Christmas rush... heavy traffic, long queue, crowded places and gift-able merchandise everywhere, indeed, the feeling of Christmas rush is evident everywhere and can be felt by everyone. As for me, I have a lot of things on my mind, lots of plans for the coming celebration. But then, I was reminded to stay calm- to stay cool. I was reminded not to feel the pressure, and I was reminded to stay chill. 

CREDITS: google.com

I used to worry a lot during this season. I worried about the gifts (obligatory feeling?), I was worried about the food. But as I grew a year older, I realized how to be contented and grateful with what I just can afford. I slowly withdraw myself from the "burden" of Christmas. What made me realize all that? Simple, it is the fact that this is NOT ABOUT US. Christmas is about Our Lord Jesus Christ who was born and more than three decades later, was hung on the cross to allow us to enjoy the beauty of CHRISTMAS as a redeemed children of God. This is ALL ABOUT HIM. That's why we should only do the things that could glorify Him! Yes, it is the season of giving, but we can give more than the material things. We can freely give our  FORGIVENESS to those who have offended us, we can give our LOVE for those whom we could consider as unlovable (as for me, some of my unruly students), we can give our TIME to our family whom we almost neglect because of the demands of our time for work. We can give ourselves for other people- our talents, skills, and concern. Christmas is a season of LOVE, a season of SHARING our happiness to everyone- how? that's where your talent, your skills and your time will be needed. No need to spend much. With just minimal expenses, the true spirit of Christmas can be experienced by each one of us.

Merry Christmas everyone!

You might be in a situation where you need to replace all of your current furniture because it is very old and falling apart. If this is the case, you will need to do some investigating in order to find a good place to buy some new furniture that will last for a very long time. There are many furniture retailers that you can choose from. However, you should never assume that these retailers are basically the same. You will discover that some are much better than others after you start shopping. Here are some of the most crucial things that you will need to keep in mind when you are in need of some new wooden furniture.

1. What sort of selection does the store have? 

Furniture stores come in all sizes. This means that some will have inventories that are much bigger than others. You should never buy new furniture that you are not crazy about just because the store you are doing your shopping at has a very lackluster selection. You need to remain patient and not be in a hurry to buy your furniture. Keep looking until you find a furniture store with a huge inventory that will offer you the choices you want. You should never settle for anything less than the exact furniture you are looking for.

2. Do you know anybody who has recently bought some wooden furniture?

It would be in your best interests to take a survey of the people you know to determine if any of them has bought some wooden furniture in the past year or two. You might just get lucky. One or more of these people might be able to recommend a fabulous furniture retailer that you never knew existed before. Ask the people who have recently bought furniture where they bought it and how much they paid for it. Are they happy with the quality of it? These people might give you a line on where to pick up some quality ranch style furniture in Austin.

3. Can the store make custom furniture according to your specific needs?

You might see a wooden table that you really like. However, it is too big to fit in the room where you want to put it. Try to find a furniture store that is able to make custom size alterations for you.

This is the first time that I would write something about my former Boss. He was my Boss for the past 10 years. Before I entered DepEd, I came to see him face to face during some of our BAC meetings and the best one was during the year-end assessment exactly 7 years ago at Dahilayan and Mountain Pines Bukidnon. 

Many described him as a visionary man. A man of integrity and authority. A man who is firm with his decision. He is a father to some, a brother to many, and a husband to only one. Indeed, he is your kind of man- strict but real. Spiderman is famous with his "great power comes with great responsibility", so does my Boss. He is so pre-occupied in the academic management because that was part of his GREAT RESPONSIBILITY. His accomplishment was indeed very evident. The transformation of my beloved alma mater was materialized under his leadership. By the time he assumed the presidency- vertical and horizontal development were being implemented. God knows how the university was being transformed. It is not only the MUST, now USTP that he attended to- he has all the state colleges and universities under his care. That's how big the scope is that he has to mind every day. He has so many plans on his mind- HOWEVER, with his great responsibility- enemies were created. Those who were opposed to him, those who were jealous of him, those who were offended by him- as if they were creating such a great alliance that they plotted to KILL him. He had death threats before (as shared by his family)- yet he remained as calm as he is- no body guards- only a personal driver with limited fighting skills, I supposed. His enemies succeeded- this month started with a gloomy news of him being killed with multiple gunshots right in front of his residence. The academe world were all shocked after knowing his plight. That fateful dawn of the 2nd of December ended the dream of a visionary man. It was ended by some cold-blooded animal who were hired by some BIG FISH- one of his ENEMIES. 

He does not deserve such kind of death- it is so difficult for everyone to accept what had happened to him yet it happened. I felt so sorry for his family- and most of all- his little children. If it is painful for those people who were under his commands- how much more for his wife and children as well as for his other immediate families. The people are now crying for JUSTICE- for his very untimely and undeserved kind of death. And for his killer- and its mastermind- they may be rejoicing right now. But their joy won't last forever- God will avenge my Boss and that's for sure. The mastermind should pray to his god that such thing will not happen also to him or to any of his immediate family, otherwise, he may experienced that excruciating pain that he caused to the family of my Boss.

My Boss, standing from right in blue shirt

Sir, I know you won't be able to read this. But thank you. Thank you for not signing my papers for plantilla items as Admin Aide IV because you knew that I won't be earning enough for my family. Have you signed it right away by the time it was handed to you- I may not be able to enjoy what I have enjoyed under DepEd right now. Thank you for your wisdom which I misunderstood 4 years ago. Lastly, thank you for your legacy- it will surely remain in everyone's heart forever. We will be proud to relate to our children that once upon a time, there was a University President who turns an ordinary thing into something- and that is my beloved alma mater.

Changing the appearance or the size of your home can be overwhelming at times. If you aren't sure where to begin, then consider talking to a contractor that specializes in remodeling and room additions before you take on any kind of work on your own. Determine what kind of room you need for the home, such as an extra bathroom or another bedroom if you plan to have more children or if you want another bedroom for guests. Talk to the contractor about the best location to put a room addition or the materials and time that it will take in completing a remodeling project so that you can plan ahead for the inconveniences that might be presented.

If you want to stick with something that is simple, then consider a bedroom or bathroom. The bedroom that you design can be used for any age, which is a benefit of this type of addition. Use neutral colors for the flooring and the walls to make it even easier to change the design of the room at any time. A bathroom is another simple addition that anyone in the home can benefit from using. When you add a bathroom to the home, you need to ensure that all of the plumbing is done correctly so that it flows with the rest of the house. 

A family room is an addition that offers more space to enjoy time with everyone in the home as well as any outside family members or friends who visit. Picture windows and French doors allow for more natural light in the room and provide a modern touch instead of standard windows that might keep the room darker. Exposed beams on the ceiling can create the illusion that the room is larger than it is along with neutral colors on the walls and the floor. The room addition that you decide on should be one that you can budget for and that will be functional for the entire family. If you're remodeling a room in the home, maintain a basic appearance so that it can be changed in the future if needed. 

While complying one task after the other, I was brought back to my memory lane. Those days that I am still young, carefree and happy. Oops am not saying that things have been changing differently these days. But when I tried to look back to my younger years, those years are indeed full of vigor, energy and enthusiasm! I may have known stress but not that much.

As of now, I am happy because I've got three adorable kids who completed my day. But then I have this unnecessary worries that keeps on bugging me and I know this is common to not-so-old mothers out there who faced some kind of premid-life crisis (sorry for the premid word, I just made it up). I am not afraid with all these responsibilities laid down before me- I am just not sure if I could really make it happen up to my last breath. I have so many apprehensions. I tried to be calm but sometimes, I just cannot avoid the fact that my kids are growing and so do I-only older.

I could only pray to God that He would continue to strengthen me and enlighten me always that I should learn to develop that unwavering faith in HIM.

Children all grow and learn at different paces.  However, they are expected to reach developmental milestones by certain ages.  

When your child has yet to reach these important stages, your pediatrician may suggest that you have your child undergo special intervention services.  When you want to safeguard your child's physical, emotional, and behavioral health Tampa FL parents like you may enroll your son or daughter in programs designed to help your child reach milestones and overcome obstacles.

Learning through Play

Children do not respond well to typical therapy designed for adults.  Adults can sit for an hour or longer and talk about their feelings.  They can respond to auditory input without having to interact with dimensional stimuli like pictures or toys.  They may overcome their emotional, mental, and behavioral issues through individual or group counseling.

Kids are not like adults and instead need that sensory stimulation to learn and grow.  They cannot sit and talk to a therapist.  They need to engage in a more meaningful way with therapists and counselors who are there to help them learn.

When you visit the facility's website, you can find out how the programs are designed to teach children through play.  Your son or daughter will learn what he or she needs to know by playing with toys, listening to music, looking at pictures, being told stories, and with other age-appropriate methods.  

The sessions will not be merely sitting in a chair while talking to a therapist.  Your child will play and learn at the same time.

Discovering the Healthcare Professionals on Staff

Your child may be the center of your world, which is why you want to entrust his or her care to people who are highly trained and have the experience needed to help your son or daughter.  You can put your own mind at ease by using the links on the website to learn more about the staff at the facility.

You can read up on the staff's professional qualifications and what educational training they have.  If you feel comfortable with them, you can use the links online to make an initial appointment.  You have total control over your child's treatments and therapy through the facility's online patient portals.

When your child has yet to reach milestones expected for his or her age, you may enroll him or her in therapeutic programs.  You can learn more and make the first appointment by going online today.