PHOTO CHALLENGE 2013: AN UPDATE

I am very sorry if I have missed couple of posting about my Photo Challenge. My computer station and our internet has been down for few days now due to the refurbishments and the extension being built to our house that will became our new room so I cant have any access at the moment with my files and photos. Anyway, it will be finish very soon so I will do a catch up on my missed photo challenges right away.

Hoping you all bear with me. Many thanks and once again, I apologize.

Novie

TOP 5 GIFTS FOR MEN

As Christmas is fast approaching, high streets  are choc-a-block of people, town centres are getting busy, shops are on sale and big discounts offering a vast selection of gift items makes us think what are we going to get for our beloved Dad, grand-dad, husband, son, uncle, nieces and boyfriend.

It is hard as I can imagine because I have done the same but  I have here my top 5 list of presents for men that might help you sort out your quest on christmas presents for Men.

1. Fragrances/Perfumes- There are fragrances nowadays that are cheap which is suitable for Men. My husband is not very big on perfumes, he is also ver picky on the scent of perfumes that he uses. Lately, he wished to have a John Paul Gaultier “Le Male” EDT, he said the smell was so good. He only gives comment to certain things that turns him on so I’m sure its good. Prices range from £30-£55 depends on the size of the bottle. He also used “Intimately Beckham Men” by David Beckham last year and I admit it really smells very manly, you can get that from £29-£35. Another scent that he likes is this Diesel “Fuel For Life” EDT, price range is from £33-£53. This is the one that made me stick my nose in his neck all night. It’s just lovely.

2. Jumper- Winter is on its way so it would be ideal to give jumper as your present. We have been shopping out in the high streets for couple of weekends now and I found out that prices of jumpers depends on what sort of material its made off. Also, prices depends on the makes, brands of the jumpers but as far as I am  concerned as long as its soft, thick and ideal for the person you think that will be wearing it is then price doesn’t matter at all. Jumper’s prices nowadays ranges from £8 (Matalan) to £28 (Marks and Spencer)

3. Shaver- There are loads of shavers now in the market that makes it easy for us to choose whats ideal as a present. Shavers as we know are used by men almost everyday in their lives before going to work and after taking a shower or a bath so its important for us to pick good features for a shaver that suits their needs. Philips Shavers which is the one that has been used by my husband for donkeys years is the one that I should recommend. It’s easy to use, chargeable, good grip and long-lasting which is good for the money, prices ranges from £40-£200 (set).

Philips RQ1095 Arcitec Men’s Rotary Shaver

4. Xbox/PS3 Games- Majority of men and boys nowadays are addicted to online games, xbox games and ps3 games. Games such as FarCry3, Grand Theft Auto V and StarCraft 2 will be enough for these games minded lads. Most of them are pre-ordered, prices range from £30-£45.

5. Shoes- There are a lot of online offers now where you can get shoes in lower prices. Just recently we ordered a pair of Dr Martens shoes online for the price of £79.99, RRP was around £90 so we got it a tenner lesser than the actual price. For me thats a good bargain. Do not forget every little penny helps. I always visit discount websites before I purchase online in case there are codes that might help me lower the cost in my shopping basket.  I also like to purchase shoes from a shop on CLEARANCE because the prices are marked down.

It doesn’t really matter how cheap or expensive the present is as it comes from the heart, you worked hard to achieve it and you chose what you think is the right present for your loved one. Also, by saying I LOVE YOU is enough for those people out there that doesn’t really need anything to make them happy.

I hope I helped you out by my little list!

TOP 10 FREE iPad Applications

I have been an iPad user since June this year and I really fell in love on how convenient and useful the gadget is. I have been using the gadget almost everyday as a form of communication via social media networks, for leisure and to kill time.

Here are my TOP 10 Favourite iPad Applications that I normally and usually use everyday.

1. VEVO- I downloaded this application as I am a music fanatic. I love listening to different types of music while doing my chores specially ironing as it takes me 2-3 hours of ironing session a day. You can search for your favourite artists and songs plus it has music videos that adds up more entertainment part.

VEVO

2. VIBER- An old friend who is now residing in Singapore suggested and recommended this application to me. I havent got any clue on what the application is about but I was surprised on how GOOD it is. Free calls and texts international which makes it more GOOD as we know international texts and calls can cost us fortune. The only thing is your recipient should also have viber in order for you to connect each other which I think is fair enough.

VIBER

3. ACCUWEATHER- This is a very helpful utility application. As you know it tells whats the weather like daily and weekly which helps us plan holidays, day outs, shopping and visits in advance. It’s completely free and very accurate, I suppose.

ACCUWEATHER

4. MANGO CLOTHING- This is one of my ever loved application on my iPad, this makes my shopping a little bit more easy and convenient. I’m a big lover of Mango Clothing specially their tops, I have been wearing them for over a year now and GOD KNOWS how many tops I have ordered and bought from them. This application shows me the ONLINE SALE portion (which is my favourite) and the clothes they feature each season and of course you can do your shopping on this app. Clever, innit?

MANGO CLOTHING (inset: Model Kate Moss)

5. BBC iPlayer- I so love Eastenders (a british soap) and I can’t afford really to miss an episode but sometimes things don’t go as what you wanted it. You get busy online or you are maybe out for a party or having dinner so I am glad that I found this little application from BBC which helps me a lot as I can watch programs live and can catch up with them a bit later. (Eastenders soap got Eastenders Omnibus where they play all four episodes in one day anyway, another option eh?).

BBC iPlayer

6. SONGPOP- SongPop comes handy when I’m a little bit bored like when I have nothing much to do in the afternoon I play this game. It’s nice as you can choose an opponent and play with the type of song category, genre that you’re master at. It’s a FUN because you need to be as quick as you can on guessing what song is playing. Have a try!

SONGPOP

7. DEBENHAMS- One of the high street shops in the UK which I love the most is Debenhams. Apart from clothing and accessories they also sell homeware stuffs and gift items. When Debenhams go on sale I find it very good as the price itself really drops low. This application helps me find some little bits and pieces that suits my budget out. Like Mango you can use this application to order goods and stuffs online. Fab!

DEBENHAMS

8. SNOOPY’S STREET FAIR- This is my current screen shot of my street fair on Snoppy’s land. My daughter started me on this when I bought this gadget back in June before I left the Philippines to go to the UK. It is originally HERS but then I took over. Like SongPop this keeps me occupied on my free time. I describe this as a sequel of FarmVille in FB, similar thing.

SNOOPY STREET FAIR

9. THE SUN PAPER- This is my companion at night. I am a night person and I find it hard to fall asleep so inorder for me to get tired is I spend the whole night reading this online paper. I save 40-50 pence everyday for this papers cost and I dont need light or torch at night for me to be able to read as the gadget already got lights. What is in the actual paper is the same as what you can see in this application, it doesnt just save me spending my pennies but also its paper free!

THE SUN PAPER

10. INSTAGRAM- I love taking pictures, capturing moments and by using instagram it makes it easier for me to share those photos and socialize with people. Another good thing about instagram is it has different photo filter effects which enhances the quality and beauty of the photo. I use this everyday and I will continue using it till I get fed up with it. LOL  Lets follow each other! See ya’ll on Instagram!

INSTAGRAM (LETS FOLLOW EACHOTHER!!)

There are so many FREE applications in the apple app store that can help us out in our everyday living.

You? What are your 10 favourite apps?

UK FIANCEE VISA REQUIREMENTS

I just want to share these information for the fiancée visa applicants for the UK who are lost at the moment and seeking for help, advice, information and tips. I hope this will help the new applicants to satisfy the ECO/ECM for the success of the app.

Main Docus:

- Printed and Completed Application Form for the Settlement Application (VAF4A)
- English Certificate which states that you have met the English Test Requirement (B1), also take the test in an approved English Provider http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/si…lish-tests.pdf
- Two colored passport photographs
- Application Fee of £826 or P54,516 (FOREX of P66.00). You can pay it in cash at the Union Bank near ECO Plaza Building just bring photocopy of the front page of your passport. Another payment method is via Managers Check (BPI, BDO OR ANY REGISTERED PHILIPPINE BANK) payable to the BRITISH EMBASSY, don’t forget to write your name and details on the back part of the check.
- VFS Appointment (I used VIP Premium Service for P1800.00, quick and easy)
- Fiancee Visa Checklist (I got a checklist attachment after I got the confirmation of my VIP Appointment booking via email)

Applicant’s Docus:

- VALID PASSPORT
- Authenticated NSO Birth Certificate (with or without receipt is fine) and my baptismal certificate
- CENOMAR
- NBI Clerance
- 6 months Bank Statement
- Recent Bank Certificate

Sponsor’s Docus:

- Photocopy of his/her passport and stamp page, notarized (if you can)
- Birth Certificate
- 6 months payslips
- Certificate of Employment
- P60
- Account Valuation from shares
- 6 months bank statements
- Proof of Accomodation (Land titles etc)
- Photographs of the Accomodation
- Letter from his parents (support on our relationship and accommodation approval)
- Sponsor’s Cover Letter

Wedding Docus/Proofs:

- Wedding Ring Receipt
- Email from a hotel and wedding venue stating that we have inquired for a wedding
- Email from the registry office bout the wedding inquiry
- Brochure and menu quotes/packages from the wedding venue
- 3-5 photographs of the ring and our engagement

Proof of Relationship:

- 80 photographs from 2009-2012 of me and my fiance in Davao, HK, SG, UK, Tagaytay and Manila, his family with me/us, my family with him/us, us with our friends from the PI and from the UK.
- Itinerary receipts (from our previous trips abroad and within the PI, my itinerary receipt on my UK trip, his itinerary receipts on his PI trips)
- Our, my, his boarding passes on all trips we had since 2009
- Hotel bookings and receipts (PI, HK, SG and UK Trips)
- Series of emails from each other within a 6 month period and an email from his friend whom I met few times when I was in the UK
- FB, YM, Skype, Fishtext chat logs
- Screenshots from Skype and ym
- Printed online valentine for each other, birthday cards, Christmas cards from Paul and his family, goodbye cards for me when I was leaving England last year

Extras/Add-ons:

- Additional Information about the sole responsibility of my daughter (letter)
- My daughters school report card
- My daughters school statement of account
- Her NSO birth Certificate
- 5-8 Photos of her at school with her mates and with me on her nursery graduation day.

* I used IELTS for my English Certificate and took the test here in Davao and it took 13 days before I got the result. If you want to know more bout IELTS, PLEASE don’t hesitate to ask or send me a message, Ill answer your queries as much as I can.

* I have duplicated/photocopied all documents except for the photos. I also separate the original docus to the xerox ones before going to VFS to lodge my application.

* Bring an ID with you when you enter the building aside from your passport for you to have a pass to VFS.

* If you are confused on some parts and questions on the app form then better to ASK FIRST to make sure cos we had a very bad experience on that! hahahahahaha. If you’re unsure then ask before putting an answer or ticking a box.

It may look and sound a little bit over to you but that is what I supplied to achieve a visa. My rule in the first place is supply and submit documents as much as I can to prove that I am genuine and the relationship itself is genuine.

I hope this helps! Will edit this post for any changes and for more additional information.

Good luck to your application, FOLKS!!

*Always check the UKBA website for more changes on the rules and visa application fees, Thanks!

Happy Feet in the Netherlands Blog Competition: Joanna Asmus part #2

Can you help me on this??? PLEASE!!!!!!!!

To all who got twitter please TWEET  the link below and for those who got FB pleasei SHARE it in you wall and promote if you can. Also if you can leave some comments. Shes a Filipina runner, currently based in the Netherlands and she just joined the competition.

Lets support her PLEASE! Many THANKS in advance!! 

http://www.flyingbluerunning.com/inspire/runners-blog/blog-competition-joanna-asmus-part-