Beyond the Silver and the Gold - A Filipino Family's Homeschool Journey

THE EARTH Its Structure and Its Changes by Tom DeRosa & Carolyn Reeves – A Homeschool Elementary Science Book Review

2012-01-27T00:40:00.001+08:00

Today’s homeschool review is a Science book that Artsy Princess is currently studying - The Earth: Its Structure and Its Changes (Investigate the Possibilities: Elementary Earth Science) by Tom DeRosa and Carolyn Reeves published by Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group. I was given a free PDF copy of the textbook, the Teacher’s Guide and Student Journal. This review is for the textbook only. I will write another review for The Teacher’s Guide and Student Journal.

First off, I want to say that this Science book is unlike any textbook I have seen so far. Though I don’t claim to have seen them all, I know that this one is different because of the way it is arranged. Every chapter is called an Investigation thereby conditioning the child to think that this is not just mere studying of a textbook, it is learning by experience and discovery. Each investigation is only about 5 pages long. This book has 20 investigations that can be finished in 20 weeks. Every page is filled with colorful pictures that serve to pique the learner’s interest even more. Furthermore, the experiments always come with pictures of the procedure or the outcome, which is a big help to me and my student.

Every Investigation has seven parts:

Think about this (Engage) – Usually a very short excerpt of young children discussing the current topic. This arouses the child’s curiosity and reminds them of what they already know of the topic.

The Investigative Problem(s) – This part asks a question or two about the topic so that students know what they should be watching out for.

Gather These Things – Lists down everything needed for the experiment. I do wish that there is a central list for all the things needed to conduct all the experiments. The good thing about this is that most, if not all, of the things needed are easily obtainable from general stores.

Procedures and Observations (Investigate) – Here’s where the fun part begins – the experiment or science activity. The instructions given are very easy to follow. Here is where they will begin to observe what is happening.

Here’s one of Artsy Princess’ activity

The Science Stuff (Explain) – This section explains what just happened during the Procedures and

Observations part. The book is arranged so that the students always conduct the experiment or investigation first before reading The Science Stuff.

Making Connections (Apply) – This part explains further how this can be applied to real life situations. Learning cannot really be made permanent without learning its application in real life.

Dig Deeper (Expand) – This is an optional section that a student can choose to do if the topic is interesting for him. Another way to use this is to have the older student do more research on the project.

What Did You Learn? (Assess) – By its name, you know that this is the part that quizzes the student on what she has learned.

We have not yet finished The Earth: Its Structure and Its Changes (Investigate the Possibilities: Elementary Earth Science) but have learned so much already. We like that its format makes it easy to follow along. It is designed for students in Grades 3-8 so this is great material for those who have multi-level children. The authors have a creationist point of view which makes it ideal for Christian families.

You can see an excerpt of this book here.

You can buy this book here:

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my blog readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guidelines concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The Antidote to Anxiety Pt. 2

2012-01-24T20:59:00.001+08:00

Last Monday, I wrote about the best antidote to worrying that is found in Philippians 4:6-7. In meditating more about this, I came to realize that worrying is a sign of my distrust in the Lord’s sovereignty. We have to remember that even if we go through trials and distress in our lives, it is still all a part of God’s will for us.

Sounds unbelievable, right? But remember the story of Joseph? His brothers attempted to kill him. Failing to do this, his brothers sold him as a slave to be brought to Egypt. In Egypt, he worked for a successful man whose wife desired him. Because of his faith in God, he ran away from the wife when she tried to seduce him. In revenge, the wife accused him of trying to rape him. He was thrown in prison for so many years. After years in prison, he was asked by the Pharaoh to interpret his dreams. After he was able to accurately interpret the Pharaoh’s dreams, he was made Governor of Egypt by the governor, in charge of collecting goods for the coming famine. At the end of the story, when his brothers finally faced him and admitted their sin, Joseph told them that they are forgiven, that what they intended for evil, the Lord used it for good. You can read the whole story of Joseph in Genesis 37, 39-45.

I ended last Monday with Philippians 4:7 which says

And the peace of God,

which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

As Dr. John MacArthur explains it in the MacArthur Study Bible, peace of God means “Inner calm or tranquility is promised to the believer who has a thankful attitude based on unwavering confidence that God is able and willing to do what is best for His children.”

I believe that Joseph had that peace of God in him as he went through years of hardship. That peace enabled him to do good work everywhere he went. When Potiphar bought him as a slave, he worked diligently until he became Potiphar’s trusted right hand. When he was thrown into prison, he again showed good attitude and leadership so that the chief of the prison guards put him in charge of the prisoners. Finally, when he was proclaimed governor by the Pharaoh, he did a very good job of collecting food and supplies so that all of Egypt did not suffer during the famine.

When we finally learn to accept everything, even our difficulties and trials, as part of God’s will, to rejoice and thank the Lord for all things, to be persistent in prayer, there will be such calm that will descend upon us. I’ve experienced this myself many, many times. Such peace overcomes me I can’t explain it. I only know that it is from the Lord. And this peace continues to guard my heart and my mind through many trials that come. Not only that, just like Joseph, this calm will also lead us to overcome our trials and even be victorious by the grace of our good Lord.

The Ambition by Lee Strobel – Book Review

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000+08:00

SYNOPSIS (taken from the book):
The Ambition: A Novel by Lee Strobel
A routine mob hit lights the fuse on a an explosive collision of ambition and deception inside the Windy City’s corridors of power. Drawing on his years as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, bestselling author Lee Strobel reveals an insider’s tale of power politics, and payoffs as current as today’s headlines.

When a down-on-his-luck lawyer is coerced into bribing a judge to fix an upcoming mob trial, he secretly tapes the exchange to protect himself. After the dirty judge becomes a finalist for an open U.S. Senate seat, the incriminating tape isn’t the only thing standing in his way. Pastor-turned-politician Eric Snow is determined to use his suburban megachurch as a launching pad for securing the Senate appointment. And newspaper Garry Strider threatens to uncover both candidates’ secrets in an investigation that may cost him his life.

Strobel weaves these edgy characters into an intricate thriller set within a gleaming suburban megachurch, a big-city newspaper struggling for survival, and the shadowy corridors of political intrigue. The riveting climax is as unforgettable as the contract killing that punctuates the opening scene.

MY REVIEW:

The Ambition: A Novel by Lee Strobel is one of the reasons why I love Christian fiction. Not only that, it is way better than other secular fiction books in this genre. Lee Strobel writes a novel woven with political intrigue, violence, deceit driven by ambition and greed.

What makes it the better fiction compared to fiction novels of the same genre are the Christian characters of this story. When I was younger, I used to wonder what a good book will be like if written from a Christian’s point of view. Let’s say some of the characters are Christians struggling in this world.

Here’s one novel that answers that question. The character of Eric Snow, a megachurch preacher who set his sights on a Senate seat, show the struggles of a man who used to be so zealous in serving the Lord, whose heart is now focused on achieving his ambition. He is surrounded by people who try to give him the ‘best’ advice.

Then there’s Garry strider, a cynical journalist who is living with a woman who decides to pursue her faith in Jesus Christ. In her desire to obey the Lord’s will, she makes major changes in their relationship that drives Garry Strider to Eric Snow’s church to investigate this newfound faith. His goal is to uncover some scandal happening in the church to prove that Eric Snow is a fraud.

Providing the suspense and violence of the story is dirty Judge Reese McKelvie. With the mob as his back-up, he runs after the same Senate seat that Eric Snow is after.

This is quite the fantastic story written by bestselling author Lee Strobel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my blog readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guidelines concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Cooper and Me and the Winter Adventure by Monique & Alexa Peters – Children’s Book Review

2012-01-20T00:01:00.001+08:00

COOPER AND ME AND THE WINTER ADVENTURE BY Monique & Alexa Peters is the story of two dogs - Cooper and Bella. During winter, when they saw the mounds of snow outside their house, both decide to go sledding.

They enjoyed playing in the snow so much they didn’t realize that they’ve gone so far away from their homes. Upon seeing that they were lost, both thought of the best way to find their way home. First they waited, maybe for someone to come by, until it was about to get dark. Bella knew they had to get home before dark, so they decide to let out loud and long howls.

After some time of straining to hear, they hear the sound of a dog barking loudly. They followed the barks until they found their way into their neighborhood. As it turns out, it was another friend dog, Trooper, who decides to help them find their way by barking continuously. They are happy to find their way home.

MY REVIEW:

My children and I definitely enjoyed reading this book. Especially because it is written in rhyme and can be read in a sing-song manner. The book is about getting lost and how to find your way home. Though it is not explicitly said, the book shows what to do when children get lost.

First, they must not panic. They should learn to wait awhile for an adult to possibly come back for them. If no adult shows up, they can then try to find their way by asking for help.

As with the first Cooper and Me book that I reviewed before, the back of the book presents lessons to teach children further about the subject. There is the ‘Information About Me!’ page where a child can write down her complete information, such as her complete name, her parents’ or guardian’s names, their address and phone numbers.

Then there is the ‘Life Lesson’ section that further talks about how a child can possibly get lost while playing with friends. The ‘Connections’ asks a few questions of the child to allow the child to think through the story and lesson and make decisions when she is lost.

There are two pages of ‘Learning Together’. This section talks about the story with questions that the parent can ask the child. COOPER AND ME AND THE WINTER ADVENTURE is definitely a must-read for parents who want to teach their children about personal safety and what to do when they get lost.

This book is available for sale at the Cooper and Me website for only $12.99.

GIVEAWAY!!!

Beyond The Silver and The Gold is hosting a giveaway for COOPER AND ME AND THE WINTER ADVENTURE. One hardbound copy will be given to one of my blog readers.

This time I am going to make this very, very simple because I don’t have much access to the internet. All you have to do if you want to win is to POST A COMMENT. Leave us a tip on what you teach your child/ren do when they get lost. That’s it!

This GIVEAWAY begins today and will run till January 27, 2012.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty & The Cure by Lorrie Flem – A Gabby Moms Review

2012-01-19T22:16:00.001+08:00

Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty and The Cure by Lorrie Flem is published by Eternal Encouragement Magazine. This is a short ebook that looks at the most common reasons why mothers resort to yelling at their children or husbands. It gives a view of how yelling affects our loved ones, and offers practical suggestions on how we can stop yelling. Interspersed throughout the book are Bible verses that we can meditate on to further help us overcome this nasty habit. Testimonies by real-life moms, also spread throughout the book, help us more to relate to this teaching.

MY REVIEW:

Growing up, I was surrounded by a family that yelled at every small infarction. It was like walking on eggs everyday, afraid to make even a small mistake, for fear of being yelled at. I was the youngest in our family. I had a dad and three older sisters who yelled all the time. It’s no wonder, then, that when I became a mother I also yelled at my children.

It was my children’s look of bewilderment, fear and forgiveness afterwards that made me want to change. It definitely isn’t easy. After 16 years of motherhood, I still have to work through my own triggers to yelling. There’s been much improvement, by the grace of God, but the bickering and whining still gets to me.

Although there are already a lot of changes in me, I still succumb once in a while to yelling. After I yell at my children and know that I’ve hurt them, it just brings me to my knees in prayer to ask the Lord for forgiveness for hurting His child and to ask Him for grace to continue changing.

I have learned much after reading Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty and The Cure by Lorrie Flem. One of the most important things I learned is that there are things that trigger the yelling. When you recognize your triggers then you can plan ahead so that you can either avoid those triggers, or control your response to triggers.

What is most important to remember, according to Lorrie Flem, is to start the day worshipping and praying to God. Allowing Him to work through your life to prepare you for the day.

This ebook is especially great for homeschool and stay-at-home moms who are with their children 24/7. It’s also good for working moms who come home tired after a full day’s work. Well, it’s good for all moms to read, in general!

Yelling: The Cause, The Casualty and The Cure by Lorrie Flem is available as a downloadable ebook from the Eternal Encouragement website for $12.97.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this product as a part of The Gabby Moms in exchange for this review.

CATWALK by Melody Carlson: On The Runway Series Book 2 - Book Review

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000+08:00

SYNOPSIS:

The success of the Forrester sisters’ On the Runway TV show lands them a hot ticket to Fashion Week in New York City. Paige is determined to garner the attention of New York’s top designers, but her newfound fame threatens to go to her head. Erin wants to help promote the work of some eco-minded designers, but struggles to be taken seriously. Can Paige keep her prima donna behavior in check? Will Erin’s involvement hurt the people she’s really trying to help? Success in the big city comes with even bigger challenges, and as the pressure grows, so does the drama. (taken from the book)

MY REVIEW:

CATWALK by Melody Carlson is the second installment of the On The Runway series. Here we meet again the Forrester sisters just as their reality TV show, ON THE RUNWAY, gains its popularity. They leave for fascinating New York City to cover Fashion Week. While Paige is so excited about it, Erin still continues to struggle with her role in the show. She still feels as if the show is really Paige’s show and she is just doing this for her sister.

Their time in New York presents challenges, from being branded as terrorists in the airport, to losing their luggage, to Paige falling asleep while being interviewed on TV, to interviewing top designers and models in Fashion Week. The book is filled with a lot of ‘action’ and plenty of fashion that is quite enjoyable.

I do appreciate Erin who always turns to prayer whenever she struggles with her family, friends and work. The dynamics between the two sisters are realistic as they both work out their independence and faith in the Lord.

In true Melody Carlson style, this book also deals with the problems of drunk driving and its consequences plus teenage pregnancy.

Once again, a truly wonderful book by Melody Carlson that will not only provide enjoyment to the readers but will also help them to reflect on their priorities and characters. This is appropriate for young teens to mature singles. Well, even I enjoy the whole series!

The Antidote to Worrying

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000+08:00

I am a worrier, sad to say. There were many times in my life that I found myself so racked with anxiety because of the things I worry about. My mind and heart are so focused on worrying about things we don’t have, the things we lack, that I forget about what we actually have in our life. When I worry, I lose my focus on God, and shift my focus on our circumstances. This has brought on a lot of anxiety for me, so much that there are days that I don’t enjoy my life.

I know the Lord is speaking directly to me in Phil 4:6

“Do not be anxious about anything,

but in everything, by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving, present your requests

to God.” (NIV)

The verse tells us that we should not worry about anything, but with thanksgiving, we are to present our requests to God. I believe, even before we start presenting requests to God, we should begin with thanksgiving. Once we start thanking God for all that He has given us, we will find out that we are not lacking in anything. Also, by thanking God, we let our minds focus on Him and His blessings. Whenever I do this, the worries on my mind just fade away.

I have found my antidote to worrying: be thankful and pray. In the book The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall, chapter 12 talks about The Gift of Gratitude. The main character shares that he has a daily habit of making his Golden List every morning. This list consist of ten things he is grateful for that day. He creates this list in his mind everyday. Doing this has helped to have an attitude of gratefulness in his life.

As stay-at-home and homeschooling moms, we have plenty of time to think. Are our minds filled with thanksgiving? Or do we focus on worries about our families, our budget, our children’s education? Let’s take time daily to create our own Golden List. Here’s what Philippians 4:7 says when we do this:

“And the peace of God, which transcends

all understanding, will guard your hearts and

your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV)

Next week, I’ll share the second part of this devotion based on what we are to fill our minds with.

One Week of Rest

2012-01-14T00:01:00.000+08:00

Housework – 4 kids – homeschool – exhausted – lower back pain – contractions – hospital. Contractions are bad at this time because I’m only 15 weeks pregnant.

That was me three days ago. My doctor recommended complete bed rest at home, with medications to help stabilize the baby. So I’ve been in bed the last two days, had our TV brought in the bedroom, sent the kids to the grandparents and getting the rest I need.

We did have a treat when we went to the OB yesterday, Guitar Babe and I got to see the baby in the ultrasound. That was nice and reassuring – seeing the baby growing and hearing his/her heartbeat.

I’ve been finishing up the Bible readings and devotions from our VCF Prayer and Fasting Week. I’m so blessed learning more about God in a different way. Just today, I meditated on Galatians 5:13 which says

“You, my brothers, were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the

sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.” (NIV)

During my meditation and prayer, the Holy Spirit showed me how I also use the freedom I have to indulge myself. For example, in my eating, I do indulge myself a lot (as you can tell by my size). My thinking is that I’m free to do anything I want so I go ahead and eat what I want, as much as I want to. The truth is, as I am indulging myself, I am further imprisoning myself in sin. Because for me, it is sin to not care for this one and only body that the Lord gave me. My Heavenly Father has already freed me from enslavement, but here I am choosing to imprison myself in my overeating.

This spiritual breakthrough led me to further ask the Holy Spirit where else I indulge my sinful nature. The Holy Spirit showed me that indulgence permeated my life. For instance, since I am a stay-at-home mom, I believe that I am free to do anything I want. Such as watch TV anytime, use the internet for endless hours, and sleep late. Now I’m not saying I’m irresponsible at home because I’m not, but I realized that if I wanted changes in my life, I’d better act more responsibly with the time that’s being given to me.

So I thank the Lord for this time of rest. I have more time to meditate on God’s word, to really take a good rest and to evaluate my life and family according to God’s word.

Grateful for 2011, Hopeful for 2012

2012-01-06T01:45:00.001+08:00

Every year, before the year ends, I make it a point to take time to remember the goodness of the Lord during the year. This helps me to focus my eyes on Him, to thank Him for all He has done for our family, and to be hopeful for the next year.

Today, I thought I’d share with you some of our blessings and difficulties we encountered last year. It’s my hope that you will also be encouraged to look back and be grateful for your blessings, and hope for a better 2012!

Last January, my sister and I travelled to Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Bacolod to visit our relatives. It was such a blessing to see cousins that I haven’t seen or been in contact with for 15 – 20 years. The blessing was that, despite all the years we’ve not been together, there was such joy in us to be together again. Along with that is being able to travel again with my sister. The last time we did this was maybe about 10 years ago. Another blessing from that trip is having my husband along during the latter part of the trip. He also got to meet my relatives and we got to travel together to those places for the first time. Especially unforgettable was the road trip we took from Bacolod to Dumaguete.

We’re blessed this year because our children did not experience as many hospital confinements as compared to the previous years. Their immune systems are better now and most sicknesses go away in a week or so. The best change we did was to get rid of the stray cats living in our house. For a time, there were about 10 stray cats living outside our house because we fed them daily. Then our pedia said we should get rid of them. After that, the illnesses were almost gone.

Of course, the best is finding out that I’m pregnant again. Admittedly, this is an unplanned pregnancy. But I feel so blessed by the Lord for entrusting to hubby and me another life. The children are also all very excited. By God’s grace, I haven’t experienced the nausea that I had during the first four pregnancies. So far, this pregnancy is coming along very well.

The down side to our year was when I was diagnosed with adult-onset asthma last January. This asthma has landed me in the hospital about three times this year. However, the Lord guided me to a naturopathic doctor who prescribed herbal drugs. By the grace of God, I am much better now. My biggest challenge is still climbing up the stairs, but I’ve not experienced the horrible asthma attacks I used to have early this year.

Another major downer was losing a significant source of income for our family through no fault of our own. This brought me so much anxiety because I was always worried about money. The worry did me no good, really, and I believe that this also brought on my asthma attacks.

What made me hopeful despite the trials? I accepted everything as the will of God. It wasn’t easy doing that. At first, I felt so much anger, especially losing the income. I blamed the Lord, also, and asked Him why He allowed it. After some months of this, the Holy Spirit convicted me that this is God’s will and He had His own better plans for us.

When I first learned that I was pregnant, the first thing I felt was anxiety. I thought, “On no, how are we going to survive the additional expense of another child?” But right after that thought, I was reminded of so many verses in the Bible that told me that God will take care of us.

Right then and there, I made a decision that the anxious thoughts will stop. I will no longer subject myself to anxiety which may bring me another asthma/anxiety attack. From then on, I will always remind myself to “Be still and know that He is God.”

The decision to fully trust God for our future is the best thing I’ve done. It helped me to overcome the trials we went through. Our circumstances have not changed, but my heart and mindset has been changed by the Lord. The best thing is, I haven’t had an asthma attack since I became pregnant!

The Lord is truly good. Once more, I am looking forward to more of the Lord in 2012!

Welcome 2012!

2012-01-01T01:12:00.000+08:00

Glitter Text Maker - eCards

The Gabby Moms and Me

2011-12-31T00:01:00.053+08:00

This year, I was given the privilege of taking part in the pilot year of The Gabby Moms. The Gabby Moms is a group of mom bloggers tasked to review products produced by Eternal Encouragement, formerly TEACH Magazine. Eternal Encouragement is run by our Head Mom, Lorrie Flem, a mother of eight children. She talks about homeschooling, child discipline, care for husbands, and other issues that all mothers go through.

Since this is the pilot year, there were some kinks along the way as we got to know each other and saw how the program actually worked. Despite those kinks, most of us persevered until we finally finished the year out. I find the review system easy to keep up with. We were only required to review one product per month and were given a deadline. If we're not able to keep up with the deadline due to some pressing family matters, we only need to inform our Top Mamas.

The products I was able to review from Eternal Encouragement has actually brought encouragement and inspiration in my life. Lorrie Flem is a great teacher, with her gentle ways of homing in on the truth of God's word. She does not condemn, but brings gentle conviction to her readers brought on by her own personal experiences while studying truths in God's word.

What inspired me the most with her teachings is that I learned that wherever the mother is located in this world, we all share something universal - our love for God, our love for our families, the joys and struggles of motherhood.

I have not met any of the Gabby Moms, since they are all located halfway around the world. We only "meet" online, where aside from the reviews we write about, we also share our prayer requests and praises. Through the life experiences of the other Gabby Moms, I also realized that, even if I live in the Philippines and they lived in the USA, we are all not much different from each other.

Well, I am moving on to the second year of The Gabby Moms. I am excited to meet new friends and will be sad to say goodbye to those who are not continuing on. For my efforts this year, Lorrie gave me The Most Valuable Blogger badge, thanks to Lorrie and The Gabby Moms!

PREMIERE (On The Runway Book 1) by Melody Carlson – Book Review

2011-12-30T02:46:00.000+08:00

Note: This review is entirely written by my Artsy Princess. She loves this series of books so much because it appeals to her fashionista and Christian side. I’ve written my own opinion of this book right underneath her review.

Premiere (On the Runway) by Melody Carlson, the first book for the On The Runway series, is about two sisters, Paige and Erin Forrester. Both very different from each other but both love the camera. Though they have different ways of love for the camera. Paige loves being in front of the camera and being the star of the show. While Erin loves being behind the camera and working behind the scenes.

Paige has it all - blond hair, blue eyes, a great smile, peaches and cream skin, the height of a model and a personality that can light up a whole room. She sometimes can be a little selfish but has a very loving side. She may not make all the right choices, but with her sister by her side, they’ll face it together,

Erin, on the other hand, is the total opposite. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She likes vintage style rather than the designer clothes that Paige wears. She is wise and helpful. Erin always saves her sister from disasters. In my opinion she is one of the most dependable 17 year olds out there. The On the Runway series of books are written in Erin’s point of view.

In Premiere (On the Runway), the Forrester sisters were given a chance to have their own fashion TV show after a near disaster on a news program that their mother produces. They first guest starred on a hot teen reality show called “Malibu Beach” (kind of like “The Hills”). Unexpectedly, a little catfight ensues between the star of “Malibu Beach” and Paige. Will their show be in trouble like a clueless outfit or will it come out on top as high as Tyra Banks’ heels? Buy the book and find out.

MY REVIEW (Artsy Princess):

Premiere (On the Runway)isn’t all about fashion. It’s also about Paige and Erin trying to make the right choices with the help of God. Although Erin is the only Christian in the family she tries her best to share the word of God to her family. Not only is it about God but it’s also about relationships and friendship.

I was so attracted to the book when it first came to the house. My mom opened the box and there it was lying down waiting to be read. The cover itself is already enough to get my attention because of the outfit in the front and the shoes at the back. But when I started to read it I never wanted to let go of it.

The book not only has a great story but the way that author Melody describes all the Items of clothing made me want to go to a mall and try to find the same items. I just turned 13 in last November 2011 but I started reading the series when I was still 12. So I definitely recommend this to girls my age. Although the series might be too old for girls under the age of 12. But all in all this is one great book.

MY REVIEW (Mom of Artsy Princess):

If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that my children and I are big fans of Melody Carlson. We already own several of her books and I have reviewed most of them here.

The On The Runway series of books are very entertaining. In Premiere (On the Runway), they get their first taste of reality TV and all the goings-on are very interesting to read. I appreciate Erin’s character as the Christian sister because she is always striving to live as a Christian and be a good model to her sister and viewers.

Paige keeps everything interesting. While she says she believes in God but hasn't prayed for a long time, she also is a model for style, good manners and charm.

Once again, bestselling author Melody Carlson has come up with a series that will definitely attract the teen readers. It’s really just like watching a reality show on TV but only gentler.

Click this link to read the 1st chapter.

Buy this book here:

Read my other reviews of On The Runway series:

Spotlight (On The Runway) Book 4

Glamour (On The Runway) Book 5

Mom {24/7} – A 2012 Planner for Urban Moms by Mommy Mundo – A Review

2011-12-28T15:42:00.001+08:00

I like planners. I like to write things down on a nice notebook and keep our schedule organized. Although I’m not very consistent,after finding myself in such a disorganized mess, I will always go back to my planner and start trying to organize our lives again. In the last years, though, I haven’t found a planner that is just right for a busy, busy mom like me.

I needed one where I can coordinate my schedule with my kids’ varying schedules. It has to be sturdy to last through the whole year, small enough to fit in my bag and it has to be beautiful enough to write on. Yeah, the kind of paper and design matters to me, too.

This year, I think I’ve found one that’s just right. It’s not yet the perfect one for me, but enough to fit my needs. It’s the Mom {24/7} Planner published by Mommy Mundo. I appreciate the beautiful cover with it’s pink, lilac, purple and beige color combinations. It is neither small nor big, but it’s 6”X 8” size is enough to fit in mommy’s bag.

It is definitely sturdy because of it’s hard bound cover. The spiral binding is the kind that will not cause snags in anything that’s inside your bag. But the same spiral binding also makes it a bit hard for me to write on the left hand side of the page. Maybe next year, they’ll choose another kind of spiral binding.

The scheduling pages have boxes for Mom’s daily schedule and 3 more boxes to write your children’s daily schedule. I have four kids with one coming along next year, so the boxes are not enough. But I figured, one kid does not necessarily need to use a box all the time.

There are month tabs to make turning the pages easier. I find the monthly to do list very useful for things I need to get done for the month. Plus more extra pages to help organize a mom’s life.

I love this bookmark!

Remember, I said that the pages will have to be pretty enough for me to write on? Well every page echoes the front cover petal shapes in pretty purple/lilac color. The paper is thick enough so that your pen’s ink does not bleed through to the other side. Towards the end of the planner are several discount coupons from Mommy Mundo’s partners.

This is definitely the kind of planner that is designed by a mother for other moms. The only thing that bothered me are the ads that are behind each month’s tab. But with all the nice things going for this planner, I can just not look at the ads. There is also the possibility that these ads are the reason for this planner’s price.

What I find the best feature of this planner is it’s very affordable price. Other planners in the market cost from P500.00 upwards. The Mom {24/7} planner is only P350.00. Yes, you got that right! That’s why it is selling like hotcakes.

The MOM 24/7 Planner is available at the cover price of P350 through the following outlets:

1) Mommy Mundo office, 2/F Fun Ranch, Frontera Verde, Pasig (office hours only M-F)
2) Retail outlets:
FULLY BOOKED (Starting dec 15)
MOMTREPRENEUR SHOP (4f Shangrila Mall)
NUMA (40 E. Rodriguez Sr. Ave. QC)
MEDELA HOUSE (29 1st st New Manila)
MOMMY MATTERS’ booth @Mercato Centrale, 34th BGC and Soderno, Molito Mall Alabang

3) Thru online shops:
Shop Mommy Matters - Order here for FREE shipping for orders of 2 or more

Indigo Manila Online – FREE shipping

4) You may also have it delivered to you via courier. Following are the steps:
a) Just deposit the payment of P350 plus courier fee (P100 pesos within Metro Manila) so deposit a total of P450.
If you are ordering via courier, your order will be processed only upon payment of the fees and when you email us a copy of your deposit slip (if applicable).
Deposit the payment through BDO C/A 308032191, Account name: Creative Juice Communications Inc.
b) Email your deposit slip along with order details (complete name, complete address and mobile no) at info@mommymundo.com.

Note: All photos courtesy of Mommy Mundo.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this item in exchange for this review.

Books to Give This Christmas

2011-12-23T09:17:00.001+08:00

Before I became a book reviewer, when people ask what they can give me, I always say, “Give me a book. I’ll be happy with that.” Now I get tons of books to read every month because of this blog, and I say, “Give me something else.” :) I’m still a booklover and a book is never far from me wherever I go. I’m sharing here some books that you may want to get for your loved ones this Christmas.

For Mom:

Mom 24/7 planner by Mommy Mundo – the 2012 planner for Urban Moms. A nice, hard bound planner with enough space to record mom’s daily schedule and also space to record up to 3 children’s schedule. This is a wonderful tool for Mom to keep their lives organized. Available online for only P350.00 at Mommy Matters. To know more about this planner and order, click this link.

Light to My Path Each Day – Scripture Union’s Quiet Time Guide 2012 – a daily devotional for the Christian who is overwhelmed by life’s daily burdens. Be encouraged everyday by the Giver of strength. This is available online here or at OMF Lit Bookshops and its partner bookstores for only P225.00.

From the Kitchen to the Heart – Cooking with Kids and Teaching Them about Food and Faith by Vicky Veloso-Barrera – a highly entertaining and helpful cookbook with recipes that are easy enough for kids to do while mom also teaches not only about cooking but also about faith in God – perfect for the homeschool family! Available for purchase online here and at all OMF Lit Bookshops for P225.00.

For Dad:

Lift Up Your Eyes – Daily Encounters with God for Leaders by Christopher Shaw – A refreshing devotional for leaders, including the leaders of our homes. Wonderful insights to be learned everyday from the Bible. Available at Christian Literature Crusade and other major bookstores.

The Last Man Dancing by Gicky Soriano – the life story of Nestor de Villa – Fred Astaire of the Philippines, an accomplished actor who first became famous for his dancing. His struggles in his marriage, his family and how he found the Lord will inspire any man who is also looking for a deeper purpose in life. Available online here and at OMF Lit Bookshops and major bookstores nationwide for P295.00

For Teens:

True Colors Series by Melody Carlson – help your teens to understand what they are going through by giving them these series of books by Melody Carlson. Every book touches on a topic that is relevant for teens of today. Topics include envy, friendships, addiction, alcoholism, suicide and more. Though the topics may seem heavy, the characters in these fiction books are very real with whom teens will easily relate. These books are available online here from NavPress bookstores at the sale price of P100.00 each. Read my review of this series here.

For Kids:

The Lion Storyteller Bible by Bob Hartman and Krisztina Kallai Nagy – a truly enjoyable storybook with over 70 retellings of the most famous stories in the Bible. The perfect book to be read aloud to children. It is beautifully illustrated and totally engaging. My children and I have fun reading the stories together! Available at OMF LIt Bookshops and its partner bookstores!

The Oh Mateo! series by Grace Chong – these series of short books are about a little boy, Mateo, who lives with only his father because his mother died while he was very young. The stories very creatively teach children about personal character and Biblical values the Filipino way. These books are also perfect to give to a balikbayan family because every book contains an English and Tagalog translation of the story.

I cannot say enough good things about this series. All my children from the teenager down to my youngest enjoy Oh Mateo! We have laughed and cried with every book we’ve read and we read them over and over again. Available online here and at OMF Lit Bookshops and other major bookstores for the very affordable price of P65.00 each.

There it is, I hope that I you will find something suitable for your loved ones this Christmas and the coming New Year.

FOR YOUR INFO:

Find OMF Literature books through their partners!
NATIONAL BOOK STORES | PHILIPPINE CHRISTIAN BOOK STORES | POWERBOOKS | FULLY BOOKED
and other bookshops all over the Philippines. Visit them online at http://omflit.com/home/index.php

Navigator Ministries or NavPress books are also available at Phil. Christian Bookstores, Christian Literature Crusade, Back to the Bible Bookstores and OMF Literature.

Navpress address: NAV Building #13 Denver St. Cubao, Quezon City. Their website is http://philnavs.org/site/literature/bookstore/mailer/.

Christian Literature Crusade’s address is 20 Karuhatan Road, Valenzuela City.

Christmas Lodge – DVD Movie Review and Giveaway

2011-12-22T22:29:00.002+08:00

Synopsis:

Thomas Kinkade presents Christmas Lodge: a place where a heart-warming past and loving future meet for one remarkable group of people. During a weekend trip to the mountains, Mary (Erin Karpluk) finds herself at the now- dilapidated lodge where she spent the holidays with her family growing up. She becomes determined to restore the building to its former glory. Inspired by her grandfather and guided by her grandmother in heaven, Mary throws herself into the project, and during the process finds herself drawn to Jack (Michael Shanks), a handsome man who loves the lodge as much as she does. Historically unlucky in love, this chance encounter allows Mary to renew her faith in life and discover her one true love. For an uplifting story about the importance of faith, family and the true holiday spirit, go to the Christmas Lodge.

MY REVIEW:
It is refreshing to watch a movie that show characters who value family, relationships, trust in the Lord, and perseverance. That is what Christmas Lodge is all about. I admire the main character, Mary, who is an independent career woman. She respects her parents and loves her grandfather so much that she is willing to do everything to make, what could possibly be, his one last wish come true.

I like that when she went to the mountains with her boyfriend, it clearly showed that they stayed in separate rooms. Then when she meets Jack once more, and promises to help renovate the Christmas Lodge, she tries her best to keep her word. Despite her developing love for Jack, she still does her best to control her emotions knowing that it is not only between her and Jack, their relationship will involve Jack’s daughter, too.
All in all, this wholesome movie is good for the whole family.

GIVEAWAY!!!

I am giving away one copy of Christmas Lodge DVD to one of my blog readers. Here are the mechanics:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The WINNER for We Choose Virtues Parenting Cards Is…

2011-12-22T20:05:00.001+08:00

Zendie Magistrado

Congratulations!

Zendie, please email me your complete mailing address so that this can be sent to you immediately.

To all those who have joined this giveaway, thank you very much! Don’t worry because I still have a lot of other giveaways on schedule, including another one for We Choose Virtues!

You can also choose to buy this set from the website and use the coupon code to get a 15% discount from the price.

Code: VIRTUE15

Check back soon for more giveaways!

Categorizing Homeschoolers in The Philippines

2011-12-13T23:02:00.001+08:00

About two years after we began homeschooling, I went to the Department of Education office here in Quezon City and inquired about the PEPTest. It was a very discouraging experience because aside from being sent from one person to another, I was questioned several times if I had the qualifications to teach or if I was running my own school. The worst was having someone tell me that my children are classified as out-of-school youths because they are not going to school.

I felt that this was too extreme a classification and too demeaning. According to the National Statistical Coordination Board, out-of-school youths(OSY) are defined as boys and girls who belong to any of these categories; a) 7-14 years old who are not enrolled; b) 15-24 years old who are not enrolled, not employed and not a tertiary level graduate.

I believe that in the two categories “not enrolled” means not studying at all. I cannot accept that my children will be termed OSY’s because they are enrolled in a school, although they don’t go to school, but they are studying everyday.

Sometimes, people also believe that homeschooling is similar to the home study program of the Department of Education. While I don’t have the exact details of what this is, I know that this is not the way we homeschool.

Another category I’ve heard which is really bad is that homeschoolers are rejects. Meaning rejected from regular schools either because of bad grades or uncontrollable attitudes. For homeschoolers, it’s actually the other way around, we rejected those regular schools in exchange for the privilege of educating our children at home.

One of the most offensive, at least for me, is to say that parents who homeschool cannot afford to send their children to school. If money were the issue, then wouldn’t it be easier for parents to just send their children to public schools?

At this point in time, homeschooling as we know and do it, is just at the beginning of being accepted by our Department of Education. We are either classified as Alternative Learners or Independent Learners, or maybe even Distance Education students.

Be encouraged, because now there are several homeschool providers in our country. Many homeschoolers have come together and are supporting each other in this endeavor. I would encourage all homeschoolers to be a member of HAPI – Homeschool Association of the Philippine Islands. Aside from providing a venue for homeschoolers to get together, HAPI is also working towards the recognition of homeschoolers in our Department of Education.

We must not give up on this nor should we let these categories discourage us from pursuing what we know is best for our children. We parents have the primary responsibility of training and educating our children during their formative years. And that statement is quoted from The Family Code of the Philippines (Article 20) and Articles XIV and XV of the 1997 Philippine Constitution. Check that out here.

We Choose Virtues Parenting Cards - Review and Giveaway!

2011-12-09T01:21:00.000+08:00

Today's review and giveaway is for We Choose Virtues Parenting Cards perfectly geared for the homeschool family.

We Choose Virtues Parenting Cards - Faith based is a set of 13 full-color, beautifully-illustrated cards that feature 12 virtues for children to learn. Each card is printed on durable card stock. The front shows the virtue to be learned, with easy to remember catchphrases, what the virtue is not and a Bible verse.

The back of the card features "Teachable Moments for (virtue) families", the definition of the virtue, a virtue user challenge and "What to say after"I'm Sorry"?. Each card also features a character, a kid from VirtueVille that the children can easily relate to.

The 12 virtues to be learned are patience, forgiveness, self-control, obedience, honesty, helpfulness, gentleness, diligence, perseverance, attentiveness, kindness and contentment.
We Choose Virtues, a family-run company that believes in inspiring children to learn virtues for life, produces several tools to teach virtues to children in a fun and easy way. We Choose Virtues Parenting Cards - Faith based is the first tool the parent can use to teach virtues.

HOW OUR FAMILY USED IT:

Although every purchase comes with a downloadable Teacher's Guide, it is very easy to use these cards for the family. Each card has complete instructions with only a few minutes of preparation time for the homeschool mom. It is suggested that these be taught for 10 minutes a day everyday. I am going to show here what we did with the virtue - Forgiving.

First, we read the catchphrase together - “I choose to love when others hurt me”, next is a short discussion on the statement of what it is not, and memorizing the Bible verse together.
After this I shared some personal experiences of forgiving and not forgiving. Then we did the suggested activity which is to write or draw with crayons on a piece of bond paper something that another person said or did in the past that hurt each one of us.

The instruction is to erase the hurtful words which signified forgiveness. Of course, erasing words written with crayons will not totally remove the words, just made smudges of them. So the explanation is that though we will not totally forget it all, we can always choose to forgive.

In doing this, I hit on a way to take this lesson further by illustrating God's forgiveness. I took a clean piece of bond paper and covered the paper with words. I explained this to mean that this is the blood of Jesus Christ that totally covered our sins. When we ask for forgiveness, God will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Even if this was a lesson meant to be fun and easy, I can tell that this lesson touched each of my children deeply. After this, they asked me to have a We Choose Virtues lessons everyday.

WHERE TO BUY:

Click on the links to go to the We Choose Virtues product site:
We Choose Virtues Parenting Cards

Each set cost $34.99 plus shipping. By using the promo code VIRTUE15, you can get a 15% discount from your order.

Remember: Promo Code – VIRTUE15

ON A VERY PERSONAL NOTE:
It saddens me to hear some parents, grandparents and elders condemn a child for his bad attitude. When I look at the child they're talking about, the little one is only about 2 years old. Some people seem to think that the bad attitudes or naughtiness of little children will set them up for life. As if the attitude will definitely be with them and there is no hope of teaching the child to develop his/her character.

I definitely don't agree with this and believe that children are like clay in their parent's hand. We parents have the ability, the capacity and the God-given privilege of molding a child's character to help them develop into better or Godly persons when they grow up. Though any child is born with a sinful nature, we can teach them better character, better virtues.

GIVEAWAY!!!

Heather McMillan, the creator and owner of We Choose Virtues, is giving away one set of We Choose Virtues Parenting Cards to one of my blessed readers.

I am using Rafflecopter for this giveaway. This is so that you will have more chances of winning. By completing each task, you gain 1 entry. If you don’t know how to use Rafflecopter, watch this short tutorial.

Here are the mechanics:

F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire by M.C. Pearson - A FIRST Wild Card Tour

2011-12-07T10:47:00.000+08:00

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author & illustrator is:

M. C. Pearson

and the book:

F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire

FIRST Wild Card Press (December 5, 2011)

***Special thanks to M. C. Pearson of FIRST Wild Card Press for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

M. C. Pearson graduated from San Jose State University with a B. A. in art, served as a multi-media illustrator in the United States Army, earning the rank of sergeant, and spent four years as a house parent for at-risk youth. Now married over 20 years, she homeschools her two children, volunteers with her church youth group, and runs a book review blog alliance (FIRST Wild Card Tours) while writing and drawing. F.A.I.R.I.E.S.: Baptism by Fire is her first novel.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Unwittingly chosen to join an army of fairies, who fight for the Light of the One, a teenaged girl learns about spiritual warfare as she attends a military academy with fantastical beings.

FROM THE BACK COVER:

Here lies a most precious treasure,

Awaiting one Chosen to deliver.

Seek out the red cousins in the East,

For on this your greed mustn't feast.

The wealth of a species now in your hands,

Do with it as the light demands.

Give them your gift to unite,

For it is the darkness we all must fight.

EDITORIAL REVIEWS:

"Imagination runs wild in F.A.I.R.I.E.S. Pearson brings young readers through a looking glass and into a world bursting with adventure, heroism, and fascinating creatures. Readers will be inspired to be true to the One and left with anticipation of more to come."
--Jill Williamson, award-winning author of
By Darkness Hid, and other books

"Sprinkled with delightful illustrations, and brimming with a full bestiary of magical creatures, F.A.I.R.I.E.S. is a fun, clever romp through the alternate landscape of the most magical world of all, our own. Read, and take up the call: 'Defend and Emancipate!'"
-- D. Barkley Briggs, author of
The Book of Names, and other books

"F.A.I.R.I.E.S. will appeal to readers who love the interplay of fantasy and reality. A rich cast of eccentric characters and exotic settings make this a fun addition to the folklore of the battle between good and evil."
--Mike Hamel, author of
YA fantasy series: MATTERHORN THE BRAVE

"F.A.I.R.I.E.S. is one of those rare gems I want to tell everyone about. It's highly imaginative, packed with adventure, and full of hope. A must read for kids and for kids at heart. Even better than Narnia! I was thinking about Pearson's wonderfully memorable characters for days."
--C.J. Darlington, author of
Thicker than Blood

"Ms. Pearson's extravagant and imaginative F.A.I.R.I.E. kingdom will surely delight the young and the young-at-heart in this tale of good and evil, light vs. darkness. The fantasy-loving reader will not be disappointed!"
--Linore Rose Burkard, award winning author of
Before the Season Ends, and other books

Product Details:

List Price: $17.99
Paperback: 482 pages
Publisher: FIRST Wild Card Press (December 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0615530222
ISBN-13: 978-0615530222

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Four thousand seasons shall pass while our swords grow rusty.

Where once one chose to divide, another shall be chosen to unite.

One changed the past, the other shall change the future.

One must emancipate the other to allow the light its dominion.

The realm, now torn, allows the shadow to abide, as humanity lies blind to its peril.

The bond of friendship must endure, for the army of shadows awaits another tear.

Dust off your swords.

Unite the realm.

Destroy the strongholds.

Foretelling of Didasko Gnome Digdeep

†

PART ONE

MANY ARE CALLED

BUT

FEW ARE CHOSEN

†

CHAPTER ONE

Off and Running

t was an accident!” Mellie yelled, not caring who heard or stared. Tears streaked her face as she fled down the Santa Cruz coastline, away from her family.

You don’t need them, a voice hissed in her ear, Escape. Run away.

Scorching sand burned at her feet and bitterness ate at her heart. Mellie pumped her legs as fast as they would go. Her feet pounded with the rhythm of her emotions, beating a tempo with the crashing waves. Run-a-way. Run-a-way. Run-a-way. Adrenaline pulsed through her veins, quickening her step.

Why did I have to be the youngest? Only 12 years old. Never smart enough. Never athletic enough. I just wish they loved me.

Once, just once, she wanted to do something that would make her sisters see that she wasn’t the stupid, awkward, ugly, little baby sister.

As she ran, she wiped away some tears with the palm of her hand. Her fingers settled on her large nose, a gift from her dad’s Hungarian ancestry.

Chelsea got the ski-slope shaped nose. I had to get Half-Dome. It just isn’t fair.

Her hand dropped to her side and she pinched at her stomach. It still had some of its baby fat.

Ugh, why are my sisters so perfect? What happened to me?

Pushing her short bangs from her forehead in disgust, she mumbled, “Maybe I’ll find treasure. I’ll be the rich one, and then they’ll have to accept me.” But she knew better. California didn’t hold any more undiscovered treasures.

The sand, hot and coarse, cut at her feet. I wish I had remembered my shoes. She wore only a black, one-piece swimsuit and a San Jose Sharks sweatshirt tied tightly around her waist.

Breathing rapidly, she began to tire. She slowed her pace to a walk and looked back across the beach. The sand was so hot that waves of heat rose from it and blurred her view. A lone seagull screeched overhead.

Her sisters were nowhere in sight.

Man, I thought for sure that Chelsea was going to chase me down and kill me.

She had to admit that it was a little gratifying to see the sand fly from her foot, covering Chelsea’s sub-sandwich and freshly oiled stomach. Grinning slightly, the tears stopped flowing. She rubbed her eyes.

Mellie looked in the direction of her sisters. “You guys can never take a joke.” Flipping her golden hair, she turned her head back toward her chosen path. She no longer smiled as she stomped her feet in the cold surf, remembering the hateful words that had been said.

“Oh, waa waa, you stupid cry baby! Go tell mommy! Maybe she’ll feel sorry for her ugly, fat baby. Why don’t you grow up? We don’t want you near us. Can’t you understand English? You are so dumb. Look at her mouth open. Oh wait, here she goes…come on, baby…cry!”

Mellie knew she couldn’t go back. They would only ridicule and torment her further. Her mom would never believe it was Chelsea’s fault. No, the evidence was on Chelsea’s side. Who was the one with the sand all over her oily, coconut-smelling body? Who was the one who had a sandwich full of sand? Mellie walked on.

After her temper finally cooled, it occurred to her that she had never walked so far alone.

How far have I gone?

A shadow passed over her, and she looked up. Nothing was there. A cool breeze from the ocean created a stark contrast to the scalding sand. She shivered but kept walking, lost in her loneliness.

Not until she stubbed her toe on a large broken clamshell did she look at the beach. A chill snaked up her back. Nothing appeared familiar. The sounds of the surf were still there, yet something was decidedly different. She felt dizzy. Looking around, she could not quite pinpoint the change. Then it struck her.

No people.

Where did everybody go?

Even though she could see no one, Mellie could swear that she felt eyes staring at her.

She looked inland across the sand, saw movement near some eucalyptus trees, but decided that the wind must have caused it.

Trees? So close to the beach?

Something shook the trees again, causing goosebumps to stand out on Mellie’s arms. Alarmed, she checked the skyline. The sun was close to setting. She hoped that the police weren’t out looking for her.

Suddenly cold, she pulled at the arms of the sweatshirt still tied around her waist. It fell to the sand. Bending to pick it up, she once again saw a blur of movement, except this time it came from a rocky outcrop by the waves. She shook the sand out of the sweatshirt and hurriedly tugged it over her head.

“Okay, I’m seeing things.” Mellie yanked at her hair, pulling it out of the sweatshirt. She stared at the sinister rocks. “Hel-lo?” Her voice cracked as she spoke louder. “Is someone the-ere? Hello?” No answer. The shadowy rocks seemed to quiver with excitement, beckoning her closer.

Hmm…probably just a seagull.

Even if it was a bird, she did not want to see it.

There’s no way I’m going over there.

The wind picked up and blew her hair into her eyes. The sand spun with the wind.

Yes, definitely time to move. I need to find a road.

She turned back toward the sweet smelling, oddly placed trees.

Mellie arrived at the base of the first, colossal eucalyptus tree. Without warning, one of the branches fell in front of her, then seemed to get up from the ground and pose its bottom stems in a military-like stance.

Mellie screamed and jumped back. “Branches don’t stand.”

“They do if they are walking sticks.” The eucalyptus branch chuckled, stretching to its full height, considerably taller than Mellie’s meager five feet.
She gasped, grabbed the branch, and threw it like a javelin, as hard as she could.

As she took off running, she heard a bark and halted. Turning, she saw a golden retriever bounding toward her with the stick in his mouth. The dog dropped it at her feet. She watched the dog run into the grove of trees and disappear before she fearfully turned back to the possessed stick.

It had already gained its footing again and stood over her. Mellie was too frightened to move this time.

A face emerged from the skinny twig and took on the characteristics of a male human, but none like Mellie had ever seen. He had hair made up in rolls as if it were a powdered, green-silver wig, the same color as the leaves that grew all around his skinny body. His face was long and his forehead high. The twiggy man smiled and said in a distinctly British, albeit breezy, accent, “Do not worry, you are safe.”

Mellie couldn’t answer.

“Ahh…I love new recruits. They are so easily addled.”

Feeling more confused than threatened, Mellie found her voice. “What? What do you mean, new recruits?” She rubbed her eyes, shaking her head. “Okay, I’m talking to a stick now. Yes, I have lost it. I have gone totally mental.”

“Oh, I say, am I to understand that I am the first to be revealed to you?” With round, leathery leaves, the branch resembled a toddler toy with rings stacked on one another.

She dropped open her mouth and nodded.

“Well, let me do this properly, then. Ahem. Mortal, made of clay, you have been Chosen to join the Fantastical, Aerial, International, Reasonably Inconspicuous, Emancipation Squads.”

“What? What are you? You look like a stick…but you can talk.”

“Yes, child,” the stick replied with a sigh. “But, I think we are quite past that by now. Have you not heard me? You have been Chosen.”

Mellie opened her mouth wider, closed it, frowned, and opened it once more. “Chosen? For what?”

“You did wish to be different? To change who you were? ’Twas an especially strong desire, yes?” The branch crossed its arms and tapped its twiggy foot.

“Umm…”

“Dear me, this is highly unusual. You made a choice to run away from a miserable life and asked to be set free? Correct?”

“Well, I, ah…yeah. I guess so. What did you say about recruit for some squad?”

“Humph. I see that I was not understood. Yes? Let me elucidate. The Fantastical, Aerial, International, Reasonably Inconspicuous, Emancipation Squads , or shall I say F.A.I.R.I.E.S.? have accepted you into their organization. You asked. You were answered.” The branch attempted a smile, but looked impatient instead.

“Fairies? I don’t believe in fairies.” Mellie winced, half expecting him to fall down and writhe in pain until she clapped her hands.

“Quite right. You are not supposed to. If humans truly believed we existed, we would never get anything accomplished.”

Mellie laughed and looked around for a hidden camera, thinking this must be a joke. “Right. Ah…heh…okay, bud, brilliant costume,” she said, imitating the branch’s accent. “Where’s the zipper?” She reached toward him and touched a soft leaf.

The branch slapped her hand away and stamped its foot with a loud cracking noise. “I beg your pardon. I have not been a bud for over 800 springs!” He paced, his leaves crumpling, mumbling to himself about humans and why, in the One’s name, did he listen to that confounded gnome who told him that he needed to stand gate duty. With his rank!

“I’m sorry I upset you. Please, I’m very confused. I’m lost, and I just want to go home.” Mellie bit her lip.

The branch stopped mid-pace. “Home? Earlier, did you not wish for a new life? And riches? I know you wished for treasure, hmm?”

“How do you know that?” Mellie furrowed her brow. “Have you been reading my mind?”

The twig man didn’t answer her questions, asking his own instead. “Ahh, so, you admit this, yes?”

She narrowed her eyes. “Yes, but…well, this really isn’t what I had in mind.”

The branch threw up its twiggy fingers. “Oh, well, of course you did not have this in mind. After all, we are reasonably inconspicuous, especially to humans. How could you have this in mind? However, is it not superior of the One to think that this is what you would have chosen had you known about us? Anyway, ’tis irrevocable now. So, if you would just follow me, we shall get you signed in and enrolled for training.”

The branch marched off between the trunks of two large eucalyptus trees.

Mellie slid uncontrollably after the walking stick. She planted her feet firmly, refusing to budge, but she slid after him anyway. Grasping at branches of nearby trees, she panted heavily as she struggled to resist following the branch. Some kind of invisible tie connected her to him. He seemed to pull her along with his every step.

Mellie thought about her sisters and how mad they were at her. I’m dead meat if they find me. Mellie quickly gave up her battle and ran after the eucalyptus branch, barely keeping up with his stride.

†

The sand changed to coarse dirt, with pebbles and sticks. More and more trees filled Mellie’s vision. Bushes scraped against her bare legs and slapped her face as she moved deeper inside a forest of eucalyptus and redwood trees. She winced in pain as a razor-sharp rock sliced her foot. Stopping to nurse it, she wished once again for her forgotten shoes.

“Excuse me, sir?” Mellie looked around. She could not see the branch anywhere.

“Do not call me ‘sir’, I work for a living.” The branch peeked out from around one of the gigantic trees. “And please, try to keep up. We need to reach the gateway.”

Mellie limped up to him. “Sorry, sir…I mean…umm, what should I call you then?”

“Oh, well, we did skip that. Did we not? Yes, all right, an introduction then.” The branch man seemed to enjoy formal etiquette for he gave an elaborate wave and bowed. “My name is Regnans, family of Myrtaceae, born member of the F.A.I.R.I.E.S., Britannia Wing, rank of Master Nymph Dryad.”

“Nice to meet you, Reg…Reg?” Mellie chewed on the inside of her mouth. Never good at remembering names, she knew she would offend him with her lack of manners.

Sure enough, the dryad raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips. “Regnans.” He gave a hurt sniff, then drolly sneered. “If you find that a difficult name, you should meet the rest of my family, all seven-hundred thirty-four of them.”

“Sorry, I just…well, it is a lot to remember. It’s a nice name, though. My name is Maryellen Goodwin of Bret Harte Middle School, San Jose, California. But everyone calls me Mellie.” She stuck out her hand, intending to shake. Regnans stared at her.

“That is a strange curtsy. However, I guess ’twill do. We must get moving now. The shadows abound, you know.” Regnans made an about face and marched off faster than before.

Another hour passed, and still they strode along the forest floor. Mellie’s feet were now cut, blistered, and bleeding. She kept up as best she could with Regnans’s long stride. Whenever she tried to stop, he would pull her on with that invisible force of his.

Stupid, pompous, magical Star Wars freak.

She whimpered as she limped. Darkness and mist now covered the woods. As she was about to plead for a break, Regnans stopped. Except for her heavy gulps of air, all seemed quiet.

Regnans stiffened even more than usual. Nothing on him moved, apart from his eyes, which darted around quickly.

“All is safe, we may proceed.” He held up a twiggy finger to his woody mouth. “Please do not speak, and try not to breathe so abominably loud.”

Mellie nodded with a disgusted frown. Sweat dripped from her bangs. She tried to calm her breathing, even though her vision blurred, and her legs wobbled. Her blisters had popped by now and oozed wetness.

Regnans moved again, yet this time he took slow, deliberate steps, all the while scanning his surroundings. He walked up to a massive redwood tree and stroked its bark.

A breeze stirred up, rattling the leaves, sounding almost like spoken words. Mellie thought herself crazy again. However, the longer she stood there, the more she sensed that it really was the tree’s language, as if she had never listened to trees properly before. It said, “If you love, you will say the one true love that leads the way.”

Regnans whispered in a leaf rustling voice, “Ah-gaw-pay.”

A loud grumbling sound, as if someone awakened after a long sleep, shook the grove. The redwood tree opened two eyes, each the size of Mellie’s head, and blinked. A great fissure erupted below the eyes in the shape of a crescent, and redish-brown wooden teeth emerged. A long, knobby branch pushed its way out above the mouth and inhaled deeply.

The tree chuckled. Instead of the whispering leaves, a low, rumbling utterance of human speech came from the redwood tree. “Regnans? What brings you to my neck of the woods?” He blinked again. “And who is this? A new recruit? A human? A Chosen?”

Mellie knew she looked silly, standing there with her mouth in an ‘O’ shape, but she couldn’t move. This was simply impossible. There is no such thing as fairies!

“Yes, yes. Please open the gate, we must not dawdle here…they may be watching.” Regnans looked agitated.

A deep laugh resounded from the redwood. “Oh, Regnans. There are none who watch here.”

Regnans mumbled something about hamadryads and their pride, then proclaimed in a slightly louder voice to the tree, “We must be sober, be vigilant, because the shadow walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom it may devour.”

The hamadryad looked chagrined. “You speak true, dryad. Forgive me for acting like an arrogant seedling.” He glanced at Mellie, and with a lowered voice asked, “And what is your name, little human?”

Mellie managed to squeak out, “Mellie Goodwin.”

“Ah, ’tis always nice to have a Good Wind.” The hamadryad laughed heartily.

“Sorry to interrupt this lovely tete-a-tete,” Regnans said, “but would you please open the gate? I left Westside completely unguarded.”

An annoyed creak came from the base of the redwood, followed by a sigh. “Yes, Regnans. Agape you said, and agape it is. Go with the light, my friends.” The large, joyous eyes closed, and the hamadryad whispered in his leaf rustling voice, “Until we meet again, Good Wind.” His face disappeared, and his roots lifted and pulled apart, exposing a tunnel within his trunk.

Regnans grabbed Mellie’s hand with his rough, wooden one, and pulled her inside the opening. The tree closed itself abruptly and left them in total darkness.

Regnans cleared his throat and said, “Let there be light.”

A burst of dazzling brightness sparkled from the tunnel’s wall. Mellie glanced around and noticed a long, winding stairwell leading down into the ground.

“Shall we, then?” Not waiting for a reply, Regnans started down the steps.

Available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.

Welcome to Reading Eggs for Homeschoolers: FREE 14 DAYS TRIAL

2011-12-06T12:34:00.000+08:00

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Pregnant and Exhausted

2011-12-05T16:01:00.001+08:00

There have been no blog posts from me for the last three weeks. Ever since I became pregnant, exhaustion and sleepiness have been my partners. The ordinary act of giving my two children their baths would leave me so tired and out of breath that I’d have to lie down and rest. Can you believe that?

I haven’t written anything because I’m also too tired to even think about what I’m going to write. Just the thought of sitting down, writing, posting pictures, adding links already tire me. But I have reviews overdue, giveaways to do and my ratings are already affected.

So this morning, I got up early from bed, had my devotion and prayer time, and resolved to start writing. As I sit and ponder on what I’ll be writing about, I realized that one of the consequences of not writing is that it’s hard to begin writing again.

This post is just a short update about me to let you all know that I am doing fine, just tired and sleepy most of the time. I’ve read that fatigue comes with pregnancy because the body works harder now that there’s a baby growing inside me. I’m glad this time, though, because I’ve been spared from nausea and vomiting which plagued me during the last four pregnancies.

At this point, I am in my 10th/11th week of pregnancy. I had my first ultrasound last Saturday with hubby. We saw the very small baby with it’s arms. I’m very blessed to finally see the baby and hubby was so happy, too. Unfortunately, along with the baby, we discovered that I had nabothian cysts. I read online that this kind of cyst are benign. I’m seeing my OB-Gyne tomorrow for my monthly check-up and to ask about the cyst.

Okay, so you can expect a giveaway or two from me this week, plus more reviews. I’m back to writing again! Thanks for hanging on!

Remembering You by Tricia Goyer - Book Review & Kindle Touch Giveaway!

2011-11-25T00:01:00.013+08:00

About the book:

35-year-old Ava Andrews' dream job is interrupted by an unusual request--fulfill her 84-year-old grandfather's last wish by joining him on a battle site tour of Europe. Ava is sure her boss will refuse her request. But, instead, he gives her a directive of his own--to videotape the tour and send it back as mini-segments for the show she produces.

As if juggling these two things isn't hard enough, Ava is soon surprised again ... twice. First, Ava and Grandpa Jack arrive in Europe, only to discover the tour is cancelled. Unwilling to let down her grandfather or her boss, Ava and Grandpa Jack head out on their own. Then, while they're on their way, the pair soon meet up with Paul, her grandpa's best friend, and his grandson Dennis. The same Dennis who just happens to be Ava's first love.

Before she knows it, Ava and Dennis are swept down memory lane as they visit the sites that are discussed in the history books. And even though Ava's videotaping old soldiers, she can see their youth, their hopes and fears, and their pride in their eyes. Soon Ava learns the trip isn't just for them ... it's for her too--especially for her heart.

Read an excerpt, watch a video and find out more here. http://www.triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#RememberingYou

About Tricia:

Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. On Tricia's weekly radio show, Living Inspired, she shares stories of inspiration and encouragement. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.

For more about Tricia and her other books visitwww.triciagoyer.com

MY REVIEW:
Remembering You is a very well-written and well-thought of book. The kind of book you know that the author spent a lot of time researching. I find that what Tricia says is true: we who live in the present time don't know much about the members of our families who lived through the war. Even if I am Filipino, I still hear my parents talk about the war that happened when they were children. I never really thought how important it was to listen to the stories they tell until I've read Remembering You.

I appreciate Ava's character because she was very relatable. She was an independent woman but with weaknesses that she struggled to face. I loved reading about the lasting friendship of the two war heroes, Jack and Paul as they, too, faced some painful memories when they visited the scenes of their past. I like the light romance between Dennis and Ava. I really appreciate the most that all the characters were Christians and were at different states of knowing the Lord in their lives.

The war stories and the places they visited was one of the unforgettable parts of this book. Ava's struggles to reconcile the soldier her grandfather was to the gentle grandfather she now knew was very touching. All in all, a very good book to read.

Buy it here

Win a Kindle Touch for YOU and a Friend from Tricia Goyer!

Tricia Goyer is celebrating the release of her novel, Remembering You, with a KINDLE Touch Giveaway for you ... and for the friend of your choice. Then on 11/29 she'll be wrapping up the release of Remembering You with a Book Chat Party!

During the first half of the party Tricia will be chatting, sharing a sneak peek of her next book, and giving away a ton of great stuff. Then she'll head over to her website for a Live Chat! Readers will be able to chat with Tricia via video or text.

Don't miss your chance to win a Kindle Touch for yourself ... and to "remember" a friend this holiday with a Kindle Touch for them!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

One grand prize winner will receive:

A Brand New Kindle Touch and a Kindle Touch for a Friend (winner's choice!)
A copy of Remembering You by Tricia Goyer for each

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on November 29th. Winner will be announced at Remembering You Facebook Party on 11/29. Tricia will be hosting an author chat (on Facebook and Live from her website) and giving away copies of her other WWII books and gift certificates to Starbucks and Amazon.com. So grab your copy of Remembering You and join Tricia on the evening of the 29th for an author chat, a trivia contest (How much do you know about WWII?) and lots of giveaways.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 29th!

"Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trad Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

I’m Having A Baby!

2011-11-21T00:01:00.000+08:00

Yup, you read that right. Baby number 5 is on its way! Our family is very excited and thankful to the good Lord for this blessing. I can only thank the Lord for entrusting me with another life to care for. Thank You, Lord!

It all started with me feeling exhausted and sleepy all the time. After a week, I began to wonder what was happening to me. I wasn’t sick, but I was in bed all the time. It continued to the second week where I started feeling nauseous and dizzy. After the second week, I looked back and realized that I had missed my period. At the beginning of the third week, with more exhaustion, I finally asked hubby to get me a pregnancy test kit. The children were excitedly waiting for the results, and the two lines that appeared confirmed my suspicion – I am pregnant! My OB confirmed last week that I am in my 7th week of pregnancy.

But there is another baby on it’s way. And that baby is the new look of this blog. In the following months, expect a major change in this blog. I am in the process of studying and deciding what kind of changes I’d like to implement. I already have the hosting, now I am looking for a blog designer. Not to worry, the focus will not change – it is still about homeschooling and family and reviews.

40 Days to Better Living: Depression by Scott Morris - Book Review

2011-11-17T22:56:00.000+08:00

Today's Wild Card author is:

Dr. Scott Morris
and the
Church Health Center

and the book:

40 Days to Better Living: Depression

Barbour Books (November 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Audra Jennings – The B&B Media Group – for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From the time Scott Morris was just a teenager, he knew he would do two things with his future—serve God and work with people. Growing up in Atlanta, he felt drawn to the Church and at the same time drawn to help others, even from a very young age. It was naturally intrinsic, then, that after completing his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia he went on to receive his M.Div. from Yale University and finally his M.D. at Emory University in 1983.

After completing his residency in family practice, Morris arrived in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1986 without knowing a soul, but determined to begin a health care ministry for the working poor. He promptly knocked on the doors of St. John’s Methodist Church and Methodist Hospital in Memphis inviting them to help, and then found an old house to refurbish and renovate. By the next year, the Church Health Center opened with one doctor—Dr. Scott Morris—and one nurse. They saw twelve patients the first day and Morris began living his mission to reclaim the Church’s biblical commitment to care for our bodies and spirits.

From the beginning, Morris saw each and every patient as a whole person, knowing that without giving careful attention to both the body and soul the person would not be truly well. So nine years after opening the Church Health Center, he opened its Hope & Healing Wellness Center. Today the Church Health Center has grown to become the largest faith-based clinic in the country of its type having cared for 60,000 patients of record without relying on government funding. The clinic handles more than 36,000 patient visits a year while the wellness center, which moved to its current 80,000-square-foot location on Union Avenue in 2000, serves more than 120,000 member visits each year. Fees are charged on a sliding scale based on income.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Depression is a serious condition—and 40 Days to Better Living: Depression provides clear, manageable steps for people to manage it, through life-changing attitudes and actions. Readers can select one or more elements of the 7-step Model for Healthy Living—Faith, Medical, Movement, Work, Emotional, Family and Friends, and Nutrition—and follow the 40-day plan to improve their lives, just a bit, day by day. With plenty of practical advice, biblical encouragement, and stories of real people who’ve taken the same journey, this book—from the Church Health Center in Memphis, the largest faith-based clinic of its type in the U.S.—may be one of the most important books your customers will read this year.

The 40 Days to Better Living series offers clear, manageable steps to life-changing attitudes and actions in a context of understanding and grace for all people at all points on the journey to optimal health. With plenty of practical advice, spiritual encouragement, and real stories of those who have found a better life, this simple and skillfully crafted book inspires readers to customize their own path to wellness by using the 7-Step Model for Healthy Living as a guide:

· Nutrition: pursuing smarter food choices and eating habits

· Friends and family: giving and receiving support through relationships

· Emotional life: understanding feelings and managing stress to better care for yourself

· Work: appreciating your skills, talents, and gifts

· Movement: discovering ways to enjoy physical activity

· Medical care: partnering with health care providers to optimize medical care

· Faith life: building a relationship with God, neighbors, and self

Along with tips from the Model for Healthy Living, the easy-to-read format features a Morning Reflection and an Evening Wrap-Up as well as a place for documenting plans, progress, and perspectives. Targeted scriptures and prayers that undergird the focus of each day’s message make this compact book an excellent choice for a daily devotional.

Subsequent titles in the Better Living series will be released bi-monthly and address key health topics including hypertension, diabetes, depression, weight management, stress management, aging, and addiction. All promise substantial support to those who are ready for a newer, better way of living—body and spirit.

Product Details:

List Price: $7.99
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books (November 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1616262664
ISBN-13: 978-1616262662

AND NOW...THE FIRST FEW PAGES: Click on the images to see them larger:

MY REVIEW:
40 Days to Better Living: Depression by Scott Morris is a book geared for those who are experiencing depression. It is designed to be read daily and finished in 40 days. Each week begins with a person's testimony about their depression and journey to healing. The testimonies are all very encouraging and will motivate the reader to keep on reading. Everyday, the reader begins with Morning Reflection with a Bible verse. There are several tasks that the reader is asked to do. Depending on his needs, he can choose which area of his life he wants to focus on for the day. The day ends with Evening Wrap-Up which is filled with more encouragement for the reader to go on with this journey. Weekly, there are different topics or areas which the reader is asked to consider such as letting go of things that they can't control, worries, taking a good rest and getting enough sleep.

The beauty of this book is that the reading is not too long but will make the reader do some serious thinking. It is broken up with beautiful images that can also encourage the reader. By the end of the book, the reader has been armed with several tools to help overcome depression. He is assured that while this is the end of the book, it is only the beginning of his own journey toward healing.

Teaching English As a Second Language – Another Work at Home Option

2011-11-15T11:34:00.001+08:00

Just the other week, my hubby told me about his friend’s wife who teaches English online. She does this from the comfort of her own home through the use of the internet. She has students from all over Asia, works on her own schedule and earns a comfortable income from it. She is free to choose the hours she wants to work and can work as much as she wants to. What I don’t know is if she is certified in Teaching ESL or not.

Once upon a time in the past, I had investigated the possibilities of my obtaining a TESL certificate. I was already homeschooling then and was looking for ways to augment our income. I didn’t push through with this plan because it required me to take classes which meant I have to leave home for a time. My kids were still small so I didn’t consider that possibility.

Today, I looked at it again and saw the advantages of becoming TESL certified. While you will have to focus on the training for four weeks or more in other institutes, it will most likely be the best four weeks of learning you can have. After obtaining your certificate, then you can start looking for work either online, or for the more adventurous ones – to look for job postings for Teaching English Overseas.

If you should choose to find a job overseas, there are plenty of countries looking for TESL certified teachers. This will give you an even better experience as you get to go to another country and experience another culture. Furthermore, the TESL certified teacher can take in one-on-one tutorial students providing more income opportunities.

What I’d like to find out next is the possibility of obtaining the TESL certificate online. My reason for this is that I also would like to work online from home. My priority is still to homeschool my children and having to work outside the home is not a very attractive option for me.