I was fortunate enough to get a loan to have my second car. It is a Honda Civic ESI 1995 model, color beige. It has been one of my personal goals to have a Honda Civic someday, and this year, i got the chance to achieve that goal (until i fully pay the loan.... hehehe)
I have so many plans with this car that i actually don't have any idea where to start. Of course budget will always be the main concern so i guess i have to start with the basics, and cheapest of course.
First thing was to check the engine. The engine is good (considering its a 13 year old car) and runs pretty well. Change oil and tune up was the basic. I also changed the radiator's auxilliary fan, sensor and fuse. Next will be air and fuel filter. Timing belt? Sana hindi pa naman. There are a lot more, but i guess i'll just start with the basics.
Underchassis.... hmmm. I already changed all the suspension bushing and boots. I guess shocks will be the second to be replaced. I had it alligned and cambered after changing the bushings. Tie rod, ball joints, trailing arm, etc... will also be next i guess. Will i still have a budget for lowering springs and new shocks? Hopefully....
Brakes. New brake pads next year. Rear disc brakes? Hmmmm, something to think about.
Tires and mags. I got 2 new tires to replace the old ones. I'm not planning to buy 2 more since i plan to shift to 15 inch SIR mags. I will have to get 4 new tires since the mags are of different size to what i have right now, stock ESI mags. 17 and 18 inch mags are very tempting but once you get them, you will sacrifice the ride and comfort. Plus they are really expensive.... and i don't have my own garage, i might lose them to thieves.
Clutch and pressure plate, its nice to think to have them replaced for better gear shifting but i guess this will have to wait for next year.
Transmission? I have no idea whatsoever...
Muffler. Not too loud, but not too stock.
Lights. Not planning to buy HID, halogen is good enough for me. I'm not that interested to get jdm corner lights, i don't know if it looks better. Busted tail light bulbs will also be replaced.
Sounds. Change to Pioneer or Sony Xplode unit. Must have Ipod capability. Replace stock speakers to 3 way, seperates and a single small subwoofer.
New carpets and new leather seat covers.
New armsrest.
I'm keeping the stock steering wheel and shift knob. Looks better for me than the 1996-2000 models.
New wipers. I won't get the new ones (installed in 2007-2008 honda models) I'll just get a nice brand.
Paint? Needs to be detailed. I inherited a few scratches and a bump at the rear bumper.
That's my partial list. I will have to update this list once in a while. If you have any suggestions, just make a comment, ok? Thanks
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Climate Change
How does an ordinary person understand these two words? Climate change, how does this affect each individual? How can a person associate these two words to his or her everyday life?
I was employed for about 2 years at Haribon Foundation and I can say these two years are very fulfilling for me. I became a part of an environment conservation organization which goals are to help preserve our country's remaining natural resources specifically forest and marine areas. I was exposed to several project sites, communities and even a foreign country which prioritizes environment conservation for the benefit of future generations. I also got a chance to lead a project or a fund raising activity to help generate funds for the organization's project sites.
One of Haribon Foundation's advocacy is educate the people about climate change. Climate change is such a common word for us but we only associate these two words when we think about the environment. When we go home after work or school and we live in the comfort of our homes, especially if we have air conditioning at home, we seldom feel the effects of climate change. Come to think of it, we only associate climate change when we feel extreme heat or a sudden downpour of rain. Am I right?
To get straight to the point, we oftentimes miss the true meaning of these two words. Climate change affects everything. From our food, water, the air we breath, clothing, shelter which are our basic needs. Because of climate change, we eat instant food, buy mineral water, we seek homes, offices even malls to provide a cool atmosphere, and goal to buy a nice condo unit near our place of work. Because of deforestation, we can no longer get cheap and fresh food to eat and clean water to drink. Because of irresponsible environment planning, we cut the remaining trees in our surroundings which absorbs the carbon dioxide we emit. Because of lack of opportunities and irresponsible fishing and farming in the provinces, we migrate and congest cities. I could go on and on about the effects of climate change but i guess what we need to see are the solutions and not just blame our problems to our public officials.
What do i suggest as solutions?.... i will write on my next blog the simple ways on how we can help as an individual to help delay the severe effects of climate change.
I was employed for about 2 years at Haribon Foundation and I can say these two years are very fulfilling for me. I became a part of an environment conservation organization which goals are to help preserve our country's remaining natural resources specifically forest and marine areas. I was exposed to several project sites, communities and even a foreign country which prioritizes environment conservation for the benefit of future generations. I also got a chance to lead a project or a fund raising activity to help generate funds for the organization's project sites.
One of Haribon Foundation's advocacy is educate the people about climate change. Climate change is such a common word for us but we only associate these two words when we think about the environment. When we go home after work or school and we live in the comfort of our homes, especially if we have air conditioning at home, we seldom feel the effects of climate change. Come to think of it, we only associate climate change when we feel extreme heat or a sudden downpour of rain. Am I right?
To get straight to the point, we oftentimes miss the true meaning of these two words. Climate change affects everything. From our food, water, the air we breath, clothing, shelter which are our basic needs. Because of climate change, we eat instant food, buy mineral water, we seek homes, offices even malls to provide a cool atmosphere, and goal to buy a nice condo unit near our place of work. Because of deforestation, we can no longer get cheap and fresh food to eat and clean water to drink. Because of irresponsible environment planning, we cut the remaining trees in our surroundings which absorbs the carbon dioxide we emit. Because of lack of opportunities and irresponsible fishing and farming in the provinces, we migrate and congest cities. I could go on and on about the effects of climate change but i guess what we need to see are the solutions and not just blame our problems to our public officials.
What do i suggest as solutions?.... i will write on my next blog the simple ways on how we can help as an individual to help delay the severe effects of climate change.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Food Business
This year my wife and i planned to put up a business to support our family and have an extra income besides our salaries. We actually tried to put up a donut shop near my previous workplace in Intramuros, Manila but unfortunately we got denied by the company. We haven't had time to look for alternative sites since then because either we were too busy working or we just want to spend our extra time with our son and relax after working for 5-6 days in a week.
A few weeks ago, my sister, who has a food business of her own, asked us if we were interested to rent her space near Mendiola street in Manila. She told me she can not maintain her outlet there since it is too far from her place (she lives in quezon city) and that place is the lowest in generating income. We were hesitant at first upon learning the rent expense but after a few days of weighing the pros and cons, we decided to go for it.
We decided to get a loan from a bank to bring in capital and to get a partner who can help us manage and add more capital. Fortunately we got a partner who is also interested to put up a business and after visiting the place, he immediately confirmed his interest. It was a good sign for us so hopefully things will turn out good in the next few days.
A few weeks ago, my sister, who has a food business of her own, asked us if we were interested to rent her space near Mendiola street in Manila. She told me she can not maintain her outlet there since it is too far from her place (she lives in quezon city) and that place is the lowest in generating income. We were hesitant at first upon learning the rent expense but after a few days of weighing the pros and cons, we decided to go for it.
We decided to get a loan from a bank to bring in capital and to get a partner who can help us manage and add more capital. Fortunately we got a partner who is also interested to put up a business and after visiting the place, he immediately confirmed his interest. It was a good sign for us so hopefully things will turn out good in the next few days.
Passion with Cars
This blog is about my passion with cars. Since i was a little kid, i was really fascinated with toy cars and i often play with them inside my room for countless hours. My mom really wonders how can her son play with just a couple of toy cars and last for more than 2-3 hours without tv, radio or even snacks. I couldn't explain to her before that everytime i play with my toy cars, i would imagine a lot of scenarios and instances that my toy cars would participate. This was my childhood secret. You could just imagine if i got a new set of toy cars and when i finally got my first lego set.
My cousin was a big influence with regards to my taste in cars. He got his first car, i think when he was in college.... it was a 1979 Mitsubishi Lancer. His second car was a 1982 Toyota Liftback, his third a 1993 Toyota Corolla XL Big body, his fourth a 1982 Toyota Starlet, his fifth a 1994 Mitsibishi Galant GTI and his current car right now is a 1997 Honda Accord VTI. He also shares cars with his wife, a Nissan Urvan and a Nissan Patrol. Up to this day, he maintains the 1982 Starlet and seldom uses the Galant. He decided to sell his lancer, liftback and corolla xl.
I got the chance to be with him in a lot of car shows, races legal and illegal. Fortunately, we were only spectators. I also met a few friends who also were into races but i guess when we got older, we mellowed down and just decided to stick at home.
My first car was a 1982 Toyota Corona Silver Edition. It was really special to me since i got this car with the help of my girlfriend who is now my wife and the mother of my firstborn. I got the car last 2005, with a bad paint, old interior, beat up engine and without air conditioning. Little by little with our savings, we had it overhauled, painted and even changed the whole interior. We also bought air conditioning and a few accessories for it. We really love our first car and we will never forget our experiences with it.
My next post about cars is our second car and my plans.... hopefully i can save to improve its condition and performance...
My cousin was a big influence with regards to my taste in cars. He got his first car, i think when he was in college.... it was a 1979 Mitsubishi Lancer. His second car was a 1982 Toyota Liftback, his third a 1993 Toyota Corolla XL Big body, his fourth a 1982 Toyota Starlet, his fifth a 1994 Mitsibishi Galant GTI and his current car right now is a 1997 Honda Accord VTI. He also shares cars with his wife, a Nissan Urvan and a Nissan Patrol. Up to this day, he maintains the 1982 Starlet and seldom uses the Galant. He decided to sell his lancer, liftback and corolla xl.
I got the chance to be with him in a lot of car shows, races legal and illegal. Fortunately, we were only spectators. I also met a few friends who also were into races but i guess when we got older, we mellowed down and just decided to stick at home.
My first car was a 1982 Toyota Corona Silver Edition. It was really special to me since i got this car with the help of my girlfriend who is now my wife and the mother of my firstborn. I got the car last 2005, with a bad paint, old interior, beat up engine and without air conditioning. Little by little with our savings, we had it overhauled, painted and even changed the whole interior. We also bought air conditioning and a few accessories for it. We really love our first car and we will never forget our experiences with it.
My next post about cars is our second car and my plans.... hopefully i can save to improve its condition and performance...
Revive my Blog
It has been a while since i wrote a blog here in this site. I have been busy with our office blog and other internet ads to promote our office since i am employed as a sales staff. Fortunately, i still have this personal blog that i can use to write anything under the sun.
I remember the last time i wrote something here was last Christmas 2007. Its already November 2008 which means that this blog was at a standstill for almost a year. Well, i guess this will be a start for a new attitude in blogging.
As i was online with my ym account a few weeks ago, a friend from high school suddenly typed a message. We exchanged a few questions about our current busy life for a few minutes. While asking about my present job, he told me he will teach me to earn extra thru blogging. I got curious but i decided to inquire more. I also decided to meet him to learn more about this "extra income" so i mentioned it to my wife and we decided to visit their house.
To cut a long story short, i got hooked into earning thru my blog since then. I started earning last week thru google adsense but it is so minimal and almost negligible. But i won't give up, i am still studying ways how to make money thru blogging so i guess i have to be patient. Most bloggers who started also took months before they started earning. Patience is indeed a virtue.
I remember the last time i wrote something here was last Christmas 2007. Its already November 2008 which means that this blog was at a standstill for almost a year. Well, i guess this will be a start for a new attitude in blogging.
As i was online with my ym account a few weeks ago, a friend from high school suddenly typed a message. We exchanged a few questions about our current busy life for a few minutes. While asking about my present job, he told me he will teach me to earn extra thru blogging. I got curious but i decided to inquire more. I also decided to meet him to learn more about this "extra income" so i mentioned it to my wife and we decided to visit their house.
To cut a long story short, i got hooked into earning thru my blog since then. I started earning last week thru google adsense but it is so minimal and almost negligible. But i won't give up, i am still studying ways how to make money thru blogging so i guess i have to be patient. Most bloggers who started also took months before they started earning. Patience is indeed a virtue.
Friday, January 4, 2008
2007
2007 was as milestone for me and m...
on March 2, Leon Yoseph M. Ponce came into our lives. Leon, from birth 'til now has been so good to us, never a dull moment with him, didn't made it difficult for us to take care of him, always flashes his smile to us and to other people, thus anywhere we go we could hear people's comment that he's cute :)
....breastfeeding is good for the child and fulfilling for the mom :)
M shifted from a (night shift) call center job to a day job as an office employee...a few months after he was offered a marketing job, which until now he is with...all of which are fruitful for him career-wise. While I kept my job in an environmental NGO...still fighting for the environment :)
Leon's presence made a big difference in our lives...there are some things we aren't able to do now because Leon is with us already, like watching movies...last full show...we haven't seen one since I gave birth! but that's ok...spending quality time with Leon and discovering our (me and M) qualities as parents are far more important and exciting to us.
we missed simbang gabi this year...we'll try next year, when Leon is bigger
megamall has been our favorite weekend destination...sbarro still is our favorite food source...we've been addicted to fruit shakes...we had less sodas this year...yipee!
Lola Isabel passed away...but since then, we've been in contact with our relatives from the Ponce side :)
There were situations which taught us lessons...whatever happened, it made us realize who we really are as a person, a partner, a parent, a child, a sibling...it also made us realize how deep our relationship with our Creator...no matter what...He'll always be with us :)
Now...we're looking forward to 2008...what it will bring to us individually, as a couple, as parents and as a family...
We know it will be good if not better than 2007...as long as we are good to ourselves, to others and to the One who brought us here...good stuff will always come our way.
Cheers to 2008!
on March 2, Leon Yoseph M. Ponce came into our lives. Leon, from birth 'til now has been so good to us, never a dull moment with him, didn't made it difficult for us to take care of him, always flashes his smile to us and to other people, thus anywhere we go we could hear people's comment that he's cute :)
....breastfeeding is good for the child and fulfilling for the mom :)
M shifted from a (night shift) call center job to a day job as an office employee...a few months after he was offered a marketing job, which until now he is with...all of which are fruitful for him career-wise. While I kept my job in an environmental NGO...still fighting for the environment :)
Leon's presence made a big difference in our lives...there are some things we aren't able to do now because Leon is with us already, like watching movies...last full show...we haven't seen one since I gave birth! but that's ok...spending quality time with Leon and discovering our (me and M) qualities as parents are far more important and exciting to us.
we missed simbang gabi this year...we'll try next year, when Leon is bigger
megamall has been our favorite weekend destination...sbarro still is our favorite food source...we've been addicted to fruit shakes...we had less sodas this year...yipee!
Lola Isabel passed away...but since then, we've been in contact with our relatives from the Ponce side :)
There were situations which taught us lessons...whatever happened, it made us realize who we really are as a person, a partner, a parent, a child, a sibling...it also made us realize how deep our relationship with our Creator...no matter what...He'll always be with us :)
Now...we're looking forward to 2008...what it will bring to us individually, as a couple, as parents and as a family...
We know it will be good if not better than 2007...as long as we are good to ourselves, to others and to the One who brought us here...good stuff will always come our way.
Cheers to 2008!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Christmas 2007 with Leon
Christmas this year was very special to us. It was Leon's first Christmas and obviously we enjoyed every bit of it. He was with us during our Christmas shopping, cooking and parties. He enjoyed being with Mamang everyday and looks forward during weekends for his weekly pasyal. Leon is always the light of a party or get together we attend because he always makes it a habit to smile and play with adults and kids even at times when he is sleepy and tired. He enjoys looking at Christmas trees, lights, parol and other Christmas decorations. He also knows how to open gifts! Nakakatuwa talaga si Leon, sana kahit big boy na siya, mabait pa rin tsaka lovable pa rin. Merry Christmas Hahai and Leon, and wishing you a very happy and full of blessings for the coming New Year! I love you very much.
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