Everyday Adventures: July 2015

Learn Javascript for Beginners at Udemy

By Mommy Donna and Kib - July 31, 2015

I was once a frustrated computer geek. I wanted to take up either Computer Engineering or Computer Science in college. My dad wants me to study at Mapua because he's an engineer by profession. I flunked at Mapua, so Computer Engineering is out of the list. I passed at De La Salle University for their Computer Science course, however, during that time DLSU is very far from where I live (no MRT yet). The only option left for me is to study at Miriam College (I also flunked at UP, hihi).

During my first year at Miriam, we had this psychological test determining our strengths. It showed that I'm more of a people person than a person who can work with machines. With that, I took up Behavioral Science and completely forgot my dreams of becoming a computer geek.

Even if I didn't become a computer geek, I am still fascinated about learning the basics of computers. I'm a work-at-home mom, so I feel that there is a need for me to learn more than just the basics.

However, my problem is time. I can no longer afford to study computer in a regular school. The only option left for me is to study online courses.

I am happy to find out that Udemy is offering online courses at a very affordable price. Udemy is the world’s online learning marketplace, where 7 million+ students are taking courses in everything from programming to yoga to photography–and much, much more. Each of 30,000+ courses in Udemy is taught by an expert instructor, and every course is available on-demand, so students can learn at their own pace, on their own time, and on any device. Udemy's set-up works for a busy mom like me since it offers time flexibility.

Udemy's homepage

One of the courses in Udemy that caught my attention is the Javascript for Beginners by LearnToProgram, Inc. LearnToProgram Media is a leading publisher of web, mobile, and game development courses that are used by over 500,000 people in 65 countries. LearnToProgram's valuable network of technical resources includes content on YouTube, iTunes, and Roku, as well as books, free tutorials, and online courses. LearnToProgram's mission is to teach the world to code.

This course is one of Udemy's most popular courses, gaining 4.3 star rating out of 5. When you visit Udemy's website, you can see a lot of reviews about the program. To date, 2,860 students enrolled in this course.

Javascript for Beginners has 47 lectures, with four (4) hours of total content. In addition to video lectures, the course includes:

Lab Solution Sets
All Powerpoint Demonstrations Used in Course
Instructor contact Email for questions and clarifications

You can see all of the topics that will be covered on Udemy's website, https://www.udemy.com/beginning-javascript/.

This course is aimed at beginners, and provides a comprehensive overview of the most popular coding language on the web, starting from "Hello World" and including (but not limited to):

Storing information in Variables
Conditional statements
Dialogue boxes
Loops
Functions
Arrays
Strings

You can attend this course if you are:

Web Designers looking to improve their skill set
Programmers who need to learn Javascript for their web applications
People looking to start programming and need a first programming language to learn
Students who want to learn Javascript
People who manage a web site as a volunteer or as a hobby
Bloggers--even if you use Wordpress or other CMS!
Anyone else who wants to learn Javascript!

The description is indeed enticing and inviting!

Normally, this course would costs $49, but since you read my blog (yay!), you can get 80% off when you enroll in this course! Instead of paying $49 (either by credit card or Paypal), you will only pay $10! Avail of your discount by entering this coupon code: http://homeschoolerkib.blogspot.ca/.

Click on "Redeem Coupon" to use my code. Go to https://www.udemy.com/beginning-javascript/ to enroll

Let's study Javascript together!

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Back-To-School

Let's Support Habitat for Humanity's Back to School Campaign

By Mommy Donna and Kib - July 29, 2015

As you all know, Kib is homeschooled. He never set foot on regular school. Homeschooling is the best option for him since we both have busy schedules. Added to that, I have tons of reasons why I homeschooled him (check previous blog here). I still have high respect for families who opt to send their children to school. After all, not all families are not called to be homeschooled. Homeschooling is a passion, a calling, a vocation led by God.

Education indeed begins at home. From the womb, parents are slowly imparting knowledge to their unborn child. Sadly, there are children who cannot get easy access to decent education because they also lack access to decent home.

As you know, I am a blogger-partner of Habitat for Humanity Philippines. This organization is very close to my heart since I had an opportunity to become a volunteer for a day when I was still working in the bank. From that one-day volunteer work, I appreciated the hard work of building a house. I thanked God for giving us a house that we can call a home.

Habitat for Humanity Philippines has an ongoing project, the Back-To-School campaign. This campaign aims to help generate funds in order for Habitat for Humanity Philippines to provide adequate means of living such as a home for families. Children of these families have every right to study in a conducive environment to be able to reach for their hopes and dreams.

Sadly, access to proper education has recently been hampered due to various socio-economic factors, such as lack of proper healthcare, job opportunities for parents, and notably, adequate housing.

In the Philippines, more than four million families live in unsafe, unsanitary and unhealthy places which they call 'home', hindering the learning environment of the children living in these conditions. In addition, the case of youth offenders has increased the continues to as the Philippine National Police (PNP) found and 18% increase in juvenile crimes reported in 2008.

Charlie Ayco, Managing Director and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Philippines said that children have the right to have a healthy home and neighborhood which provides them a sound learning environment--where learning is easy and cherished. "If we focus on giving children the decent homes they not only deserve, but have the right to, our future will be prosperous," added Ayco.

School provides our children the knowledge to equip the next generation, but without the environment to foster that knowledge, the are unable to apply these lessons to their lives.

A home is more than just four walls and a roof. It is where children develop into the best versions of themselves.

Give millions of children the opportunity to improve their lives and support Habitat’s Back-To-School campaign by clicking the "Donate Now" on this link: http://bit.ly/DonateToHabitat.

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Free In My Skin Movement

Physiogel has a New Look! Take the "Freedom List" Challenge!

By Mommy Donna and Kib - July 24, 2015

I have oily skin. Because of this, I am prone to breakouts. I had a bad case of acne when I was in college. My parents were so concerned about my skin that they had me undergone derma treatment. Derma treatments are costly and painful. There are times that I have a tear in my eye because I got hurt big time from pricking. I just wished that there will be an available home treatment for acne so that I won't go to derma centers anymore.

I have tried several acne treatments; it came to a point that I got tired of these acne treatments and just accepted the fact that acne will be forever part of my life due to my oily skin.

However, as I grow old, I noticed that my skin condition changes, from oily to dry. I've been noticing wrinkles on my face and yes, I panicked at the sight of it. True enough, 60-70% of Filipino women have dry and sensitive skin. Having a dry and sensitive skin impacts the quality of life as they are unable to embrace living life to the fullest. People can easily notice if you have any problems because the skin lacks glow. Because of this, the confidence level goes down and women feel more vulnerable.

I had skin moisture test during the event, and it revealed that I had low moisture level on my skin :(

On good skin days, women are naturally more confident presenting their best face to the world. When women love how their skin looks and feels, they want to go out and enjoy themselves, meeting people, making connections, and taking on the world.

It has been a mission of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to help people do more, feel better and live longer. With this, GSK's Consumer Healthcare Division and and Physiogel, its flagship skin health brand, aims to help Filipinas and all women across Asia, to be free from dry and sensitive skin. Physiogel believes in freeing the strength in sensitivity.

Research from GSK Skin Health Asia Pacific Consumer Report 2014 shows that more than 50% of women across Asia experience sensitive face and body skin in the past 12 months. One out of two women will not visit a skincare professional for their skin condition. The same study show that 71% and 61% of Filipinas have sensitive face and body skin, respectively.

THE NEW PHYSIOGEL

"Sensitivity is a source of strength for women, not a weakness to be hidden away. This powerful consumer insight compels Physiogel to pasionately advocate the #FreeInMySkin Movement in 2015. The movement also coincides with the debut of the NEW Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy line," said Justin Alejandro Lladoc, GSK Skin Health Senior Product Manager.

The new Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy line continues to be a differentiated science-led solution featuring the unique Physiogel BioMimic Technology that works to soothe and repair the skin's natural moisture barrier. Physiogel comes in cleanser, cream, and lotion formats for dry, sensitive skin. Physiogel moisturizers are free from preservatives, perfumes, and colorants.

Physiogel's new look

Dermatologists highly-recommend Physiogel Daily Moisture Therapy because it is non-comedogenic, and is free from soap, preservatives, perfumes and colorants. In fact, Physiogel is the #1 Most-Prescribed Brand by dermatologists in the Philippines! And what's more, Physiogel is made more accessible to Filipinas across the nation as it is available in Mercury Drug stores and other leading pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide.

FREEDOM LIST CHALLENGE

The #FreeInMySkin Movement, now made more exciting by new additions with the introduction of the #FreeInMySkin website and Freedom List Challenge, is more relevant than ever because it is able to reach many Filipinas digitally across the nation. Because of its continuous success--from its conception in 2014--, it has caught the attention of Mercury Drug. They too were encouraged to free many more Filipinas from dry, sensitive skin by making Physiogel products available across the country.

The #FreeInMySkin Movement starts with self-discovery. Physiogel aims to help women to be more aware of themselves so they can uncover their full potential. It challenges Filipinas to look past their skin insecurities in the hope of helping them fulfill dreams they have always wanted to achieve.

The journey to self-discovery starts with taking the Freedom List Challenge, Physiogel's suggested guide in the form of a lifestyle online quiz that is a representation of what women can achieve when freed from dry and sensitive skin.

The Freedom List Challenge starts with a 5-question quiz:

Which fitness activities give your skin a post-workout glow?
Your potential is limitless, so what's your dream job?
How do you like to show off your beautiful, strong sensitive skin?
Everybody has a dream "to do" list. What tops yours?
What is your dream holiday?

The result of the quiz provides a glimpse to one's personality that ranges from being a savvy collaborator, inspiring innovator, charismatic motivator and elegant sophisticate--revealing worthwhile hints that may help them embrace and live life to the fullest.

I took the same quiz during the launch of new Physiogel and I got the Charismatic Motivator results.

I'm a Charismatic Motivator!

You can also take the Freedom List Challenge by logging on to www.freeinmyskin.com/ph. Let me know the results of your quiz, okay?!

PATTI GRANDIDGE, PHYSIOGEL'S BRAND AMBASSADOR

Patti Grandidge, TV host, model/entrepreneur and blogger, used to suffer from dry and sensitive skin. Patti is chosen to be Physiogel's brand ambassador as she embodies the Physiogel woman: smart, elegant, strong, and empowered because she is free from dry and sensitive skin.

Ms. Patti Grandidge during the launch of new Physiogel

Patti shared that she is used to be more conscious and watchful of what others would think about her skin. "That was sad. I would have liked to be out and about and go for more work, but a little thought would always be at the back of my mind wondering if my skin would be an issue or a hindrance. I was not free to do what I wanted to do!" she says.

Here is the result of Patti's Freedom List Challenge:

Long run with music
Raising my family
Relaxing on the beach
Starring in my own YouTube channel
Ocean excursion cruising to remote islands

Patti and I have the same results: Charismatic Motivator.

Physiogel's #FreeInMySkin Movement provides women with helpful guides like the Freedom List Challenge so they can share and talk about their skin "journeys" in their lives.

"Many of you may still remember what my life was like before I discovered Physiogel. I'm very proud to share with you the continuation of my journey towards being completely free in my skin. And I'm ready for more!" Patti adds.

To fulfill its vision to help people do more and feel better, GSK is strongly encouraging Filipinas to discover their true selves by taking the New Physiogel Freedom List Challenge and join the #FreeInMySkin Movement. Log on to www.freeinmyskin.com/ph and take the challenge yourself.

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auto loan

On Owning A Car -- Go Online!

By Mommy Donna and Kib - July 18, 2015

I started driving seven years ago. I learned how to drive due to necessity (my father got sick and no one will drive for the family for emergency and other purposes). Yes, driving can be liberating. I was able to go to places unimaginable (yay I survived Manila traffic and had my bout with crazy drivers on the road!). My son and I had road trips together. Whenever I need to go to several places in one day, driving a car saves me time. Sometimes I still commute, but when I commute I need to be home before rush hour, or else, I'm stuck on the road forever.

Now that the rainy season is here, I really find it convenient to drive a car whenever I go to my destination. I have a tendency to be lazy to go out on rainy days if I will just commute. I get soaked in the rain and I feel discomfort on getting in and out of passenger vehicle with a wet umbrella. I find owning a car more advantageous (at least for me), never mind the maintenance fees and fluctuating gasoline prices, haha.

Typically-shy Pinoys on the lookout for their own brand new car but are uncomfortable to visit dealers or go to banks may visit www.bpiloans.com, a virtual car showroom where people looking for a brand new car can view and compare the vehicles that are available in the market today. The site offers user-friendly, interactive, and convenient features that include a comprehensive car buyer’s guide, a self-service auto loan calculator, a simple online application form, and an easy to use self-assessment test.

BPI Family Auto Loan recognizes the commuting public’s need and consistently steps up at the forefront to “Make the Best Happen!” The bank continuously seeks for innovative ways to make its products and promos relevant, available and accessible for Filipinos in a fast, convenient and affordable way. Through the online site, the bank also provides complete information that allows prospective car buyers make the best decision in choosing the car and financing that best suit their lifestyle, budget, and mobility needs.

Moreover, the comprehensive car buyer’s guide found in the online car-buying site provides access to up-to-date information on all the cars available in the Philippine market, complete with variants, specifications, and prices. The facility also has a function that compares various cars with each other and allows buyers to make the best choice in their car purchase.

Prospective car buyers thinking of the most suitable financing plan for their budget may try out the site’s auto loan calculator, which shows them initial cash-out and monthly amortization that goes with their preferred down payment percentage and loan term. The site also has an online loan application form that clients may fill-up and submit immediately online, making car shopping very simple and effortless. Likewise, loan decision is also fast. Expect to receive the results in just 3 to 8 business hours.

“With the improving economic condition of the Philippines due to its strengthening industries and the government’s initiatives to improve transportation, auto manufacturers have seized the chance to provide more options ranging from high-end to affordable cars that will fit what the market needs. Likewise, BPI Family Auto Loan compliments this progress by providing car financing that is affordable, easily understandable, and highly accessible, for everyone. We are committed to contributing to our country’s progress and helping our countrymen realize their dreams of owning their own car,” shares Pepe Carlos, VP and Head of Auto Loans Division.

It's good that BPI Family Bank made auto loan application very easy and accessible. People nowadays are always hooked on the Internet, so having this kind of service will make things easier for people to apply for an auto loan. The online application is another technological innovation. Good job BPI Family Bank!

For more information on the most affordable and convenient way to own a car, simply log-on to www.bpiloans.com.

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allergy test

Allergy Tests: When To Get Them

By Mommy Donna and Kib - July 13, 2015

I thank God for not giving me and my son allergies. I know how difficult it is for a person with allergy to live a normal life. Some of my friends who have allergies can't eat certain food, if they accidentally encountered an allergen, they always have an antihistamine on their bags so that the allergic reaction won't get worse. A severe allergic reaction can indeed be life-threatening. An individual can have allergies when they are born or can be triggered later in life. The best way to find out if you have allergies is to see a allergist.

“Allergy testing can determine what substances trigger your allergic response. A detailed medical history and a thorough physical exam give you precise information about your allergy concerns and how you can best manage them,” says Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines.

Some types of allergies are easy to determine because symptoms appear upon contact or ingestion of the allergen, like allergy and dust, which results in successive sneezing. However, certain types of allergies are harder to diagnose and can trigger fatal symptoms. Seek emergency treatment if you experience symptoms of anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction that is potentially life-threatening. Its warning signs include swollen throat or a lump in your throat that makes breathing difficult, rapid pulse, lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, and severe drop in your blood pressure.

An allergist or a doctor who specializes in allergies may be prompted to conduct an allergy test if you report various symptoms after exposure to certain substances, including skin itchiness, watery eyes, nasal congestion, wheezing, chest congestion, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and swelling of the face or other parts of the body.

Types of allergy tests

Allergy testing can be performed in a variety of ways. One of the fastest and most proven ways is skin allergy testing, which studies your body’s reactions to suspected allergens by introducing them through your skin. It includes skin prick test, which lets a drop of an allergen solution penetrate your skin through scratches or needle pricks; intradermal test, which directly injects the allergen solution into your skin; and skin patch test, where a patch containing allergen is taped to your skin for 24 to 72 hours to determine contact dermatitis. You may check this link for more information about allergy test.

Schematic diagram of allergy skin test (Image courtesy of Your Total Health)

If you have a medical condition that may interfere with skin testing, your allergist may perform blood allergy testing as an alternative. One of these tests is enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA or EIA), which measures the level of immunoglobulin E or IgE in your blood. People who have allergies typically have higher IgE levels.

For suspected food and medication allergies, you may be asked to take the allergy challenge test, where you inhale or orally take a very small amount of allergen under your doctor’s supervision.

Safety precautions to take

Always make sure to see an allergist for allergy testing to get an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Licensed allergists also use allergen extracts or vaccines that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Avoid unsafe and unproven allergy tests. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) has identified a list of allergy testing methods that are ineffective and may lead to inappropriate diagnosis and treatment. These include applied kinesiology, which links allergy to your muscle strength or weakness; cytotoxic testing, which determines your food allergy based on the reaction of your blood cells from blood samples that are placed on a glass slide coated with food allergens; skin titration, which places varying amounts of allergens on the surface of your skin; urine autoinjection, which injects a small amount of your urine into your skin; and sublingual provocation and neutralization testing, which places allergens under your tongue.

MediCard has 12 free-standing clinics located in key cities nationwide that offer consultations, diagnostic tests and specialty medical services for young and adult patients. Visit www.medicardphils.com for more information.