Savoring Simple Pleasures

Last Saturday morning while Hyzyd took his nap, I busied myself folding our clothes and preparing laundry for washing and drying. While my hands are occupied, my minds wandered to all the things left to do before our little hideaway will be the way I wanted it: kitchen cabinets, wallpaper in our kitchen , new carpet for the living room and bedroom, new mattress , and pretty curtains for the windows. Of course, it would also be nice to buy new sofa and some kitchen dishes and utensils and pictures for the walls and...my husband's call from downstairs pulled me out of my fantasy. I left what I did and came downstairs, and there on our old sofa, my hubby's smiling at me with his eyes bright.

"What's up?" I asked him.

"Not much," he answered. "Let's try the microphone that I just fixed. I want you beside me as we have a karaoke."

A little shiver ran down my spine as he sang love songs to me. He chuckled and I giggled everytime I'm out of tune. He may not knew it but that simple gesture took my breath away and brought me down to where I ought to be. We didn't have everything in place but we have each other. We had that pleasurable day.

Last Sunday I wasn't feeling well- my head and back aches so badly. My hubby's simple touch in the form of massage did several things: transmitted reassurance, eased my sore muscles and created a feeling of pleasure . He doesn't need to be an expert in massage (but it's much better if he could view some available massage training video on net) to make me feel better. His simple touch makes a big difference. My back pain didn't completely vanished, but romance was intensified. It's amazing what a little romantic touch can do!

Win Fossil's Ladies watch and Kate Spade's Kikay kit at Quicker.com!

Quicker.com is hosting a contest and I can't take my eyes away from its prizes that includes Kate Spade's kikay kit! How I wish I could own one through this contest. It's perfectly petite, sized to keep all my must-haves easily at hand with just enough room for a couple of oh-why-nots.

Here's what at stake of the contest:

1st price - Ladies Chronograph (bic face) watch
2nd price - Kate Spade kikay kit (orange)
3rd price - Kate Spade kikay kit (floral

This contest is open to all! YES and that includes you! Visit Quicker.com and start making entries. The more entries you have the more chances of winning. Contest will end on September 8, 2010. The winners will be picked through Random.org!

Meet our lil budding entrepreneurs

Here in our school, the elementary students were taught to earn and manage money by letting them join in the School Market Program. They will bring anything to sell to parents, teachers and fellow students . Unfortunately, yesterday they we're only given 30 minutes to showcase their items-new, used and old and I was informed late. To top it all, I don't have cash in my wallet except for few coins..aaarrrgh....I'm always looking forward for this kind of market because students will sell their moms unused beauty products like Cute Press Alpha Arbutin plus O.D.A White Miracle Brightening Essence , Loreal perfume, Mistine's mascara, Avon's pressed powder and many more for only 20 baht and if you have thick face you could even haggle up to 5 baht...LOL!

Grade 3 and 4 students were assigned to host the market yesterday

the boys were trying to sell their used Carter t-shirts and Ben 10 toys for only 15 baht!

the girls were selling their unused hair accessories, CDs, hankies and a teddy bear for
only 10 baht!

I get this elegant banded wrap v-neck 3/4 sleeve wrap top for only 20 baht!

This school market is a nice way for kids to earn money to let them understnad how to value money, make money and save money. They were taught the basic math skills. They know hoe to count back change to customers, total the and amount they’ve raised. Most of our students are kids of the rich businessmen in the city. They were taught about money at an early stage in their life. I'm sure they will not only understand the value of money but, they can also create their own ‘cash machine’ or businesses and who knows…… may end up being the next Bill Gates ! I observed that some of them learned the basic business skills already. Some displayed remarkable customer service skills.

For my son,Hyzyd, I want to be his mentor in financial life lessons. It's important that I could set a consistent example of responsible money management with our family’s finances. As many past surveys have shown, parents are highly influential when it comes to kids learning how to responsibly earn and manage money.

Are there other ways to teach our kids how to be responsible in money matters? Please do share your ideas and I would love to share your idea to the blogosphere.

I wish I could have you

I don't know when can we buy our own car but I'm dreaming to have our own one of these days. In our case, it's a necessity. We're busy people that travels everyday for work. Hubby will not get drenched ever again in coming home on rainy seasons. Shopping would be more convenient knowing that we have our own time when we will leave from the house and when we go home after buying everything we need unlike in public transportation there are specific schedules to follow. We manage our own time and it makes us freer to use our time with other things.

In emergency situations requiring urgent medical help we can use our car to transport patient to the hospital especially if it would take longer time for the rescue mobiles to reach our place. But prior to transport of patient, first aid must be properly given by a trained person. With our car as transportation in emergency situations, we get to help save a person's life.

When we'll buy a car, we have to make sure that the type we buy would be very comfortable to use and fit for our lifestyle. It doesn't have to be very expensive, as long as it has a good quality. We'll definitely choose the car that is convenient to drive . We may get a second hand car and still a very beautiful one at that. Some used cars may not look so great buy with wonderful working engines just needs a little adjustments or even a new color to make it look new.

Last weekend I saw this Volkswagen New Beetle showcased at the entrance of TESCO Lotus department store. I felt love at first sight with it. Could this be a small family car for us? I read before that Thailand has received only 100 units and due to the high demand of Beetles, the cars are not sold in a normal fashion but are auctioned via the internet. Starting price is Bt 1.5 million and the final price will be the lowest price submitted by the successful bidders. The amount exceeding Bt 1.5 million will be donated to the Distant Learning Foundation, according to Thai Yarnyon Co., Ltd. the distributor of Volkswagen cars in Thailand .

As shown above, the interior has leather upholstery as well as a flower vase stressing the Beetle tradition. The fascia, air vents and other constructions take on a circular theme . The car's dash kit beautify the interior. It helps contributes for the rich elegant feel of the car.There are also handles for the front and rear passengers which is reminiscent of the old model. The front seat is height-adjustable and has an easy entry function for the rear passengers while boarding. The rear seat backrest is 1/3 and 2/3 split-folding and there is a luggage compartment cover. Standard equipment include CFC-free air-conditioner, audio system with six speakers and roof aerial, extra 12-volt outlet in the console and in the trunk, power windows (with rollback safety) and mirrors, colour-keyed bumpers, polycarbonate headlight lens cover, etc.

Meanwhile, safety features include dual front airbags, seatbelts with pyrotechnical tensioners, belt force limiter and height adjustment, unitary construction with reinforcement sections in the door and side structures, fully galvanized body for 12 years, anti submarine seats with ISOFIX child seat mountings, third brake light, fog lights (front and rear), central locking with remote and electronic immobilizer key. No matter what price the Beetle fetches, it is definitely a popular car that people sought after. It is very modern-looking as well as a safe, economical and fun-to-drive vehicle that will again steal the hearts of people all over the world as it steals mine.

Oh how I wish I could have you New Beetle.