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One of the hard thing in the life of a serviceman is being relocated for work which usually happens every 2 years. Although the government is not depriving the servicemen of not being with their family so if the new job location is safe for the dependants, relocation can also include family members.

I remember my hubby’s last 6 months in Bahrain (which that time we’re just dating) we’re both busy searching online for his apartment here in Arizona. It wasn’t that easy finding the right place considering distance from work & price. Don’t get me wrong but military gives nice housing allowances to our servicemen. Well of course, if they can find a little cheaper than the allotted allowance, it’s they’re chance to save some bucks.

A link was forwarded to me by a friend that currently staying in Houston, Texas. As her family is also growing they’re looking for a new apartment. I told her that we could possibly move in Texas because of Navy, so she gave me this link. In fairness, they have good listing of Houston Apartments. Prices are good also. What caught my attention on this site is that they have search engine by military base, which I find it very helpful. I was like – “Where the hell this site is when we were looking for apartments in Arizona?”

So for other military wives out there, I assure you this site will save your time in searching for http://www.apartmentfinder.com. Especially if your considering military base in your location.

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For those whose been visiting THE JOURNEY since last year, surely you will have an idea that my little girl- Yoanna loves music so much and in her list are singers such as Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, Pussy Cat Dolls, Alicia Keys & the latest – Nelly Furtado. Surprisingly this 3 year old little lady also loves hip-hop songs. Right now she’s listening to “Low” by Flo Rida.

Seems our little girl is a certified music lover like us – her mom & dad.

Even though the family is very much fond with RnB & Hip Hop music, we hardly buy music CDs. Although we have concert DVDs of our favorite singers but buying music CD is not really our “thing”. Well, simply

because we can easily load music files from the net. For sure most of you guys are aware how easy it is to download free music in the net and surely you’re also aware of the high risk of loading such free files or even having a shared folder in your unit. Honestly, the last time I loaded free music was September 2007. This is after the incident of finding some virus in my laptop. So now, we’re enjoying our MP3 music that was loaded since last year. Our car who has 6 discs changer totally occupies the different types of music the three of us love. Although lately, Yoanna starts to demand for new music that she sees in TV or heard in radio. Hubby & I are very hesitant to go back in the old habit.

So, what’s the regular argument now in the car? Well, if Yoanna really insist to hear Beyonce’s Listen or Flo Rida’s Low, I tuned in a radio station & hoping DJ will play such songs. By now Yoanna truly understands the difference between CD & Radio. She knows that if it’s from Radio, she can’t repeat it but in CD she can replay it as many as she wants.

We’re almost there of purchasing music CD just to end up this regular argument in the car but then I took time to find safer MP3 source in the net. I’m so excited to discover this site that sells per track & only costs in cents. They are licensed MP3 provider so they give high quality songs. Not that much expensive, which I find it very practical instead of buying the entire music album which most of the time you only like 4-5 songs in one album. So for music lovers out there, download BEYONCE here for just 0.15$!

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By Reyna Elena

Here’s my list;

Number 1 – itot54joni

Number 2 – kotsengkuba

Number 3 – Malen1

Number 4 – Ambo

Number 5 – Maken2

Last night were the boys’ second stage performance. Last week’s performance eliminated two boys & two girls. Tonight will be the performance of the 10 girls & I’m so excited on Ramiele’s performance. I’m wondering what song she’s going to deliver tonight. Will it be the same as good as last week? Oh, I hope so.

Anyway, it’s been an internet buzz that there’s another Fil-Am on those finalists besides Ramiele. I tried to grasp the online gossip & found out this question in Yahoo’s Q&A about the ethnicity of David Noriega. I’m so excited to check such link but then Yahoo deleted it. I don’t know why. Instead I found a site that shows video taken for short interview with the finalists.

Source: Fox61

Ramiele’s Interview & Danny’s Interview

Well, surprisingly I found out that Ramiele was born in Saudi Arabia. Then she went to Phils in the year 1991. The same year move in USA. The first time I saw Ramiele, I was thinking she was born & raised here in US although both of her father & mother are Filipinos which pretty shows her Asian ethnicity.

For David’s ethnicity, as the reporter asked him he answered numerous race. As what he said, he’s Mexican, white, German etc. His last name & features has similarities on Filipinos that’s why people think of him as another Fil-Am contender.

For sure the Fil-Am community will be greatly excited & proud if there’s more than one Pinoy in the finalists of American Idol Season 7. Same excitement during the season with Jasmine Trias & Camile Velasco.

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Among the four of us (me & three of my girl friends) only one is still having this slim body. A body that don’t worries what kind of clothes to wear & will definitely have a problem on shopping a perfect clothes for her. Well the rest has this pregnancy effects & one can’t resist of those delicious food. In short, considered as unhealthy lifestyle.

When I don’t have Yoanna yet, I never had a problem in choosing clothes to wear or even shopping for the clothes I want. Now, after such pregnancy & undisciplined food habit in Bahrain, I experienced shopping clothes & left the shop holding

nothing. No size available for me. The first time this incident happened I really want to cry, but then my husband just taps me & whispered “I love you & you still look good for me”.

Seriously guys, dieting nowadays is not just about looking good but rather feeling good as well. Feeling good due to healthy body. When I had a kid & got married I realized that I need to be more careful about myself. To live longer & to be with my family. So as 2008 began I am one of those people who included healthy living & reducing weight part of my New Year’s Resolution. Besides salad schedule at night, I & husband enrolled in the gym for a year membership. Funny, but up to this moment I haven’t visited the gym. January was good for salad, we were consistent but husband’s work schedule holds us for sometime not to visit gym. Until we found out this pregnancy, then now we’re going to cancel membership soon.

Food, admit it guys. It’s hard to control, especially if the one in your table is your favorite meal. You will always think of just loosing up the next day. That’s my bad attitude & my husband’s problem too. We really need to take control.

As my friends & I were on our regular chat, again this matter was discussed but this time there’s a depression from us. Depression on previous plans that didn’t improve us. Then we realized that we badly need an expert help. Part of our chat was this surgery referred to her by her work colleague. An adjustable band that wraps around the upper part of the stomach. Basically this wrap will help you to intake less food since you will feel full immediately & longer. As I checked this info about lap band surgery facilities, sounds not that much complicated compared to my previous referrals. Well, the patients’ success stories were really impressive & truly motivating. Then I took time to understand how the program work & the recovery stages, I have to admit but its convincing. If I just knew this before, my husband would probably take this instead of liposuction. After this pregnancy, this will be probably my top one choice.

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Twelve days after Valentines Day & the flowers we (me & Yoanna) got from our Valentino – the man in the family, are totally dry. Moments like this, flowers are always been part of the celebration. It was Yoanna’s first Feb. 14 to receive flowers. As what daddy promised to himself, he will be the first guy to give flowers to our little angel & will always be her valentino.

Well, just want to share to you guys that up to this moment all the flowers my hubby gave to me are properly dried & preserved in a glass bowl. Even before that he’s courting me up to the dating moments, all the flowers are well preserved. Cute isn’t it? So, every time I see these dried flowers in the bowl it’s just remind me of those days when I have them fresh.

I’m not really aware on how to properly preserved flowers, but what I’m doing is that I let them dry in vase with water. Stagnant water & lasted for sometime may tend to create bad odor, so I replaced it with the new one from time to time. What happen is that the flowers dry & mostly in its shape which also gives darker/richer color. For others, surely they dry flowers by putting it in between pages & kept there for sometime.

(dried flowers in their original vases)

(my glass bowl of dried flowers,

from the first flowers he gave me up to this date)

(dried valentine flowers)

(dried valentine flowers in my bowl collection & in Yoanna’s bowl)

My hubby once asked me why I am preserving those flowers. I told him, its just remind me of those days when you’re so romantic & sincerely gave those flowers. Maybe when we grow old, he might be thinking that going out to eat is a lot better than flowers. He smiled & told me that was a witty idea.

Just wait honey, ‘til we reach 50s!

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I never thought that my aunt, who’s staying in Florida now, would be addicted to slot machines. When she was in the Phils, she never participates in the family’s usual games – cards & mahjong. We though that she’s lucky because she’s the only family member whose not addicted.

Then yesterday, we were in our regular phone chat & I can hear slot machine sound. I asked her if she’s playing while talking with me on the phone. She replied “Yes” with a laugh. She probably felt my

amazing though of her playing on-line slot machines. Then she told me that she & her husband are totally addicted to slot machines. Especially now that they have internet connection, they’re taking turns in front of the computer & play online.

I asked her what sites they’re visiting. She told me that they just searched for online casino then they got a list of those sites. Form such list they got 2-3 favorite sites which they’re currently playing with. I told her that there were some days that I was so inclined with online casino because I want to practice for my Las Vegas adventure. Since this couple is somehow serious players, I mentioned those sites that give reviews about the online casino. It is advisable to somehow devote some time to check on these reviews, considering there’s some value of money involved.

She got amazed of finding out about this review site. She laughed when I told her – “it’s better to be a smart player rather that just putting your luck in the game”. Then I finally told her, it’s in the blood & she can’t ignore it.

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Last night was the much awaited Oscars Night. Well like others, I was waiting for such event primarily because of the fashion thing, the stars chosen gown & designers for the glamorous event. Then, it follows the leading role awards & unforgettable stage moment.Yesterday, as early as 4:00pm I was already tuned in ABC channel for the red carpet event. In fairness to the stars last night, most of them are wearing fabulous dress & some were just in a “safe” mode. Although there’s still some stars who weren’t expected to show themselves in a “questionable” dress or somehow confusing. Confused on how they end up choosing such outfit considering they’ve been known good dresser in previous awards night.

To top it all, I enjoyed the red carpet event last night & was able to pick my 10 best dressed ladies stars. There are some ladies that were usually in my favorite dressed stars, but then in last night’s Oscars seems had a problem with their current stylist.

Anyway here’s my list of 10 best dressed.(click picture to enlarge)

1. Anne Hathaway – In red Marchesa gown with rose detailed one-shoulder strap & diamonds from Harry Winston. She’s always been my favorite dresser & I love her for showing herself in different styles yet very elegant.

2. Hilary Swank – I’m not a regular Swank admirer when it comes to red carpet event but last night she was so fabulous with this black Versace gown.

3. Renee Zellweger – Renee is always been a red carpet favorite & last night she was consistent on her looks by a silver hand-embroidered lace gown by Carolina Herrera. Perfect combination – excellent designer for fabulous star. Plus, i love the hair cut!

4. Penelope Cruz – Truly stunning beauty with Chanel Couture gown.

5. Jennifer Garner – Another fabulous black dress, but this time it’s from Oscar de la Renta & Van Cleef. Ben Affleck may not with him but her looks need a single moment in red carpet.

6. Amy Adams – I adore this girl so much for choosing such unusual color dress. She was pretty in green with Proenza Schuler gown & perfectly showed her shape.

7. Marion Cotillard – A very interesting gown, mermaid-inspired by Jean Paul Gaultier. I don’t think some stars will carry this gown as fabulous as she did last night.

8. Nicole Kidman – A Balenciaga dress accented with L’Wren Scott necklace.

9. Heidi Klum – Same designer with Cameron Diaz – John Galliano, but Cameron’s dress was not considered a very tasteful one. Instead its Heidi’s red silk taffeta bustier gown with drape detail gave a more stunning look.

10. Katherine Heigl – Red silk georgette Escada column gown with one-shoulder design, draped & pleated bodice.

Related Links

• Oscars Red Carpet Gallery
• Yahoo Oscars Best Dressed
• Yahoo Oscars Worst Dressed

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Friends were asking me, why I’m so careful with Yoanna’s skin that as early as her 3 yrs of age I am so particular with her lotion & moisturizers. Well, I told them that it’s always been my attitude to be proactive instead of doing actions when the problem is just right there in my face.When one of my close friends told me that Asian skin tends to react during the adjustment period here in US, I had with me some


skin ointments that I can use for her. I got it from the Phils & I feel that I also need to check baby’s shop for more stuffs. I knew the very cold winter & extreme hot summer could possible lead Yoanna’s skin into extra dryness. In order for me not to come up seeing my daughter in rushes, I checked the most available kids lotion with an extra moisturizer. Even her body wash has an extra moisturizer too.

You know during my college days, I am struggling with this skin rushes, thinking that it was just normal allergies. I was wrong. When rushes spread in some part of my skin & observed that ointments were not helping anymore, I asked my father to send me to a skin doctor. As per doctor’s explanation, my rushes was not the usual one but already a serious skin problem. Well, it’s not considered as leprosy for clarification. Not even close there but it was in a higher level as the normal skin rushes. I also remember the Doctor told me that this kind of disease can be hereditary. That’s why I am so careful with Yoanna’s skin, as much as mine – a serious skin care.

Thank God that up to now I haven’t experienced such condition (as what I used to have during college days). I may spend extra money for moisturizers, body oil or even ultra hydrating lotion but it keeps me away of the old skin problem. For some out there who might have been having the same issue, well you just need to be patient on choosing the right product for your skin. Once you found the right one then be consistent in its application. Cetaphil alone has a wide variety of skin protection products. What I like most is their Ultra Hydrating Lotion, it is indeed hydrates your skin for 24 hours & helps replenish lipids. It’s just perfect in protecting my sensitive skin. Plus, I like applying it since its non-greasy. As if my skin is invisibly coated with a protector.

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I had a long chat with my friend Lyanne yesterday morning. She’s a single, fabulous Filipina girl working in Dubai. Well, it was not just girly-girl talk but we seriously discussed about this on-line business that our group planning to. Initially, the girls were thinking of on-line store that will sell fashionable items such as bags, accessories etc. But as our chat goes long, it seems that we’re having so much product ideas & going beyond on our original fashionable items link.

Let’s face it guys but online merchants are very rampant nowadays & there’s already proven successful entrepreneurs. Its just shows that people are starting to include on-line shopping on their lifestyle. And that they realized the comfort of doing business thru World Wide Web.

As what I & Lyanne were discussing, we just need to find perfect shopping cart software for our business. Not just a provider that will help us in technical issues but as well as an extra service with regards to graphic design. Well, our group is not really composed of “technical” people that are very much aware on computer software stuffs. So, it will be a big factor to us to find a software provider that has 24×7 customer service & extra services such as graphic design.

I’m really looking forward for this business venture. I feel that it’s just about time that our great ideas will turn into profitable one.

*check “CAT.4: ANNIE IN SERIOUS MATTERS” for more links; don’t forget to catch this MONTH’S SPECIAL FEATURES; HOMEPAGE