Christmas Eve Festivities

Christmas is over and I know you all enjoyed your Christmas Eve as much as we did. It was a night full of fun and laughter because of the parlor games that we had here at home. Not to mention, it was filled with sumptuous food and extra-special gifts for everyone. It was a night of videoke too. Almost everyone including me sang to the top of their lungs, literally! LOL. And guess what, I got an itchy throat afterward and was sick the next day. But it's okay. At least, I had fun!

Our Noche Buena. It was definitely a good night with good food!

Gifts...Gifts...

... and more Gifts!

Debt Consolidation: A Friend Indeed for Those in Need

The holidays are here, the busiest time of the year for retailers. In spite of all the economic problems facing the world, it seems as if it had no effect at all on individuals and their Christmas shopping lists. I base that opinion on the throngs of people I've seen crowding the malls and stores in my area; men and women and children-families-busy shopping for gifts and all the other goodies associated with Christmas. And with only six shopping days to go until the magical day of cheer dawns with the arrival of Santa, is it any wonder that the last-minute rush is on?

There's nothing wrong with shopping and splurging this time of the year as long as your finances are equal to the task. But there can be a major problem when people spend more than their budget allows, which can be especially painful when using credit cards. It's way too easy to create an almost insurmountable credit card debt before you even realize a problem exists. It's a play-now-pay-later situation that sneaks up on you when playtime is over and it's time to pay the piper. Having a large credit card debt can be frightening, and in a worst-case scenario the consequences can be devastating. I know a few people who've found themselves in such dire straits but were fortunately able to overcome their dilemma by making use of credit card debt consolidation.

There are many good companies offering this service, and bill consolidation was a great help to my friends. After having lived through the experience, I can only hope that they not only learned the definition of frugality but that they also put the act of it into practice and never have to face such circumstances ever again.

Have a very Merry Christmas, and an even merrier time paying your bills on time!

Golf Luck

His luck never fades. I'm referring to my dad who's always been lucky when it comes to raffle draws in the golf tournaments that he'd joined. I've blogged about the goodies that he'd won in February of this year here and here's the latest goody that he won last week - a 21 inch colour TV. Mom's still thinking where to put this one since all the rooms have a TV set already except for the bathroom though, so, I think that's the place where this will go. Hee hee.

How I wish they'll include house and lot in the raffle draw next time. LOL.

Stopping Male Hair Loss Early is Key

This is a sponsored guest post written by Louis Dobbs on behalf of Procerin for Men. Post powered by Sponzai.

For many men, hair loss in an unfortunate fact of life. Whether you are going completely bald, or have just started to notice some thinning of your hairline, odds are good that you will be one of the nearly 65% of men that experience some loss of hair in their lives. For those of us with prematurely bald fathers or grandfathers, the future is even more bleak. Genetics plays a powerful role in a man’s susceptibility to hair loss, so if you have a family history of male pattern baldness early action is essential to keeping your hair.

Scientists have known for over a decade that male hair loss is the result of a combination of genetics and the effects of di-hydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a byproduct of the male hormone testosterone. It is created when a chemical reaction mutates testosterone, and converts it into DHT. DHT latches on to receptors in the hair follicle, eventually killing it off and causing the hair to fall out. The higher the levels of DHT in the scalp, the more “under attack” your hair follicles are every day.

If you want to save your hair, stopping the effects of DHT is your top priority. The active ingredients in Procerin for men work with your body chemistry to block the formation of DHT in the first place. Procerin provides a powerful 2-part approach to battling DHT-related hair loss with a daily capsule and a convenient topical foam. If you are concerned about losing your hair, you owe it to yourself to try out Procerin before it is too late. Procerin is available without a prescription and backed by a 90 day money back guarantee.

No Matter the Place, 'Tis the Season

It’s that time of year when the airwaves will be filled with tales of Christmas. Over the years there have been so many poignant and joyful stories and fantasies played out on the silver screen. There’s always Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life with the late-great Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed to look forward to seeing for the 100th time; Dr. Suess’ The Grinch That Stole Christmas; and dozens of versions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. And as for me, having for so long been one of the bah-humbug persona (until now, that is), I have a fondness for Bill Murray’s Scrooged, a wacky and comedic take on Dickens’ classic moralistic tale of greed and redemption in which I can't help but see a wee bit of myself in Bill's warped character.

There is another film in the same vein, featuring one who is pragmatic, has great doubts, and in all reality could be called cynical. Ironically, though, it’s a little girl displaying such a grown-up dark side in Miracle on 34th Street, played by a very young Natalie Wood. The key plot element is her disbelief in Santa Claus, until she meets Kris Kringle, who claims to be the real deal. But it was only after talking to my fiancée in the Philippines that I was led to discover the true meaning and real deal behind the phrase Kris Kringle.

While sharing with her our Christmas traditions and my holiday plans, I mentioned that we had drawn names in my family to swap gifts. She informed me that they too did the same, but they call it picking lots, and the name you choose is the one that becomes your Kris Kringle. To say the least, I was a bit confused-imagine that! When I asked her what she meant, telling her that Kris Kringle was Santa Claus, she told me that that was one of their traditions and what they called it and she had never researched the origin. That being so, I began one of my odysseys through the corridors of cyberspace in search of, which turned out to be a short journey seeing that I found the answers immediately.

This ritual is known around the world under different names, all meaning the same concept: Secret Santa. Here in the US it’s called Kris Kringle, named after Santa Claus, though I had never heard it called that. All we ever said was, “Let’s draw names!”. The phrase itself comes from the original name of the German gift-bringer Christkindl which means Child Jesus. In the Latin American countries it’s called amigo secreto or amigo invisible, secret or invisible friend. Another variation, used specifically in parts of Pennsylvania, is Pollyana. Whatever the term used, it refers to the practice per se and/or any of the participants, be they givers or receivers, thus clarifying why she said the name she chose was her Kris Kringle, though she is actually the Secret Santa.

The idea of the Santa being a secret one comes from the fact that the names can be chosen and when the gift given, the giver can remain anonymous. Another way of doing it allows the person to put on their name slip a short I-want-list of items so the giver can have an idea of what to buy, which is the way we do it in my family, as well as having a price limit set on the amount to be spent on the gift.

What I found interesting and very refreshing in talking to my fiancée, especially coming on the heels of our Black Friday and Cyber Monday, gluttonous days of American consumerism, was the price limit they had set on the gifts to be bought: 50 PHP, Philippine pesos, which is equal to $1.00 American. And here we have in my family set a limit of $25.00, which would be 1250 PHP, an extravagant amount in their culture and economy. But there, they are more into celebrating the season for the reason, as well as enjoying friends and family in love, more so than in the idea of the importance of the gifts and the amount spent; a wonderful idea.

Still, it is the most important of all holidays in the Philippines and I was amazed to find on my arrival there this past August that the celebrations had already begun. Carols were being played on the radio and the stores and malls were in the process of putting up their Christmas displays and decorations. And as early as September carolers were strolling the streets during the evening hours regaling their neighbors with songs of the season. I always felt we began our Christmas too early here, but being a predominately Catholic nation, I came to understand the reason for their joy and great celebration of this most special of all religious holidays.

But no matter the place in the world, this is a time and season and holiday that most people everywhere share. That being so, I want to wish everyone a very joyous and happy holiday season with hopes of better things for all. And from the Philippines, my lady sends her holiday greetings: "Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! Mabuhay!" And no matter the language, the sentiments are the same where e’re one may go, and I too share them with you:

"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Live long and prosper!"

Better Safe than Sorry, or Even Worse, Dead!

Unfortunately, crime is a part of life and hearing about it on the radio, reading of it in the newspaper or seeing it on television on a daily basis can really be sad. The recent news about the killings in the Philippines of over fifty people, including 30 journalists and several innocent individuals who just so happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, was horrifying. This event is considered one of the biggest crimes in the history of the media with the loss of so many reporters which goes to show how dangerous that profession can be. I would wonder at times how people can be so cruel. But that is the life they chose to live and it is beyond our control.

With those kinds of happenings, sometimes I think that nobody is safe in this world we live in anymore. A crime can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Not only to just individuals, but even to establishments, small or big. But there are things that we can control. That is why many establishments make sure that they get the service of security guards. And the rich and famous have their own personal body guards to look after them because living in the public spotlight sometimes attracts the attention of undesirable people.

If you find yourself in need of security services, you might want to check www.beachcitiesprotectiveservices.com. Their goal is to provide people with the best security that they need, be it security guards, body guards, executive protection or even private investigators. Knowing the situation they were placing themselves in, I do wonder why that convoy had no security detail and drove right into the open arms of a massacre. How different things could have been, if only they'd been protected. A lesson learned a little too late for them, but to be considered in the future by those who may find themselves in a similar scenario. Safety first, before anything else!

I Can’t Wait Till I Get to Shop at This Supermarket!

This is the grocery store that my fiancé frequents in his city. And when he got here in our city three months ago, he couldn’t help but compare our supermarket here to his. Ours, he said, is so much bigger and he was amazed at the abundance of fresh seafood. They do have fresh seafood where he lives, but since he's located 500 miles from the coast, when it's shipped in it's at least one day, not exactly fresh fresh. Since our city is near the ocean, it's a given that our seafood selection is freshly caught and brought directly to market, and it is one of the jobs here that many people make their living at, doing it with pride, a link to our cultural history. He actually took photos of the fresh seafood that he saw at our supermarket out of fascination so he could share it with his friends and family. I will share those photos here soon.

The last time my fiancé shopped he noticed something at the grocery store that he'd never seen before: armed security guards. That was quite puzzling to my fiancé since they'd never been there before. He hasn’t heard any news of an increase in robberies. Maybe it's nothing other than being prepared for anything that might happen. As what my fiancé said, with the economy that they have now, some people might resort to trying to get easy money, or just shoplift, trying to put food on the table for their family, which is sad. But the grocery store's just doing what’s best, getting security, and he did wonder where they hired this service because they weren't the usual ones he's seen in his area. But wherever they came from, he said there were very professional looking and appeared to be very prepared for any situation that may arise. That makes me feel better knowing that when I get there with him all will be safe, even when we go to the grocery store.

Frozen Food Section

View from the Main Door

Fruit and Vegetable Section

The more things change...

...the more they remain the same; an adage of unknown origin but most likely known world wide. And a case in point and perfect illustration of that sentiment can be seen in the above photo. Yepper, that's yours truly, and with apologies to Spielberg I will say that truly was "long ago in a galaxy far, far away". Not for nothing, is it, I'll not disclose the date of that photo, for if I did so then you'd just have to do the math to figure out my age.....(",) Yes, that is one of many things that have changed: I was 2 1/2-to-3-years-old when that pic was clicked with what would now be considered an antique Kodak Brownie camera. Anyone remember these little bulky-box pieces of technology, which at that time was thought of as state-of-the-art?

Ol' Brownie
Copyright 2003 browniecameracollector.com

Since that time, though, that li'l boy has traveled many a mile on his journey through life to find himself in this era of amazing miracles of hi-tech wonders. But the one thing that hasn't changed in all these years is my ability to run my mouth. As I've been told by many, I never know when to shut up. Just ask Lynndee, my li'l Anghel fiancé and co-blogger here.

When I made my trip to the Philippines to meet her, she was not only puzzled, but amazed at how much I talked. And not only that I talked, but would talk to anyone and everyone. In reality, I've not always been like that. When I was young, I was terribly shy. Even as I grew, that remained the same. And when it came to girls, forget it; I was terrified of 'em! I worked up the nerve to ask one girl out when I was in high school, and when she said no, I never asked another. So much for those wonderful, nostalgic high-school days most everyone raves about. Methinks that many look back on those days through the prism of rose colored glasses and selective memory.

Nevertheless, that is another thing that has changed: my shyness as well as fear of the softer gender (you can ask Lynndee about that one, too.....HEE-HEE-HEE). I guess time and experience gave me needed self-confidence and I overcame that impediment. There are times that I meet people who knew my Dad, and they tell me I'm just like him. That makes me feel good and happy, for he was a hard-working man as well as one who never met another man that he didn't like, another old adage. And that is me: I love people and am very gregarious, until and unless one gives me reason to not like them, that is. But while in the Philippines, I met not one person that I did not like. When I left there to come home, I was on a first-name basis with all the guards at the hotel, the restaurant staff and desk clerks, and so many other people I met; simply because I ran my mouth and talked and was friendly. That in itself amazed and puzzled those people, as well, for I had one of them tell me that they're not used to a tourist like me treating them as equals, and insisting on not being called sir and mister but to be addressed by my given name. What they didn't realize is that I consider myself one of them, just a working man, trying to survive, and that I respected them for the good job they do on a day-to-day basis in their effort to survive.

And just look at this; more proof that I never know when to shut up; I've turned a simple little blog post into a novel; and I'm still not finished! What brought all this about was the pic of me yakking on the phone and a discovery my brother and I made while going through a bunch of his pack-rat junk on Thanksgiving day while I was at his home for dinner. My Mom was the one who found the old photo of me talking on the phone at my granparent's home all those years ago and gave it to me, saying with a smile on her face, that things never change because after all these years, I'm still always on the phone (a cell phone, now) and internet (which didn't even exist then), talking to that girl in the Philippines. And what my brother and I found really brought back memories of that long-ago photo as well as many more fond and treasured reminisces. What we found was this:

This is the very culprit, the actual phone I was talking on that day, that began my odyssey of change from being a talker, to a young man who was afraid to even open his mouth, to the man I now am who doesn't know when to shut up. Oh well; go figure. But my brother salvaged this piece of nostalgia from my grandparent's home after Granny had to move out and go to an assisted-living center. And in this pic is proof positive that things really do change. Granny and Papaw are now both gone; the old homestead has been razed by bulldozers; and there are no longer Brownie cameras or telephones like this.

Though I am thankful for this new age of technology we live in, for without it I would have never met my wonderful wife-to-be, there's still one thing that will never change which we'll always be able to hold onto: memories. And every now and then we stumble across poignant mind-nudging reminders of what once was, making sure we never forget from whence we came, no matter the marvels we now have access to or are yet to come. Now, if I could only go digging around up at Mom's and find that old Brownie camera, what a treasure that would be. So wish me luck, y'all! And with that, I'll finally shut up; for now, anyway. See ya, bye ya!