I have to admit that the nixon online shop is really well filled with awesome styles and sleek designs. It makes me wish to own one too!

One thing I thought impossible was that my husband would be so ‘weak’ (don’t kill me, hun! :P) to go and purchase one right away last time that we talked about the Nixon brand and our beloved son. But YES, my husband has a Nixon watch now. LOL, huh? If I know him enough, he must have surrendered to the curiosity. Oh, I wish I could see Dinobot‘s face now! He would have told my hubby so many things about the uselessness of a new watch, the stupidity of such a kind of curiosity, etcetera etcetera.

Regarding my blog, I’ve applied a few changes:

- first of all, I’m building a Birthdays page open to the public, so that everybody can read my family members’ birth-dates and greet them on their special days

- secondly, I’ve ‘weighted-down’ my sidebars to only keep the essential. The purpose is to have a faster-loading blog with less distracting features. I’d like to know your opinion on this matter;

- thirdly, I may be writing more memes with time, so if you come to my blog when I post those, PLEASE don’t skip them thinking it’s junk! It’s not: these entries still contain very precious information about my life, family, dreams, hopes, and much more. Don’t be superficial and read them, please.

Okay, now it’s time for the usual family plugging. Pay them a visit, sweethearts!

~ Aquagear.fluffed.org – My sweet timid son. Go and cheer him up!
~ Sailthesky.me – Buzz Lightyear’s study blog. Cool!
~ Ice-Pop.org – Did you know that my son Buzz L. has a girlfriend? This is her blog, so go and greet her!

I have a baby-pink and pastel taste for bedding items, accessories and curtains. Hubby knows that and he’s patient enough to tolerate me all the time. Aww.

My little girls are in love with the pastel and pink colors of the new bedding set, especially the blanket (so soft!). Scarlette says our bed looks like a princess’ and prince’s one, while Asha says that pink is such a cute color that it goes well with everything else. Astra totally fell asleep on the blanket instead! x3 Aww. She said it was too soft not to.

There are a few blog posts I need to catch up, but I’ll do it along the week. I’m too sleepy now (my pink bed awaits me hehe).

The usual kids’ blogs’ plugging!

~ Dukat.paintedskies.org – My sweet little Cardassian kid!

~ Heartbliss.net – Astra’s charming blog.

~ Atlas.imosh.org – My adorable son’s daily journal.

You can tell your parents about services like IdentityHawk, if you wish, to see if they can be applied to your case. It’s a service that offers identity theft solutions and guides in case there are ongoing suspects.

Never — I repeat, NEVER! — ever give out personal information online! The risk is biggest and more serious than you can imagine, trust me.

Your identity theft protection is a priority in a world that’s more of a jungle than a civilized, human land. Especially if you’re under 18, it can be extra dangerous. Please please please, DON’T put your info online, okay? Use a pseudonym, at least until you reach legal age; and be careful even after that. Defend yourself, always.

In other news (good news!), I got a phone call from my father today: he asked about my health, my husband and my children, and if we’re going to pay mom and him a visit next week. Trust me, I was teary-eyed as he spoke. My family has always been negative about my choice of marrying a robot, having a family of robots and aliens and so on. Therefore you understand my joy in hearing dad’s request of seeing not just me, but my husband and kids as well.

We’re gonna get setup for that. I promise.

My Jackie found out this morning, that someone on his homeworld was taking advantage of my public figure to try to steal money from the Cybertronian government. Crazy!

We were also scared about the woman messing up with our credit score, which would have been disastrous for our budget and current bank savings.

I did so much to get my free credit score  and I didn’t want it screwed up by a complete stranger.

Gladly, the police was alerted in time and managed to stop her.

Jackie and I checked our credit scores, reports and consumer credit information and were very relieved when we found out everything was in order. Our accounts were blocked the very moment the police was alerted. Phew! Good thing we can entrust our things into the hands of such efficient people!

Of course, I reassured dad OP’s old friends that I would by no means ask for ingent amount of money, never, and any request of that kind would certainly come from somebody else but me.

Optimus is going to take care of the rest now, but I really need to lay down and relax a little… Perhaps I’ll blog about yesterday’s birthday (Doc Ratchet‘s!) later today or tomorrow.

‘Soon.

Another thing we came down to discuss lately is my driving license. Yes guys, I’ve got a driving license, but I’ve never really used it… I never drive our car. Actually, I feel more at ease driving our inter-dimension shuttle than our car… because I’m afraid of people popping up in the middle of the street, totally unexpected, and of course, to put a burden on the maintenance and insurance costs in case something goes wrong… Seriously, I’m scared enough to let hubby or one of my children drive. Jackie thinks I should try again, though, that I should be more confident. Maybe I should take our car to a desert place and practice there… I don’t know, but I’m still pretty scared. We’ll see…

More kids plugs? Here they go:

~ Melon-pop.net – You rock, my little Ahrithesh!

~ Milkberries.org – Sparkplug’s blog. I hope he gets it back online soon, because it’s the sweetest thing on Earth :3

~ Pure-star.net – My Vulcan son Sar’k has a blog. Well, he’s still building it, but I’m eager to start reading his daily thoughts. Hope you do too.

1. What non-food items are in your refrigerator or freezer?
   Drinks? Cola? Wine? I can’t think of anything else non-food.
2. What non-book items are on your bookshelves?
   Notepads, computer netbook & laptop, little statues of fairies and puppies.
3. What song or album in your music collection doesn’t fit in with your usual tastes?
   Christian music and some rock. All the rest is pop and kids’ music.
4. What item in your wardrobe really doesn’t match anything else?
   Some old clothes and dresses my mom donated to me.
5. What scar on your body did you receive in the unlikeliest of ways?
   Only one, on my wrist, left by chickenpox. I was 6 but I won’t forget those blah days…

In other news, last week I advised my son Doc Ratchet to pick a cotton scrub for his assistant, so she won’t feel too constrained or uncomfortable within synthetic fabric. I wouldn’t know the girl in question was a robot, but cotton is good nevertheless. At least, the ‘scrubs problem’ is solved now. Doc was wise enough to bookmark http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/ for future use.

Oh my, time for some shameless plugs. I need to plug my family members’ blogs more often, hehe. Here they go:

~ Retromuse.com – My husband’s all-serious blog. He shares family news as well as work and study projects. Love you hon!

~ Heartiziia.net – My daughter Tarya’s blog. Tarya is a Pandorian (Na’vi) ~ you should know from the movie Avatar.

~ Fading-petals.net ~ T’rashara is another daughter of mine. She’s a beautiful intelligent girl, I’m sure you’d be good friends if you talked to her.

‘Soon!

It is not officially winter, until I get the flu. Well, it is winter now because I think I have the flu worse than I have ever had it. Normally, I just get a small case of the flu. It will go away in a few days and I am quickly back to normal. This time I have been sick for over a week. I have slept more in the past week than I have in the past month. I have watched every one of the Direct tv channels I get. I have probably lost five pounds and I have not gotten out of bed. It has been horrible. Luckily, I have some great friends who have been helping take care of me. Even though I have not been able to keep food down, someone has brought me dinner every night. I even had one friend who stayed with me through the night, when I was at my worst. Today was the first day I was able to think clearly. I am hoping that is a sign it is almost over. I sure hope so because I am not sure I can stand being sick much longer.

Part of our shopping ‘spree’ was made online, which translates into a lot of discounts and coupon codes. One of my favorite shopping sites is BabyRepublic.co.uk, where I found some cute wall Stickers that made my Elanah Arcee an absolute happy child.

I was thinking about purchasing personalised baby gifts this weekend. Jazz and his family need new accessories, as well as Sideswipe’s. With all the kids they have, I think personalized gifts (like baby bibs) would be more manageable than standard items.

So, with all my kids and my kids’ kids, baby showers, baptism ceremonies and educational toys are a daily routine.

Now, with Longreen‘s announcement of his wife’s pregnancy, we’re all scrambling to get the baby-to-be a set of bibs, diapers, little suits and other accessories. The magic of having a big family, hm?

Naral is 3 months pregnant. I don’t know whether she and Longreen have told Laira about the new brother or sister yet, but I hope they will soon, before there’s a risk to see healthy jealousy turn into hidden anger. Children are fragile when new babies come into their lives; I hope my son and his wife follow the advice my husband and I gave them.

Animal Breeding

That’s right.  You can get a masters degree in animal breeding.  You just need to turn to Cornell’s Department of Animal Science.  This program was created for those who wish to be on the cutting edge of animal companionship.  Students can select different types of animals to work with in this major from pets and lab animals to farm animals and exotic animals.  Under the heading of animal breeding, students may choose a number of different areas of concentration including conservation, education, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, and animal production.  You would think that animal breeding could take place just fine on its own but maybe this degree just helps you to understand this topic better.

Conflict Resolution

While conflict resolution is certainly a worthwhile topic to study it does seem to be a bit narrow as a focus of a masters degree.  Still, Georgetown’s Conflict Resolution program is offered to students who wish to enter into leadership roles and who wish to know how to effectively resolve conflicts that come up.  This masters degree may be a bit strange but it sure is practical.

Rural Sociology

Almost as if in answer to the preponderance of urban studies programs, the Rural Sociology program offered by Penn State invites students to look at the history, culture, and dynamics of country life.  Students can specialize in areas such as natural resources and environment, agriculture and food systems, community and international development, and rural social demography.  This program is heavily steeped in research and statistics to give solid data regarding country life and its many aspects.  In theory, this type of degree could be taken into several different types of jobs including those in academia, government jobs, and other professional settings where this knowledge might prove useful.

Peace Studies

This is not the topic that you typically think of when you think of masters degrees but it is certainly a noble educational pursuit.  The Peace Studies program comes from Kyung Hee University and is geared toward those who wish to enter the field of politics or other related career fields.  The Graduate Institute of Peace Studies has won awards for its work.

Oriental Medicine

This is another unusual masters degree that is a step in the right direction.  It is offered by Kyung Hee University Seoul and explores this type of alternative medicine as well as how this medicine is being used more in Western medicine.  There are classes that cover topics like nutrition, acupuncture, Oriental medical theory, and analytical biochemistry.

These 5 masters degrees aren’t bad.  They’re just a little unusual.  When you think about it, not everyone can work in the same few fields so there are bound to be some masters degrees offered that are kind of out there.  At least all of these seem to have some practical uses.

Mare Ward is quite interested in helping students research various online programs, mainly schools that offer a masters degree online.

So, let’s see…

Last time I mentioned 4 factors to take in consideration when performing a day trading activity: liquidity, volatility, timing, and strategy.

The main risk with day trading involves a poor mix of all these factors, so that the whole activity comes to loose its balance. For instance, if your trade lacks strategy and timing, the whole activity will suffer.

Hence…

1. make your plan and don’t forget your timing
2. manage liquidity and volatility without loosing data along the way
3. make your strategy smart and efficient (discuss it with your partners in case)

That’s my two cents. Sonny should write more about it, I guess. Hehe.

In other news, I have spent the evening trying to warn Sonny about the practice of trading online, telling him risks are pretty high, and that he needs to get informed first, before he tries something or switches to a new move.

Just to list them here, a few factors to take in consideration when day trading:

1 – Liquidity
2 – Volatility
3 – Timing
4 – Strategy

A good mix of all these factors is important to get your activity to work fine. In fact, risks involve a poor analysis of liquidity, volatility and timing, and often a lack of strategy too. So, my dear son, use your usual sixth sense and get your success, okay? I have faith in you, Sonny. <3

Time to wish everyone goodnight. I will be around soon.

I wish I had the strength to write more details, but I’m very, very tired and sleepy, so I’ll have to delay that of a next entry. Goodnight guys, take care, and Happy 2011!

Besides the new adoption we have had a number of wonderful news, including our little Aurora Lily being born on September 26th, a sweet little thing who’s a smart tiny lady already. I’m proud of my little daughter. Also, my son Longreen got married to Naral on November 28th, and I look forward to hearing about a new pregnancy! They’re TTCing, and I’m excited at the thought of being a grandma once more. Rattilus made me so happy with the birth of his daughter, Samantha, born one day after Aurora. Congratulations, Ratty!

And now, we look forward to Hugh’s birthday on December 13th. There will be a lot to do for a party, as Christmas is just eleven days later. w00t!

Regarding our children, we have a new adopted son: Federico Fritzenwalden. Long story short: I met this sweet boy in an AU, the Floricienta storyline, whom had come back to life from a coma, but given for death he had lost everyone and could no longer be a part of his real family. So I took him with me, I took care of him, and adopted him with my husband. Our children have welcomed him very warmly, and it makes me truly happy. They’re enthusiastic of their new human brother!

I love my children more and more as time passes. I absolutely adore Mandi, Simone, little Aurora (the little lady in my belly!), Longreen, Thesh… ALL of them! There is no limit to love. The more children hubby adopt or give birth to, the more love is created and ready to be shared. It’s a miracle, it really is! Some people don’t understand the way we are, the way we love. But that’s alright, as long as we’re ABLE to love. ^_^ Someone criticizes hubby and tells him he’d better divorce than taking care of all these little ones and of a crazy wife… but he sticks to his choice, he loves us all. And I KNOW he’s going to forever.

Because we love our sweet children. And we love each other. <3

4th: Promet Aaron (18 years)
7th: Erik Pino (5 years)
17th: MINE! (25)
25th: Bluestreak Aries
26th: my grandson Roadstar Seeker (1 year)
27th: Mudflap (9)
4th: Sideswipe Freccia & Sunstreaker Lince, my sweet twins! :3
12th: Jazz Tiger
16th: Atlas Daichi (21)

There has also been a certain event in the past months which I think I forgot mentioning… it’s about Federico Fritzenwalden, now Federico Prime. I guess I’m going to say more about him in a few days, as I’m really tired tonight. But yes, I know what you’re thinking… “Luana’s family keeps growing!” Ahaha, that’s so true; and I wouldn’t change that one bit!

Anyway, just heard of http://www.oxis.com too. Looks like my friend Falcon Lady has been using this line of antioxidant glutathione-based products for a while. Oxis is a penny stocks & free radical line of anti aging cosmetics that I might suggest to my grandma or my mom (even though she doesn’t really need it, I believe) since they are allergic to most products. I saw Oxis on Twitter too, and looks like there’s a page for Oxis on facebook as well. Good thing.

It’s just a small amount, but at least we make sure that we can help a little, AND we respect their decision to be independent as well. We adore our children, we’d do anything for them, and I realize I have exaggerated some today, with my previous post… but trust me, when you are a mother, you would easily feel left apart when your kids try to exclude you from their decisions, and be ready to take any risks on their own just because they feel like a burden to their family. NO child is ever a burden, remember that!! If you think you are, you are hurting your parents and their love for you. You can be independent as much as you wish, but the lack of trust in your mother and father can make them suffer.

Beware of that, my children and others’ children: your mom and dad are there to be your friends, to listen to you and help you; they’re no monsters, and they’re not bank owners: a buck or a million, it’s never too much when it’s spent for their beloved children. Never.