Making money through blog posts

Before the year ends, I took a plunge in making money online. I've been wondering for years how it works but was skeptical to even bother trying, I had a job after all.

But now that I'm a mom and chose to stay with my baby girl, I have a lot of free time, most of them spent by surfing the net, playing games in Facebook and reading e-books and fanfictions online. I occasionally do some handicrafts but lost my stash last September because of the flood. The disaster also depleted our savings.

This time, I didn't believe in just hearsay. I researched and read reviews, forum posts and made sure to see proof of payments just to make sure I am making the right decision in investing my time and hard work.

There are a lot of Get Paid To (or GPT) offers out there. One offer that caught my attention is by LinkFromBlog. It's a get paid to post scheme where I can earn money by blogging sponsored reviews. I can do what I want to do and earn at the same time. How cool is that.

Christmas Spirit in SM Mall of Asia

Christmas in the Philippines is very different. For one, this is the holiday season that we look forward to for a long time in a year.

Our Christmas this year is very simple. We went to mass on Christmas Eve then went home to sleep. Our Noche Buena of sort was eaten at dinner time. I noticed though that there are no puto bumbong sellers in our area. How about in your place? Are we loosing one of our Christmas traditions? I really hope not.

Despite missing one Christmas tradition, on Sunday, we went out to make a new tradition for our family. Together with DK, Una, my sister, her kids and Papa, we went to SM Mall of Asia to see what's the buzz was all about. It didn't disappoint. They have a lot of paid place for kids to play and enjoy. Apart from the huge Christmas Tree and Merry Go Round in the bay area, there are other activities like face painting, bungee jumping, shooting hoops and renting a telescope to view the moon and the stars. Inside the mall, bowling and ice skating are definitely in demand.

One thing I loved in this particular mall is the roving musical band playing Christmas songs.

How about you, how did you spend your Christmas?

Tell them you love them

Each year on a Christmas Eve, Daddy K and I have a tradition of watching movies. This year, we watched a movie called P.S. I love you. I know it's not a Christmas related film but we haven't seen that movie yet so we watched it nevertheless. It's a drama movie based on a book by Cecilia Ahern. The movie is basically about how the newly widowed Holly Kennedy received letters from her late husband Gerry. She received the first one in a form of a cake on her 30th birthday and a tape recording from Gerry telling her to "celebrate herself". Weeks and months flowed by and more letter from Gerry were delivered, all were about living on and then sending her to a new adventure and each letter were signed with P.S. I love you.

It's a sad yet very heart-warming story. Imagine creating something like that for your love one. It's like you're reassuring them that you still love them even if you're no longer around. It's like making a will, but instead of monetary values, you are imparting them your emotional values, your lasting legacy. With technology today, personal videos can be seen left and right. It makes it easy for us make a video will of our own and send it to our loved ones. It makes it more personal and more touching to see the person you love leave a message to you. It may bring tears to their eyes but it's a bittersweet feeling. And you'll know that they will always be reminded of how important they are, even without you by their side to tell them so.

Since it's Christmas time, why don't we start making our own emotional legacy today and let our loved ones know how important they are to us.

Watch Me

Watch Me - Explored, originally uploaded by ivan amezcua.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

Contrary to Bing Crosby's song, I never once experienced a White Christmas. Sure my sister and her family are experiencing it now in Canada but for those who live in the tropics like me, we could only dream of having a snow-filled Christmas. Or in our case who live in the eastern part of the metro, we can enjoy a white Christmas by dropping by SM Marikina.

SM Marikina entertains their mall guests by showcasing The White Christmas Adventure. We were lucky the first time we went there was in the morning and there were only few people visiting the place.

Una is scared of the polar bear because of it's moving head so we didn't get a decent shot with her. But I think she's just fine with the other animals as long as she's not getting near them.

If you're near the area, visit the mall in these following dates to enjoy and feel the Christmas spirit.

• December 23 - Christmas Caroling Cheers: Highest Praise Chorale Concert
• December 26, 7pm - Guarrana Bossa Nova (Al Fresco area)
• December 30 - New Year's Eve Grand Ball (Mall Area, Grand costume party for kids, culminating in the singing of “Aude Lang Syne”  and the popping of confetti to welcome the new year)
  
• December 30, 4pm - A Holiday Fashion Show
  

Family Time at Enchanted Kingdom

Having siblings living in other countries makes it really difficult to enjoy family get together. My Ate G and her family now lives in Canada and it will take time for them to have a vacation here. While my Kuya J's family lives in Singapore, they spent their Christmas vacation last year in Malaysia so we didn't get to see them. This year, Kuya J's family came home to Manila and we grabbed the chance to meet them the next day they landed. The kids are awesome! It's amazing how they still remember us despite two years of not seeing each other. We decided to go out of town and visit Enchanted Kingdom.

Enchanted Kingdom is indeed a magical place. I think the kids were exhausted after all the rides that we tried. Most of it were based on what they want so we weren't able to try the extreme ones. But as long as the kids enjoyed themselves, we parents wouldn't mind. We went there on a weekday but the area were still crowded, mostly students on a field trip.

If you are planning on going there, I have some suggestions on how to make your fun day more enjoyable:

• Schedule. Check their calendar if they are welcome to the public and their park hours.
• Rates. Double check their ticket rates. We were lucky that our rate for a Regular Day Pass last week was cheaper compared to the rate starting this week. But then again, Space Shuttle was still under maintenance (according to their website, they launched Space Shuttle Max on December 19) and park hours were shorter.
• Weather. Try and determine if it's a sunny or rainy day. The park is still operational even if it's raining, based on the number of umbrellas and rain coats in their souvenir shop. The first time I went there, it was also raining and we took advantage of  it. Of course, you can bring your own stuff.
• Extra clothing. If you plan to get on the rides involving water, it would be wise to bring extra clothing and wash cloth.
• Plan your rides. Enchanted Kingdom is a huge park. Thankfully though, they provide maps upon entrance. Get a copy and decide which rides you want to try and where to start. You can even consider it as a souvenir. And remember the restroom areas for a quick visit in between rides.
  
• Drink up. With the all the screaming and adrenaline rush, I'm sure you'll be parched after each ride. There are a lot of kiosk scattered around the area so you'll never miss those. 
• Memories. Create a lot of unforgettable memories, take lots of photos and have fun! You'll never know when you'll get to enjoy such a day again.

DIRECTIONS:

By car: Take Sta. Rosa Exit via SLEX, turn left after the toll gate, then turn right on Waltermart. The park is on your right side.

Commute: Enchanted Kingdom is offering a round trip shuttle service from Makati to Enchanted Kingdom.

DISCOUNTS:

Enchanted Kingdom offers discounts to certain guests. Since my brother's family are balikbayans, we received 15% off the regular rate and Papa is a senior citizen so he got a discount for his Day Pass. Visit their Promos page for their ongoing discount promos and if you are eligible.

* I am not affiliated with Enchanted Kingdom. This is not a sponsored post.

LA Originals Knitted Baby Hat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

LA Originals Knitted Baby Hat GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sew Liberated Book Giveaway!

Yay! A book giveaway! Don't you just love 'em?

There are three ways of joining. Just head over Grosgrain's blog for more details and you can be the lucky reader of taking home Sew Liberated: 20 Stylish Projects for the Modern Sewist. Or maybe, if I'm lucky, I'll be the one welcoming this book home. Let's wish each other luck and join their other giveaway. They sure have a lot.

Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 19 December 2009

gene + experiments is a personal blog written and edited by me. For questions about this blog, please contact me at geneinthebattle[at]gmail.com.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not be identified as paid or sponsored content.

I am compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I receive compensation for my posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

I am an affiliate for some properties seen on this blog.. If you click a link here to buy something please consider it as a way of helping or supporting me

This blog may contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content may not always be identified.

Photo Hunt: Fast

The year is almost over but I don't want to wait for the need to change the calendar before doing something I can do now. A challenge plays! Even in our everyday life. I've decided that I would start simple buy joining the PhotoHunt's weekly challenge of capturing photographs based on the week's theme. Sounds simple but it can really be very difficult to find inspiration on certain times.

Photo Hunt Theme for December 19: Fast

The photograph shown above was taken last year when I was still trying different things with our newly bought DSLR. I was experimenting on capturing a fast moving object or simply called panning.

PhotoHunt

Merry YugaTech Christmas!

The YugaTech Great Gadget Giveaway is creating all the buzz in the Filipino online community.

Having this week's theme as "Merry Tweetmas," following the simple mechanics will get you the chance to be part of one of 31 lucky Twitter winners. Start crossing your fingers to have a chance to take home a Modu phone, one of the 10 Globe Tattoo or one of the 20 Php 500 prepaid call cards. Winners will be chosen randomly. I already sent my tweet, you can also join the list by following these simple instructions:

1) Follow @abeolandres and @talk2globe on Twitter.
2) Post a tweet “Just entered to win a Modu Phone. Quick! Go follow @abeolandres and @talk2globe and retweet: http://bit.ly/6e2q7O #thanks2yugatech”

Visit YugaTech's blog for more contest details.

Kuha Mo: Take a Picture. Take a Stand.

Gets a chance to win a Nikon D3000 DSLR or a Nokia 6300 Camera Phone, and a scholarship to a Photography course at the STI Center of Arts.

How?

Get creative with your camera phones. It's also a way of being aware of what's going on in our country, with the theme of “National Issues facing the 2010 Elections.” Visit Globe Tattoo blog for more details.

1. Take a photo using your camera phone of any object/event/person that you think encapsulates the theme: “National Issues facing the 2010 Elections.”
2. Without any post-processing (no editing or image enhancements), upload your photo to Pixlink by sending your photo as a MMS. To send your photo, compose a multi-media message, and attach the photo together with the phrase MMS KUHAMO. Send the MMS to 2988. (P2.50 per MMS upload.)
3. The contest runs from December 9, 2009 to March 9, 2010, and is available to all Globe Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers.

“Kuha Mo” is a new campaign by Globe and STI to help people understand the issues confronted by the Filipino voter on the road to 2010. It may be a picture of hunger, poverty, corruption, or any issue YOU think is relevant. It may also be an image of family, education, and volunteerism. All we need from you is a snapshot of what you think are the issues we should face and address through the 2010 national elections.

TikTokRok Climate Action

Tik Tok Pilipinas' Climate Action in Marikina Riverbanks was fun. Together with Daddy K, BIL #1 and Una went there to watch bands play, have a souvenir in their photo booth and just be there and enjoy the night. It's nice to listen to musicians share their thoughts on how they try and make the environment cleaner. It always starts within ourselves. But despite the efforts of hosts and artists reminding them to take care of their own trash, there were still a lot of empty food containers and plastic cups everywhere. If only we can implement to not use styrofoams in take outs, it would make a huge difference.

Tik Tok Pilipinas Photo Booth, only Php 20.

There was a wall climbing activity in the area. I've been dying to try that one for years but Daddy K can't join because no one would carry Una while we're up there, maybe next time.

Up Dharma Down were playing when we arrived there. Also learned that Armi, the vocalist lived in Marikina and was also affected by Ondoy.

Cynthia Alexander

Daddy K and Una with the TikTokRok information brochure

Thank You 2009

It's been a rough roller coaster ride and we're almost over. But 2009 will always be the most memorable of them all.

We started the year with a bang and celebrated in our heart's content for our first born Freya Luna were safely delivered into this world. The new addition in the family have brought smiles to our homes even on the loneliest time of the year.

Anyone may have considered the last week of September as Filipinos' one of the darkest hours. But I'd like to think that we are very lucky. I am thankful that despite of having our house fully submerged from flood water brought by Ondoy, we are still alive. No matter how difficult the process of trying to bring back the condition of our home, nothing can replace the lives of our love ones.

Lastly, I am thankful for the loving family and friends. For finding us when we thought we have nowhere to go. For unconditionally giving a helping a hand when we are disoriented and no time to worry about nourishment and clothes. For being there for us even it had been years since we last saw each other.

Share us what you are thankful for this year and get a chance to Win a Moleskine Colour a Month Daily Planner 2010! Visit Avalon.ph for more details.

Image found in I can read

An Open Letter To Gena

Dear Gena,

We've been through a lot and still going strong. We may not see each other as much as we used before we had our own families but that doesn't stop the bond that we had. I'd like to say I'm sorry for being a pain when we were kids. With Mama putting too much pressure on you in taking care of us young ones instead of having fun with kids your age. And sorry for hurting you in the past, you know how impulsive and bratty I get sometimes. And for following you around in your last year of high school. You know how I love your company and your friends are way too funny. Did I mention I love the way you act around them? You seem so sure of yourself, I've never seen you act like that at home. It's seems that you have this another side of you that you're afraid to show to us. But as we matured, you let me see that side of you and thank you for that.

Thank you for introducing me to different kinds of food. I think you started my addiction of experimenting with foods. Remember how of a picky eater I am that our friends used to call me Itlog because that's the only food I eat. Do you remember the first time I thought I was pregnant and I am craving something at 3 in the morning and you accompany me scour the dark streets for a possible food place to buy only to be freaked out by two suspicious looking men who didn't do anything to us, thank God for that! And thanks for buying those great shirts and sharing them with me. It made me feel cool sometimes in College.

Have I told you how giving and understanding you are to me? You're like a younger version of Ate Gie minus the sternness. I admire that from both of you. I know I refused to call you Ate even then but please remember that in my heart you'll always be an Ate.

Happy birthday Gena! See you on Sunday!

P.S. Pardon my poor excuse of a digiscrap. It's my first time trying it. I'm giving you that honor, hahaha!

Weather We Like It or Not

We really have to make a move and make a change. Let's not wait for another Ondoy or Pepeng to terrorize our lives. Next time we won't be able to evacuate. Next time we won't be able to survive. Let's not wait for a next time to fight against climate change. We need not only make a difference in our everyday lives. Now we have to stand up and speak up. Let our voices be heard and join the Climate Action on December 12, 2009 from 3 pm to 3 am in Marikina Riverbanks.

Happy 63rd birthday Papa!

I feel bad that my family can't go to Papa's place today. But we will celebrate full blast on the weekend, together with my big brother's family coming home from Singapore. Can't wait to see them again. They'll be meeting Una for the first time.

with Papa and hubby

These photos were taken during the celebration of my father's 62nd birthday last year. I was in my last month of pregnancy.

with Papa and not-so little brother

Macky's = Goto Heaven

Being a picky eater when I was younger (okay, still am now,) there are only quite a few food that I truly enjoy. And I mean really enjoy that I don't mind eating it three times a day for a whole week. Other than eggs and hotdogs, my favorite food is lugaw (congee). I'm not really sure how it is cooked but the idea is you cook rice with broth instead of water, whether it's chicken or beef broth, that would depend on your preference, just make sure that you put extra broth on it to make it like a soup. But please, don't take my word for it as I've told before, I am no cook. If you really want to make one for yourself, try using PinoyCook's congee recipe.

Anyway, lugaw is like a mother's best friend. Babies really love it and I am personally thankful for the creator of this food because it helped me with my nausea when I was pregnant. And because I can't cook, Daddy K and I would always go to this humble place in Marikina near the Shoe Museum and have our dose of the best goto in town. Goto is like a special version of lugaw that comes with different kinds of beef meat. You can only find the best in Macky's. Pair it with tokwa't baboy and you feel like you're in goto heaven.

Macky's can be found along J.P. Rizal going to Calumpang, Marikina.

Map found in Google Maps. Click image to view larger version.

The Joy of Breastfeeding

The original post has been revised and re-published as The Joys of Breastfeeding in my family blog Corbitoness.

Image credit: Google Images