Batik Collection

Since I was young, I've been mesmerized by the rich beauty of any products that are made of batik. They are so colorful and fashionable. That's why I have my own collection of different apparel that are made of batik. Some of them I had for more than 15 years already. Some of those I've used during cultural presentations in the school. Me and my mom used to check stores who are selling batik products to see if there's new style available. They are also good for souvenirs. When my husband visited me in the Philippines for the first time, he bought batik products as presents for his loved ones here in the states. Now that, I'm here in the states with him already, I missed buying batik products. I brought quite a few batik dresses and I got good compliments about them.
I'm jazzed when I found a Batik store online called the Kraf Online. They have a wide collection of batik products that are sold at very reasonable prices.


This is a batik shirt for men I found in their store. It has a very nice detail on it which I'm sure will impressed my husband.

This beautiful batik sandal is perfect for formal and casual occasions. The details will surely keep your fashion step up a notch higher. This is even very comfortable to wear everyday.

It is really very remarkable for Kraf Online for putting up an online store for batik products. I think it's a great convenience for people like me who loves batik. We can just shop around at their site and buy the item that we want instead of waiting till we go the Philippines again or other Asian countries. It's very heartwarming that they promote the beauty of Asian products and by putting up a batik blog to promote awareness about batik.

If you like to add more to your batik collection or try batik product for the first time, head over to Kraf Online and get a 10% discount for all purchases by using the code : crafty. You will also get a free gift if you purchase $50 and above.

How Secured Are You?

I have a friend who's over 60 years old already. Because of her physical condition, having through a lot of surgeries she wasn't able to keep on working until 66 years old. I heard that she wasn't able to get her full social security benefits. Even though she worked until 62 years old but still she wasn't able to avail medicare which is very sad because she has some illnesses that requires continous medical attention. That's why she just decided to retire in the Philippines.
The right age to be able to get full benefits is 66 years old. If you have children under 18 years old when you start receiving benefits, they will also receieve benefits. I hope the present economic crises won't cause any negative changes on the benefits because there are some speculations that the social security benefits will fall short.
Even though my husband won't retire yet but he already plan to keep on working until he's 66 years old so that he's sure that he will be able to support our children's education thus giving them a brighter future. Retirement is a nice word but I don't think it doesn't mean anything anymore most especially if you don't planned it well.

Divided We're Stronger?????

There's only few Filipinos in this town but it seems like we can't be united as one. What else is new, another shebang is going on right here. But before that, I want to stress out that this is just my own point of view and trying not to represent anybody's opinion.
After many years, the Filipino-American families in this town finally have a set of officers to formally turned it into a non-profit organizationwhich caused an unlikely disagreement among the members.
But isn't it always been like that there's always an opposition whether it's a big or small organization, republic or whatever, there's always two or more parties. Because there are different ideas that just can't be compromised. An opposition is actually necessary especially when it comes to putting someone in his place.
The issue, the election of officers was questioned because it was conducted even though the 50%+1 of the members wasn't there and there were two minors involved plus a husband and wife occupied the two major positions. But then, the newly elected officers disagreed, stating that it's all legal and valid because the members were given a 1 week notice about the election through phone calls. Then some members think 1 week is not enough, there should be at least 1 month notice and a formal letter to all the members, and apparently not all of the members as they claimed weren't clearly informed about the purpose of the meeting. But the lady who made the calls said that he informed almost of them about the election of officers. How do I know?I acted as a secretary during the second meeting because Marie, the elected secretary declined.They appointed me as a secretary, I declined too. Then I suggested to open the floor for the nomination for secretary but it wouldn't be possible because the nominees weren't in the meeting, then I suggested the secret ballot, but the chairman opposed because there's no more time. So his wife who was the treasurer who just stepped down because it was questioned by the members due to the conflict of interest, is acting as a secretary for now.
Some of the members are not in favor of this, as they wished for reelection and some of the members think it's valid and legal. In fairness, the officers are open for everybody's questions. Some of my closest friends are involved, on each sides. When I declined as a secretary, they thought I just don't want to hurt my friend Marie's feelings. Well, the officers are my friends too. Marie is more like a sister to me ( my unbiological sister :-) ).We don't really called ourselves as friends. She don't like it when I'm not loyal to her. I opposed her many times and I wasn't most of the times was concerned about what she would feel. She knows that if I have to I would give it all up, friendship and everything if I know I'm right. And she knews that if I'm pretty sure that I'm right and got tired of explaining my side, I would rather shut my door and be at my own pace.I always have my family as my comfort zone.
With all this fiasco that's going, I'm irritated with the idea that it might caused a division. I wish somewhere somehow it will be fixed. But I noticed that both sides are optimistic to stand up for what they believe is right...both sides are getting stronger.. I guess United we stand, divided we're stronger..make sense I don't know.
I'm proud of these people who stand for what they believe in. As for me, I want to be out of here, to escape in a peaceful place . My husband is as outspoken like the others for standing up for what he believes in, but I was able to control him though my "out of this world dramas" so he's slowing down.

Someone said, "It's either you stand for what you believe is right even though you might end up being alone, or be a friend of everbody, play safe and look like a joke"

I just want to live a harmonious life alone with my family, with my friends..it's just that when I looked at myself's reflection in the mirror ...I looked like a joke"

Poor Snowball

I really feel bad for Snowball because he's been looking for Pepper all night. We had to babysit him again while Jody has to bring Pepper's body in the mountain for a solemn cat funeral. It must be very hard for Snowball without having Pepper around. I wish Jody will look for another cat to at least give Snowball another company.

Bye Pepper

It's been two weeks since we "babysit" Snowball and Pepper. They're two cute cats. My kids really love them already. Today, Jody, the owner came by. They're so excited too see her that they went near the car while backing she's up. I was inside the house when I hear someone screaming and crying. Then Jody came inside look so pale that make my world seem so stop because for a minute I thought she backed up to someone and my thoughts were at my daughter because she was playing in the garage..then when I heard her said "vet". I was relieved but still nervous because I learned that she backed at Pepper. Some of my neighbors who saw came to help and there's this one lady that really cry hard because Pepper died in her hand. She said that, it was the saddest thing that ever happened to her. I was really touched with her compassion. I'm sad for what had happened to Pepper. I'm sure Snowball will miss her. So this afternoon, they will gonna do a "cat funeral" for Pepper.

View You Beauty Plan

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