Johanna

SAVINGS

2009-05-27T04:10:00.000-07:00

Experencing economic crisis is really hard. Saving money is very important right now cause we never know how long will this economic crisis end. somewhere in between and requires your commitment and hard work. Saving money requires our commitment and hard work to develop our need to learn how to save money. But begining savings today can be a big help for our future needs.

On this blog, I have gather some tips and ideas on how to save money.

1. Spend a little. It is important that if you are serious about saving long term. Review and check on what you have spend and look at ways on how you can save money. Do you really have to ride for a taxi for your work even if you can take a bus. Instead of buying books or CD's how about using the library on lending books and CD's. Do your really have to take a taxi on your way to work even if you can ride a bus. Once you find ways how to spend less you will easily learn on how to save money.

2.Put a firm basis on your personal budget. This is important for families and individuals. You have to how much money you have coming in, and how much money you have going out. Once you know you have prepared a budget of incoming money and outgoing money, in that way you will be able to identify areas where you can save.

3. Buy in bulk . Cooking in bulk can also save money.Preparing food in bulk and in advance also gives you the opportunity to plan ahead and be more accurate in your budget. Save Money by buying in bulk whenever you can. One thing to be aware of when buying in bulk is to be sure that any product you buy will get used before it goes bad - you won't save money if you have to throw stuff away. Buying in bulk is not only a good way to save money it is also a good strategy for coping with and surviving emergencies.

4. Make sure a sale is a sale. Sometimes the price tags are only replace by sales tags but the truth is they are just same price as the unsale price tags. You have to be sure the sale really is a sale and not a marketing strategies of the store to encourage you to spend your money without thinking. Once you have learned the true price of the sale item you are in a good position to take advantage of a sale, special offer or discount and really save money. "Buy one get one free", "50% off", and "Huge Discount" will only help you save money if the actual price you pay is lower than you would pay somewhere else for exactly the same product.

5. Use your cridet card wisely. Credit Card debt is typically the most expensive debt we may carry. You will be able to save money every month if you make it an absolute rule to pay off your outstanding balance every month. If you can have the discipline to do this you will save money by effectively having no debt, and thus no interest charge on your credit card(s).

6. Eat in rather than out. This is a huge area where you can save money. A cup of coffee taken out could easily cost you TWENTY times (or more) what it would cost you to make it at home. So think before you drink when you are out. Eating is the same. Fast food restaurants are counting on you eating food that you perhaps don't really need at that time but buy just because it is quick. Why not wait until you get home and have a more nutritious meal and save money at the same time.

I hope this some tips and ideas I have collected may help you cause it really helps me. HAPPY SAVING!!!

World’s rarest deer still roam Negros

2009-05-23T18:42:00.000-07:00

FOR THIS group of British and Filipino environmentalists, there’s nothing more beautiful than the sight of droppings of the world’s rarest deer.

It’s proof that the Visayan spotted deer (Cervus alfredi), endemic to the Philippines but in danger of extinction, still roam in the wild.

A statement from the British Embassy said the Negros Interior Biodiversity Expedition (Nibe) “has found evidence of two groups of the Visayan Spotted Deer alive and well” in the North Negros Natural Park (NNNP).

Fresh deer droppings, deer tracks and “significant evidence of feeding activity” were documented by the Nibe in its three-week scientific exploration last April in the park.

The NNNP is considered a biodiversity hotspot which means the area has a high level of endemic species.

“The team members did not actually [see] any of the rare Visayan spotted deer, but they found footprints and droppings which prove that a small population survives in the wild, despite the ongoing threat to its survival from hunting and deforestation,” Robert Harland, a trustee of the Bacolod City-based Negros Forests and Ecological Foundation Inc. (NFEFI), told the Inquirer in an e-mail Saturday.

Most endangered

The indiscriminate hunting of this timid, exotic and very small animal—it is only around 125 to 130 centimeters long and 70-80 centimeters tall—has made it, in Harland’s words, the “most endangered deer species in the world.”

“It’s believed there are only around 300 deer left in the wild. Sightings of the deer are rare,” he said.

As such, Harland stressed the need for people to be educated and constantly reminded to protect and preserve this rare animal said to have once lived on seven islands but now survives only on Panay and Negros.

“There’s very little that we could do to protect [them except] to educate the people of what a valuable asset the deer are to the biodiversity,” said Harland, a 62-year-old former journalist and media practitioner who has been living in Bacolod since 2001.

Grass-roots conservation

The NFEFI breeds rare and endangered species in captivity including the Visayan spotted deer at the Biodiversity Conservation Center in Bacolod City.

The animals are later released into the wild, according to Harland.

The discovery that “such an important animal [is] alive and well in its natural habitat” proves the effectiveness of grass-roots conservation initiatives in Negros Island, expedition leader James Sawyer said in the embassy statement.

More protection

However, Sawyer still stressed the need for “more protection” of the deer and similar endangered species in the park “in order to assure their survival.”

Dr. Craig Turner, research leader for the expedition, also said in the statement that “Philippine forests still harbor many rare and unique species, found nowhere else in the world.”

He lamented that “conservation work is critically under-funded” and their partners like NFEFI “are fighting a pitched battle to assure [that] future generations are handed their biological inheritance.”

Harland said the expedition was privately funded by the expedition team.

Enviable biodiversity

According to the British Embassy, the expedition team is set to present their findings to the renowned Royal Geographical Society.

“The Philippines’ biodiversity is truly enviable and British visitors come [here] to see endemic species. This is an exciting discovery,” British Ambassador Peter Beckingham said in the statement. He was referring to the discovery of evidence that the rare Visayan spotted deer still roamed the forested park.

Beckingham commended the Nibe for its work for the last 20 years “to save the rainforest through education, reforestation, alternative livelihoods and captive breeding programs.”

source:http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/

Camiguin Island"The Island of Your Imagination", Philippines

2009-02-09T20:50:00.001-08:00

White Island, with the view of Mt. Hibok-hibok

Lanzones Festival, celebrated every October

Mantigue Island, with the view of Mt. Timpo-ong

Mt. Timpong, taken in Matigue Island

Camiguin Island in early morning view

Camiguin Island, is a small, beautiful island with friendly and peaceful people. Camiguin is a volcanic island, in 1871 and 1951Mt. Hibok-hibok erupted Bonbon (Camiguin's old capital) was sinked in an eruption. The volcanic activities is monitored by a Philvocs (Philippine Volcanology) station between the hills of Mt. Hibok-hibok and Mt. Timpo-ong.

Camiguin shores are mostly of pebbles and dark sand beaches. But, there is White sand on White Island, a sand bar (no trees or plants) off Kuguita, Mambajao and on Mantigue Island off Hubagon,Mahinog.Both can be reached by banca. Mt. Volcan Daan,which errupted about 200 years ago, has 14 stations of the cross, the last station is carved out of a volcanic rock. Katibawasan Falls, a very beautiful, powerful stream,on the slopes of Mt. Timpo-ong. Ardent Hot Spring, you can take a bath and soak in 32 degrees mineral water. Sunken Cemetery, is only visible when there is low-tide before reaching Bonbon, you can see the ruins of the old Gun-ob Church. Sto. Niño Cold Spring and Macao Cold Spring, have a relaxing experience and swim in swimming pools. Camiguin Island, celebrates Lanzones Festival every October, with exhibits of thier delicacies and parades.

All resorts and hotels provide meals, and it is best to try their in-house specialties. You can also buy freash fish in the Mabajao Market and ask the cook in your hotel to cook it for you. All the resorts and hotel are simple and refreshingly clean. I prefer beach resorts tha in - town lodges, because its quite and more relaxing. If your look for lavish hotel you can stay at Camiguin Highland Resort.

Ways to get to Camiguin Island:

Cagayan de Oro; hire a car or PUJ vehicle or take a bus from Cagayan de Oro to Balinguan, about 2 hours trip. Then a ferry ride to Binoni for 1 hour.

Cebu.; Every friday Super Shuttle Ferry will leave at Cebu City (Pier 7)at 8:00 PM and it will arrive at 8:00 AM the next day in Balbagon Port, Camiguin.

Bohol: Everyday Super Shuttle Ferry will leave to Jagna Bohol at 2:00 PM and it will arrive in Balbagon Port at 6:00 PM.

What’s in a flower?

2009-02-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

Flowers comes in different shapes,size, smells, colors and some blooms at night and some at day. Each of them brings particular feelings - real attraction, its unique beauty that brings in us a bright appearance. And there is also a hidden message that comes in each flower given. What are they?

Alyssum - worth beyond beauty

Ambrosia - your love is returned

Anemone -truth, unfading love

Arbutus - your the only one i love

Aster - symbol of love

Baby's Breath - everlasting and pure love

Calla Lily - splendid beauty or love

Carnation - bond of affection or the flower of fascination

pink - always thinking of you

red - admiration

white - my love is pure, sweet and lovely

yellow - rejection

Daffodil - your the only one

Daisy - faithfulness and innocence

Hyacinth - please forgive me

Ivy - marriage, fidelity

Jasmine - sensuality, grace

The rose , are the most common, which every girl wish and wants to receive, it is called the flower of love. Each color has its own corresponding meaning:

deep red - passion, love
orange - desire
white - innocence and purity
yellow - jealousy

Sunflower - you are my sunshine and pride
Tulip - perfect flower

red- expressing of love
yellow - hopeless love
Violet - modesty

Flowers are always be a great gift to every occasion, whether it's Valentine's Day or not, give a flower to your special some one to brighten up her day.