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This post brought to you by Lenovo. All opinions are 100% mine.

For those who set up their own home PC theater systems, this new gadget is for you. Not an ordinary remote control because it is like a small keyboard with track ball (like those in computer mouse). It can be connected with the PC, TV or game consoles such as PS3, WII, Xbox via a tiny USB nano dongle so you can use it wireless. It works within the 30 feet radius with 2.4 FHz radio frequency. The upgraded version of Lenovo Enhanced Multimedia Remote comes with backlit keyboard and loads of other features.

Cute and handy, isn’t it? It has palm sized dimensions which is convenient to use. The backlit keyboard let’s you use it even on a dark theater room.

More features and how to operate the Lenovo Enhanced Multimedia Remote can be seen on this video

I believe this is the perfect gift for your techie husband or boyfriend this coming Valentine’s Day. On that note, I would be very glad to receive one too. I like the compact and convenience of an all in one remote control. Really wish someone would give me this Lenovo Enhanced Multimedia Remote if not on Valentine’s Day maybe on my birthday next month.

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Time really flies so fast, with just a wink it’s already February! We are actually on the love month.

First it’s my mom’s birth month, a few days from now she’ll be another year older, wiser and loved. My mom is my number one supporter, the wind beneath my wings. We may not always agree on things but she will always respect my decisions. Love you Mom!

Next would be Valentine’s Day! On the 14th, most of us (not all because some religions do not practice it) would celebrate the V day one way or another. May it be with our partner, family or friends as long as we have the capacity to love then love! Love should not be contained but to be shared.

I was curious about the origin of V day but aside from the 14th being the feast day of St. Valentines, there really is not much proof that the current practice was based from ancient times. It was more rooted on commercialism – flowers, cards, giving gifts, dinner, etc. has become the norm.

And lastly, weddings are commonly held this month. Why not? Love is in the air, quite cold to be exact and perfect for skinship (physical intimacy). Two of my friends are getting hitched this February, one will have a wedding dj. I haven’t attended one so I was asking for wedding dj prices and was convinced it was worth it.

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love – Mother Theresa

So, love like you’ve never been hurt.

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I am guilty of putting things off. Others might call it procrastinating but not really, or maybe I am still on denial stage. I wait till the last minute to do things because I love the pressure, I work best under pressure. I love the adrenaline rush, it makes me feel invincible.

That’s why I get bored on ordinary tasks. To spice things up I create projects and target dates or time frames for myself. Like on my daily job, I need to finish this by 12nn or I have to submit this report to whomever by this time. And scribble it on my calendar or post its or anywhere so I will be reminded. Otherwise I will do other things I find more satisfying like blogging and get lost in time.

I do the same for housework, I have schedules and deadlines. Still I find reasons not to do it. Unlike in the Philippines where everything is done for us, while living abroad I have to take care of it myself. I also have to take care of broken items, not really fix it myself but arrange it to be fixed. I go for Cedar Park ac repair or Austin Air Replacement Filter for ac repairs and replacement.

But there are things I don’t procrastinate like planning for vacation or travels, meeting with friends, dining out, going to gym (something new), blogging (sometimes), shopping (who would), etc. I guess it boils down to variety. I easily get bored on monotony.

Are you the same or is it just me?

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So much to be thankful for, aside from February being the love month it’s also my Mom’s birth month!

Welcome to the February edition of the Fan Appreciation Cash Giveaway!

We want you to know how much we appreciate you. As a thank you to all our loyal fans Frugal Experiments has teamed up with a great group of bloggers to thank you all with a chance to win some cash!

Prize: $80.00 Cash in your Paypal account

How to Enter: To make this giveaway a huge success enter on the Rafflecopter form below and then share it with your friends and families! This Giveaway will run from February 1st at midnight EST and will end at 11:59 p.m. EST on February 11th . This giveaway is open to anyone 18 or older with a valid Paypal account. Entries are only accepted through the Rafflecopter form and all entries will be verified. The winner will be emailed once we verify they are a fan and have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen.

We couldn’t do these giveaways without teaming up with other great bloggers who help contribute to the prize so please take the time to stop by all the wonderful blogs and look around – most are hosting other giveaways that you can enter. The following blogs are all participating in this Fan Appreciation Cash Giveaway:

Once again thank you all for being our loyal fans. Please note: you only need to enter this giveaway on one participating blog. All blogs are using the same Rafflcopter form. You are only required to complete 1 entry (there are no other mandatory entries except the one telling us which blog you entered on) to be entered to win. The more you complete, the more chances you have to win!

Good luck!

Be sure to put It’s Not Always About ME as the blog you are entering on.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you’re a blogger and are interested in joining us next month in another Fan Appreciation Cash Giveaway, feel free to fill out the form here. Cost: $5 per entry link this will be pooled together with all participants payments to provide the cash prize for our fans, administration and advertising fees, plus blogger prize!

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This post brought to you by Contest Factory. All opinions are 100% mine.

It’s a new year wouldn’t it be nice to have a new environment? In a new city, a new house, a new job? Let’s not get carried away, we can have a new vibes even in our old life. Renovate your house or rearrange the furniture, clean up the closet, sort out your table in the office, etc. Speaking of offices, my space would need more than just sorting because ergonomically wise everything should be replaced. From table and chairs to my computer. I already complained this but until now nothing was done.

I found this interesting contest from Contest Factory called Pimp My Cube Contest. They are looking for the worst, most pathetic and messiest office or cubicle. I’ve seen some shows featuring messiest houses and I think this will be the same. The prize value is $1200 and would include new technology, new office fixtures like tables, chairs, drawers, etc and entertainment package with stereo and espresso machine. I would love all of those!

Joining is simple, just upload a video showing your messy cubicle and describe why do you think it should be pimped like this one

Contest end on January 31, 2012. So if you think your cubicle or office needs some love, head over to PMC and submit your entry. Ask your friends and family to vote for your video to increase your chances of winning.

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Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Another new year to celebrate, a Chinese New Year but almost all Filipinos are celebrating it too! Maybe because there are a lot of Tsinoys in the country and we in a way embraced their many traditions.

I missed Tikoy for years now, it’s a must in a Chinese New Year celebration. Tikoy or nian gao means ‘higher year” in Chinese and eating it would mean a better year.

Have you seen a Dragon Dance? Dragons are mythical and symbolic creature in the Chinese mythology. The Dragon Dance is said to bring prosperity and good luck, so the longer the dragon means more blessings.

Feng Shui is another tradition. There are Feng Shui for almost anything such as location (of house, furniture, etc), decors, charms, lucky color, number, day, etc.

Will 2012 the year of the Water Dragon be lucky or not?

We are all responsible for our lives, lucky or not, just persevere and your efforts will be rewarded.

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You only learn the value of things, relationships, experiences when it’s gone or taken away from you.

I am and will not be sentimental here because this is a work related post. I just had to share a little insight I learned today.

photo from kitskids

For a month I worked six days a week, 9 or more hours a day and some late night calls. This was because my colleague was on a vacation and I have to cover up with his work. I was doing tasks for 2 separate functions, his and mine. I was even at work on Christmas which was a first in my entire working life experience.

Saying I was tired, stressed and pressured was an understatement. I supervise our department and I don’t want others to complain or raise any issues (that’s my job as QC )

And today my colleague resumed work so I was able to enjoy again my regular 2 days rest day. Before I felt that the 2 days were still not enough, I sometimes play hookey or freign illness to have a third day off from work. Looking back, I can manage with a one day off to start with! But even it is a paid overtime, I have to beg off and prefer to enjoy the 2 days rest day.

The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one.

Now I can truly say I appreciate my 5 days work and 2 days off.

You can remind me later when I start to whine about it again.

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Are you a blogger? Do you want to increase your social media exposure by rewarding your fans with a chance to win a cash giveaway?

If you answered yes, then you should join our upcoming cash giveaway event, which will run from February 1-11th.

Sign-ups are open now!

Prize: Cash sum which will be determined by participation – the more bloggers that join, the larger the amount of the cash giveaway.

Eligibility: This giveaway is open Worldwide, prize is in US dollars, Paypal account is required.

Cost: $5 per entry link – Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, Email subscription, RSS subscription, or other (could be either a voting link, entry into a different giveaway you are running, or if you are still with blogger a GFC link, etc. whatever – your choice). Each type of link will be listed together in categories on the Rafflecopter form beginning with Facebook pages and moving through all the options in the order listed above. Each entry link in the category will be listed in the order payment was received. Sign up and pay as soon as possible for your chance to be near the top of the list.

Payment: Accepted via Paypal – send to frugalexperiments@gmail.com.

Blogger Prize: There will be a cash prize for the participating blogger that refers the most participants. Total prize amount will depend upon the number of participating bloggers. Minimum prize amount of $10 and will go up $1 per participating blogger that signs up after the initial 10 so this would be a progressive prize amount.

Requirements: You will be required to post twice about this giveaway. Once before the giveaway begins to announce your participation and to tell other bloggers how they can participate also. Your second post should go live after the contest begins, detailing the giveaway and containing the Rafflecopter form so your visitors can enter this awesome giveaway.

Sign-up Now Through January 23, 2012

Your payment will be pooled with the payments from all other participating bloggers and will go toward the total prize (minus Paypal fees, blogger prize and administrative fees). In exchange, your blog will be included with all other participating blogs in the Fan Appreciation Giveaway as an entry method.

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Once again we will be travelling back home with Cathay Pacific. I think it’s my third time to use this airline and no bad experience yet whatsoever.

Just in time for Holy Week!

Notice the long stop over at Hong Kong? It’s actually 16 hours and we plan to spend it at HK Disneyland. Instead of buying a separate ticket for MNL to HK, pay for hotel and others, we just have to make use of what is available. And on our way back to Dubai, we have another 11 hours to roam around HK at no additional cost!

I’m already excited and planning for other local trips in the Philippines.

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Accidents can happen at any given point and place. We will never know when it will occur that’s why we can’t be sure of the preparations that we need to do. And no matter how careful we are with all the things that we do everyday, at times, we can’t control it. But have you ever thought about the people working in a construction site? Obviously, they are the ones who are always at risk especially during work. As we know it, construction sites are very dangerous not only for the workers but also for other people who pass by and as well as the buildings that surround them.

Truly, accidents are not only a big hassle and danger to the victims but it will also bring them a lot of expenses. Usually, if an accident happened in the vicinity of the construction site or even with other companies, the employer or owner of the business will be held responsible especially if it was proven that it was their negligence. No mater how minor or worst the accidents are, employers will need to spend money for the treatment and financial support of the victims who will not be able to work for a specific period of time because of what happened.

This is the very reason why employers need to ensure at all times that they provide safety to all his employees by always making sure that the workplace doesn’t have any damages that can cause further accidents. They have to maintain a clean workplace as well and they need to double-check their equipment that is being used in the area just to be sure that everything is working fine. If possible, they should consider having a checklist so that they will be aware of the things that are in need of improvement and development. Proper attention should be given at all times especially if accidents occur.

In addition to this, every employee should be provided with right protection gadgets especially if they are working in a construction site. Stuff like hardhat, boots, gloves, harness and proper suit must be issued to workers so as to avoid any major injuries. Let’s always remember that their job is very dangerous that they are somehow risking their lives already just to earn money and that’s why they deserve to have precautionary equipment for their safety.

Furthermore, once accidents occur at any given time, proper and prompt report should take place. Employers should always have the employee accident report form so they can also take note of the accidents that happened and they can give proper attention to the victims. Likewise, this will also help them to avoid such instances from happening again. If there is a medical team in the company, they should be aware of what’s happening as well to provide first aid treatment to the victims.

Always keep in mind that the safety of every people is the most important thing that counts. Yes, we may not be able to control accidents from happening but at least try to make an effort to lower the risk by implying safety measures to their workplace. Everyone should take the responsibilities in maintaining a clean and safe workplace and everyone should be aware of whatever is happening to their co-workers and to their site. Never hesitate to voice out any problems that you see and that need further development. Try to give a word directly to your supervisor so you can be sure that your concern will be heard. After all, it is for the safety and benefits of the whole company.

Again, always be safe and be secured so that occurrence of accidents will be lesser.