Internal Audit as your Business Partner

Most of us, if not all, think that Internal Audit and just plain ole audit per se is on continuous police mode -- something or someone put there by Management to act as live cctv's to catch people doing things redhandedly. But as an Internal Audit practitioner for more than 6 years, that really is not the case, well at least not in its entirety.

Yes, internal audit does that - catch or try to catch people committing fraud, taking things from the office and bringing them to their homes, conniving to reimburse personal expenses, and so many other things that we sometimes think are not bad for business because we have grown so accustomed to them we think they're part of the daily grind. But aside from that, Internal Audit actually has more to offer than just be "catchers". Internal auditors can be investigators, analysts that can look into the whole business and try to pinpoint areas that lack control or loopholes that allow anomalies to slowly squeeze their way into the company. Internal audit also helps put up defenses or controls that do just that - defend the company from all these nuances.

So how exactly does Internal Audit partner with your business? Here's a short and uncomplicated list:

Getting to know you. No, this is not a song nor a musicale we're talking about. Internal Auditors will spend time with Management and the business process owners (accountants, staff, operations supervisors, etc) to get to know the ins and outs of the operations. Management should be able to make the auditors understand the entire business and how it works without divulging trade secrets (unless they want to!) so the auditors can now determine what actions, procedures, or documents are out of place. This then leads to risk assessment or pointing out areas or processes that may have issues.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Debuts Tom Epperson’s Latest Works

Looking for that perfect inspiration to help you in your photographic pursuits?

From May 30 to June 5, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gives photography and art aficionados a real treat as it lets everyone marvel at Tom Epperson’s latest works in a special art show that will be held in Greenbelt 5. Entitled “Brewfinder: Enthusiasm Over Coffee at the CBTL,” the weeklong exhibition highlights the artist’s photographic prowess with a set that revolves around the concept of finding beauty in just about everything.

“This event is part of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s commitment to enrich passions, especially passions that are related with the arts,” shares Walden Chu, President of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. “Needless to say, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has always supported causes we believe can help improve society, and art does that. Art teaches us that perseverance and patience, and not just skills, are important when it comes to creating beautiful things. And this is something that The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and its employees live by.”

The six-piece set draws inspiration from Tom’s interest in dealing with erratic objects. “Lately, I have been working with mediums that are basically uncontrollable—a lot is left up to serendipity,” Tom said. “I like the idea of surprise, it reminds me of going into the darkroom in the days of analog and watching a print develop for the first time, it was magic. This is the same feeling I get when working with smoke.”

“Brewfinder: Photography Enthusiasm Over Coffee at the CBTL” is the first of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Taste Series, a seven-part pocket event series that highlights the brand’s single-serve system—the CBTL. Borne out of a partnership with the Italian design and espresso-making expertise of Caffitaly, CBTL raises the bar for coffee and tea aficionados by bringing the distinct Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf café experience into your home.

The CBTL. One touch. One perfect cup.

**this may be sponsored... >,< **

Johnson's Baby Shower Contest

Yep, I joined this contest as I mentioned in one of my previous post. And it was just last night that they tagged me with their wall post, which is found here.

If you can remember, but I'll just repeat it anyway, I mentioned that to show support to the contestants, a LOT of LIKEs is needed. And you all now see where exactly I'm going here. Would you please LIKE their page, and LIKE that wall post?!

For convenience, I'm posting the links here so you all wouldn't have a lot of difficulty looking for the links or the buttons:

• Johnson's Page:  http://www.facebook.com/johnsonsbabyPH?v=wall
• Baby Shower Contest Mechanics: http://www.facebook.com/johnsonsbabyPH?v=app_4949752878
• Wall Post to LIKE:  http://www.facebook.com/johnsonsbabyPH/posts/134049479983214

This contest runs until January 2011. Just in time since Phoenix is due in February. lol! *I sound so confident!*

Anyway, thanks everyone! Share this to all your friends too. Don't worry, liking Johnson's page won't spam your wall with lots of posts, they're actually a quiet bunch in FB.

Pwetty please with sugar on top?! Thanks!


ps: Aside from liking, kindly say a little prayer too. It sure helps..  ;)

I Want to Migrate!!!

Websites, that is.

I dunno, I've just been wanting to revamp my blog again for how many days now. Re-classify posts, remodel my layout, everything. I've also been dreaming of my own domain.

Hmm, I've been surfing around for information about free hosting, paid hosting, etc. Good thing I found this web hosting site that actually has a lot of information to offer - WebhostingFan.

Their site boasts of a long FAQ page full of the common questions any newbie would want to have answered. It also has a Reviews page, which highlights other web hosting sites and the reviews about each. WebhostingFan also shares web hosting news and updates and it's also connected to social networking sites, hence the simplicity of sharing information all over the webworld.

Maybe I should really sit on the idea on whether to get my own domain now.  :)

Make Room for the Baby!

Sheesh. I’m already on my 5th month right now and slowly, Tom and I have been looking around the house, trying to see and imagine where we’ll make room for the baby’s room.

Aside from the fact that my tummy has grown bigger and more noticeable and more uncomfortable - from sitting down to getting up, going to bed and up, squatting, etc - nothing else has increased in size. Not our house, nor our lot, nor our purchasing power. So how oh how will we make room for another room?

We thought we can just redo the flooring of the house’s 2nd floor and maybe put linoleum or maybe vinyl tiles. Repaint part of the walls while we still can’t extend or move one wall forward for bigger space or something. So the next big thing to think about are the colors.

I'd still choose blue even if it's a girl....  :)

According to interior designer Betsy Burnham (via The Canadian Press), we shouldn’t just plan for a cutesy, baby-ish room since of course, the baby will outgrow it and it would be very very expensive to redo the décor and everything. So instead of sticking to the pastel colors fit for babies, I think we have to plan it out into something that’ll still be easy on the eyes and the budget and still fit the child’s age until God provides for another set of color palette and décor.

Still, regardless of whatever we choose for the look of the room, I've been thinking that we should give out birth announcements and keep one or two of them and frame them for the room. It’s pretty mushy though. But at least our baby won’t say, “You told people about me only via facebook mom!” So I guess we’ve have to take pictures and print them out or maybe do those birth announcements thingies – but just in time for his or her dedication. :)

Naptime Productions can actually answer a few of those worries. They bring you unique cards for every occasion. Personalize everything from graduation to birth announcements!




*sponsored*

Make a Wish Blog Contest

I was really excited to see that someone actually left a comment in my Neutrogena Wave post, and got more excited and fidgety when I saw that it was an invitation to another blog contest. So I headed out to scout the page full of mechanics and links and banners and prizes.

Did I mention prizes? It's a lot, mind you, to give you a glimpse, here's the list of prizes up for grabs:


First Prize

• 2-year paid domain, registered on Moniker (.com, .org, .info, .net)
• $25.00 Paypal cash
• 1-month paid advertising on Adgitize
• 1 year free blog hosting from Pinay Mommy Online
• 1 custom blog design from Lay It On Me Designs
• 125x125 3-month advertising space on I Love Hate America
• 125x125 1-month advertising space on Just Another Pixel and on blogs of FIVE (5) sponsors
• 10,000 Entrecard credits 

Second Prize

• $15.00 Paypal cash
• 1-month paid advertising on Adgitize
• 1 year free blog hosting from Mom's Hosting
• Blog review from Spread the W.O.R.D.
• 125x125 1-month advertising space on Just Another Pixel and on blogs of FIVE (5) sponsors
• 8,000 Entrecard credits

Third Prize

• $10.00 Paypal cash
• Blog review from HeartyBux
• 1 custom blog design from Lay It On Me Designs
• 125x125 1-month advertising space on Just Another Pixel and on blogs of FOUR (4) sponsors
• 6,000 Entrecard credits

Fourth Prize

• 5,000 Entrecard credits
• 125x125 1-month advertising space on Just Another Pixel and on blogs of THREE (3) sponsors
• 1-month blogroll link on At Home With GeoRyL

Fifth Prize

• 4,000 Entrecard credits
• 125x125 1-month advertising space on Just Another Pixel and on blogs of THREE (3) sponsors

So if you're really interested, go ahead to the contest page, links are just below the banner, and please indulge me in listing the sponsors that made it all possible:

Join the Make a Wish Blog Contest over at Just Another Pixel.
Click here or on the banner above for the complete mechanics and prizes.

We would like to thank the following generous sponsors: Please take the time to visit them.

Pinay Online Money Maker
Up Now and What's Next
Life Can't Wait
Spread the W.O.R.D.
Pinkville : Pink & Magic Convergence Zone
The Sexy Tech
Bloguardian Hellsite: Overcashed
Gadget World
Living life to the Fullest!
Designers Depot
HeartyBux
Baterya.com
Miyabe Tayo
Ramblings of the Phat
Crafty Heart
Phat Wallet
Celeb-Square
My Thoughts, My Heart, My Turf
I Am a Princess, All Girls Are
Pinay Mommy Online
Mommy Rubz
Rubz Online
Mom's Hosting
Janette Toral, author of Blogging from Home
My Sweet Escape
Never Enough Stuff
Certified FoodiesMy Journey to Life
Something to LiveBabies and Contests
Lay It On Me DesignsSharing My Thoughts
The Twerp and IJellyBelly TalksI Love Hate America
Mukhang Pera
The TwittererAt Home with GeoRyL
Earn Money Online with RedContest and Gaming craze
My Red Hot Reviews
Red is Marose

Thanks Animetrics!

Yehey!!!!

Aside from today being a Friday, and a payday at that, I received another blessing today...  :)

Tada!
**click the image to enlarge**

Finally received the package! And I would sincerely like to thank Ms Rowena of Animetric's World because this was what I won at her Animetric's Favorite Things anniversary promo. The whole pack was complete with the wave unit itself, one AA battery and pads! Frankly I'm a bit excited to use it tonight... and excited to see how my husband will react to it; 'coz sometimes he also gets excited about things I blog about or even win from online contests... lol!

Anyway, thanks again and hopefully I'd be able to post something when we do actually use it. (Husband included.)

:)

Please Help a Friend Win!

Powerbooks just held a contest about your Summer Reading list, and a friend's niece joined and needs our help, all you have to do is to "like" it; no harm done.  :)

To "like" the entry,

1. Become fan of Powerbooks page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Powerbooks-Store/49057732103

2. Once you're already fan, look for artwork no. 4 by lee larga
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3884407&id=49057732103

3. click "like" and that's it. The more facebook users who like leslie's artwork, the more chances of her winning..  :)

Kindly share this to your friends too..
pretty please?!

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Bring them Home!

Wouldn't you want to bring Alvin or Theordore home?

I recently stumbled on the Munk Yourself site where you can turn yourself into one of those cutesy little chipmunks, add a few sounds to it (they have a text to sound app, if you want to have a more personalized message) and send it to some friends or embed it to your own blog or site. Below is what I come up with using the randomize button:



If you want to Munk yourself too, just go to their site: http://www.munkyourself.com

Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakquel is now available on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital which you can download or avail right here. For more games and activities which you can share with your kids, just go to http://www.foxfamilyflicks.com for more of these lovely-to-pinch creatures!


:)

Win an iPad Contest!

I think this is not a hoax, but for the record, I haven't won it yet.. Maybe we both will!

So why don't you try it out, it's harmless and there's an income opportunity too if your a Twitter tweeter. Just click on the banner below. Or above.

Animetrics Favorite Things

I waited for her announcement, and tragically, I almost forgot about it if not for google reader. lol!

Animetrics is giving away wonderful wonderful stuff this early in the year, and there's actually no harm in trying. {photo credits to Animetrics}

Among these heaven-sent items, I'd rather be given the Neutrogena Wave, which she also has previously reviewed in full detail. Why?

Because I need it, given the current condition of my skin. If you look closely enough you'd notice the deep scars from both acne and chicken pox. I also have uneven skin tone, and pimples. By the way, these are unedited.

 sorry about that, hubby and I were goofing around when this shot was taken.

Yes, my face is a problem. Lol! But it's ok. Besides, even if I wanted to buy one on my own, I still would be able to because of a famous line I've learned to despise at times, "Do you need that?" And even if I was able to justify my so called need, I still would be hearing this small voice telling me I can do without it for a while longer because we needed more free cash for our use - since getting married, I have been a bit more careful in letting go of liquid assets, we'd rather save bit by bit for things in the house, or for our monthly amortizations and whatnots.

Anyway, if you're interested about this giveaway thing, go ahead and click on this link, or copy and paste this address to your browser --> http://animetric.blogspot.com/2010/02/animetrics-favorite-things-year-1.html

Hopefully, I get it, the refills are much cheaper compared to the wave unit itself. lol!  ;)

Good luck!   :)

Just Received my Trip or Treats Prize!

From this tweet, I was informed that I won a Christmas Goodie Giveaway from Trip or Treats and finally, through the kindness of Ms Tessa Prieto-Valdes, who I wasn't able to meet (it's okay, I know she's gonna be real busy for the Reveal Fashion Show tonight), it has arrived and is now sitting prettily on my desk.

 

 there it is, with the note from Jean of Trip or Treats...

  

 I liked her stationary... especially the header which says:

"spirituality is the source. love is the force. life is the course."

so cool.

 

her paperclip was cute too.. it didn't really look like a typical paperclip.

So let me say Thank you again Jean...  :)  I'll try to post pictures of when I try to have it baked already. And oh, regarding that thing you mentioned on the note... Sure, I'd love to work with you, I'm also looking forward to its opening 'coz Tessa's the interior designer, right?

~

So if you too would want to win yourself some goodies, or read some fabulous reviews, see their trips and drool over their treats, just go to Trip or Treats.

Where's the Lechon?

Lechon, if you do not know anything about it, is roasted pig.

We went home early because there was a "party" in Tom's workplace and he was so excited because there was gonna be a lot of lechon to feast on. But to my disappointment and annoyance, not a single strand of lechon meat landed on my plate. Grrr.

Good thing, there's gonna be another eating thing in the Finance department today. And the main dish? Lechon!

. . .

Saw another blog monetizing site a while ago and decided I'd try it out. It's at LinkFromBlog.com. Registration is really very simple, and your main job is to write sponsored reviews. So if you'd like to try it out too, go ahead and click on http://linkfromblog.com or click on the banner to the right.  :)



~
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Play Online Casino or Slots!

Let’s play online casino!

Or maybe later. Whichever you choose, online casinos has already started to sprout everywhere like mushrooms. So what is this all about exactly?

Some sites provide online casino games via download. Some you can play onsite. Online casinos are much like the real thing – involves money, taken or given, involves other players, and a game of chance. The mechanics are the same, except of course that you can be playing while in your cozy recliner, taking a break from work, or blogging about something else and you just wanted to have something else to do.

Most sites have included pages for instructions. Some even have promotions like double your money, or “We’ll give you $150 for every $200 played!” or things like that. Others display their proud list of all online games that everyone in the world can play or gamble into like blackjack, poker, and even slots!

One of the advantages of just of playing online casinos is that you can play anywhere in the world, with anyone in the world with just a few clicks of the mouse. You can limit your spending to your content since you won’t be too tempted to stay and finish up everything – you can just click the “x” mark to exit.

Another is that security risks are actually minimized since your co-players can’t actually touch you or your things, they may see you online via your profile picture, if you have any, but privacy issues can be controlled based on your personal requirements.

Just imagine, the joy, the excitement, the security, the chance to ask your husband (or wife) to help you in a turn, or consult books, other materials, even your friends while you’re at it, just to win or save yourself from a losing streak. All because you play online casino. So visit your online casinos now!



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I Think We Need a Rack!

So far we've managed to scrimp a bit to be able to buy that really nice dining set that's now sitting on our dining area (not so much of a room yet, we haven't gotten to the renovation stage...), still we have those dozens and dozens of books and other literature lying around, crowding our headboard.


It's a welcome site, reminding us of how far we've gone so far in our careers, due to the volume of review books displayed, most of which are not are own but borrowed from kind souls, but we also have a bit of a collection of other reading materials like Bob Ong's creations, Toastmasters' magazines, even Reader's Digest volumes, but, no decent magazine rack nor literature organizer to put them in.

Hmm... lurked around the net and I think this would be a very lovely piece to put by the tv rack/table.

What do you think?


~
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A Clear Wireless Internet New Year

Thank you so much to all those who pass by and take time reading this blog, to all my subscribers, my twitter friends and facebook friends - Happy New Year to all of you!

It's quite a wireless new year for us here in Maria Luisa, the subdivision of one of the sisters-in-law. Thank you to the neighbor who has turned on their very clear wireless internet connection without asking for a password. ;)

I have noticed having problems lately connecting to a wi-fi network, especially networks with passwords. And as miserable as I can get, I just sigh out my frustrations over this failed wireless network connections. Plus, I'm also on a wireless connection from my parents who are somewhere in the provinces.

{Sorry for not being with you this year Dad and Mom, aside from financial restraints, I'm also trying to shoo away fears of election violence occurring within 1 mile from where I may be standing.}

Anyway, thanks to technology, I can connect to my family over there, and to all my friends and "family" in the internet.

Again, a blessed new year to all and may God shower us with more blessings so we can be more thankful.  :)



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Gold is Always Shiny

I don't know if you have tried it, but a lot of people say it's a good thing.

Gold seems to be a one of the most coveted investment tools nowdays and a lot have been thinking about starting an investment portfolio including gold coins and bullions. Since gold doesn't seem to have fluctuating prices, gold is one of the "safest" investments you can go to given you have enough information and are guided by superb advisors and co-investors.

Like, have you tried pawning your gold rings? I have tried it, and so far I haven't had any experience with the rate going down, the pawn value of gold always goes up which means that investing in gold is quite a wise thing to do. So how about it? Want gold coins?

 

Or try these for size...
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A BLESSED Morning, thanks Sponsoredreviews.com!

It's really nice to start your day looking at a very lovely email that says, I've been paid! harhar!

That's not so passive of an income, but didn't take much time, but murdered a handful of braincells though. But at least, it really made me happy. Especially upon seeing this:

Heaven. or at least the tip of it.. This isn't such a big sum yet, but with more entries... Well, Sponsored Reviews is such an angel. Got all of that from just 2 posts in two weeks. Nice, huh?

Why don't you join too? Or even ask for a review from me? Hehe.



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Need Viagra? Just ask your partner to FART!

As crazy as it may sound, I know a family who would totally be amused at this new research thing... *ehem*

Anyway, blogs around the net has started abuzz regarding this new "discovery" - hydrogen sulfide in flatulence can help out a male having a bit of difficulty having an erection (really?) to actually have one, without shelling out a lot to buy viagra online, or offline.

According to them, the hydrogen sulfide in those stinky farts have recently been shown to relax the walls of major blood vessels, allowing more blood flow, and I think, making it go full attention.

An Italian university, though it still remains unnamed as of this post, has found enzymes that produce Hydrogen Sulfide in human penile tissue.Injecting this tissue with H2S dilated the blood vessels, while injecting it into the penises of live rats produced erections. (Rats have erections? Really?)

So for the layman, the advantages: a free source of, ehrm, standing power for guys - doesn't cost a single penny, all natural, and may not cause too much embarrassment from the pharmacists ('coz you're pretty much admitting you're having problems going up if you buy viagra!).

Disadvantages: the darn rotten-egg smell, embarrassment from partner (if she's not that used to hearing you fart so loud!), and the urgent need to concentrate to get the perfect timing and coordination between the fart and the need to have an erection.

So.

I'd still ask you to stop farting.


For additional reading, here's another one of those studies that says farts can lower blood pressure.



~o0o~
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Unity Coins, Arrhae, Gold & Silver

We were so busy preparing for other important and bigger detail of the wedding that somehow I've overlooked some accessories like the arrhae or "arras" in Filipino.

These are coins that are given by the groom to the bride during the ceremony to symbolize the commitment of the groom to be the provider of the family, especially int the financial meaning of the word "provider".

Now, think I'll be browsing the net and the local thrift stores for coins, gold or not. And so far, I've stumbled upon this site, maybe totally relevant or irrelevant to arrhaes and all - Goldcoinsgain.com.

At goldcoinsgain.com, you can buy gold coins, whether antique or not, and even bullions! I just wish my money in Mafia Wars in Facebook can be converted into real currency and buy me a few of those gold bars.... yikes!

Anyway, have to scour the bridal stores now to find me my arrhae.