Tuesday Travel #5 [San Francisco, CA]

I have been to San Francisco, California once when we passed by there going to Hawaii. We took a Space-A flight [military flight] at Travis Air Force Base. While in that area, we decided to drive to San Francisco and made use of the whole day that we have to wait for our flight to Aloha state. I know there are lots of places to see in the city, but we don't have enough time. We plan of going back there when God permits. Below were the only places that we went to.

We walked along the Embarcadero street and checked out different shops that we passed by. We had the experience of walking through the Port of San Francisco, which is very famous and have seen it in many movies. I had a picture under the Fisherman's Wharf sign but can't find it in my files.

We had our lunch at Bubba Gump restaurant. Our table was situated in the window area and we can see the Alcatraz across.

When dusk came, we drove to one of the landmarks of California, the Golden Gate Bridge. It was windy and we don't have warm clothes, thus we didn't stay there long. After few pictures taken and gasping the cool San Francisco air, we proceeded back to Travis and patiently waiting for the flight to Hawaii.

Playing the Guitar

I know some basic chords in playing a guitar, but I wanted to practice more and play without looking at guitar chord. The last time hubby came back from his deployment, he brought a guitar home. He said he acquired it. One of his buddy don't want to do the hassle of bringing it back here in the US so he gave it to my husband. Hubby just wrapped it with bubble wrap because there was no case for it.

We have it here at home and I get to play it once in a while. Last Christmas I played some Christmas songs because our girls want to hear me play it. We bought new strings and have tuned up. Good thing there is the internet to search for guitar chords if I don't know what it is. If I have more time after my online studies is finished, I will try my best to practice playing the guitar and maybe look for guitar for kids so I can give one for our daughter.

Pressured

Yeah, I feel so pressured now to finish my certificate program for Medical Transcription. I am already on my extension. I am paying every month for this extension. I only have two months left to finish and I still have three sessions including the pre-employment test. I hope I can make it through coz it will be too much of a waste if I don't. I know I could have make it without the extension but juggling everything is very overwhelming. Having two little ones to take care too and the household chores and family as a whole makes it difficult to balance the time.

Starting tomorrow I need to have a proper game plan on how to tackle my school work. Hubby is not always here at home because of work and out of town trainings so I don't have somebody to watch the kids while I do my school stuffs. The older one is okay and can already understand if I don't want to be disturbed, but the little one still needs my full attention when she is awake. If this entails for me to have a sitter for few days a week just so I can go through all my practice dictations without distraction, then so be it. But I will do my best to make use of my time and not procrastinate.

Okay, I am done ranting :-) I feel better now that I have this out for all to read. I will have myself accountable to y'all :-) Do keep me in your prayers so I can get through this haul and finish this program.

Pinterest

The Author of this post is Cheryl Martinez.

Have you guys heard of Pintrest? It's a new website that everybody in my neighborhood is talking about and I just don't really see what all the fuss is. I went on the other day and it looks to me a bunch of pictures all strung together, none of them really having anything to do with each other. If you ask me, Louisiana Internet can be a big waste of time if you're not using it the right way so I prefer when I get online to focus on things like answering e-mails and checking my social media accounts. Every now and then I'll send some pictures to my mom would do a little online shopping but I don't have time for frivolous sites that don't do anything but waste the precious moments I have with my children. I know I sound like a total Internet snob and I don't mean to but I feel like in today's day and age people are too obsessed with technology and not spending enough time with each other.

366 Blog Photo Challenge #20 [Fashionista]

[Naay taping si Madam!]

If you have a little girl I know you can relate with this. Our DD1 started to like dress so much when she was around 2-1/2-year-old. From then until now she like to always wear a dress. I will have to bribe her with something just so she will wear pants and shirt.

This #20 entry for 366 Blog Photo Challenge above was taken when our DD1 was 3-year-old. That was the height of her having strong affinity to dresses and blings. She is a fashionista wanna-be. I don't know about you but it is also fun to dress up our little princess.

Medical Malpractice Insurance

The high cost of healthcare here in the US is always a subject that almost all individuals are passionate to talk about. In political arena, politicians debate over this subject matter and seemed like nobody can give a better solution on how to solve the healthcare crisis. I have read an article that says one thing that makes the healthcare expensive is because doctors order tests that some of it are not even necessary. If a person don't have healthcare insurance and needs medical attention, the more that he or she will be drowned in debt if he/she will be asked or subjected to different testings to get a diagnosis.

I think, in my opinion, the medical liability of the medical professional is at stake thus, they wanted to make sure before giving their final diagnosis to order battery of tests for their patients. Although they have professional liability insurance but I am pretty sure nobody wants to use it. The high cost of medical malpractice insurance plus their license is what's at stake once medical lawsuit is filed against them. I am not well versed of the medical malpractice law but one thing I'm sure, no doctors would want to be sued.

For those medical professional that wanted to avail or compare medical malpractice insurance, you can check out and get a medical malpractice insurance quote and see the different rates with different specialty. I do hope that congress can find a way also to lower the cost of this insurance and work together to fix the healthcare system.

Under Height

I am not blessed with a towering height but my being petite and cute is why my hubby is attracted to me, or so it seems [smile]. Anyways, one of my possession that I can't live without when I am doing house chores is the two step stool that hubby bought me. Yes, since I lack the height and we have a standard height cabinetry in the house, this step stool is a must. I prefer using it than climbing on the counter without it. I don't want any accidents, and I don't want the kids to copy me.

Before, I used one of our bar stool but it is very awkward to drag the bar stool everywhere in the house. With the step stool, it is light weight, I can fold it with ease and store it inside the jacket closet. I am so glad hubby bought me one. It makes it easier for me to reach higher areas in the house.

Tuesday Travel #4 [Northwest Trek Wildlife Park]

We haven't been traveling lately, so my entry for today's Tuesday Travel is our old captures from our visit to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. We've been there twice in the past with our DD1. Our DD2 haven't been there, so we may have to arrange another escapade there in the summer if Daddy's schedule permits.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is not your ordinary park. The experience is different from other parks that you can see. They are more focused on preserving the nature and the living organisms. You can see different animals in a natural habitat. Although some are in cage but just so the wild animals can't really harm the people or vice versa.

Above is a tram tour. There is a narrator that will explain the history and and how they maintain the park, how the animals are being taken cared of, what are the different species to be found, and many other information.

These are just few of the animals you can spot once the tram travels along the wildlife park.

Aside from the land animals, they also have birds, water animals present, fresh and salt water alike. The kids will surely love it. This wildlife park is very educational in many ways. A great place to commune with nature and educate our kids.

What I Like About the Parks

You know, if you come from a third world country you can understand where I'm coming from with this comparison. I grew up in a small rural community and I did not experience playing in a park with amenities in different colors and types. When I got here in the US I was so amazed to see big parks and almost everything are in. It is free and kids and adults can enjoy.

Our house is just a stone throw away from an athletic center here in our area. I can just walk going there in a given nice weather. Since it is the region's athletic center, there are playing fields around it for baseball, soccer, basketball, track and field, bike area, walking pathways, and many others. I like it that near the playing fields there are portable bleachers and aluminum bleachers that watchers can sit in comfortable to watch every game.

The park I am talking also has park sheds where people can rent out for any occasions. I have friends celebrated birthdays for their kids over there. The kids have a big place to run around as well as enjoy using the park amenities. I know in some parks not only kids can enjoy, even four-legged friends as well. They have their own area too. Good thing is that there are dog exercise equipment and pet wet stations that pets can use for them to enjoy.

If only we have nice weather everyday that would not entail me to do too much preparation, I will bring the kids to the park everyday. They love playing at the park. It is also good for them to have the physical exercise that the park offers. It can build their stability and decision making process. If you have kids, you can really appreciate what a park can give to your kids.

Tuesday Travels # 3

Below are some of the places worth checking out in Seattle, Washington. I know there are lots to see in the city but we don't have the chance to check it out yet. Maybe when the weather permits and we have enough time, we will explore the city more.

This building is the Seattle Arts Museum. I haven't been inside yet.

This big water fountain is located in the Seattle Center. During summer time and there is activity in the center, this is the best hang out area of those who wanted to cool off from the heat.
One place I love to visit when we are in Seattle is the Pike Place Market. It is like a wet market where you can find lots of fresh produce, sea foods, vegetables, fresh flowers, different kinds of herbs, and many others. They have restaurants inside if you love to try different cuisine.

Video Download

I am so thankful that you can now do youtube video download fast and easy. I have lots of good short video for DIY projects that I wanted to download and access in my PC conveniently. As you all know, when I started searching for a how-to video on youtube and found lots of results I got hooked into it. Not only it is entertaining but very informational and educational as well.

Among other things that I love to watch on youtube, is cooking video of recipes that I wanted to try cooking as well. I also found a good video of doing crafts. As a matter of fact this past December I watched on youtube a video on how to make Christmas decors. If I have enough time this coming Christmas I am going to watch another video so I will do all my Christmas decors. Decors are really expensive and if you make your own you can save more. This will be my new goal, to save on decors since there are lots of resources to watch if you need step-by-step tutorial.