NOOB- a site for novice bloggers

I used to hear from a friend that she's a total NOOB- a slang term for a newcomer to an Internet activity, for example online gaming. It can also be used to indicate an individual inexperienced in any other activities like blogging. My Marce Pehpot is so creative enough to start a blog focusing on tips and techniques on blogging and online earnings. It's NOOB which stands for NOvice On Blogging . It's one of her 8 blogs that she maintained!

May you be a newcomer in a blogging world or been here for quite some time but didn't yet know the how's and tricks on blogging and monetizing your blogs, then NOOB is there to guide you! It's just recently that I knew that there's a word count tool online where you could just submit your article and the site will automatically count the words for you. I did it while doing reviews for Kaye and Pehpot's Blogversary Contest because in wrting reviews it's a requirement to have at least 200 words. It's also useful for me when I do some paid posts and there are number of words required. This site is already bookmarked and thanks to NOOB.

I'm not really good in making blog reviews but upon reading the author's post about "How To Write a Blog Review", it boost my confidence in writing reviews and even get the hang of it...LOL! Actually, this is my 12th blog review I've made for a couple of days after reading the post! Again, thanks to NOOB. Reading that article makes me believe that in writing that she's also picturing herself performing each step. That makes her an effective writer in giving out instructions on "How-To's".

Visit the site and you'll surely learn a lot from scheduling posts to how to create a disclosure policy, from blogger platform vs wordpress platform to adgitize made easy tool and almost all the basic tips and tricks of blogging and monetizing your blogs. The author's articles are all harvested from her own experience for information. It can't be denied that she's familiar with the topics she have written. And the facts that she know about her topics may go beyond an encyclopedia’s breadth of coverage. I like the way she uses simple words that any person would understand. We can't assume all the readers knows anything about the topic, right? This way, she didn't leave out any important steps.



As always, the author managed to make her her 8 blog sites look presentable and beautiful including NOOB. The theme really fits in to the concept of her site, and speaks about the content of her site. Every design or details go along with her blog's concept making us readers not to be confused with her blog. The header and footer is designed by the author herself. Maybe next time, it would be wonderful if she could posts some tutorial on how to make headers. That would really make my day!

Any questions about blogging and earning online? Visit NOOB and let her help you.

Camerasexy Shots

I have something to reveal to you...

Photo blogs are a secret passion of mine (now it isn't a secret). Every now and then I spend hours clicking through impressions of someone else’s life. Have you noticed that browsing photos is a way to relax and get a glimpse into different worlds? That's what I felt. It seems like having a free vacation for the mind.

That's why Geb's Photo Lane was born but I didn't make it public. In fact, it was held in abeyance since January. I started this photoblog because it helps me preserve our memories here in Thailand and share our life through photographs but then I'm not motivated to update it anymore because I don't have the right equipment like the DLSR. Another thing is I haven't find the layout that suits my taste and personality .

On the other hand, I found an interesting photoblog even that even title alone you'll find it appealing and kinda unique- Camerasexy. The author is Marce Pehpot which I fondly call "the wonder mom of the new generation".This is one of her 8 blogs which she desire to update even twice a week. I think her hands are full these days coz if you'll visit Camerasexy today, the last post was dated December 25, 2009 and the pages on the dashboard aren't yet revised except the "Contact" page.



I like her very simple theme with a rich black background and few distractions (widgets are found on the footer). With the black background, it helps the photos to stand out. I like that it only show only one post per page. The other photoblogs that I visited had the title of their photos appear below both the photo AND the photo's description, so if they tend to ramble on when describing their photos, their photo's main caption may be hard for readers to locate. Camerasexy isn't like that. Post title appears above the pictures, it's not hard for readers to locate. How I wish the page element "archives" will be added to this photoblog for easier access to older posts. Any comment about the header? I couldn't say anything except "it's truly camera sexy!"

The photographer is a stay-at-home turned work-at-home mom of four and lives in Philippines. Her kids, food , her place and surroundings are the subject of most of her photographs, but she also shares the views from Typhoon Ondoy's devastation scene. The author/photographer isn't yet professional but she already had idea of all the beautiful things that are out there. Viewing her photo shots makes me conclude that there is so much to discover on something as simple as a walk around your own neighborhood – every single day. And the pictures reveal skill- the skill in spotting and catching these wonderful moments.

If I were Pehpot...

ON being a parent, wife, homemaker:
*How will you raise your kids? Raising them in God's way. Teach them to put God first, find ways to be blessings to others and acting right on purpose.
*What would you say to Cata? I can't imagine existing in a world where someone doesn't love me the way you do.
*What would you say to people who have something not-so-nice to say about your kids ? "Nobody's perfect. You’re all wonderful people, and it hurts me to hear you badmouth my kids. So, next time you have something not-so-nice to say about my kids, you can talk to my hands!.”

on being OC and “aholic”
*How would you arrange your clothes in the closet? Apply partition. I'll divide our clothes into smaller categories such as work clothes, everyday clothes, formal clothes, sleeping apparel, and the like. Small pieces of clothing like underwear, handkerchiefs, socks and stockings will be put together.
*What would messy mean to you? there are clothes piled up on the chair, books , papers, toys all over the place, shirts spilling out of the drawers, pairs of socks on the floor, and the blanket half off the bed ...
*Would you add another blog to your 8 blogs? Definitely, YES!

ON being sexy:
*What color of underwear would you wear on valentines? bloody red!
*What would you wear on JJ night? nothing? LOL! something sexy like a cuddly teddy will do...he..he...

On your “selfish”day:
*What would you do with five million pesos? meet the Marce Club at Boracay beach (my treat!) , total beauty makeover and a trip to HongKong Disneyland with my family
*What is one thing that you wish to have? own house and lot

Thanks to Marce Niko for being so creative in making this fun tag for Marce Pehpot who's celebrating her natal day today!

Happy Birthday Mare. May this day and all your days be filled with the wonder of God’s special love for you . I pray for your happiness, of course, but also for a greater sense of fulfillment in being a mom and a blogger, an ease of communication with those you love, and a sense of satisfaction in all that you have accomplished. Above all, may you rest secure in the knowledge of God's constant love and care for you, personally. I pray for smiles and love, for friends that are true. I pray for sunshine, for warmth and tenderness. I pray for unexpected moments of joy and laughter. But most of all, I pray for peace for you.

I am thinking of you on your birthday and holding you close to my heart. My prayer for you this day and everyday is for a sense of fulfillment ... for a feeling of closeness to those you love ... for confidence and enjoyment in all that makes you special to others ... and for a deep and abiding peace within.

I constantly thank God for knowing someone like you. You're a heaven-sent friend.

Let's Vote for Pehpot!

pehpot http://www.pehpot.com/

It's time to cast your vote for the 2nd Annual People's HealthBlogger Awards. I want to help recognize my favorite health blogger, Marce Pehpot of Make or Break. Her articles like how to clean your baby's girl genitalia and her own talk show with topics like post partum traditions and taking care for newborn were just few of her health articles that I could mention that provides first-hand information.

Voting is open to everyone and runs through December 15th 2009. Let's cast our vote for Pehpot and help her win the honor that she deserves!

Today with Pehpot

If there was "Today with Kris" before, I should say there's "Today with Pehpot" in the blogosphere- a popular talk show hosted by my Mare Pehpot . Different guest bloggers are invited every Wednesday to discuss different topics. This months topics cover caring for newborn and caesarian delivery.

I am honored to be invited to talk with her about caring for newborn. I copied the discussion from her site Make or Break coz I loved the way we tackled the different issues of caring for newborn. Mare Pehpot, you rock!!! and congratulations for having pretty Sati. I welcome you Sati Ananta to this beautiful world God created for you and me:)

(Photo source: from her Mommy Pehpot )

Isn't she adorable?

Host: Hello again everyone. You all know by now that the most awaited baby in blogniverse arrived last Sunday. Some of you may wonder why we were not able to update you with Sati's arrival last Monday.. of course, most of our episodes are not live.. hihi.. As we continue with our topic this week, CARING FOR NEWBORN, our next guest is another blogger from Marce Club. I give to you, ladies and gentlemen, the woman, the teacher, Pinay from Thailand, Gene of Her and History. So tell us Gene, how does it feel being with us today?

Gene: Hello everyone, when Pehpot asked me to be a guest blogger, I was honored, but a bit nervous. I was unsure what to say about being first-time mom even though words seem to flow out. I just hope that you'll find some lessons out from my experiences.

Host: I am pretty sure a lot of moms will learn something from you today. Since it was your first baby, how did you prepared yourself? Did you go around asking for advices or just head on to the nearest bookstore and buy lot of books about childcare?

Gene: I got pregnant 3 months after I got married and I’m prepared in every aspect of my life to welcome a new member of the family. I’m not worried or afraid giving birth in a foreign land and being away from my family. Being the eldest of 14 and a believer of God make me independent, reliable and strong-willed woman. I’m pretty sure that I could take care of a newborn baby that God will entrust to me.I also thank God, “Babywise” came to our way. It’s an exciting infant management plan that successfully and naturally trains children to sleep through the night before the age of eight weeks. I discovered in here the positive prescription for curing sleepless nights and fussy babies. In our case, Hyzyd learned to sleep contentedly and continually before he reaches 12 weeks. We also applied swaddling to him. Modern medical studies indicate that swaddling assists babies to sleep, and to remain asleep; and that it lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (cot death).

Host: I can see how brave you are, specially that you gave birth in a foreign land. I am really curious, who helped you along the way? Did your parents came all the way from the Philippines?

Gene: I’m blessed that my mother, father and youngest sister were able to come on the first week of October amidst my parents hectic schedules in the preschool ministry and speaking engagements. They’re our
helpmates on the first 2 weeks of sleepless nights!

Host: That was really touching and I heard that recovery from childbirth would be easier if it is your mom is taking care of you. But is there any time where you feel uncomfortable or inadequate being a
mom?

Gene: I couldn’t believe that giving birth is as easy as that! It’s painful…yeah…but I’m still expecting for the most excruciating pain to come but it didn’t so Epidural is out of the way. It’s just like having an LBM and what I just wanted to do is to poo! LOL! I’m still pushing when the nurses asked me to stop coz the baby is out already…he..he.. It’s my first time yet I’m not afraid nor worried coz I know God is with me, my family is praying for me and I had done the necessary preparation –mentally,
physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually.One thing that sometimes makes me feel like a failure is I’m unable to breastfeed. During my pregnancy I was so excited about the idea of breastfeeding but when the baby is out, I’ve tried exhaustively and unsuccessfully. Maybe nature just didn't work for me. My baby has hard time latching on my nipple because it’s inverted, he didn’t get enough milk so he’s fussy, frustrated and unhappy. My family agreed to formula feed him.

Host: That was really hard and though I never experienced being a mom, I can see how frustrating it has been to you. What are your advices to new moms or moms to be who may experience the same
difficulty with breastfeeding?

Gene: If you fail also in this area (breastfeeding), please don’t feel bad. We tried the best we can. I'm so sick and tired of the way society and "medical professionals" make women feel like failures and less of a mother when we make the decision, for whatever reason, to formula feed. It should be our decision and really nobody else's business. You DO NOT love your child any less by not breastfeeding and if you're anything like me, you will bond more with your baby when feeding him/her with a bottle because you will be able to enjoy each other's company without the worry and anxiety.Lastly, do what feels right to you. If you want your baby to sleep in his cot, go for it. If you want him to sleep in your bed, then let him be. If you decide to feed a bottle rather than breast, it's your call. Being a Mom is a huge responsibility, and like anything else, we have to make the experiences our own. Just remember that our babies will just be babies once and this is the time we have to bond, and create a lasting healthy relationship. It can’t be avoided that we will receive all kinds of advices but the fact still remains that this is OUR baby, and we need to do what we feel is best, and if something happens out of a wrong choice..we’ll have it figured out before the next one comes.

Host: Now, if in case I decide to have a baby, I know that you will be more than willing to help me out. Thank you so much and Gene and I do enjoy our conversation and really learned a lot from it. I knew our readers feel the same too.

What can you say? Head over to Make or Break and I'm sure you'll learn a lot as I do.

Here comes the one who'll either Make or Break you!

There's always a first time for bloggers. For me, I didn't know when to start asking for "exchange links". My mind was whirling for questions if there's any qualifications in exchanging of links coz I passed on some blogs that clearly stated that they only exchange links with IFs and DOs. The first blog that ever MAKES me feel welcome is Make or Break. Why?...because above her blog badge(that was before she changed her template) was a text informing everybody that she's open for exchange links. Anyone could grab the badge and just leave a message so that she could follow and exchange links, too. Maybe she doesn't know yet but that text is pretty inviting for a newbie like me.


Who's the owner of this accommodating blog? It's no other than Pehpot (who looks like my sis-in-law which was confirmed by my hubby when she saw the picture...:D) the super busy mommy of soon to be four kiddos! Look how adorable his kids are...they're Kayil, Chico, and Mico.

Pehpot always MAKES me BREAK into laughter every time she posts about her encounter with her kids' reasoning power about why babies come from peanuts and on why you cannot kiss and talk!LOL...it makes me roll on the floor laughing!....

She MAKES me jealous....he..he..it's a pure and godly jealousy (is there a word as like this?..hmmmm) actually of her art talent and organizing a party. She gave me an idea on how to celebrates my son's first birthday!

This is the banner that she made on Chico's 1st birthday...I wish I could paint like this...

Her posts are very informative and updated. Her topics cover from recipe to current events. She MAKES me mindful of the importance of back links. She BREAKS me from the traditional way of making a blog review! Thank you so much, Pehpot for sharing your knowledge to us-your readers. I owe you my friend!

Continue to be a blessing to others as you had blessed me with your life through your blog. I'm so excited for you as you're anticipating your baby Sati to come by November.

If you want someone to MAKE your day or BREAK you into laughter, head on to her site for her blog has much to offer!