy Halloween!