When I tell people that I have lost 130 pounds, most people don't believe me.  They just can't imagine that I used to weight 370 pounds.  Well, to tell you the truth, neither can I.  Even when I look at old pictures of me I am taken back with surprise.  

The other response I get is:  How did you do it?  People will say something like, "You must have been on the best weight loss pills on the market!  Or they'll ask which special diet I was on.  
I did get a little help from an amoeba in the Philippines but I wouldn't recommend that course of action.  
Honestly, the way I did it was the only way:  I watched my calories and I exercised.  Some of the fad diets will help you lose weight, but you won't learn to discipline yourself regarding food.  Therefore, you'll most likely gain it back.  
Check out the pics below as I decrease in weight.  I wish I had a more extensive range of photos but I had a tendency to delete or discard photos of myself back then because I was embarrassed by what I saw.  Now I wish I had taken a photo every week or something to that effect:

Does your MySpace and Facebook bring God Glory?

Looking Like A Monster

I know this may sound disgusting but I've seen people who have pimple on scalp. It's not fun to have one for sure. I never had a problem with pimples but I've seen people who suffered from it. They have to be able to find the right cure that is suitable for their skin type too. I had chicken pox before and it was so bad that I got it in my scalp. I would not want to be in that situation anymore. It's super uncomfortable, I was in pain and I looked like a monster. My friend told me she almost ran away when she saw me. Glad I don't have to deal with it anymore. I hardly have scars too.

Losing Some

Are you one of those people who are still looking for effective diet pills? There are websites you can check on and find out. You can also ask your doctor which diet pill is the best for you. I am afraid of diet pills because I'm on medication. I am trying to control my own eating habits so I can be more disciplined. I'm tired of having double chin and not fitting into my old clothes. That's why it's important for me to really stick to eating more healthy food.

Pregnant?

I'm really excited when I found out my sister is pregnant again. She said she really needs prenatal vitamins and I wish I know what those are so I could buy them here. She has good doctor at the place where my parents are and I hope she will have a good one this time too. It would be nice to make her baby a quilt but I'm not sure if I could make it now. I would like to start working on it tomorrow. There's a clothing shop nearby our place that I could just walk to. I could make that my project. One of the quilting ladies gave me a batting (hope I got that right) for the baby's quilt. Now it's my turn to cut them. I love babies!

What I Enjoy Doing

This was me when I was still practicing with Steven my skills for my exam. I finally passed the board exam for my nursing assistant license. Now, I'm on a hunt for a job. It feels like I've applied to a lot but actually, I haven't. Gave out four applications and just got a call for an interview tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. I like this place that called me but it's going to be really far for me. I'm fine with it as long as I can get one.
I really enjoy being in the healthcare. Now that I have started doing this, my next goal will be to become a CNA 2.

Savings

I used to budget our groceries a lot but lately I have not been doing that. So I check online for budgeting tips because I know I need them. We wanted to start saving more money on something else rather than just buying food because we want it and not need it. There are people we can help or use the money we saved for the Philippines. It's also good to just buy important and healthy food since we are dieting. I wish I could lose at least 10 lbs. and maintain it.

Vacation Packages

It would be nice to go on holiday in warmer places around this time. I saw the cancun vacation packages and it made me really want to just go there with my husband. The photo from the hotel looks really inviting. I feel like it's calling my name. I really do miss swimming in the ocean. Every time I see pictures of the beach it reminds me of my country. If only we could, we would go visit the Philippines sooner.

Little Pinwheel Gifts

I ecstatic when I got an email from Hayley who owns Little Pinwheel that I won $200 gift voucher. I joined the giveaway at Kenzipoo hoping but not expecting to win. I immediately shop for clothes for my nephew and nieces whom I love dearly. It's also the time where I am sending a big box of goodies to my country and they would surely love the beautiful clothes they will be getting. They're beautiful gifts and if you have little kids you'd like to buy some cute clothes, visit Little Pinwheel! You will surely love the site.

Caring For Others

Steven's aunt has filed disability appeal and it took her a long time to have her disability insurance. I'm glad that there are people who are willing to help others file Social Security benefits like Allsup. Allsup has now helped more than 130,000 people!! There are deserving people who needs help from the government because they are unable to work anymore. If you are one of those people, try checking Allsup and see what they can do for you.

Curling Iron Giveaway

I found this giveaway at The FabWon and would really love to win it. She is giving away Folica curling iron to two (2) TFW readers, the Andis 3/4" and 1" curling irons.

This is what she thinks about it:
"Folica sent me Andis 1.5" curling iron and I must say that is one huge curler. With fast heat up and blinking light to let you know when ready to use this Andis iron left me with big curls that lasted all night and into the morning. I can appreciate a styler that can hold to my straight hair tendency's. 295 F to 395 F high heat range - Hot in less than 60 seconds High wattage for quick heat-up and positive temperature control, even in damp hair Curls and styles hair in half the time Ceramic barrel Cool safety tip, can hold curling iron with both hands Automatic dual voltage."

Go visit The FabWon if you are interested in winning these cool hair irons by Folica.

Invitations

It would be nice to start wedding invitations business. It's a really good business I think everywhere you go. In the Philippines, people don't make their own invitations. They let a shop do it for them that's why I would love to start this kind of business if ever.

I could not help not to try this website for invitation cards. I like how high-tech it is that you can just make your own words and order it online. They will deliver it for you. That's a really good business. I like that they have words already made and you can just edit it yourself. I did ours for fun.

Scenic Sunday

I took this shot from my back porch. It's not so nice but I still love it. That's for my Scenic Sunday for now.

Perpetuum Jazzile - Africa

Bathroom Decor

Right now, I'm glad I am slowly putting decor on our apartment. I have pictures printed and bought some picture frames for a dollar. Now I would like to make the bathroom look nicer. I found the Toto toilet and just went through the website. I like the bathroom decor and would want to really focus on making ours nicer. I just really want to see what theme I want for it.

Motorcycle

In the Philippines, we don't have motorcycle accident attorney. I wish we do because there are so many motorcycle accidents and there's no one to defend them. That's the thing I like about being here in America. There are people specializing on a certain cases. My father drives a motorcycle and I don't like it so much because he had plenty of accidents before. He's getting older too. The last accident he had was when Steven was still there. He was disoriented but glad he had a different sim card with my phone number. He wouldn't be able to contact any of us if he didn't.

Warm Holiday

Ever have plans on going to orlando, Florida? I always wonder what that place would be like. I only see it in the movies. Ohhh, I didn't know that there is Disney in Florida. I'm sure they have plenty of tourist attractions too. If we can afford it, I would ask Steven if he and I could go there. I know he also hasn't been in that side of the country so it would be an adventure for us. Those who do not want to be in the cold place right now would maybe want to be in a warm, hot place. There are good flight deals sometimes and vacation packages.

What's Up With Me

I have seven more days before my big exam. I am overwhelmed by how many skills I have to master. Though you only get to perform 5 skills but you don't know which one it will be. Glad I do not have to go far to take the exam. It's going to be at Pinnacle Healthcare here in Springfield. I will just walk like maybe ten minutes. I am excited but I am really scared to fail. I keep praying to my God to help me when the time comes. Steven has been a very good patient of mine, he's the one I'm practicing on. He's reading the skills for me while I perform. I'm so glad he's there. I don't know what I'd do without him. 

Yesterday, we also took photos of each other. This is my favorite one. The rest, I look fat! Hehe! I look like in the oldies. Love it!

Talk About Dying

When Steven and I were walking to the mall yesterday, I told him I do not want to be buried when I die. That way, he can keep a lot of my life insurance still. It's kinda expensive to have a wake and then burial. I'd rather just have my ash be brought and thrown somewhere. I said I will tell my family so that they too will know and not get mad if ever he brings me back there in ashes. It's hard to talk about it but everyone dies. We will have a certain time on this earth and then we'll die and be with God. Steven did tell me the most important thing, you just need to be right with God every time.

Relaxing

I know a friend who can have her own spa in her own house. She said she need spa filters and then she can invite us to join her. It's nice to have your own because spas are so expensive here if you go to a real salon. My husband's friend paid more than a hundred dollars just to have one for his wife. I would not want Steven to pay for that much for me because I'd rather have the money to buy clothes and food. Unless of course, we're in Asian countries. It's so much cheaper there to have one.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Glitter Pictures

The Holley Herald wishes everyone a Happy New Year! I hope everyone will have a good year. God is good!

Opportunities

After finishing my CNA course at Lane, I've been trying to job search online for Caregiving jobs. It's good to have websites where we can check for job opportunities. It's really hard to find a job especially if you don't have experience.
I have applied to a couple elderly homes but the I did not get a call from the one place I really wanted to work in. I feel disappointed but my licensing schedule will be this coming January 11, 2010. I'm glad that the testing place is just near my place because I can just walk there. I have been reading my skill sheets but I am so scared that I won't be able to remember them when the time comes. I wish I have a friend who can help me go through it.

Kill The Molds

I love products that help you with allergy relief. That's why I make sure I clean my house well so my husband will not get sick. When we were living in our old apartment, we had mold problems in our ceiling. That was really bad! If I knew about the Vital-Oxide Broad Spectrum Disinfectant & Mold Control product, I would have used this. It was such a hard thing to do because once we got the mold cleaned, it would come back all over again. Now I know I could use a product that is good for killing molds.

Friend's Visit

One of my caregiving classmates in the Philippines gave me a visit last Sunday. She came with her husband who has a family in Portland. They drove 2 hours to come see me and Steven so I tried to make their stay worthwhile. I cooked lumpia shanghai, spaghetti, pot roast, rice, and chocolate cake. I sure hope they enjoyed their visit. We also gave them a tour at the University of Oregon. It was so cold and it was getting dark. I wish they have stayed longer.

Stay Warm

Right now, I feel I need an electric blanket. It is so cold outside that I really feel so lazy to go out. The sky is dark and gloomy and the temperature is down to 0 degrees. Yes, I am in a place in America that is so cold. I really need to go out today but I feel so lazy. This type of weather just makes me want to lie down in the bed and put the thick blankets. I bet people would love to own an electric blanket during winter. It's worth to get one because the winter last for a few months. I love the style too.

Be Secured

It's always nice to hear the words travel health insurance especially when you are traveling to distant places. You will never know what will happen. At least, for me, I feel my family will benefit if it is my time to leave this earth. I always tell Steven to get insurance when we travel. It helps me feel secured too. I know God is my security and He will take care of my family but it will help them. So if you enjoy traveling a lot, you should get yourself insured.

Greeting Cards

Here are two of the greeting cards I made for theBlogger's Community Photo Challenge.