A Much Needed Vacation

Taking a vacation is something we all want and need. Working all year long and not having time to relax and unwind can make us feel bored and exhausted. Travelling and taking some time from work can be relaxing and can rejuvenate us. It will take our mind off from stress and worries from work for a time.

Nothing beats the priceless moments that we’ll share with our family and friends. All the experiences will be memorable so take time to take photos or videos for you to take home. I love going out of town with my family; it’s one of the many ways we can bond as a family.

My husband and I would always book in advance to get good rates. Anyone wishing to go to a certain place must need to research about the place and know where is the good place to stay and do fun activities. Since we have kids that love to explore all the time, finding child friendly resorts or place is a must for us.

We can check online and book cheap hotels for we can get good deals by booking ahead of time. Hotels become fully booked most of the times especially if it is holiday, so it’s better to have a reservation. Online travel companies are booming and a lot of them are offering competitive rates and that benefits us travelers for we can avail of their promos and discounts. You don’t need to go to your local travel company for booking and reserving can be done online, a very convenient way for travelers.

I’m wishing that we can travel back home in the Philippines soon for I missed my family back home already. I also wanted my family to experience what’s life in Pinas again. It’s been 4 years already since we went there and I’m sure they wanted to see and ride jeepneys and tricycles one more time. I’m also itching to taste our local foods again even though I can cook some here. Ahhh… I can’t wait.

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Battle of the Bands

Browsed through some photos at my sister's FB album and saw a lot of photos that I really missed. It was the fiesta of our town back in the Philippines last February and I it's been over 11 years since I have not seen  the parade every 3rd Saturday of Feb. I remember all he fun fare, celebrities who joined, music, bands, and the locals who joined the parade. It was a sight to behold and hoping one day I get to experience the Fiesta again.

The event will end at the plaza with the battle of the bands. Bands with their big horns, Bugles, drums and all play their own music and there are judges that will give them a score. My mom used to watch this event and it surely made her night more fun and entertaining.

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Easter Table Set Up

I made this beautiful Easter Table Set Up and I love how it turned out. My lil missy even helped me a bit with some decors.

Check them at  BELLA SWEET CAKES

Happy Easter!!

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Looks Like I Need to go Shopping !!

Ahhh.. shopping... it's been in my head for the last few days. 

I was browsing through some ads on the papers and I was hoping that I can shop some new clothes for my kids and for myself as well.My eldest daughter has her own thing for she can drive and go anywhere she wants that sometimes she can't come with me shopping.  I am very sure that my sister would die to go shopping with me just like what she did when she was here few years ago.

My sissy loves to check on the various deals that we have on paper and would even go online to check what's new. She can easily find shoe to cigar deals online without exerting much effort.. haha... that's how shopping enthusiast she is. I better message her about the deals that we have right now.

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Australian English

There are some Australian English which are called differently in American English.

I remember my sister who had a vacation here sometimes had a hard time differentiating words for we call some things in different way. Here are just some:

Here's a comparison:

AUS - AMERICAN

petrol ... gas
rubber ... eraser
lavatory, toilet ... washroom, restroom
biscuit ... cookie, cracker
paw paw ... papaya
capsicum ... bell pepper
tomato sauce ... catsup, ketchup
rubbish bin ... garbage can
footpath ... sidewalk
lounge ... sofa
wardrobe ... cupboard
dresser, dressing table ... sideboard
cutlery ... flatware
knives ... cutlery
freezer ... freezer, icebox
kitchen bench ... kitchen counter
jumper, pullover ... sweater
singlet ... tank top, athletic shirt
nappy ... diaper
sanitary towels ... sanitary napkins
hair pins ... bobby pins

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Ahhhhh.. Paris

Right this very moment, all I'm thinking is about vacation. I was talking to my sis the other day and we're having a conversation about her out of town vacay with our niece. I sure am glad that she is planning some travel this year. For us, we are still planning for our family vacation, not sure yet where to go this Christmas. 

The other day, I dreamed I was in Paris with my family. It's such a wonderful dream for we are touring all the famous tourist spots in the city. It's even more exciting because we have tried the paris luxury rental that I think every Paris vacationer wants.

Maybe on our 25th wedding anniversary, my hubby can take me to Paris! 

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Neighbour Day 2013

This year Neighbour  Day falls o n March 31st and I'm sure our local are will have a celebration and Camden Council is asking their residents to nominate a neighbour that they think is good and deserving to be appreciated and awarded for their good deeds.

Neighbour Day is Australia’s annual celebration of community, bringing together the people next door, across the street or on the next farm for a beer, a barbie or just a cuppa.
Held on the last Sunday in March every year, it’s the perfect day to acknowledge your neighbours and thank them for being there for you.Source: camden.nsw.gov.au/

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Should My Kids Apply for an Educational Loan

Paying for University upfront is a luxury that many students simply can’t afford. The options are fairly limited, either their parents step in and pay for the tuition, or students are forced to take out an educational loan to cover the cost of their studies. Here are a few important things to keep in mind when considering whether your kids should apply for an educational loan.

What Is an Educational Loan?

Depending on the type of study and educational institution, there are a range of different loans available. Generally, the government will support students by loaning them the fees for their tuition, to be paid back at a later date. The repayments usually start when the student has graduated and is earning over a certain threshold for income.

The disadvantage to student educational loans is that it leaves your child with a huge debt hanging over their heads as soon as they graduate. Instead of enjoying the benefits of their years of hard work and study, they instead have to worry about substantial repayments coming out of their wage in their new career.

What Are the Other Options?

Unfortunately there aren’t many options for students unless their parents are in a position to financially support them through Uni. If you decide that you would like to help your child achieve their study goals, there are a few different ways you can start saving early.

Being Prepared for Educational Expenses

The best way to ensure that your child has the opportunity to study at University is to start saving as early as possible. Some parents take advantage of the re-draw facility on their mortgage, and make as many repayments as they can so the money is available when their child is ready to enrol. You can also open your own high interest savings account and have a specified amount automatically transferred from your wage to maximise your savings.

Another option is to invest in an Educational Savings Plan. This involves making regular contributions which often cannot be withdrawn unless it is for dedicated educational expenses. These plans can be quite restrictive, so always be fully aware of all the terms and conditions before you commit to investing.

Before you choose which way to start saving, you should look at consolidating and strengthening your current financial position. For a range of specialised financial services, contact a professional agency such as Fox Symes debt solutions. They can assist with budgeting, as well as organising debt consolidation and anything else you might require to begin saving for your child’s education.

Giving your child the very best chance of success involves investing in their education. Student loans are effective for families who simply cannot afford to support their children through University, however it then leaves your child with tens of thousands of dollars in debt when they graduate. You’d be surprised just how much you can save if you start early and seek professional advice. Your children will thank you for giving them the very best start to their future.

Written by Emma Jane

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You Know You're Australian IF:

* You believe that stubbies can be either drunk or worn.
* You're liable to burst out laughing whenever you hear of Americans "rooting" for something.
* You pronounce Melbourne as 'Mel-bin'.
* You believe the 'L' in the word 'Australia' is optional.
* You can translate: 'Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas.'
* You believe it makes perfect sense for a nation to decorate its highways with large fibreglass bananas, prawns and sheep.
* You think 'Woolloomooloo' is a perfectly reasonable name for a place.
* You're secretly proud of our killer wildlife.
* You believe it makes sense for a country to have a $1 coin that's twice as big as its $2 coin.
* You understand that 'Wagga Wagga' can be abbreviated to 'Wagga' but 'Woy Woy' can't be called 'Woy'.
* You believe that cooked-down axle grease makes a good breakfast spread. You've also squeezed it through Vita Wheats to make little Vegemite worms.
* You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis.
* Beetroot with your Hamburger... Of course.
* You know that certain words must, by law, be shouted out during any rendition of the Angels' song 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again' And "Living next door to Alice".
* You believe that the confectionery known as the Wagon Wheel has become smaller with every passing year.
* You believe that the more you shorten someone's name the more you like them.
* Whatever your linguistic skills, you find yourself able to order takeaway fluently in every Asian language.
* You understand that 'excuse me' can sound rude, While 'scuse me' is always polite.
* You know what it's like to swallow a fly, on occasion via your nose.
* You know it's not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle and a seat belt buckle becomes a pretty good branding iron.
* Your biggest family argument over the summer concerned the rules for beach cricket.
* You shake your head in horror when companies try to market what they call 'Anzac cookies'.
* You still think of Kylie as 'that girl off Neighbours'.
* When working on a bar, you understand male customers will feel the need to offer an excuse whenever they order low-alcohol beer.
* You know how to abbreviate every word, all of which usually end in -o: arvo, combo, garbo, kero, metho, milko, muso, rego, servo, smoko, speedo, righto, goodo etc.
* You know that there is a universal place called "woop woop" located in the middle of nowhere...no matter where you actually are.
* You know that none of us actually drink Fosters beer, because it tastes like shit. But we let the world think we do. Because we can.
* You have, at some time in your life, slept with Aeroguard on in the summer. Maybe even as perfume.
* You've only ever used the words - tops, ripper, sick, mad, rad, sweet - to mean good. And then you place 'bloody' in front of it when you REALLY mean it.
* You know that the barbecue is a political arena; the person holding the tongs is always the boss and usually a man. And the women make the Salad.
* You say 'no worries' quite often, whether you realise it or not.
* You understand what no wucking furries means.
* You've drank your tea/coffee/milo through a Tim Tam.
* You own a Bond's chesty. In several different colours.
* You know that roo meat tastes pretty good, But not as good as barra. Or a meat pie.
* You know that some people pronounce Australia like "Straya" and that's ok.

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My Handyman

My hands are full right now and so is my hubby for there are many obligations that need to be done. Work, business, kids and house works are pretty much demanding but I also don't let those hinder me from giving myself my well deserved "me" time.

My dear husband is so busy with our benchtop business that most of the times he has no more time to fix some things around the house. However, he makes it sure that he'll set a time to be at his work space in the garage to organize and fix some things. The other day he is almost set to order nuts, bolts and bolts from a supplier after he saw some knobs from reidsupply.com online. I guess he is planning another project.... another mini-house for my sweet lil' bianca?

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