Summer Workshop for Teens

It's summer time! It's the most awaited time of the year for our kids after months of reading, projects and never ending assignments. Now it's time for family outings and various activities for the kids. As I was searching for swimming lesson websites for my kids, I read a post from ILAM's FB page that they have a summer workshop for teens. My kids are still in grade school but this post goes to my friends who have teens already.

The Summer Workshop for English Advancement of Teens is scheduled to start on April 25 with 50% off on tuition for those who will enroll in March. Limited slots available and promo ends on March 31.

From their website, International Language Academy Manila (I.L.A.M.) is a premier language school in Makati City, whose mission is to provide quality education to professionals and non-professionals aiming to be proficient in English. The school takes pride in its ESL/EFL courses such as: Functional Grammar, Conversation, Business Writing, Business English, Pronunciation, TOEIC review, etc. which are all taught in a multidisciplinary setting to ensure comprehensive skill development in the four areas of communication (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

Now I hope that doesn't scare teens from spending vacation learning again. It's just to show that ILAM is a reputable Institution in our country. ILAM promises to make learning English fun and memorable. No lectures, no long assignments and best of all, no Math! Isn't that what summer is all about?

And before thinking of that vacation in a far away land, ponder on ILAM's latest tweet:
"Learning how to communicate in English is like having a free ticket to the world"

Visit their website and inquire now!


Email: english@ilam.ph
Phone: 840-0284
Website: ILAMPhils
FB page:  ILAM Fan Page
Twitter:   http://twitter.com/ILAMPhils

Location
2/F Creekside Mall Bldg. Amorsolo St. cor Rufino Ave.,
Hours Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
        Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

ONLINE SHOP+Facebook+Blog

My Online Marketing Mentor Jomar Hilario answered a question from a reader who is interested to put up an online store. She (the reader) wanted to invest on an online seminar for marketing investment but is hesitant because their business is not picking up. She was advised by some friends to lower costs to increase sales before spending money to sustain the business.

This is what he has to say:

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Too bad they gave you the wrong advise. Why is it wrong?
Let's see. Einstein said " Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. "

So you go back to what you're doing expecting to do the same things or dream of new things from your limited experience and expect to win this time correct?

Let's see what Jim Rohn says: "If someone is going down the wrong road, he doesn't need motivation to speed him up. What he needs is education to turn him around. "

So are you getting education before proceeding?

I saw your website, it's super obvious why you're not selling well.

It's not obvious what you're selling. I suggest you create a blog and sell from there. Create a facebook page and make your self popular there (notice I didn't say sell from facebook yet).

Of course if you want the full course, join the online mentoring club and watch yourself earn 10x more than before. :) Note that this is not workshop -with a venue, it's a 1 year commitment to help you create your online incomes via online tutorials that are simple to understand.

Extra note: In Cebu, I met a security guard (or was it a janitor) who in my eyes came into my workshop a success already. Why? He loaned P 200 from lots of people just to attend it. Now that's a winning attitude everybody should emulate.

-Jomar Hilario

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My friends and I have started putting up an online store through Facebook and because of the networking power of the FB page we were able to reach out to more customers and increase sales.

My mentor,  Jomar Hilario - an internet marketer (yes, he's Pinoy)-just created this fr-ee 200+ easy to read presentation -Facebook Marketing Secrets Tutorial exposing how big brands use Facebook to make more sales & get their message online.

Take a look  here - it's a 5minute read at most and I'm sure you can quickly apply what he says in your marketing department.


P.S. Here's that link again. I'm sure you have 10minutes to check out what may potentially be a game changer in the way your company uses facebook.

Pinay Helpdesk Mom

REFLECTION:




Life’s deepest joy can only be accomplished when we learn to set aside self-interest to be of service to others.

Customized Pororo birthday cake

Helpdesk concern #4
From Mommy Tin

From my previous post I have shared where to find customized mini cakes and cupcakes. This time it's customized birthday cakes. My friend Mommy Tin posted a cake that she wanted to give her son on his next birthday. I saw a similar character from one of Norie's Kitchen Cake Albums and sent her the link. She's happy to see the samples and inquired right away. Click here to see Norie's Pororo cakes.

I for one, is a happy customer of Norie's Kitchen. I ordered a Plants vs Zombies cake for my kid's 7th birthday. My little boy was very happy. The PvZ cakes are her most popular cakes to date and Pororo is the most inquired one. She even made a Zoren Legaspi's Birthday Cake for his birthday cake in Love ni Mister, Love ni Misis. That's how famous her cakes are. Her creations varies from character cakes to hobby and game cakes and more. She even made a Boston Celtics ball cake. Here are the cakes she had done for her customers.

PS. Pls. book your orders early, she got many clients. She usually make around 4 cakes a week and make the cake toppers a few days ahead of the cake. There's also a special announcement from Norie's FB Page:
Norie's Kitchen:
"It's my hubby's birthday month and to celebrate...We are waiving all meet up charges for the following meet up points : Mall of asia, Megamall,and Makati for March celebrants only. So order now!!!"

If you're interested to order her cakes or pastries you can reach her at :
email: cakesbynorie@gmail.com
Visit Norie's Kitchen blog here: Norie's Kitchen Custom Cakes & Premium Pastries
And Like her FB page here: Norie's Kitchen
For inquiries here's the link:  Contact Us

Where to get Clowns for your kid's Birthday Party

Helpdesk Concern #3
from Mommy Mel


Birthdays are fun not only for the birthday celebrant but also for the parents as well. It entails a lot of hard work and L-O-V-E to be able to pull off a great party that your kid will surely not forget for the rest of their lives!
So what makes a great party aside from food, games and give aways? It's the entertainment! So we should not forget this in our party checklist. Remember that kids are very active and one dull moment could bring them up to their feet and roam around the place. So to keep their attention and enjoy the party we need either a Magician, Clowns, Puppeteer, Ventriloquist and a good Host or a combination of them.

For Mommy Mel, here's an online resource for list of Host, Magicians and Clowns for Kiddie Party here in the Philippines. The site includes a forum where you can read reviews about each of these entertainers so you can pick which one has good reviews.

click here for the list:

and here for the reviews:

Hope you have a great Party!

Kiddie Party.ph is the 1st online resource for planning a Kiddie Party in the Philippines.

My Money Jars

I first learned about this when I attended a financial seminar last year. That was the time when I started subscribing to Bo Sanchez' newsletters. I attended every financial seminar there is and was able to finish 3 modules in a week. I must say it's worth the time and until now I'm encouraging my sisters and even friends to attend. Every topic assures me of what I'm doing right and enlightens me on my weak areas as well.
I can say I'm good in budgeting. I can juggle my monthly income from payables to regular expenses and emergency stuffs. I have learned to make ends meet albeit sometimes it looks impossible even before payday comes. I've learned how to use excel program to tabulate and monitor expenses and payables. I have mastered the art(if there is such) of scheduling loans during enrollment and special occasions. All of these I'm proud to have learned all by myself but not until I've humbly opened my heart to my mentors. Note that my budgetting only covers expenses and it's not a good thing.

With my new money jars, it covers everything. It's not a physical jar that you can see in my home. It's actually a system I learned from one of the financial seminars I've attended last year. This system will not only build your wealth in the long run but it will also help you settle previous debts. It's originally 5 jars but I have mine divided into 7. Each account has a certain percentage from my income sources.

Financial Freedom Account ( FFA) 20%
- This is the account where I build my fund for future investments. This should be regularly funded to accummulate and be used if you plan to invest in stocks or finance a business or start up a passive income. Passive income is a business that generates income even when you sleep. I have mine in a bank with a passbook so I won't be able to withdraw in a whim. It shouldn't be touched unless I'm ready to invest.

Charity  10%
- This is  the account where a certain amount is kept for charity purposes. Remember that helping others is one way of giving back God's abundant blessings to us. It depends on how much you wanted to give back. But as saying goes, the more you give the more you receive, most of the time surprisingly better.

Play 5%
- After the seminar, this is the first account that instantly pops out of my head when I tried to review the money jar lessons. Why? Because this is the account where I put the amount alloted for my monthly self indulgence. We need to pamper ourselves too for balance. This also saves us from cheating in the other jars. :P

Emergency Fund (EF) 10%
- This is the account where I save for emergency purposes like medical bills, urgent house repairs and other unexpected expenses. Take note: Unexpected expenses. This too is safe in the bank to be withdrawn only if needed.

Education fund (EdF) 10%
- Before, I used to wonder why seminars cost so much. I also thought these are only for carreer enhancement and required to update professionals like medical practitioners and those in Information technology. Now, I'm always on the look out for latest and practical seminars related to my interests and source of income. This is where I allot my Education fund. This is also used to buy books, magazines and stuffs I need to learn about businesses and personal development. Remember that education is also an investment. The more we learn, the more we become a better person.

Living Fund- 40%
- This goes to Necessities. This includes regular monthly bills like water, electricity, groceries, food, transportation, subscriptions. It also depends on your lifestyle. If you have other activities you regularly do and pay monthly dues like running activities or going to the gym, include it here.

Kids Fund 5%
- I'm a mom and I have to set aside a special account for my kids activities and needs for our bonding time. It doesn't have to be expensive when you do activities with kids but it still helps to have a separate account that will not affect our regular budget.

You can modify your money jar according to what suits your status and lifestyle. If you are single, you can stick to the basic 5. What's important is that you are able to keep an amount to build your future, save for emergencies and still able to give back to God. It's your choice and my advise as always is START NOW. 

Where to find customized Mini cakes and mini cupcakes

Helpdesk Concern #2
from Joy

Joy mentioned that she is giving multiple gifts to surprise her boyfriend. She already gave gift #1 and 2. Now what she needed to add to the set is  gift #3 and it's supposed to be a cake. I learned from previous cake inquiries that customized cake takes about  2 or 3 days and sometimes a week lead time. No time for that anymore so I offered to check the nearest mall in my office during my lunch break. Unfortunately, the shop I know who offers mini cute cakes already moved out. Thankfully, I was able to find 2 cake shops in Megamall. The Art Cakes located on the Upper Ground of Building A has a variety of mini cake designs but sadly, they don't have what I'm looking for. In the Atrium 5th level is where you will find the Cakes r Us kiosk. They have these cute mini cupcakes with alphabet on top that spells "Happy Birthday!" I loved the color and the design. Now the challenge was travelling the cake to Joy then bringing it to BF the next day. I was advised that the cute green fondant cake with a "Mahal Kita!" note is a better option since it won't collapse. I bought both and posted them on FB for Joy to see. Funny because she's torn between the mini cupcakes and the mini fondant cake she ended up getting both. It's worth the effort because Jeff loved the cakes. :) Happy birthday Jeff.!

                                                

For more of Cakes r Us visit their website
Cakes R' Us - Cookies & Pastries Company

Checklist for your Hospital Bag when It's TIME!

Helpdesk Concern #1
from first time Mom- Mommy Ingrid

Being prepared is better than rushing yourself which later may cause you stress. So to avoid panic attacks and forgetful mania, start shopping for baby clothes at least on the 7th month. Keep in mind that babies grow so fast you need not buy too many of the same size of clothes. You can also choose neutral colors if your baby is too shy to show their gender during ultrasound sessions. :) I'm sharing my list of stuffs to put in your Hospital bag when it's time for the baby to come out.

For Moms:

1. a book to read while waiting or a small journal to write on for thoughts and ideas
2. a pen for extra paperwork
3. comfy clothes during your stay & changing clothes to wear home from the hospital
4. bath towel if you can shower in the hospital 
5. socks and slippers to keep your feet warm
6. underwear 
7. make-up and hair clips to make yourself pretty if you are expecting visitors after childbirth
8. basic toiletries (soap, shampoo, tootbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, maternity napkins)
9. breast pads for milk spill 
10. lollipops or lip gloss as you are not allowed to eat too much before delivery and to avoid chappy lips as well

For Babies:

1. receiving blankets
2. baby clothes (short sleeves, long sleeves, mittens, bonnets, socks, pajama, diapers, girdle- small triangular cloth wrapped around the baby's tummy to cover the bellybutton)
3. outfit for baby to wear home
4. blankets
5. small baby bottles and milk if you can't breastfeed (Still, breastmilk is still best for babies)
6. car seat  (in other countries it is required) 

Birth coach
This is someone who will accompany you to the hospital and know how to help you through your contractions, will see your comfort and ease your pain during delivery.

1. change of clothes
2. snacks or drinks
3. camera or videocam (make sure you got loads of memory space available and charge your battery full)
4. mobile phone- for informing everyone once baby is born or other emergency needs (make sure you have enough caling or texting load)
5. toiletries
6. special instructions list (Birth Plan) from the mom
7. extra coins and money

Birth Plan
These are list of plans that you want to happen during your stay in the hospital. It is a list of decisions you wanted to take place before and after you've been all groggy and tired from childbirth. Make sure you have discussed this beforehand to your birth coach.

1. Hospital where you wanted to give birth
2. Hospital rate and packages
3. Normal delivery or C-section and back up plans
4. Newborn Screening 
5. Use of epidurals, enemas, shaving pubic area, episiotomy, choice of delivery positions
6. If you'd like to have a companion in the delivery room and live documentation if possible
7. Pediatrician for your baby (make sure you already know details about this Pedia- health cards accepted, clinic hours, accredited hospitals, contact info and if on call during emergencies, consultation fees
8. Don't forget to emphasize the correct spelling of your baby's name. :) Double check the documents before submitting for registration.

You can add other stuffs that you are used to having anywhere you go like a rosary, ointment or a stuff toy if that will add to your comfort. The most important thing is you have everything in your bag ready anytime.
And while you are months away from delivery, keep on reading about parenting topics especially about taking care of newborns and the joy and challenges that comes with it. And remember, always keep that positive outlook and happy face all the time to keep you and your baby in a good mood always.

Let them fly

Parents:

Do not rob your children of hunger. You've got to allow them to go through the hunger. You've got to allow them to go through what you experienced in some form in some way. Find a way for your kids to still have the hunger that you had when you were younger, when you were still building your wealth.

- Bo Sanchez ( -Find your emotional why- Power talk)