Deck Doctor – Why it is important to keep your deck in good condition

Many people take their decks for granted. It may have been a lively place in the house once, where you have received guests, threw a party or a barbecue, or just a place where you spent quality time with the family. However, time passed and it rendered your deck unworthy of such occasions. You have other choices so you can easily ignore the deck. However, reports of accidents and sense of practicality prove that it is definitely better to have a safe deck, in its best condition.  

While life expectancy of a deck is up to twenty five years, there are extrinsic factors that can affect its early need for repairs. It can be exposure to extreme weather conditions, severe usage, and even accidents. This is why it is even expected that partial removal of the deck will be needed after a decade.

Deck Maintenance

There are different companies that offer deck maintenance and repair. They can help you preserve the life and beauty of your deck. They can even assist you with the basic deck maintenance.

• Keep it clean. Just like everything else, the first step to maintain your deck is to keep it clean. Set a schedule or a regular time for cleaning. First, you have to observe and plan. Choose the parts that easily get dirt. How should you clean your deck? Where should you start? What are the things that you will need? Then, wash the deck and rinse. You can do all these or you can let the professionals keep your deck clean for optimum results. As they clean, you can put your feet up and enjoy the sun or attend to other more important tasks.
• Keep it safe. You should always be on the lookout for parts of your deck that demands attention and taking care of. Decks look best when they are stained. However, you should check and make sure that it is ready before you have it stained. You need to make sure that there are no loose boards and that there are no loose nails for a hassle-free staining experience. In cases of loose boards, you can remove the loose board carefully. Then, you can go to the hardware or construction supply store and purchase a board with the exact measurement as the one that you removed. Then, put it on its place. It is best to choose a wooden board that is pressure-treated. Loose nails should be hammered immediately. It is also important to replace nails right when they start to rust. This is also a task that you can let the experts do for you.
• Keep it stained. Stain is skin care for decks. While you wash, tone, and moisturize, your deck should also stay clean, perfect, and beautiful. There are different shades of wood stain available in the market today so no matter what your preferences are, you can easily find the perfect wood stain. Just remember to choose one that does not only provide beauty, but also protection for your deck.

Deck as good as new

There are different ways on how you can make your deck look new again. However, it is best to consult a professional about what you want done to make sure that it is done right. Here are some of the options for your younger-looking deck:

• Clean and clear. You can opt for a clear, colorless sealant. This will enhance the natural beauty of your deck. This is like natural makeup for your deck. However, this kind of sealant does not give as much protection as a pigmented one so retouch in every year or so is needed.
• Shades and Sheers. If you cannot commit to annual sealant retouch, you can choose a pigmented sealant instead. This will give you two more years before the next touch up as it can last for up to three years.
• With flying colors. If aesthetics is on the top of your list and you do not mind deck touch ups in a matter of months, they you can also use colors on your deck. However, if you just want to add solid colors but you are not ready for such an obligation, then you can limit its application to your deck’s vertical elements. It is a great idea to use it on the balusters instead.

Taking care of your deck is taking care of the environment

Do you know that because of people who fail to perform deck maintenance promptly, about six million trees are cut and used for new decks? This is why deck maintenance and repair can help you save money and save the earth.

How do you know when it is time for a deck repair?

Never ignore what your deck says or what your deck shows. Here are some tell-tale signs that your deck is screaming for attention and repairs:

• Rot Wailer. When the edges of your deck’s wood are wailing as it is starting to rot, then it is time for a repair. It is unsightly and it is a sign that the woods are getting weak. Have the necessary repairs done to prevent accidents in the future. Protect your deck as you protect your loved ones from potential accidents.
• Foot loose. Cracked and loose woods also scream for change. In such cases, have your deck checked and repaired. As they say, prevention is better than cure. Do not wait for someone to get hurt before you take action. Bear in mind that it is your family who will most likely suffer from injuries in case of accidents because of lose or cracked woods on your deck.
• Losing it. Loose hand railings as well as loose and weak support are equally dangerous as cracked and loose wooden boards. There is no need to fret, though. Just keep calm and call the experts.

To find the best deck repairs and maintenance service provider, research, ask for recommendations, and read reviews.

Photo credits: Flicker's Creative Commons

I Scream for Ice Cream!

Ice cream will always be the top comfort food. While others may want something else, no one really hates ice cream and this is perfectly understandable. Ice cream embraces you fully, no matter who you are, no matter where you came from, and no matter how you feel at the moment. It comes in different colors and flavors. It comes in different consistencies. It comes in different prices. Even one ice cream flavor can have an endless list of possible varieties.

Summer is here and under the scorching sun, I dream of smooth, heavenly goodness that melts in my mouth and soothes me wholly. Let me share to you, my top 3 favorite ice cream flavors:

1. So Very Strawberry. I don't really know what it is about strawberries but I love it and I love it more in ice cream! Some people I know actually think it tastes weird but I love it. I think it is the interesting mix of sweet, sour, and creamy.

2. Dreaming of Cookies n' Cream. it is actually a family favorite. We usually get two ice cream flavors when we get together and there's no question that one of those is cookies n' cream. Now, I love it more because it brings back lots of memories. It actually feels like home.

3. Living Vanilla Loca. Yes. I love good old plain vanilla. I love it because it allows you to get creative. Add syrups, nuts, fruits, sprinkles, marsh mallows, chocolate chips - the list never ends. 

Indulge. Dream and scream for ice cream. And don't forget the cherry on top!

Images from Flickr Creative Commons

How to get NBI Clearance - National Bureau of Investigation Roxas

I am not a big fan of processing documents especially because of long lines with uncertain results. However, with my profession, it is impossible to stay away from such circumstances. I experienced spending a whole day to file for the board exams. Thankfully, I passed so I didn't have to go through that again. Then, I had to spend a whole day to submit the required documents for the license. Another day to pay for it, and one more day to get my license. I know there are many people out there who experienced worse. 

As I was not able to become a regular teacher in my first year of teaching, I have to go through the process of ranking again, this year. One of the required documents for it is the NBI clearance. Thankfully, I had a rather pleasant experience with that. I did not get stressed out at all that's why I was able to take photos to use for this blog post: How to get your NBI clearance

First, you have to fill out a form. Then, when called, go to window 1. In other places, you may be given a number and wait for it to be called or flashed on screen. Here are the rates as of 3/5/2015:

Then, go to Window 2 for data encoding wherein the clerk will verify some of the information in your form. Then, they get your fingerprints. No more of that messy ink, though. They take it digitally. In some cases, like my little fingers, it may require several tries and application of a mystery cream/lotion. Your image will also be taken using their webcam.

In some cases, like in NBI Roxas, window 3 has the same purpose as window 2. In such case, you can now go to window 4 to get your clearance. If you do not have a "hit" or a person with the same name as yours, then you can get your NBI clearance in Roxas for thirty minutes or less. Now, some people lose sleep over getting a "hit" from NBI. It does not mean that you have a criminal record for most cases. It's all a matter of having the same name as another person. Now that gives you a reason to love your name if it's usually misspelled by others.

However, in my case, I have a "hit" so my receipt looks like this:

I was asked to come back after seven days. After seven days, I went straight to window 4 and got my NBI clearance in about five minutes. 

Thank you NBI Roxas for a stress-free NBI clearance experience!

Shop and Travel for Less – The Key to being a Smart Spender

One of the top New Year’s resolutions is to save more money. Likewise, some people resolve to travel more and there are also some who want to cut their shopping expenses off. The truth is that with a little ingenuity, you can fulfill all these three goals. These do not have to be your New Year’s resolutions too. These are simple ways on how you can enjoy life more.

• Jar of hearts. A good way to recycle a glass jar is to use it for loose change. It may sound rather simple but a little every day goes a long way. Label the glass jar with what you plan to spend it on. It could be for a Chanel bag or your dream holiday to Hawaii. Fill the jar with some loose change that will someday give you a happy heart.
• Spark Interest. You may take your bank account interest for granted since it does not sound significant at all. However, savings is savings and no matter how big or small your savings is, when it adds up at the end of the year, you will be surprised especially if you are saving for a specific trip or a specific object.
• Track Record. Keep track of how much you spend on different expenses. This will help you have a clearer perspective of your finances. It is also a perfect opportunity to choose expenses that are unnecessary. Every month, choose something which you can turn into savings instead. This will put you in control of your spending habits and enhance your saving techniques.
• Raise the Roof. In special occasions such as salary raises, you can also put in extra to your savings no matter if it is in a coin bank, an actual bank, or under your mattress. You can also save part of your overtime fees so you can shop more and travel more.
• Read or not. Reading can actually help you save money. There are specific blogs and websites where you can read about other people’s actual experiences. You can apply what they learned and you become a smarter spender from other people’s experiences. For example, you can find great tips on how to save money when you travel at Coupon Wind.
• Walk more. Walk whenever you can. It will help you save on gas and possibly on doctors, hospitals, and medicine fees.
• Prevention is better than cure. One of the avoidable expenses that people have is dental fees. Although it is recommended to see your dentist twice a year, you can also save through preventive measures. This is because you won’t need extra dental services anymore. The same goes to your health. A healthy lifestyle is also a happy lifestyle.

There are many ways on how you can save money so you can shop more or travel more. You just need to set your mind to focus not only on big amounts of savings but also small ones.

Jawili Integrated School Child Protection Policy Action Plan

  Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Region VI – Western Visayas

Division of Aklan

District of Tangalan

JAWILI INTEGRATED SCHOOL

 Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan

 

CHILD PROTECTION

ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

School Year 2014 – 2015

MAJOR FINAL OUTPUT	OBJECTIVES	PROGRAMS/PROJECTS	STRATEGIES	TIME FRAME	PERSON INVOLVED
1. Child Protection Committee	1.1 Choose representatives from teachers, parents, and barangay council to compose the Child Protection Committee	1.1 Filling out of necessary forms and documents	Evaluate credentials of teachers in order to come up with recommendations for the Child Protection Committee members as well as of GPTA officers and barangay council Finalize the members of the JIS Child Protection Committee	October 2014	Principal, Teachers, GPTA Officers, and Barangay Officials
	1. 2 Compose the JIS Child Protection Committee’s Vision, Mission, and Guidelines	1.2 Brainstorming session/s to come up with the mission, vision, and general guidelines	Refer to Republic Act 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013) in forming the JIS CPC’s mission, vision, and guidelines	October 2014	Child Protection Committee
2. Child Protection Committee Education and Training	2.1 Educate the members of the JIS CPC about the Child Protection Policy	2.1 Hold a seminar for the CPC	Discuss bullying Discuss Republic Act 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013) and its different facets deeper Discuss the CPC Referral and Monitoring System Discuss the forms and documents needed for the implementation of the school’s CPC Discuss the rules and procedures in handling child abuse cases Discuss the children’s rights Discuss gender-based violence and how to handle it Discuss online safety for different age brackets Discuss positive approaches to child discipline Discuss the role of DepEd in preventing child sexual abuse Discuss the characteristics of each stage of child development	November to December 2014	Child Protection Committee
3. Information Dissemination	3.1 Educate the SSG officers about their roles and how they can help in implementing the school’s Child Protection Policy	3.1 Hold a seminar for the SSG officers	Discuss bullying Discuss Republic Act 10627 (Anti-Bullying Act of 2013) Discuss the children’s rights Discuss online safety for different age brackets Discuss how the SSG can help in implementing the school’s Child Protection Policy	December 2014	Child Protection Committee, SSG Officers
	3. 2 Integrate the school’s CPC in lessons	3.2 Integrate the school’s CPC in lessons for different subjects such as ESP, English, and Filipino.	Discuss bullying or use it as examples Use bullying stories as platforms for grammar lessons Post copies of the school’s CPC in every classroom as well as different conspicuous spots within the campus	October 2014 to March 2015	Child Protection Committee, Teachers, SSG Officers
	3.3 Assign a date and hold a “Beat Bullying” celebration	3.3 Hold a “Beat Bullying Fair”	Hold an educational film-showing with a movie that tackles bullying Facilitate games and activities that encourage friendship and teamwork Facilitate contests such as essay-writing, poem-writing, slogan and poster-making contests with CPC and “bullying” as its major themes Invite a speaker from the Philippine National Police’s Children’s Desk to give an educational message to the students especially about the importance of bystanders standing up against bullying	December 20, 2014 (Tentative)	Child Protection Committee, Teachers, SSG Officers, PNP, Students
4. Implementation and Monitoring	4.1 Encourage students to join the “We Care” initiative	4.1 Educate the students about the “We Care” initiative, a course of action to encourage bystanders to stand up and stop bullying	Discuss the “We Care” initiative in classrooms Form a “We Care Brigade” from volunteer students who will discreetly report cases of bullying to the CPC.	October 2014 to March 2015	Child Protection Committee, Teachers
	4.2 Measure the success or progress of the school’s CPC	4.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of the CCP	Compile reports Gather feedback from victims of bullying Analyze gathered information Work on areas of improvement Plan next steps	October 2014 to March 2015	Child Protection Committee, Victims of Bullying

Kopitea - My Cup of Tea!

Well, I'm more of a cold drink-person so it's more like my tall glass of milk tea. I was in Manila when I was introduced to milk teas. I remember looking forward to my after-training reward for myself everyday. Well, I had almost a year exploring different flavors of milk teas until we decided to go back to Aklan.

One day in May, we were picking up my youngest sister at the Kalibo International Airport when we received her text message saying that their flight was delayed. We have to kill about an hour. While driving around Kalibo, looking for a place where we can wait comfortably, I saw Kopitea. I just got back in Aklan so I did not know what it offers. I asked my sister about it. She haven't been there either. A believer about experience being the best teacher, I asked her to come with me inside.

It was actually love at first sight. I love the ambiance, the relaxed and cozy atmosphere inside Kopitea.

We were welcomed with smiles and courtesy. We ordered sandwiches and milk teas. Time flies when you and your tastebuds are having fun. After making some plans for the weekend, it was time to go.

I have noticed that coffee shops sprouted in almost every corner of Kalibo. However, I have always been wary about such trends. Such times are the best times to practice critical thinking, research skills, and keen observation. I always choose the one with the cleanest place. It might be something which is based on the surface but it's the easiest thing to achieve. If a shop cannot achieve that one, I wouldn't dare to think about what's going on inside the kitchen. Then comes the milk tea. Of course, the taste matters. However, there's more to a milk tea than its flavor. In this aspect, Kopitea amazed me with its naturally brewed milk teas which is absolutely free of artificial coloring and artificial flavors. The best thing about it is that their drinks are available in very competitive prices. You can enjoy your dose of Kopitea milk tea for as low as Php65.00.

I learned that they are constantly adding new drinks and dishes to their menu. 

Aside from their new offerings, I am also looking forward to their upcoming promos and contests. If you can't wait to know more and be updated with the changes and events, "like" the Kopitea Fanpage on Facebook. You can also get a free mug once you bought your 25th drink if you have their card.

Their healthy milk tea - this is just one of the reasons why I love Kopitea!

*Photos grabbed from Kopitea's FB Fanpage

Making an Impression: Top 8 Fashion Staples for Fierce Females

One of the hardest decisions that a woman has to make every morning is choosing what to wear. While each woman has her own personal style, there are other things to consider such as the available clothing pieces, the weather, season (fashion-wise), their destination and activities for the day, and who they will spend their day with. Therefore, it is important to have each of these eight fashion staples to make you shine no matter what the circumstances are.

• The classic LBD. The golden rule of women’s fashion – thou shall have at least one LBD in your closet. It is the perfect dress for times when you need an instant confidence boost. It is flattering for any body type, for any skin tone, and it is perfect for any occasion.
• The BBB. Every woman should have a basic black blazer. This is perfect as protection from the cold as well as a fashion item to complete any outfit. It is the piece that you can wear with a formal outfit, office wear, for a night out, and even as a part of a casual outfit.
• The Denim. Make sure that you have denim jeans that fit perfectly. It is a great piece to wear with any kind of top, no matter what vibe or feel you are trying to achieve.
• Back to Basic Tee. It is the piece to wear when you want to let your hair down and maximize your time for relaxation, still, in style.
• It’s in the Bag. Your bag speaks about you. Always remember to find the balance between style and function.
• Accessory to the Prime. Be at your best with the correct accessories.
• The BBP. The basic black pumps will take you places. Be sure to have a good pair of black pumps as it goes well with any outfit.
• Got to believe in Magic. Be the queen of reinvention with a magic wrap skirt. Imagine, design, wear, and shine!

These are just some basic fashion tips for women. It is always the perfect time to impress people and these pieces will ensure your spot at the well-dressed women wherever you go. Get more ideas from IrisImpressions.com.