Sweet World of Joan

Being in a social network opened many doors for me, I made friends, got invited to free seminars and even helped in making my dream of starting an online business a reality. As an educator I use social networks to be always in touch with my students, make sure information disseminations is easy and swift to reach them in order to supplement what we learn inside the classroom. I also use the social network to keep in touch with family and friends all over the world and to also easily communicate with colleagues. We can’t escape it, social networking is becoming the norm, a ways of life. It makes time and distance almost insignificant, long distance relationship bearable. The event Social Networking and eBusiness Conference Philippines 2008 is a very significant event and reflects the signs of the times. It shows that social networking and eBusiness is here to stay and grow bigger in the years to come. The conference is organized by Fiera de Manila Inc. and the DigitalFilipino.com Club ...

I got a free iPod shuffle when I bought my laptop last year and since then, using it changed many things for me. I am not really fond of listening music though the use of earphones but since listening on my iPod I gotten the hang of it. I don’t just use it for listening to music, I also use it in listening to podcasts and recently I got this habit of listening on audio books on self help topics like the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen F. Covey's bestseller on personal effectiveness and the Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I even found audio books on IT and business management topics. The use of this small gadget is proved beneficial for me. I also have reflective, refreshing music played on it specially when I am traveling or I listen to audio books that I know will help me improve myself. At present I am looking for audio on the teachings of the church to help me reflect this Holy Week. I read recently that the church is trying to bring the teachings of the Lord to the people...

This morning was Lorenzo’s Nursery Recognition Day, after weeks of practice for the program and a year of studying; we finally attended the conclusion of Lorenzo’s Nursery Classes. The school said this day is the gift of the children for us their parents, it was a special and happy day for everybody. We enjoyed the special numbers prepared by the children, Lorenzo even conducted the National Anthem(I’ll upload it in You tube soon). They showcased the skills and talent they had developed throughout the school year, they danced, sang and even performed a short play. It touched my loving mother’s heart how eager and good all of them were during their performances. I got teary eyed when the children sang then gave roses to their parents as a culmination of the ceremonies. The Awards Even though I attended their daily rehearsals I have no idea what awards would be given or if my son would receive any but just before the awarding portion got started my son whispered in my ear that he has 3 a...

We visited the newly opened Manila Ocean Park located behind the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park on my birthday last March 8, a Saturday with my husband Samuel, my son Lorenzo and my Mom. We have been waiting for the chance to visit the park since last year. The Park which was supposed to open December last year was finally opened last February 29. As a Filipino I am very happy and proud that finally we have our own Oceanarium in the country that showcases our rich marine life. Since it was a Saturday the Ocean Park was full of visitors, we spent almost an hour waiting in line due to heavy crowds mostly groups of families just as eager to get in. There are food stalls in the lobby of the park where you can eat before you get in the oceanarium proper. It’s a good advice to eat before entering the oceanarium for it takes 2 hours to fully tour it and food and beverages are not allowed inside. Some Information about the Manila Ocean Park I got from its website: The Manila Ocean Park’s...

I’ve been putting off buying a car for years and since its will be beneficial for my family and my business I have decided that its time to have one. One reason I’ve put it off is because I don’t want to drive and that is the condition my husband gave a few years ago when I asked him if we could buy a car for he does not want to drive too. He has a quick temper and I get scared easily, plus I usually day dream while traveling or on the road not a good practice when you’re the one driving. I asked advice from one of my uncles who is a company driver and he advised me to learn how a car works, its parts and information about cars or any other vehicles I am interested with. He advised me to enroll in a good driving school and he refused to teach me informally due to the fact it will be hard for both of us because of my zero knowledge in cars or even on motorbikes. I plan to enroll in a driving school this summer. I am planning to buy a car before the year ends and I have plenty of time to...

It’s my Birthday today, and I made the conscious choice of spending it with my family than at work. The lure of my work is really hard to refuse but at the end of the day what is more important is the family, the people you love most. This day we will spend it in Manila Ocean Park, a new attraction here in Manila, maybe a dinner in a restaurant as the day end. There are only two kinds of food that I usually like to have on my special day one is spaghetti and a cake with candles so that I can make a wish as I blow them. I don’t really have a wish list for my birthday for I don’t expect to receive any gifts but I have my secret hopes and dreams. I stopped expecting gifts from other people but what I would like is to accomplish and acquire my wants through my own hard work. It’s much rewarding that way. As I grow older I realize that I reflect more on where I am at my stage in life, what I want to achieve in a year, in five years time and what steps I would take to achieve them. This year...

Happy birthday, dearest one, Sweet child of my heart! We've become one family, Of which you are a part. And so I sing out equally To all of those who are Mine by blood or fortune blessed, No more, no less my star! We are one in love and joy, In fondness and in worth, And so as one we celebrate This day, your day of birth! As a mother I believe that we must also celebrate the day that we bore our children. It is a celebration for entering into motherhood as much as a celebration of birth by the celebrant. Words cannot express what I feel today, so much happiness, so much love. At this time I only have 3hours of sleep preparing for my son's birthday party held in his school but I don't mind. I would have made my own peom for Lorenzo but at this time words seems elusive. So I got this special poem from Nicholas Gordon for express what I feel for my son Lorenzo.