One of the contests I sponsored has drawn its winners.

Big congratulations to Kathie of SimplyWP for a successful contest and Matt of RagingRev for winning first prize. As part of his winnings, I have reserved a spot for his 125X125 ad button here at Only in Silence. So go over there and congratulate him by simply clicking his ad there on the top right.  To check out Kathie and her WordPress themes and for the full list of winners, click here.

Meanwhile, I am still open in sponsoring blog contests, so please don’t hesitate to leave a message or contact me when you have one.  Also, I am accepting ads for only $5/month.  For more info, click here.

Again, congratulations Kathie and Matt, and to all the winners as well

I find bloghopping really fun. Aside from seeing interesting blogs, learning new things and meeting some nice bloggers along the way, bloghopping also helps me introduce Only in Silence to others. It’s one of the things I do to let them know that my blog and I exist. But I don’t have the time am too lazy sometimes, so I just do my ‘rounds’ when I drop cards to fellow Entrecard members.

Bloghopping gives me the following benefits emotions:

1. Excitement – Joining contests, getting rewards, earning . . . . .
2. Surprise – Sometimes I win!
3. Sadness – And most of the time, I don’t.
4. Happiness – There are lots of funny blogs out there too.
5. Envy – Why are some bloggers so talented? They know how to make their own templates. They design their own blogs. While me? Oh!
6. Love – But honestly, I love this template design. I love it so much that if ever I finally get the chance to have a personalized one, I want it to be just like this one – the color, the sidebars . . . . .
7. Luck – Sometimes I get lucky enough to get picked for a free ad spot like the ones that Blanne of Hit or Miss and Carlota, who has been so generous to me from the start, of Dashing Smiles provided for me.
8. Confusion - Should I upgrade my account now? The people who came from Stumble Upon have knocked my site down last month. They are the biggest source of traffic until now. And today, which is only 3 days after my monthly bandwidth reset, I already used up 54% of my ‘allowance’. Their favorite hangouts? This and this.

Plus, I also get the chance to participate in memes, have OiS listed in blog directories and join some social networks. I also registered in the banner exchange program of Nuacco.net, which I hope to get additional exposure. And speaking of memes, it’s been a while since my last toot; so I’m making this post my latest Tuesday Toot.

Everyone’s out for swimming!!!!!

These are some of the shots we had yesterday at La Vista Resort in Balanga, Bataan.

the big banga (jar) inside La Vista where 2 long slides to the pool are waiting

the tree house which overlooks Mt. Samat and the cross

‘The Wave’ pool, one of La Vista’s attraction is this mechanically operated pool for an experience of big water wave.

That’s my husband on the left with my brothers-in-law playing poker.

That’s Jeff enjoying swimming solo.

Dario, Jeff & I - the family that swims together, poses in front of the camera together
That’s it for now, people!

Today is a very special Tuesday. It is my husband’s 35^th birthday (or 33^rd as he wants me to say it – at least when he’s around. Haha!) We just stayed here in our house. But I gave him a little surprise. I had my grandma cooked his favorite dish – Kare-kare (a very delicious Filipino dish). Then I asked my younger sister to buy 2 trays of carbonara for tonight. We will be going out tomorrow to enroll our son and buy things he will be using in school, and have a little date too

Another exciting thing that happened today is that the home theater system he bought for me has been delivered! I thought he was just joking, but here they are! Tomorrow, we are going buy a bigger TV rack that will accommodate the set of speakers of this awesome unit. He’s also buying me a new executive chair for me to use when I’m here in front of the PC and working

So, to the man who is always full of surprises, to the man who never gets tired of doing wonderful things for me and for our son all these years, to my husband . . . . . a very happy birthday to you, Papa! Jeff and I love you so much.

Here’s my toot for the week.

Yesterday, Jeff and I went to the ENT doctor for his check up. Good news: he’s not undergoing tonsillectomy for there is a chance that Jeff outgrows his tonsils (they are quite large for his age).

Another thing is I’m done with my assignments – I had the aircon installed, finished cleaning the house and bought some more clothes for my husband. Dario’s flight to Manila is tomorrow and we’re picking him up from the airport on Thursday afternoon. Now, our room looks fresh when he arrives.

Happy tooting!

I had a very, very tiring day today, guys, I can barely write. I went shopping for some items we need:

1. a new bed sheet with matching pillow cases

2. 2 shirts for my husband (he’s coming home next week)

3. a pair of shorts for my husband again

4. new undies for me

5. some grocery items for the week

6. vitamins

7. circuit breaker my husband asked me to buy

Bye for now, people! Talk to you again tomorrow.

Aaaahhhh . . . . . I had a very tiring day. It was very hot outside.

I went to the DSWD office today to ask for a social case study report. Then I proceeded to Quezon City Hall to get the certificate from the treasurer’s office. They are two of the requirements needed for the renewal of my son’s ID he uses at St. Luke’s. I’ll get the rest done next week.

I also went to Philhealth office in Quezon Avenue to pay the premium for the second quarter of 2008. Then went to the mall for a stroll . . . . . and window shopping!

That’s mission (partially) accomplished!

Jeff and I were out the whole day yesterday. We went to his doctor in the morning for his check up. Then in the afternoon, we had a date – I’m talking about me and Jeff here, not me and his doctor

Anyway, since today is Tuesday, I’m making this post my 2^nd toot. I got two accomplishments so far. Here goes.

The trip to the ENT clinic
Jeff and I went to St. Luke’s Medical Center in the morning for his check up. The ENT doctor said, though Jeff’s tonsils are big, they are not that big to really recommend tonsillectomy, unless they give Jeff so much trouble like tonsillitis every month, throat infection every now and then and things like that. Jeff did not get seriously sick last year, just colds and cough but no fever. So Dr. Castañeda asked us to come back again on April21 for another routine check up and told me to observe if Jeff’s tonsils get bigger. On our next visit, we will know what the doctor’s final recommendation will be and if the operation will push through.

The trip to the movie house
From the hospital, we had our lunch in a nearby restaurant then went straight to the mall. Jeff wanted to see the movie Horton Hears a Who, so we did. The movie was funny and touching at the same time. I liked it! This is the kind of movie that the whole family must see. It tells about the value of friendship, trust, keeping a promise, believing, love, family, determination – everything! I can actually see the story as the story of mankind. That we all live in a tiny speck called earth, and the flower is the universe and Horton, the one holding the flower where the speck is, is God. One can really see and realize how small and powerless we are without God. Go see the movie, guys. It’s a good one.

This is my first time and I hope I get this right.

I’m talking about the Tuesday Toot meme of MommyCommunity.com. So what have I accomplished so far? Well, Jeff’s final exams are scheduled yesterday until tomorrow. That means we have been reviewing his notes since Sunday until tonight. This explains why I haven’t posted anything here in the last two days. Right now, Jeff and I are taking few minutes break to re-energize ourselves for the next round, of review, that is. School year ends tomorrow and summer vacation is on its way and we are so excited. Next week, we will be going back to St. Luke’s Medical Center for his check up. We will know by then when he will be scheduled for tonsillectomy. And this probably will be the next thing I’m tooting about, so until the next toot!