Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Detering the Spread of Swine Flu

First of all what is Swine Flu? Swine Flu or Swine Influenza is a type of influenza common in swines but very rare in humans.

The type of influenza from swines that can infect humans is very rare and only infects humans who are overly exposed to swines. Infection from one human to another is even very rare.

So why the sudden spread of the Swine Flu this 2009? Well viruses and several pathogens are smart too. They are able to mutate and evolve too.

So why is the Swine Flu deadly? Well the Swine Flu has the same signs and symptoms as a regular influenza flu such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The thing is Swine Flu doesn't just go away and regular antiviral drugs doesn't work against it.

So how to prevent the spread of Swine Flu? Simple! Proper Handwashing! How easy is that? Since Swine Flue is spread just like normal influenza virus, handwashing after contact with the public is a good way to prevent infection.

Also, vaccinations both in humans and swines will also help prevent the spread of Swine Flu.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!!

I just want to greet my mom Happy Birthday! I'm not sure if she visits my site but hopefully not because I often tend to rant and all about my family here. But all put aside I really love my mom and I am indeed grateful to her for every sacrifice that she has done for our family.

My mom is not only the light of the house but the breadwinner as well because my father is incompetent (I'm sorry to say). I can't imagine how my family will be without my mom because my dad doesn't know anything about the world, he doesn't even know how to use a credit card which my mom gave him.

But anyway, I'm not going to make this into a rant. I just wish my mom great health and I hope that she has her dreams and goals accomplished by this year. It was my mom who really placed so much effort in immigrating to Canada and she has already succeeded in that part and she is also doing well in her career as an accountant.

It's just too bad that I don't really show her that I love her and I say the words I love you not to often. There are times when I'm in a bad mood around her so I'm trying to cope with this.

Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!

Monday, April 27, 2009

I Love Credit Cards

For me credit cards are a gift from heaven! There are several occasions where I was really glad I had my very own credit card. From online purchases, to equipment rentals, and even when I'm short on cash the credit card has proved that it's more than just a plastic: it also serves as a security blanket. I mean there are several establishments that require you to have a credit card on you so getting one is a definite yes. Plus with the help of a credit card, you can establish a great credit history that will help you towards future purchases like a car or house.

But there are several credit card provider out there and finding a credit card that will fit your needs is a must because not every kind of credit card is right for you. Viewing credit card reviews is one way of making sure that you are getting the right kind of credit card for you and that you are gettign it from a credit card provider that offers competitive interest rates.

So if you're a student like me looking for a way to finance your education, a person who is trying to establish a credit history or have bad credit history, or want to give a prepaid credit card to someone as a gift, there is a credit card just for you.

Home Sweet Home

I was on Facebook a while ago and I posted this status:

Edgar Vincent Bautista is thinking why the hell am I in Canada?! I should have stayed in the Philippines. Who cares about money if your not happy.

I'm glad that several people feel the same way and that I am not alone. I forgot that I have friends and people who share the same fate as me. We were uprooted from our lives and forced to live here in Canada/US without any choice.

Well as all of them said we cannot change our past and all that we can do is find happiness in our new home. Sooner or later we can reap the fruits of our hardwork and maybe then we can spend our retirement years back home in the Philippines.

Right now I am looking forward to getting admission to MacEwan for my nursing degree and just recently one of my goal is to get ourselves our very own home here in Edmonton. Living in a condominium is fine but having your own place that you can truly call your own is better.

I just came home today from Sherwood Park were we viewed a showhome. The real estate lady was very accomodating and it was very generous of her to offer us a ride to save gas and all since Sherwood Park is several minutes away from our home.

I just hope that our mortgage specialist from the bank is able to pull some strings to get us pre-approved for a house in the range of $350,000 to $400,000. Right now my mom was thinking if it was a right move to have bought us a car because our mortgage specialist said that we could have been approved for a $500,000 home if we didn't have our car. So should we sell our car? Nah! I love our car and it already has some sentimental value for me, it's our baby.

We weren't planning on buying a house this year but since the interest rates are lower and the house prices have plummeted drastically this might be the best year to buy a house since the economy might improve soon. Plus our rent for the condo has increased. Were like paying for a monthly mortgage already so why not pay something towards ownership right?

Right now all I can do is think positive and look onwards with a bright attitude.



Sunday, April 26, 2009

Strengthening the Canada Immigration Laws

Just recently a 44-year old man, a father of 2, died at the hands of a lowlife at a spa here in my neighbourhood, Millwoods. Duane McArthur was a real hero as he fearlessly sacrificed his own life for the safety of his wife and other people at the spa. The perpetrator, Pierre Kabema Ilunga, an 18 year old immigrant from Congo wasn't interested in money and was just out on a killing spree. Justice may have been served as this lunatic killed himself when he was cornered by the Edmonton Police.

I am quite angry because first of all, these kind of people shouldn't be tolerated. How on earth did he get hold of a gun? This just shows that crime is on the rise here in Edmonton and I don't want to live in a gang infested neighbourhood.

Second, I am angry at the fact that this pathetic excuse of a human being has brought upon more stereotypes of immigrants like myself. FYI: Immigrants here in Canada are not treated like royalties, we like other Canadian Citizens pay taxes and have to work for a living. Immigrants are not given any "stimulus package" or anything and we have to rely on our own pockets to survive. We also pay the same taxes as Canadian Citizens do so we also deserve the rights and benefits that citizens have, except the voting part of course because that is already a given fact.

But whatever race, color, nationality, or whatsoever of the murderer is he is still a murderer and deserves no pity or condolence or whatsoever. He may be a child soldier in the Congo or what ever people are saying but that doesn't give him the license to kill.

I hope that this serves as an eye-opener to the Edmonton Police and the government that a change should be implemented to keep guns, drugs, and gangs from infesting our neighbourhoods.


Saturday, April 25, 2009

Deer Repellants

It is a well known fact that we are not the only ones that live on earth. We share the world, our home, with other creatures and animals and an absence of one leads to a disruption in the balance of the ecosystem.

Even if we have to share our environment there are places that we want animal-free just like in our backyard. Imagine, we paid thousands of dollars just to hire a landscape designer and we worked hard to plant flowers since its already spring. Then the following day we find the flowers and foliage were completely ruined and the barks from our trees were stripped! We were about to call the police because we thought it was vandals but we learned from a neighbour that it must have been deer from the nearby forest.

Our neighbour was kind enough to give us advice and told us to get some deer repellants. She highly recommended the Havahart brand since that is what she uses in her backyard.

So basically the Havahart products works by harmlessly repelling deer by making use of the deer's strong sense of smell. The repellants have an active ingredient that is very pungent to deers but is completely odorless to humans when dried.

So our backyard is now restored to its former glory and we won't have to worry about deer gnawing down on our plants anymore thanks to Havahart.

Unreliable

It sucks when you have parents who are very unreliable at times that you feel so alone and helpless. Although my mom does care about me a bit she is more interested in the life and future of my brother and disregards my life because she thinks that I am responsible enough and independent.

My father on the other hand is a complete douche bag. He has always been so unreliable. I remember when I was a kid about 4 or 5 years old, he left me alone at home to show some girl around the neighbourhood and I was looking around for him and I tripped and hit my jaw on something sharp and I was bleeding. It was a good thing that my neighbours were so kind to me that I didn't even knocked. I just barged in there in there home and they fixed me up. Oh did I tell you that I was abused as a child, beating me up and verbally assaulting me? So you can't blame me if I hate him so much.

And the latest incident that happened that really pissed me off was when he "forgot" to pick-me up and I had to wait for 20 minutes for him. It was ok if there was traffic and my work was far from home but my work was just a walking distance from home. I wanted to walk home but my mom insists that I be picked up by my unreliable father... my life sucks...


Friday, April 24, 2009

Fly Me to The Moon

Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby kiss me

Fill my heart with song
And let me sing forevermore
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you

Fill my heart with song
And let me sing forevermore
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words,
In other words,
I love you



Fly me to the moon... this is the melody that is stuck in my head. It's obviously a love song but why does this song stir so much emotions with in me. I heard this song first at the Korean Drama called Soulmates and I can't help but play it over and over again...

What is love? There isn't an exact definition of love and love is very hard to distinguish from attraction and lust. They say that true love is when you are able to risk everything, even your own life and happiness, for the other person whom you love.

But so far I haven't experienced true love. Well I have seen people who love me do extreme things to show their love but I'm sorry to say, I was never inclined to risk my own happiness in the sake of love... meaning I never did for a fact loved anyone that true.

I sometimes wonder if I will be able to find true love. That is why I wonder how so many people in the world say "I Love You" so easily when they don't really mean it.

Love is not shown by words alone but by your actions... and by actions I don't mean sex. NEVER! As in NEVER EVER confuse love with sex.

I have much to learn and my love story is yet to occur.

Get a Better Career for a Better Life

Some say that you don't need to study or go to school to get a better job and life but again these are the people who missed great opportunities and good paying jobs because they lack the necessary skills, knowledge, and even attitude to succeed in life.

The reason for training is to help yourself be competitive in any field of job you choose since your not the only one who is looking for employment. Plus in hazardous work environments, an employer would require you to be certified or properly trained as a requirement. One example of jobs that requires one to have training and certification are jobs that require the use of heavy equipment like construction companies, shipping companies, and so forth. And these are the kinds of jobs that really pay well and offer great benefits and compensation to their employees. And you can get these skills, knowledge, and proper certification at an equipment training school.

Proper training and skill assessment are crucial as to prevent any future accidents that would cause damage to the equipment and property of the company and even lead to death and injuries all because you are inexperienced and have no idea of the safety protocols and you lack the skills and knowledge.

So if you are a person who would want to improve your way of life and not be stuck forever working at a fastfood chain earning a modest salary, it’s time to do something to change your life and enrol your self in Associated Training Services (ATS) for education in heavy equipment and construction related machines in order for you to get a better career and a better life.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Getting Comfortable With My Life

This coming June 8 would commemorate the 1st year of our new life here in Canada. I can still remember my feelings and thoughts when I first came here. I was scared and doubtful and I always wondered if we made the right choice of moving here.

So far so good I'm becoming comfortable with our way of life here and I'm getting used to how things operate here. I'm even starting to like my job even if it's a pain in the behind. I used to dream about my job because of the stress but I'm doing quite well.

I just hope that we get to buy our own home this year. And of course I wish that I get to go back to school this September 2009. I'm just hoping that things turn out for the best.


Saturday, April 18, 2009

Ineligible

I can't express the great disappointment that I am going through right now because after all the sacrifices (not the mention expenses) that I and my friend Ellen have done to make sure that I am able to submit my requirements to University of Alberta (U of A), my admission decision is ineligible.

I have no idea why I am ineligible for admission as a first year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student at U of A when I already was a third year BSN student back in the Philippines. Is it because they think that Canadian education is far superior than Philippine education?

Anyway I'm just glad that I took the advice of my mom and re-applied at Grant MacEwan. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise because I know a fellow Filipino BSN student from the Philippines who got admission to MacEwan and she was only a first year student.

But if ever I still don't get admission from MacEwan I am going to cry, NO I'M NOT!!! I still have the option to go back to the Philippines to continue my studies at Xavier University for school year 2010 to 2011 or I can just go to NorQuest College and take Licensed Practical Nursing then proceed to Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

What ever it takes I will NEVER GIVE-UP!!! I won't allow myself to just settle for mediocrity and just continue to work at Tim Hortons. I rather die than be an underachiever.

Friday, April 17, 2009

I'm Still Loving Korean Dramas!

The first Korean drama that I had fallen in love with was "Lovers in Paris" and this is also my mom's favorite Korean drama series. It's a beautiful romantic comedy between two lovers from completely different social backgrounds.

The thing that I really like about Korean dramas is their unique and very interesting plot. Korean dramas make me cry my heart out because the story is really captivating and you can't help but relate to the character's life story.

Recently the Korean dramas I've been watching are Coffee Prince and Soulmate.

What makes Korean dramas more appealing is the successful use of music to convey extreme emotions of sadness, joy, tragedy, and much more.

In Soulmate for example, the use of Nouvelle Vague's This Is Not a Love Song is perfect during times when Min-ae flirts and seduces Philipp. The song is so addictive that I can't help but listen to it over and over again.

I so love Korean Dramas!



Thursday, April 16, 2009

Mesothelioma: A Silent Killer

Many people are not familiar with the cancer mesothelioma, most likely because it is such a rare malignancy (approximately 3000 cases diagnosed each year in the United States and Canada). While it may be rare, it is a devastating disease, made particularly more difficult to bear because generally it is entirely preventable. Preventable? I use that term only because mesothelioma is known only to be caused by asbestos exposure, which affected hundreds of thousands of industrial workers while simply doing their job.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has durable but microscopic fibers which were used in thousands of industrial and consumer products because it was adept at insulating and enhancing fire retardant qualities. Unfortunately, for as useful as asbestos was, it was equally as hazardous. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, as they often were by those who worked these materials, the lodge in the lining of the lungs and abdomen, a thin membrane known as the mesothelium. Asbestos fibers cannot be expelled from the body because they are so durable and resistant to chemical breakdown.

Over time, asbestos fibers cause a harmful inflammation of the mesothelial tissue, which creates malignant plaques on the surface of the mesothelium. These plaques are the beginning stages of mesothelioma, which is highly aggressive and has no known cure. Patients of mesothelioma will often ultimately suffocate as the cancer will envelop their lungs and prevent them from sustained breathing function. It is a slow painful death, one that could have been prevented had greedy corporations and their insurance companies exposed the hazards of asbestos rather than keeping this damaging information from their employees.

Fortunately, the world is beginning to wake up to the devastating nature of the disease and more funding and research is being dedicated to mesothelioma treatment. Progressive therapies, like those which Dr. David Sugarbaker is conducting at the Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, MA, have extended survival rates far beyond previously attainable levels. Hopefully as awareness is spread of this difficult disease, even more funding will be devoted to focused mesothelioma research.

Brian Turner
Mesothelioma.com

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Another Heart Ache

Tomorrow evening, I am going to do something that will probably brake my heart. I was given the extremely challenging task of telling one of my co-workers and friend that she is going to be let go...

I don't know why she has to be let go because in my opinion, she is a great asset to our shift. They said that her work performance was not satisfactory but I know for a fact that she works harder than some other staff in Tim Hortons.

But most of all, she is a very dear friend to me so losing her and not being able to see her again is very heart wrenching indeed.

Tomorrow is going to be one of the saddest event in my life. But I have to be strong, it's better that I will tell her in a very supporting manner than in a you're not needed tone by someone else.

I will miss you my dear friend...

Knowing That Your Family Doesn't Have Your Back

I used to be a person that everyone turns to when they need advice or an opinion. The people who always ask advice from me are usually the people having problems with their family. I was always optimistic and positive and I always quote, "...in the end it is your family who you can turn to...".

And now I think that I am a fool for saying that and I was delusional. I am quite hurt to know that my family doesn't have my back and they aren't interested in my boring life.

I thought it was normal for a son/daughter to share his/her problems with his/her parents and that the parents would listen, give advice, and support their children. But not in my family, they don't want to listen to your problems and they sure don't want to be bothered to have to help you with your problems.

I was having problems with this someone from work who is very rude, disrespectful, and bossy but I am now more upset with my family than with her. I am just glad that I have my co-workers and friends at work to receive a gentle pat in the back and support. And I am glad that they agree with me and they are there to support you.

So in the end, everything may turn upside down, your own family rejects you, but it is your real friends who will show up at your weakest moments to give you strength.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Personalize It!

I have always wanted things that are personalized or custom made for me. I want everything that I own to reflect my personality and my uniqueness. I want to personalize and customize my own stationary, rubber stamps, and even personal checks! And all of these and more can be provided by vistaprint.ca.

I never did think that I would have any use for checks because I usually pay with cash, debit, or credit card. But there are times when I need to pay friends and family a few dollars or even huge sums on the spot so a check is very handy. Although my checks that I have now are fairly nice I want to order checks that have my personal logo, fonts that I want, and I want to have several options to choose from like colors and design.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

How to Solve a Puzzle Ring

This post goes to Tetris, a Korean who was having a hard time assembling her puzzle ring that she bought from the Philippines. I also had a puzzle ring that I too had problems with because when it fell apart it looked like a complete mess:

Tetris asked me to send her an e-mail explaining how to assemble a puzzle ring but unfortunately I lost my ring so I have no idea how to explain and describe the steps in putting a puzzle ring back together. But fortunately for everyone, we can rely on the vast knowledge that is stored on the internet, even thought the majority of what's on the internet is plain stupid.

But before we go into the boring part of putting a puzzle ring back together let me share one of the said reasons why the puzzle ring falls apart and is so hard to put back together. It is said that puzzle rings or infinity knots (till death do us part, get it?) were really made as wedding rings to prevent husbands or wives from cheating because when they do remove their wedding rings it falls apart and is very difficult to put back together.

So if you guys are cheating wives and husbands (LOL!) who have difficulty in putting their wedding ring back together here are some links that proves to be very helpful in putting back a puzzle ring:
http://www.walshbrothers.co.uk/Update/puzzle_ring.htm
http://www.amulet.co.uk/mcol-tw/puzzledo.htm

There are really more resources about the puzzle ring so you could just surf the net but in my opinion, being able to successfully solve a puzzle ring using your own brain is more satisfying and fulfilling. It took me hours to fix a ring all by myself and I couldn't help but be proud of my accomplishment.

Anyway if you do try solving the puzzle ring by yourself or with the help of the internet, always do remember to NEVER as in NEVER EVER try to force rings in as a single bent in the rings would make it very difficult to put back together.

Have fun!


Wednesday, April 8, 2009

I Have No Work Tomorrow and the Day After Tomorrow

Yeah there is nothing special about tomorrow. I'm just going to stay home and do the usual stuff: watch anime online, clean the house, check on the update on my enrollment to university, check on the update of the shipment of my laptop I ordered online, practice violin (maybe), watch DVD that I borrowed from Mark and Cassie, think of what to do to be productive.

My life is so boring. I actually am a bit unhappy that I don't have work for three days this week. That means that I will have $80 less on my very modest paycheck. And to think I wasn't paid $20 extra for the days that I was in-charge. Damn Tim Hortons. Oh well, hopefully I get admission to university soon so that I don't have to work at Tim Hortons again.



Monday, April 6, 2009

How To Be a Parent

There are some couples who have long planned and prepared to be parents. There are also those who had never thought about being parents but suddenly became parents. Whatever the scenario is one thing is for sure there are no perfect parents.

Parenting is a vocation that demands one's time, effort, and even money. It is extremely challenging for new parents-to-be to cope up with the changes in their lifestyles and for the new mommies changes in their bodies.

Several questions pop into a parent's mind like how to distinguish what is normal from abnormal in pregnancy? What to name the baby? How to provide a safe environment for the baby and so forth.

Although there are several reference books on how to be a parent in bookstores, nothing beats the expert advice of fellow parents who have successfully went through what you are just going through or will go through. Parentsconnect.com is a must for those who will go the extra mile to give what is best to their children. It is the place to share personal experiences and a place to meet other people who like you wants their children to grow up happy, healthy, and responsible members of society.

I myself have studied maternity and child care as a student nurse but there are still more things to learn. I myself would have no idea what to do if ever I was pregnant. The greatest question that I would ask would be what to expect during the three phases of pregnancy and how to cope with them. And as I said although several references talks about these phases they are vague and nothing would beat the advice of someone who has actually gone through actual pregnancy and has successfully raised healthy and well rounded kids. So I will indeed visit parentsconnect.com when I myself will become a parent.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

I ♥ my iPhone!


I told myself that I wouldn't get myself an iPhone because I didn't want to pay $50 per month for the plan but I guess I didn't convince myself too much. I just realized that the extreme usability and convenience of having an iPhone completely outweighs the monthly cost.

Well I do spend around $20 for my cellphone prepaid credits so why not spend an extra $30 for great features like being able to check your e-mails, browse the web, and even navigate around the city! My main reason for buying an iPhone is the Google Maps Application!

It's actually more of a need than a want because I need to know what buses to ride to get to places and I need to know what buses to take, at what time, and what bus stop I should go to to arrive at any destination I need to go to.

Well I was a bit put off when I realized that the GPS wasn't actually that accurate because there are times when the map show that I jumped to another road when I was walking so relying completely on the iPhone is not that good of an idea. But still, knowing what time the bus will arrive at the bus stop saves you from freezing outside when it's winter.

My iPhone serves as a great organizer, dictionary, calculator, converter, gaming console, and all around entertainer. And with hundreds of apps to download, the use of your iPhone is limitless!

I'd say it again, I ♥ my iPhone!

Exciting Saturday

I thought that all hope was lost when I had that last sudden episode of depression last week. I wanted to make things going already and I was tired of waiting. Guess seeing my classmates (and some who I thought would never graduate *evil mode*) graduate had made me feel miserable and incompetent. Now I know how those people who got laid off and have no jobs feel, although my problem is slightly in a smaller scale.

Well I feel that I accomplished something today and I am darn proud of it! I conquered my fear of being in public and actually rode the bus to downtown Edmonton but I had to wear really flashy clothes to overcompensate for my lack of self-confidence and self-loath, LOL!

I went to the Immunization Business Unit of Capital Health for an update of my vaccinations. The health care professional (I don't know if she was a nurse or doctor) who attended to me must think that I'm too excited for school because I haven't received admission yet to MacEwan College or University of Alberta but here I am doing my immunizations. She was actually very welcoming and it was awesome how she took the time to explain to me what we were going to do and what the stuff she is injecting to me is and it's effects (more importantly their adverse effects). I was expecting a lot of pain from the injections but they were pretty painless. I was really surprised that it took less than 15 minutes for my whole visit.

But my exciting day didn't end there. My parents picked me out at home and we went window shopping for homes, Lol! We weren't pre-approved for mortgage but as I said, were only looking not buying. And boy did I like what I see! We chose to live in a new built neighborhood at Southeast Edmonton and the houses were new, big, and very beautiful. We looked at duplexes but they were too small for us and we decided that if we were going to buy a house it would be best to buy the home that we really like because it's hard to sell houses these days.

I was really blown away by the 4-bedroom, 2 storey, 2 baths, and 2-car garage home we saw by Landmark Homes! How I wish we could just move right in tomorrow! Now we just have to get approved for a mortgage worth $397,000!



Saturday, April 4, 2009

Here's My Card

I used to question the practicality of business cards in the past because I used to have this big stack of cards but I never did get to use them. But when I arrived here in Canada I've seen the use of business cards several times in different scenarios.

I've realized the practicality and essence of business cards when this real estate agent gave us a mortgage specialist's business card. Business cards have several other uses than just plain telling someone who you are, what you do, and how to reach you.

Business cards are an excellent way to advertise and promote your product or company. Your unique business card design can help stimulate a potential customers memory of what you have discussed in a prior meeting or it can somehow tell the potential customers of what your company is all about. Plus it would be very easy for people to refer you to their friends as they can just give away your information easily.

Business cards can also be used in out of business scenarios like when you meet someone on your commute to work and you want to continue what ever you talked about sometime later. Giving away your business cards saves you the trouble of writing down long names and numbers plus everything you need to know is on the business card already.

You can create free personalized business cards at vistaprint.ca and then maybe we can exchange business cards right?

I've Decided to Stay

I think that this is the second time that I have made a post in this blog saying that I've decided to stay in Canada to start my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree all over again from scratch. But I am sure of my decision this time as the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) has replied to my letter asking them for an opinion.

Well CARNA didn't really give me an opinion as to whether I should go back to the Philippines or stay here in Canada but they did inform me that I cannot challenge or write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination without them assessing my eligibility and credibility and it will still require some course work.

So I decided to stay in Canada so that I will be familiarized with the Alberta Health Care System as well as the SOP's of the hospitals and clinics here in Edmonton as I do plan on staying and working here in Edmonton in the future.

So to all those who have shared their ideas and helped me on make a decision, I thank you all!!!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Hello Spring!

Goodbye winter and hello spring! Just as the ice melts to welcome the beautiful greenery and life of spring, it's only natural for us to get rid of our bulky and heavy winter coats and get ourselves a new set of spring wardrobe!

I'm usually loyal to a specific brand of clothes because I know that their line of clothes and accessories matches my personality and style. I'm usually for the formal and professional look clothes but I guess I want to re-invent my self and try something a bit exciting and new. I want to enjoy the last days of my youth and just be carefree and adventurous and Lucky Brand just make this personal statement stand out and be heard!

Their clothes are fun and completely spells out rock 'n roll! Their line of clothes emphasize being youthful and not being limited by rules so you can be who ever you want to be.

They say that the way you dress and how you appear tells something about who you are. So why not tell the world that you are young, fun-loving, and unstoppable! Tell it with Lucky Brand.

Downsizing

Downsizing is the ‘conscious use of permanent personnel reductions in an attempt to improve efficiency and/or effectiveness’
With the economy being unstable these days and with future expenses that will arise when I go back to study it had made me re-examine my life especially my finances. I had realized that I have been wasteful with my money indeed. When I was making my income tax return for 2008 I was intrigued when I had earned around $10,000 but then the actual money that I have in the bank is not even close to 10% of that.

Sure we just moved here in Canada last year in the middle of the year so I had to help my parents out by buying some furniture for the apartment and some other things like food and clothes. But still I feel that I have wasted money on some other things like buying some random stuff online.

I sometimes wonder if this is why some people get into so much debt in the first place. It is so easy to get hold of financing and credit if you have good credit rating that's why people just buy and buy even if they don't really need it thinking that it only would cost them a couple of dollars with their installment plan or buy now pay next year scenarios.

It will only be 5 months until I go back to school and it's just right that I cut my spending and save all of my earnings in the bank because I can't expect my parents to contribute a lot to my education because they would still have to pay for our car and our new house if our plans to buy a new house push through this year.

Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, said that Canada will get through this temporary recession and I guess I could trust him and his words because the Canadian Government has put through an excellent economic action plan. But still, I hope that my parents won't get laid off since if ever this happens, even the Employment Insurance will not cover our expenses. Well my mom works for the Government so she would unlikely be laid off but again she only works temporary for the Government. She's still waiting to be hired full time at another City department.

So here are the steps that I have planned and will implement to downsize and even earn more money:

>Spend money ONLY on things that are NECESSARY
>Canceled my order of a laptop that I bought online for $1,600 realizing that it's too expensive and it's too bulky and heavy for university.
>Instead of buying an iPhone, I negotiated with my mom that I'll use her iPhone and exchange it with my iPod and cellphone.
>I will take a sponsored post each day.

I'm also thinking of getting a second job but I don't think it's feasible. I just hope that everything turns out well.