I am DZOI

Oh Paris

My number one dream travel is to visit Paris. It probably started when I was young and all I did was watch these sappy, romantic movies where the heroes usually end up meeting at the Eiffel tower. As I get older, I kept on having new reasons why I want to visit this city of lovers. The city is not only romantic but is perfect for art aficionados. Even if I’m not a frustrated painter, I’d enjoy seeing the masterpieces in the Louvre and just marvel at the Palace of Versailles.

I learned more about Tours in Paris when I came across this site called Isango.com. This website offers holiday tours, sightseeing, attractions and activities on over 50 countries around the world. After reading about their detailed guide in Paris, I just couldn’t get over how many places there is that I need to go. My heart ached upon seeing the Palace of Versailles and Claude Monet’s garden tour. How wonderful it is to see the house, studio and garden where Monet painted the famous Water Lilies series. I know I’m gushing but I can already see myself strolling around the garden and taking photos of the pond and Japanese bridge.

The Palace of Versailles was built by Louis the XIV in the mid 17th century and currently the most luxurious palace in France. I’m personally excited to see the Hall of Mirrors, a 75 meter long ballroom with 17 big mirrors on one side. I always tell The Husband that a palace won’t be a palace without those maze-like gardens. Versailles has those and more in their geometric terraces, flowerbeds, ponds and marble statues.

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Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s day to all the mothers around the world.

Being a mother is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It’s just amazing how you can get to be a kid again, see and experience new things through your child. Everything that seemed boring before can be magical now. It’s a wonderful life and I wouldn’t give it up for all the money in the world. (And that’s saying a lot coming from me ;))

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Window Treatments

Tired on how your living room looks? There’s one quick and guaranteed way to give it a new look - window treatments. There are various ways that you can upgrade the look of any room using blinds, curtains or both. To give you an idea, check out smithandnoble.com, a leading resource for window treatments. From roman shades for comfy and elegant look to woven shades for tropical and exotic feel to illusion shadings for soft, flattering light, they can help you achieve the look that you want for your home.

A floor to ceiling shade illusion shading is a great way to protect your furniture from harsh light. It provides diffused light that can give your room a soft and romantic feel. My favorite from the SmithandNoble.com site are the fabric shades because it can complement any type of look. The right color and pattern can brighten up any room instantly. Just look at this roman fabric shades.
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My Wall

Here’s the wall photo using Weeds and Wildflowers papers. Can you tell that I can’t get enough of these papers? I used them on my main blog as well.

With frame on top of my work station. Pardon the difference in colors, I blame it on our lighting

I also printed my latest favorite photo of Sandy.

The big wall photo was supposed to be placed on my right side to remind me to keep on scrapping. But the frame was just too expensive (for me at least) not to be put on top, where everyone can see them. I’m really happy with the printed version. Even The Husband loved it so we’re planning to fill our other wall with more photos as soon as I find time again.

Posted in thinking out of the box | 4 Comments »

Leaving your child with a nanny

I know moms can be too paranoid sometimes but we can’t help it. When we’re not with our children, we just can’t stop ourselves wondering if they’re okay. Even me, who already works from home worries from time to time when my toddler is in the other room with her nanny. If only we can be with our little ones 24/7 right? But working mothers just don’t have that luxury.

This is why nanny cameras are very in demand nowadays. We just can’t risk leaving our kids with people we don’t really know. If you’ve seen the nanny’s from hell videos, you’d feel the same way. This has been a popular topic in parenting forums for the longest time. We’re not just talking about nannies that shake newborns or hit toddlers. We’re talking about nice and soft spoken ladies who seem to dote on your kid when you’re around. But as soon as you’re gone, they turn into a TV-addict or cell phone addict that they forget to take care of your little ones anymore. Worse, they could even call their boyfriends and let them inside the house. Bad things happen when people thinks no one is watching.

So if you’re looking for a powerful yet very discreet camera, these nanny cameras can help you. There are hidden cameras dressed as clocks, DVD player, purifier, and the popular mini cameras that you can hide inside a teddy bear just like from the Nanny Diaries. Prices range from $250 - $600 depending on the features. They are not exactly cheap but you can never pay too much for the safety of your child. You don’t necessarily have to buy these just because you’re suspecting that your nanny is dangerous. You can get these cameras even if you just want to see what your kid is doing when you’re away.

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Parenting in the 50’s

Okay, I just have to blog about this.

I forgot the TV show exactly but it was on Lifestyle Network last night. It’s a parenting show where three different couples will follow three types of parenting. If I remember correctly, the parenting styles were:

1. out of sight, out of mind. strict schedule and routines

2. baby spock, follow your instincts

3. continuum, babywearing

The three couples with newborn babies will be guided by three experts. The two experts were okay, maybe because they’re more of the there’s-no-limit-on-how-you-should-hold-your-baby and the babywearing types. They go for co-sleeping, following your child’s demands and schedules, breastfeeding and cuddling 24/7. The third however, was a parenting expert from hell. Now please don’t think that I didn’t like the third expert just because I don’t agree to her ways. I’m always open to other methods like ferber, routines, etc even if I fail to do them. What shocked me about her is this specific style of parenting.

Are you ready?

Every morning, a kid, newborn or toddler should be left alone for two hours outside. Whether it’s a porch, a garden or whatever, just make sure that the babies are all bundled up and that they won’t be able to escape. Apparently, this method has been proven since 1950 to make the babies sleep better at night. So back to the scene, the expert told the couple to put their one day old baby outside their porch. It was cold and the mother was hesitant but she was too weak to protest. The expert then said, “Close the door. You shouldn’t hear or see her. Out of sight and out of mind is good.” Que Horror! So you’re just supposed to forget that you have a kid? What if a cat, dog or a squirrel happen to pass by and decides to jump on the stroller??? WTF. I’m telling you, that’s cruel. I don’t care if it makes your kid healthy or sleep longer. You suck if you can put your one-day-old baby outside (and did I mention alone?) without even thinking about her safety. Seriously. The expert mentioned these words when the babywearing pro expert asked her what the point of having a child was:

There are mothers who just want to go back to their old life once they had a kid. So you set the rules, routines, the schedules. Don’t let your baby take over your life. You can just pretend that the baby does not exist.

You old hag. We’re talking about a one day old baby here. Even the stitches from labor hurts for a week and you’re supposed to forget a baby for a couple of hours just so you can continue with your old life?

Posted in all me | 8 Comments »

Free Listing

For online businesses, making yourself visible is the most important step towards success. But before you submit your site to every available directory in the Internet, you might want to research about it first to learn if they can help you get your message across. I personally think that web directories that do not approve sites automatically are the best ones. They want to protect their credibility so they make sure to accept websites of top quality only.

If you feel your site have what it takes, check out Dirmania, a free web directory that can get you listed in 24 hours. Although they are fast, this site is very selective when approving urls. Sites that have adult, illegal, gambling contents or those that are created only for advertisements will be rejected or blocked instantly. They also check the website’s design and usability, which I believe is very important. Your site may be filled with useful resources but no one would be able to read them if it’s too cluttered with animated images and various javascripts that was supposed to make the site look “nice”. Once approved, you will have the benefit to increase your visibility for free. Each listing will have one link, a brief description, page rank info and number of clicks. Other visitors or website owners can rate a link. The higher the rating, the bigger the chance for your site to be featured in the Popular Links category.

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Yen’s Questions of the Week 17

Here are my answeres to Yen’s QOTW.

1. When was the last time you kissed someone? Who was it?
My daughter Sandy

2. Last time you went to the movies? What movie?
Gosh, I’m such a loser. It’s been too long that I can’t remember it anymore. Maybe it was Pan’s Labyrinth?

3. Do you turn off your cellphone/s when you’re in a movie house?
Of course

4. Do you curse?
I used to but not anymore.

5. Do you often have nightmares?
Once a month, yes.

6. Who’s your crush?
Gong Yoo, who else?

7. Do you drive? When’s your license expires?
Nah

8. Are you afraid of dying? Why and Why not?
Die now or in the near future? I’m not really afraid because it’s inevitable. If there’s one thing I’m afraid of, that is not being able to do the things that I need to do; see Sandy grow up and be successful, hold my grandchildren in my arms, travel around the world with The Husband, etc.

9. Do you like to party? Why or Why not?
Oh Yeah! It’s a great way to relive stress and just let your hair down

10. Last time you said “I love you’? To whom?
My daughter and husband

11. Last time you exercised? Gym or house?
Two years ago

Posted in what goes around | 1 Comment »

His Skin

I was resting on the bed and watching TV when I noticed The Husband’s face. His pores are so huge and his skin didn’t look healthy at all. I immediately thought of Orovo detox when I saw his skin up close. I asked him if he’s willing to have a facial monthly since I remember it being a part of their medical benefits. We’re not talking about vanity anymore. I just want him to look glowing and healthy, not haggard. He said he tried my new salt scrub but that it hurt his too-sensitive face so I doubt if he’d try it again.

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A Mother’s Minute

You know why mommy blogs and websites are popular? It’s because even though we are all super moms in every way that we can, we need all the help that we can get. When we gave birth, we immediately acquired this special connection with all mothers all around the world. This special bond makes us understand what every mother is going through plus we have this need to constantly share and learn from each other.

Having said that, I want to share with you this new parenting site that I found online. It’s called A Mother’s Minute, a website that encourages all moms to share parenting ideas, family fun activities, home management, maintain happy relationships and other factors to make the most out of motherhood. I like how this site does not tell the mothers what they need to do but that they should appreciate who they are. I agree that mothers need to take care of themselves in order to properly take care of their husbands, kids, homes, and even their careers. They also respect that everyone has their own parenting style so they will not force any kind of method on you just because it worked on another parent.
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