Monday, September 29, 2014

River Rafting Adventure | Snack Time

Our first set of rapids course was scary in the beginning but we all had fun and enjoyed the ride. After conquering 7 rapids, our guides allowed us to get off the raft and swim for a little bit.
Snacking while mesmerizing and enjoying the beauty of nature was epic. Our guides gave us some yummy soft and sweet buns from Camiguin called pastel and a bottle of water. What a treat!
We met some friends along the way...lol!
As we drifted along, we were able to see some locals and farmers who live near the river banks, different species of plants and trees, caves and caverns, as well as rock formations. It was an incredible experience!
We're ready to paddle for our next set of rapids.

Stay tune for my next and last river rafting update....:)






Saturday, September 27, 2014

Cagayan de Oro River Rafting | The Adventure Begins

Since none of us never tried this kind of excursion before, we've decided to take the beginner's course. The Beginners Course is  a 12.32 km river course that takes 3-4 hours from Brgy. Mambuaya to Kabula, 14 major rapids for P900 per head which includes snack, lunch and transportation.
 After a short briefing from our guide, he told us to get ready and followed him by the river so we can get on the raft. Getting on the raft for the first time was quite nerve wracking. I can't seem to explain the speed of my heartbeat at that moment.
So right after we launched the raft, we started practicing our strokes and listening to our guide’s commands.
It was extreme with lots of thrills and spills! We've actually faced a few strong rapids on the way to our second set of rapids.
Everyone's hanging on for dear life. 
I have to say that there's no dull moment for this kind of adventure! Our guide was very cool and packed with sense of humor.

More updates coming soon....:)






Thursday, September 25, 2014

When is the Best Time to Get a Mortgage?

If you don't have a solid knowledge of finance, getting a mortgage can feel like an overwhelming amount of information. What type should you get? How do you know if you can afford it? Is now the best time to get a mortgage? There's no shame in asking plenty of questions about your potential mortgage. You just have to know who to go to. Here are some great resources you can use for finding out about mortgages before you make your final decision.

1. Your Lender
If you're already considering a lender, talk to them. They're trained to help you figure out the best loan for you. When you meet in person with someone from the company, you can ask them questions about your mortgage and how exactly it works and how other mortgage types would work differently. Having someone directly in front of you answering your questions makes it easy to get a handle on the issues quickly.

2. Mortgage Calculators
Some people don't want to go to lenders to ask about mortgages, because of course a lender is going to encourage you to get one. Online mortgage calculators can take all the information you'd be giving to a lender, such as your income, the cost of the house, your current expenses, and show you in simple numbers what you'd be paying every month and how feasible it is for you.

3. Websites
Another way to get a general idea of how mortgages work is to visit a lender's website or financial blog. Big-name lenders will often fill their website with helpful content for potential home buyers, with blogs about the different types of mortgages and who should consider them. Learn more about mortgages with Embrace Home Loans and other similar sites.

4. Financial Advice Apps
It should come as no surprise to anyone that there are plenty of apps ready to help you make the decision. Easy-to-download smartphone apps like Home Loan Toolkit take the information you give them and lay out the possibilities in front with you, along with mortgage-term glossaries, interest rate feeds and resources to contact someone if you have more questions.






Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Oui, Oui! Why You Need to See Montreal

Ooh La La! If you haven’t yet visited Montreal, here’s why you must go. And no, you don’t need to speak French...uh, Francais….to have fun there.
Poised at the confluence of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers, Montreal is Canada’s second largest city and, with 1.65 million inhabitants, one of its most populous. Montreal is located in Canada’s Quebec province, on the largest of the 200 river islands that make up the Hochelaga Archipelago.

Montreal is French for Mount Royal, the name of the three-crested hill that stands prominently at the city’s center. Discovered by European explorers in the 1500s, the city has gone from a sleepy fur trading post to a bustling, glossy, cosmopolitan city well known for its culture and nightlife. Montreal takes pride in its cultural and artistic innovation; it is the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, and is currently a UNESCO city of design.
Montreal boasts a wealth of things to see and do, and, although winters are decidedly chilly, it is a fantastic place to visit any time of year. The city is always lively, always welcoming, and always doing something new.

Museums
Montreal Museum of Fine Art: Spread over three separate buildings, the Montreal Museum of Fine Art is one of Canada’s most well-known art museums, housing works from some of the most prominent Canadian and international artists. The museum is beautifully designed, thoughtfully curated and meticulously maintained, and there is so much to see that many visitors find they must take more than one trip.

Pointe-a-Calliere Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History: The Pointe-a-Calliere Museum offers visitors an amazing look Montreal’s history in a vibrant contemporary setting. The museum has several different floors, with exhibits showcasing everything from Montreal’s unique archaeological roots to a detailed history of the city’s founding. The light-and-sound timeline show is not to be missed, nor are the comprehensive museum tours offered by friendly and knowledgeable docents.
Biodome de Montreal: The first of its kind, this fascinating museum/ indoor zoo takes visitors through different ecosystems found in the Americas, including the tropical rainforest, the Laurentian maple forest, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the sub-polar regions, the Labrador Coast and Sub-Antarctic Islands. The exhibits feature live animals, as well as a highly sophisticated attention to detail that gives visitors an authentic experience.

Lachine Fur Trade Museum: This museum documents the development of the fur trade, which played a crucial part in Montreal’s history. The exhibits are interactive and presented in a way that’s fun and interesting for kids of nearly any age. The grounds around the museum are very pretty, and make the perfect place for a walk or a picnic.

Cultural Attractions
Notre Dame Basilica: This stunning basilica dates all the way back to 1656, and is Montreal’s oldest Catholic church. While its exterior architecture is certainly impressive, its exquisitely intricate interior décor is more than worth the price of admission. One of the church’s most intriguing features is the beautiful depiction of Montreal’s history, done entirely in stained glass.

Old Montreal: Charming and beautiful, Old Montreal has an Old World European look, but a contemporary, liberal atmosphere that welcomes locals and visitors alike. Ambling down the streets and admiring the town is a pleasant enough adventure, but sampling from the many restaurants and cafes and browsing through the quaint shops is a perfect way to spend a day. It’s important to note that Old Montreal holds tight to its French traditions; the street signs are all in French, and you can expect to hear French spoken everywhere you go. However, many people in Montreal are bilingual, and they will be happy to help and guide English speakers along.
Rue St. Catherine: This street has a little something for everyone. For those looking to shop, it offers some of the best, most popular department stores, as well as some smaller original shops. For those who like to sightsee, wandering a bit off the beaten path will lead you to museums, charming streets, cathedrals and famous buildings.

St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal: Set atop Mount Royal in the heart of Montreal, St. Joseph’s Oratory is the world’s largest shrine to St. Joseph, and one of Canada’s most popular places for religious pilgrimage. Named a National Historic Site in 2004, the Oratory boasts beautiful gardens, a church, a basilica and a museum that features a collection of hundreds of manger scenes from around the world. One highlight for visitors is the votive chapel, which features 10,000 lights and votive candles.

Quartier des Spectacles: This exciting sector of Montreal has been the cultural heart and soul of this diverse metropolitan city for over 100 years. There is always something fresh and new to see and do here, and people of all ages are sure to enjoy a visit. Festivals of all kinds are held in the streets, and there are always live performances, art installations and exhibits to enjoy. The area also offers great dining and shopping, as well as activities for kids.

Outdoor Attractions
Montreal Botanical Gardens: Just minutes from downtown Montreal, Montreal Botanical Gardens offers a tranquil and gorgeous respite from the bustle of the city. It boasts over 22,000 different plant species and cultivars and 20 separate themed gardens. Highlights include the Japanese and Chinese gardens, the vegetable gardens, and the Insectarium.

Mount Royal: Mount Royal is Montreal’s namesake and most prominent natural landmark. The highlight of visiting this large hill is arriving at the summit and catching a view of the whole city. You can walk, bike, or drive to the summit, and, once there, you can enjoy birdwatching or a visit to Beaver Lake.

Book your next trip to Montreal with Travelation for the best amenities at the most reasonable prices.






Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The Maze Runner

My family and I went to see "The Maze Runner" last weekend. Most of the time we watch a new released film the day after its premiere night, and would find an early matinee seat at our favorite movie theater. I like it that way because it does not require us to get in line or running to get a good seat.
Anyhow, the movie was OK! I just don't like that there are strong languages in some scenes than in the book. It's rated PG 13 and I think it's intense for small kids to see this movie because it includes a sci-fi violence and a few disturbing images. Hubby and I liked it, and we can't wait to see the next Maze Runner soon. 

The Maze Runner is the first book in a young-adult post-apocalyptic science fiction trilogy of the same name by James Dashner. "Protagonist Thomas is brought into a place known as the Glade, with no memories except of his name. He and other teenage boys call themselves Gladers, and have made a community in which each is assigned to a task belonging different departments headed by a Keeper. The Glade is surrounded by a gigantic Maze in which mechanical creatures called Grievers roam at night. Huge doors around the Glade close at sunset. Supplies are brought to the Glade every week; whereas at a new boy is sent through an elevator called the Box once every month. The day after Thomas is brought to the Glade, a girl is sent with a message that "nothing will ever be the same", and carrying a note that no children shall follow. Meanwhile, Thomas learns that the Gladers have tried to solve the Maze for at least two years and that the antidote to a Griever's painful sting can recover one's memories. He also befriends a young Glader named Chuck and the Gladers' second-in-command 'Newt'. Gladers exploring the Maze are known as 'Runners'."






Gift Ideas for Men

How early do you start your Christmas shopping? I know it's a silly question but it's not too early to think about Christmas gifts and shopping. I noticed some big box stores are already putting Christmas decors out on display, and it's starting to get me excited for the big holiday!

I already have some Christmas gift ideas for my dad and hubby this year. I know both of them would love to use it everyday. You know what? I found some cool edwin jagger products from smallflower.com that are really unique and are perfect gift ideas for men. You should check them out!






How To Make Your Own Decorative Arm Band

Armbands are traditionally worn around the bicep and sometimes mark the wearer as a member of a tribe, club or organization. Belly dancers often wear arm bands as additional body decorations during performances. Do you like the concept of wearing armbands but can never find one with the right fit? Below we are going to look at a few different types of armbands that you can easily make and decorate.

beautiful arm band
Smooth Ribbon Band
This is a flat armband that is held in place with elastic. It is simple to make and fun to wear. To begin:
1. Measure the ribbon to fit around your arm and cut it to length.
2. Fold the ends under and stitch together.
3. Sew a short length of elastic onto one end of the ribbon. Loop the ribbon over and sew the other ribbon end to the other end of the elastic.

Gathered Elastic Ribbon Band
This decorative armband, known as a sleeve garter, has a beautiful classic look, with added features to adore. To get started:
1. Obtain a yard of inch wide ribbon and 12-15 inches of half inch wide elastic (foldover elastic works well too).
2. Wrap the elastic around your arm and cut to length.
3. Sew the ribbon to the length of elastic, stretching the elastic as you go. When you release the stretch, the ribbon will bunch up along the length of the elastic.
4. Overlap the ends of the elastic and stitch them together in a flat seam.

Fabric Armband with Felt Backing
This armband is a bit more comfortable with its soft, absorbent felt back. The fabric you choose will add to the personality of the armband itself. The steps to a beautiful fabric band are as follows:
1. Cut elastic about ¼” larger than your arm measurements.
2. Overlap ends ½” stitch by hand or machine. The band should be snug, but still comfortable.
3. Draw the shape of the armband on paper, making it 1 ¼” longer than your arm measurement. Leave an extra ¼ to ½” on the top and bottom for the seam.
4. Pin pattern on fabric and cut leaving an additional ½”.
5. Pin pattern on interface and cut exact measurement.
6. Fold seam allowances under the top and bottom edges and stitch through all layers.
7. Using the same pattern, cut and glue or stitch a piece of felt to the back of the armband.
8. Finish by neatly seaming the armband and adding decorations.

Wire Armband
Decorative and attractive, wire armbands are easy to make. These armbands can be quickly formed into various designs to express your personal flare and creativity. Construction is as follows:

1. Measure where you wish to wear the band and add about 10” to that when you cut the copper wire.
2. Start near the middle of the wire and wrap it around your arm. Keeping the coils tight and close together will make the armband sturdier.
3. Wrap the wire as many times as desired, stopping in the middle of the arm. Use needle-nose pliers to bend the top wire upward at a 90-degree angle and the bottom wire downward.
4. Slide the coil off your arm and bend the wires into any designs you desire.
5. Once finished, curl the ends by gripping the tips of the wires with the needle-nose pliers turning your wrist to create a tight loop.
6. Using your thumb, push the wire around the loop so that the wires touch to help prevent cuts and snags from the open wires.
7. To decorate further you can incorporate beads into the band, creating a more interesting look.


There are so many more ways to create your own armbands. Take some of the basic ones described here and make it your own. Added decorations can include anything from tassels, to beads and sequins. Be creative and see what beautiful armbands can be produced.

Bio
This contribution comes from TheRibbonRetreat.com. They supply many types and styles of ribbon and fabric for crafts for all shapes and sizes.






Texas Family Attractions: Natural Bridge Caverns

Texas is a place you'll never bored! Texas is a big state and offers so many things for visitors to see and do. It's more fun, more adventure and plenty of places to visit. One of best attractions in Texas is the Natural Bridge Caverns located outside San Antonio near New Braunfels.
Natural Bridge Caverns is so much more than one of the most treasured natural attractions Texas has to offer. This beautiful and historical cavern system offers an experience that is high energy, educational, fun and family oriented. Whether you are a first timer, an avid caver or someone in between, Natural Bridge Caverns awaits with a once in a lifetime experience you'll never forget.
Last weekend, my family and I was given the opportunity to received complimentary Discovery Tour tickets to visit Natural Bridge Caverns. The Discovery Tour introduces you to an underground world of natural beauty and amazement. We went through a half-mile of the largest and most spectacular show cavern in Texas and walked 180 feet below the ground. 
We saw awe-inspiring, ancient formations centuries in the making and still growing today, such as amazing stalagmites, stalactites, flow stones, chandeliers and soda straws.
Here's the entrance to the cave. Our tour guide Megan did a fantastic job, and was very knowledgeable in explaining the different types of formations and how the caverns were formed by nature. We all had a great time during our cave exploration.
Inside the cave was amazing! It's like a rocky underground wonderland of stalagmites and columns, shimmering calcite and slimy-looking flow stones.
This is the largest room in the cave, and it's bigger than a football field.
I have to warn you that it gets humid inside so it is advisable to wear lightweight clothing and sneakers. Also, this tour requires a lot of walking and climbing stairs and inclines but don't worry because the cave has paved walkways and handrails to assist you.
The swarm of jelly fish is one of my favorite formations. It's stunning and fascinating!
Above ground, you'll discover rocks, minerals, and rough-cut gems at the Natural Bridge Mining Company Sluice. They have Canopy Challenge that will test your agility on over 40 different obstacles while you are on a 4 story, 60 foot high Adventure Course. Plus, an open air challenging maze for all ages.
Overall, we had a great experience and learned something new. They serve good food, good service, and good atmosphere. So if you are up for an adventure and ready to explore, you should check out Natural Bridge Caverns today! don't forget to grab your $2.00 OFF coupon HERE. You might also want to like Natural Bridge Caverns on Facebook for updates and promotions. So what are you waiting for?

Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets through a partnership between Natural Bridge Caverns and the US Family Guide bloggers. 






Wednesday, September 17, 2014

River Rafting Adventure | Short Briefing

Continuation...
If you happen to visit Cagayan de Oro you might want to experience and try river rafting, and make sure to contact Great White Rafting company. They're awesome!

The company have their own service and transported us to the waterrafting site, It took us at about 45 minutes to get to the site. I was about to collapsed when I saw how fast the river flows. My heart was pumping 1000 beats per minute at that moment...lol!
Anyhow, our expert guide briefed us on safety procedures on how to paddle correctly as well as how to follow instructions from our raft guide.
We're pretty serious because there's a possibility that our raft will tumble and flip if we do not do our part correctly. Yay, pretty nerve racking!
 Also, our guide gave us some tips on what to expect along the way.
Practicing our "High Five" chant.
We're ready to paddle and conquer our fears!!!

Stay tune! The best part is yet to come on my next post!






Tuesday, September 16, 2014

South Texas MAiZE

Hey, who's ready for some farm fun at the corn maze? The South Texas Maize in Hondo opens for it’s 2014 season from September 27th thru November 30th. The farm is full of fun things to do for the entire family. Aside from their famous 7 acre maze, they have Farmer Ken's Kiddie Korral, Goat Walk, Wiggle Worm Slide, Spider Web, Corn Poppers, Paw Paw's Pig Races, Hay Bale Jump, Cow Train and more. The South Texas Maize is an all outdoor activity taking place during the fall months.
2013 Aerial view.
As a military dependent, I like the fact that South Texas Maize is dedicating TWO FREE WEEKENDS to our American Heroes this season! They are so patriotic and appreciative of the commitment and sacrifices made daily by members of the military, local firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency medical service personnel.
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Calling  all members of the U.S. Military, retired and active duty, along with their dependents, with valid ID’s are admitted free — as are all firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS personnel. Valid identification is required for both weekends. Print the coupon HERE!
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For more details or would like to purchase tickets, you should visit www.southtexasmaize.com today!






Wednesday, September 10, 2014

River Rafting Adventure Part I

Hubby and I made a list of things to do before we went on our trip to the Philippines, and we pretty much have accomplished almost everything. We agreed to not make any arrangements or reservations with any travel or tour agents. "Let's play it by ear!" The husband exclaimed.
River rafting was the topmost adventure on our wish list! So during our first week, I contacted and emailed five river rafting agencies in Cagayan de Oro. Two of them didn't get back to me on time and the other two were unreachable. Luckily I was able to get a hold with Great White Water Tours the night before our schedule. I'm glad they were able to accommodate us. I know it was kind of a last minute thing.
 Off we went! Greg and I together with my uncle, younger brother, and cousins chose the Beginners Course.
 So GWWT picked us up early in the morning at our meeting place and they brought us to their office for some paper works. We got the chance to take some photos of course!
 Right after we finished signing the papers they drove us to our starting point which is quite far from the city proper.
On our way to our destination, I started getting anxious in the car and didn't know what to expect. 

More updates coming soon....






Thursday, September 4, 2014

Arrived Safely

Yay, thank goodness we arrived in Cebu. We got at the airport at midnight after 3-4 hours flight from South Korea, and waited until 5:30 am to get to our final destination via Cebu Pacific.
I'm glad this little lady is such a good traveler. She didn't take a nap at all and waited in the morning until our flight to Laguindingan. She's too excited to see everybody!
Yay, I was really anxious to see my family on that day. I knew they waited for us at the airport. So 30 minutes after, we arrived safely and saw my parents and siblings! My big bro was our personal driver.
 We headed to grandmas's house and had breakfast there. And yes, we had the boodle fight and we all enjoyed it! Eating with bare hands is a big NO NO for Greg but he had no choice! It's Boodle Fight for crying out loud! LOL!
With Akesha, her Filipino blood kicked in right away and with no hesitation she ate with her bare hands. My family prepared some red rice, lots of fish, lots of fried chickens and fruits.

More updates to follow......






Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Health Insurance Rates

High medical cost is one of the major reasons why families suddenly go bankrupt. If you want to protect your family from this kind of misfortune then you should seriously consider getting health insurance. With so many insurance companies to choose from, it is important that you know how to choose which among them can provide the health coverage that you and your family need. Ask for health insurance rates as well as information on the different insurance policies that these insurance companies offer so that you will know which policy is right for you.






Monday, September 1, 2014

Bound to Philippines

Flying to the Philippines from the US is quite a long journey..for us! lol Well, not unless if you take a nonstop flight but it still takes you thousands of miles to get there. If you travel on a budget like us, you need to take a longer route that requires some layovers. 
 At LAX while waiting for our flight to South Korea.
 Finally, we're bound to South Korea. It takes at least 12 hours to get to South Korea from California.
 She brought her latest favorite stuffed toy, Beauty. It was a long flight and arrived in Cebu at midnight.