I Need a Break

I've been working so hard this past few weeks, this weekend alone I worked for 16 hours, normally they just give me 4 - 5 1/2 hrs per day because I'm part time. Last week they give me extra hours (28.30) and I'm so happy of course, usually part time in our company is just 15 or less hours.  I know it sucks, plus they keep hiring more people everyday, from what I heard 28 hours is considered full time, and 10- 15 hrs is part time.  Typical retail, they need you to work so hard for the less amount of money they paying you.  I am just lucky that they give me more hours this past few months, I hope they will continue doing it but I doubt it because I see a lot of new faces every week, they are still hiring more people.  This weekend is my cashier training, I'm kinda nervous and scared, though I been a cashier before, this is different because as a cashier they want you to sell the company's rewards/credit card and I'm still not confident with my English.  I am not looking forward to it.

Its a good thing I'm off today and tomorrow but I'll be working on Thursday again for 8 hrs and the rest of the week, its gonna be a long week again for me.  I like it though when they want me to work on the weekends, in that way it keeps me from missing my husband so much and at the same time earning extra bucks.  Finally I can enjoy my rest days, I did my laundry today and clean my bedroom.  While cleaning I play some music, this time my mood is for Oldies Songs, yes I'm kind of sad right now.  Maybe I'm just missing my husband or its homesickness again.  For sure I miss my baby nephew so much,  I really want to hug him and kiss him so bad. 

Advantage in Working at Retail

It was a long day at work today, I just got home from working six hours, I was supposed to work till 8 pm only but my manager ask me to stay till close which is 10 pm, which I said yes because I can used the extra cash.  So I tried to send a text message to my father in law (his driving me to work), but he was already there ready to pick me up, so he didn't have a choice but to go back home for the reason that I don't want him to wait for an hour until we closed.  I was really ashamed of what happen, its a good thing my father in law is just a cool guy.  We owe a lot to him, thank God for my father in law.  Anyhow I work in retail, I am on home and domestics department and sometimes they put me to help on the backroom on truck days.  Retail job is not fun, it gets crazy everyday that's why I love working in the backroom doing trucks, though it gets very physical when you're working over there, but I love it because, you get a lot of job done, I mean variety of job like: lay outing clothes, hanging and put tags on the clothes and shoes plus you get to see the merchandise first before it is out on the salesfloor, that's the only advantage if you work at retail.  Oh we also get 10% associate discounts and 20 % every quarter.  Thus I love my job, oh I found a cute blouse that I'm planning to buy tomorrow, its very cute I love the design though when I check the ticket it says Maternity Tops, oh well I think I really have to start losing some weight, I don't want to wear maternity tops when I'm not pregnant hahha. 

Summer Heat

My new Michael Kors shade I love it!

Phew! Its so hot today, I feel like I'm in the Philippines, its 97 F right now. Its not just hot here in Jacksonville, it also gets very humid even in the morning and sometimes we had some downpour too.  My father in law says this is a typical summer time in Florida, it gets hot and very humid with a little bit of rain showers.  Anyhow when I'm still in my home country, I never like to wear shades even though its also so hot the whole year over there, of course its the tropics, its because I'm too embarrassed with my big nose lol.  But since I got here, I started wearing shades because its to hot and my eyes tend to get so dry and sensitive when I'm outdoor.  Its also protection for my eyes, so I don't care if I don't look good wearing shades.

My new shades

Two weeks ago I just bought a Michael Kors Shades, for only $25 in Stein Mart.  I know its a high-end brand, but I'm not sure if this is just a replica or not, all I know is that I love wearing it and it is definitely good quality than my old shades that I bought for $10 in Marshalls.  I know its cheap so the quality is cheap also.  My husband always tells me, "if you buy cheap you get cheap"lol.  My next plan is to buy a new michael kors watch for me, hence my old wristwatch needs to be replace, its still doing its job but the strap is broken and for whatever reason I can't find a replacement over here.  So that why I thought maybe I need to buy a new one.  Yay tomorrow is payday Friday again!  Happy weekend everybody!!

Wordless Wednesday: Yellow Flowers

Hibiscus in our backyard  (Gumamela in the Philippines)

Allamanda flower

Small Business but Big Taxes!

When we were still living in the Philippines, we had a sari-sari store (convenience store) as our small business.  We open the store in February 21 of 2008, it was doing really well for the first two years, I was so happy with the outcome of my small business.  If I remember correctly we spend 100,000 (pesos) for the capital of the store not including the expenses of building the store.  Anyhow my sales everyday could get up to $115 or 5,000 pesos and that's a lot of money in my country.  My sari sari store sells basic commodities at low cost, I also sell rice, canned goods, milk formula, drinks and cigarette. I loved that store and I miss having a small business like I had. Having your own mini grocery business can be fun and profitable but there is also some disadvantages,  albeit I consider it  sari-sari store, my store was big and bigger from all the stores in the neighborhood so of course all the people their was so jealous, they think that I earned a lot from having a business like that.  Well true I earn some, but I'm also paying the taxes because we want our business to be legal.  Unlike the other store in our neighbor that I know of, they did not registered their business and I don't know how they manage to do that until right now with out getting caught.  Oh well its their karma not mine.

Anyhow, I did not regret having that store,it serves its purpose and it help us a lot before financially, especially my family in the Philippines.  I only wish I had a Business Lawyers to help with my problem right now.  See I decided to closed that store and declare bankruptcy last November because it was not doing well (thanks to my relatives and other people who never pay their debts) and also my visa petition was approved so I was getting ready to leave to be with my husband here in the USA.  Now my problem is the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) is giving me hard time to pay the tax, I tried to return my permit and all the paper works that needs to be done before I fly to the US but I was unsuccessful.  I though it was gonna be easy because I paid my taxes for the whole year, every year and I did not owe any centavo so I was so confident that I would be easy, boy I was wrong!  They want a lot of paperwork's from me, they want to see my monthly sales, and the thing that really frustrates me is they said they have to compute the interest of my tax because I did not pay the monthly tax. For the record they never told me that there's a monthly fee that I needed to pay, the only thing that they said the first day I paid my tax is I only have to pay 500 pesos annually, due to the fact that my store is just ordinary store and I don't even issue receipts.

Fast forward today, my sister just told me that after six months they finally figured it out, and they want me to pay 12,000 pesos before they will clear my name and will finally declare my store as bankrupt.  But where can I get that kind of money, that's almost $300, there's no way I will pay them with that amount!  So I'm in trouble right now, I told my family to go to the mayor over there and try to ask favor, at least lessen the money that I need to pay for the BIR.  I really wish I had a business lawyer to help with my legal problem.  This is why its important for any business, big or small to have an ongoing relationship with a lawyer.  Now wish me luck :<

Sunday Stealing: The Too Tired to Think Meme, Part 1

Today we ripped off a blogger named Metalmom from the blog I Don't Want to Hear It. We will do the fifty questions in two parts. She explains that she got it from Robin from the blog Libra Girl.  But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing! 





 
1. You have 10 dollars and need to buy snacks at a gas station. What do you get?
    A hotdog meal, it comes with a drink and it just cost you like $3.00?

2. If you were reincarnated as a sea creature, what would you want to be?
    A mermaid lol

3. Who’s your favorite redhead?
    Amber my co worker.

4. What do you order when you’re at IHOP?
   Never been there and beside I'm not a fan of pan cakes.

5. Last book you read?
   How to not lose you're job.

6. Describe your mood.
    Calm.

7. Describe the last time you were injured.
    At work just a small cut from sharp tags.

8. Of all your friends, who would you want to be stuck in a well with?
Hmmm my husband.

9. Rock concert or symphony?
    Depends on my mood.

10. What is the wallpaper of your cell phone? The number? (We'll just say "hi" - promise.)
    A boring clock.

11. Favorite soda?
  Mexican Coke, but I'm trying to eliminate the soda so I'm drinking organic tea right now.

12. What type of shirt are you wearing?
      A sleeves shirt.

13. If you could only use one form of transportation?
    Jeepney please..

14. Most recent movie you have watched in theater?
      Magic Mike

15. Name an actor/actress/singer you have had the hots for.
     It was Bono before..

16. What’s your favorite kind of cake?
     No wheat for me so can't eat cake.

17. What did you have for dinner last night?
    Beef with Broccoli

18. Look to your left, what do you see?
     My dansco coin albums

19. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
      Hahha No.

20. Favorite toy as a child?
      A gun and I'm serious.

21. Do you buy your own groceries?
     Yup, but sometimes father in law does.

22. Do you think people talk about you behind your back?
     Maybe, who cares lol.

23. When was the last time you had gummy worms?
     A long time.

24. What’s your favorite fruit?
   Mango but mango here sucks ewww and mangosteen.

25. Do you have a picture of yourself doing a cartwheel?
  No :(

Calgary Homes

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Sunday Stealing: The Movie Time Meme

Today we ripped off a blogger named Rianna from the blog Frankly My Dear. She reports that she stole it from Rachel. It was a short meme, so we scoured the internet to find another movie meme. Then voilà! We found a meme from Gilby 37 from the blog Random Ramblings of a Broadway, Film and TV Fan. She said that she got it from Meredith of ForeverClassics. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!


 

1. What is your all-time favorite movie costume?

   Maybe Darna (Superwoman version of the Philippines)

2. What classic film would you nominate for a remake?
 Hmm that' hard, I think the movie Jaws.

3. Name your favorite femme fatale.

    Jennifer Garner

4. Name the best movie title.

    Sleepless in Seattle? lol

5. Describe the worst performance by a child actor that you’ve ever seen.

      No idea.

6. Who gets your vote for most tragic movie monster?

    The Exorcism of Emilie Rose.

7. What is the one Western that you would recommend to anybody?

    Western what?

8. Who is your ideal movie-viewing partner?

    Of course my husband.

9. Has a film ever made you want to change your life? If so, what was the film?

     Its not a film but a cartoon series when I was young called "Maria".

10. Think of one performer that you truly love. Now think of

one scene/movie/performance of theirs that is too uncomfortable for you to

watch. 

Nada.

11. On the flip side, think of one really good scene/performance/movie

from a performer that you truly loathe. 

A lot to mention.

12. What is your favorite romantic comedy?

    51 dates by Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore

13. What is your favorite drama?

   CSI

14. Worst film you've seen?

    Magic Mike lol

15. How do you feel about the majority of romantic films being labeled "chick flicks"?

    I don't have a problem with it.

16. Favorite on-screen couple?

     Victoria and David Beckham

17. Favorite off-screen couple?

    Me and my husband lol

18. Best kiss in a movie?

     Leo and Kate of course in Titanic

19. Favorite scene?

  I dunno

20. Who are 2 film characters you wished had gotten together, but never did?

  Ambot!

21. Two actors you think would have great chemistry, but have never done a film together?

     I have to think.

22. Favorite song in a film (doesn't have to be from a musical)?

     I am yours

23. Best score from a film?

     No idea.

24. Best film quote?

     packing materials

25. A film you'd recommend that is a "Must See" for us to watch?

   A lot like 300, Gladiator, Interview with the Vampire, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter series, Kingdom of Heaven etc etc.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

My Anniversary card from husband.

Wow I can't believed that its been five years since I married my husband.  It seems like just yesterday I was preparing to walk down the aisle to say "I do".  Yes its our fifth wedding anniversary last Tuesday (July 10), though my husband was not here to celebrate with me, he called me on the phone and we talk for more than an hour that I was late for work lol.  My husband works every summer in Alaska, so his not around every time its our wedding anniversary, I know its sad but its for our future so its okay.  This is the fifth year that my husband was away in our anniversary, but I think this time is the hardest because I am here in the US and I feel so lonely maybe because when I was still in the Philippines I have my family and friends with me so I'm not that sad as compare over here.  Anyhow my husband said we are going to celebrate our anniversary in November 14th; our meeting anniversary, its gonna be our six year since we meet last 2006 in a social site "Myspace".  I told my husband if possible I want to renew our vows too in November, I just hope I brought with me my wedding dress, well maybe its gonna be to small for me now as I gained a lot of weight since then.  I don't wanna wear a plus sized wedding dresses.

Its been 5 years since I wear this rings.

Husband sent me a card and a letter for our anniversary, and everything he said made me cried lol.  My husband is not showy, his a type of guy that doesn't show his emotion, he said Capricorn is like that. And I also send him card with a long letter, he said I touch his heart with my letter and that he can't wait to be in my arms again and so am I.  I really miss him so much, oh well six weeks more to go, and we'll be together again.  And hopely we can move to the house that were planning to buy, that would be the greatest gift for our anniversary.  God bless us...

Anything Vintage

My husbands loves anything vintage, from vintage recipes to vintage cars and vintage furniture, name it, as long as its vintage he loves it.  He even have a blog called "The Vintage Recipe Blog",  when I was still in the Philippines I didn't know anything about vintage.  Anyhow we are so excited to move to the house were planning to buy soon, we're crossing our fingers that it still on the market come August or September when my husband gets back from Alaska.  We have a lot of plan in that house already, it has a big yard so we're thinking of making a pond or a garden.  And my husband want's to repair the old cabinets in the kitchen and make it as vintage kitchen cabinets.  I know we are expecting a lot right now, but dreaming is free lol.  Anyhow we will  see in the fulfillment of time.  I owe everything up to God, all my dreams and aspirations.  Thy will be done oh Lord...

The kitchen cabinets in that house.

Looking Fab This Rainy Season

I love this boot!

It is summer already, but sometimes I can't help but wonder if the summer here in the states is really like this, because here in Jacksonville sometimes its so hot with no breeze at all like today, its very hot and humid but last week we just got drenched by the tropical storm Debbie.  I'm not looking forward for another tropical storm again, I rather be hot and sweaty than to have bands of rain and flooding, though we our lucky because it didn't flood at our place.  Anyhow I was thinking of buying a rain boots, just to be prepare if we get hammered again by another tropical storm, (hopely not knock on wood) I mean it is possible over here in Florida.  In that I search online about rain boots and I found this rain boot style guide, where they have a collection of rain boots for you to choose from.  I like this cute saying I got from the website saying Hunter Wellies are sure to make you stand out on those days where the sky is as grey as the city sidewalk. If you have to go out in the rain, be sure to get a pair here!  Therefore if you are living in Florida be prepare and get your self a rain gear or rain boots, considering we can never predict the weather over here.  I only wish I can afford some of there boots, its not cheap but its good quality and very stylish. Anyhow I need to work hard to be able to afford all of this.

Health Insurance

A lot of people is not happy with the Supreme Court upholding the Obamacare  "known as The Affordable Care Act" right now, and that includes my husband and me, though I still have to learn about the laws over here in the states, all I know is that Obamacare is not good that its another way to tax the people. From Wikipedia:  Obamacare is The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), is a United State federal statue signed into law by President Barack Obama on march 23, 2010. Obamacare requires adults not covered by employer- or government-sponsored insurance plans to maintain minimal essential health insurance coverage or pay a penalty, a provision commonly referred to as the individual mandate. The Act also affects certain aspects of the private health insurance industry and public health insurance programs, requires insurance coverage of pre-existing conditions, and seeks to extend coverage to 30 million uninsured Americans. The Congressional Budget Office projected it will both lower future deficits and Medicare spending. And this is including us, me and my husband doesn't have health insurance yet, so from what I understand Obamacare is not optional, its like their forcing people to do it.

Anyhow I'm not here to talk about dirty politics, I'm here to talk about health insurance, that it is so hard if you don't have insurance.  When my glasses broke we didn't have a choice but to buy a new one.  But in order to get a new eye glasses I have to go through eye exam first, which is not cheap, so we bite the bullet and did go to the eye doctor and did it all without any insurance.  We end up paying $537 for my new eyeglasses including the eye exam, my frame is not cheap because I am near sighted and I believe my left eye has astigmatism.  But I like my new eyeglasses, I think its worth it.  I just hope we can afford to have a health insurance soon or my husband can find a full time job that offers a free insurance.  I was searching online about affordable health insurance, and one thing I found out that before you can even have insurance they will have to do a health check on you, especially if its a life insurance you're talking about. So a lot of people right now is looking for a no health check life insurance, well good luck to them.

My new glasses

Convenient Reading

Got a new Nook from my father in-law.

When I was a kid, I like reading especially the books that has illustration, I think all the kids do. But anyhow my late grandmother always tells me to read the newspapers or anything that makes your brain active.  We can't afford to buy books before even though we have books from the school we have to share it with our seatmate because its just limited so I ended up reading some old comics.  When I was in high school I stop reading books or shall I say I'm so lazy to read, not until I meet my husband that I go back to reading again.  My husband is a bookworm, he loves to read in fact we still have a lots of books in the Philippines that we can't bring with us here in the states.

My Nook!

Today in our world, there's a lot of new technologies that makes reading easy and very convenient, like Kindle Fire from Amazon and Nook from Barnes and Nobles.  My father in-law is techie guy,  he got a Nook that he got from Ebay then he bought a new one then he decided to give his old nook to my husband.  We got hook with it, we love it because you can just download thousands of book you want from the internet to your nook.  When my husband left to work in Alaska, he brought with him his nook, that time I was still reading the Twilight series.  But last month I was so surprised because dad (father in-law) got me a new nook so that I won't be bored and I will not waste my time on FB playing games lol.  I was so happy and very thankful to dad, he said that its his gift for our wedding anniversary.  I love my nook, it is black and white so it doesn't strain your eyes, I hope the computers monitors  is like that too so it doesn't hurts your eyes .  Now I'm thinking what to read next, because I'm done reading the Breaking Dawn.  How about you, do you like to read? What are you reading right now?

Wordless Wednesday

My nephew Gabriel, received a bronze medal during his recognition day. I'm a proud Aunt!!

My lovable nephew Gab and my other cousins in the Philippines.

The two person that I miss so much my mother and my nephew, love them so much! 

Bathroom Upgrade

The bathroom in that house that were planning to buy.

We are planning to move to another house as soon as my husband gets back from Alaska, and we found a house already that we've been eying on since May. It is located at the Trout River in downtown Jacksonville, which is twenty four miles away from where we live right now.  I hope and pray that we will get that house and its still in the market until August or mid September when my husband gets back from working in AK.  We already fall in love in that house, the neighborhood is not that bad although I see a couples of blacks hanging around the streets and looks like there not up to no good but as my husbands says that's the chance we take right now.  The inside of the house reminds me of the old Spanish houses in the Philippines, maybe that's why I like that house it has 3 bedrooms, spacious living room and dining room but the kitchen is kinda small and there's just one bathroom.  Although the bathroom has a bathtub but it is next to the toilet bowl because the bathroom doesn't have a lot of space, so I told my husband if we buy that house, the bathroom really needs remodeling or upgrading.  So I start researching online and found bathroom remodeling .  And it gives me a lot of idea already on what to do on our bathroom soon.  In the fulfillment of time we will see... Hope everybody's having a good day, and I will see you again, have to get ready to work and I am gonna closed tonight hmmm. Have a blessed day y'all!

Sunday Stealing: The Imaginary Meme, Part Seven

Today we ripped off a blogger named Hui Lin from the blog Conversations with an Imaginary Audience. It's 200 questions, so we will do it in parts. Lots of parts. She does not state where she got it from. But this is someone who could not come up a separate screen name and a blog name. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Take the time to comment on other player's posts. It's a great way to make new friends! Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!

121. Have you gone rock climbing? If not, would you?

    Not yet, sure I would love to try it.

122. Do you believe in forever love in a romantic relationship?

      Yes.

123. As a kid did you ever sneak anyone into your house?

     Hmmm yeah I am stupid before.

124. Do you personally know anyone homeless?

       Hmm not personally but I've seen a couple here in Jacksonville.

125. Do you believe in aliens?

       No.

126. Have you ever killed someone?

       Yeah a chick if that counts.

127. What would it take for you to sell your soul to a devil?

       Nothing and I would never do it! Would you? stupid question!

128. Top or bottom?

       Either

129. Are you happy with your career?

       Yes.

130. What's your favorite store to buy clothes? Why?

       Goodwill becuase its cheap lol, but sometime Marshalls of course I would take advantage of the 10% discount.

131. What is your eye color?

      Dark Brown.

132. Watching or playing sports?

       Watching.

133. Would you have plastic surgery?

       If needed yes.

134. Name one website that you visit daily. Why do you read it?

        Facebook, need to say more? lol

135. Are you going on vacation this year? If so, where?

      No can't afford right now.

136. How do you align yourself politically?

      I really don't know yet how over here in the US.

137. Do you have any pets?

      We have two cats in the house but its my father in laws cats, I have a cat in the Philippines though, too bad I can't bring him over here.

138. Do you believe in soul mates? 

       Yes and I think me and my husband are the living proof. :)

139. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself? 

        flaking skin

140. How long have you played Sunday Stealing?

 Hmm I think its been 2 years now, but I must admit there's a week that I don't participate.

 

(Editor's note: This meme was written by a twelve year old. Each week we've had to change a question or completely find another question. So, we changed “Have you ever kissed someone?” to “killed someone?” in hopes of asking the stupidest meme question of all time.)