A couple of weeks ago, amid all the talk about moving back to the city, Sam asked what would happen to houseonahill.net when we do move back to the city. I said I didn’t know. Not that I hadn’t agonized over that issue before. I had. I have. I could retain it. But there was a jarring note in that. We chose houseonahill.net (Speedy’s idea) after we had just moved to the suburb. The domain name reflected a new chapter in our lives. It was apt. It was fitting.
But home is not just a house. Home is where one feels secure and loved. It is an emotional (or even spiritual, if you want to go there) haven. And it can be wherever in the world. And I thought about that. I registered a couple of domain names (the one I liked most, Sam called ugly) intending to make the move (much like anticipating the physical move that we’ve been wanting to make) but I was stuck. Nothing felt right. Until last night.
It’s funny, really. A long time ago, I wanted to register veneracion.com, I dilly-dallied until someone beat me to it. But, perhaps, it was never meant to be because there was something better. “Casa” is Spanish for house (as if you didn’t know that already). I checked casaveneracion.com and casaveneracion.net and both were available. Then, it hit me. CASA is an acronym for our names. Connie (my real name starts with a C too but never mind what it is), Antonio (that’s Speedy’s real name), Samantha and Alexandra. I’m not big on fate or destiny but the realization sent a tingle down my spine. I registered both domain names and started moving. I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited over a domain name as I am right now.
It feels good. It feels right.
But there’s no keyword in that domain name. I can already see the SEO experts shaking their heads at what they think is a bad move on my part. Well, I don’t care. I’m going with my gut feel.
Now, about the new logo.
The image of a house should be a no-brainer. Why a globe? Because a blog is global in reach. Why the stars? Because we’re all reaching for our own stars. Everyday of our lives. In everything we do. And because my girls go to a school where the term “star blazers” means a lot.
What about houseonahill.net? It’s still mine but it’s part of my blogging past now.
And all the content? Everything’s been moved. Auto-redirects so no one gets lost. Even Google has been duly informed. 
P.S. If some of the photos aren’t appearing yet, that’s because transfer is still ongoing. Everything should be completed within a couple of hours.
CASA – Nice! Congratulations! And welcome to yet another chapter in your lives.
Thanks, cousin! Alam mo, I was so inspired by our email exchange hehehehe
Nice new domain name! Even if you and your family migrates, you don’t have to change it. He-he. Whatever domain you use, your readers — old and new — will still follow you just the same.
Thanks, Willie. I have to admit though — a 301 redirect is very helpful hehehe
na miss ko si girl with magical hair! lol.
this one is simple and mind you ha, very symbolic with all the stars and the house.
seriously, you going back to the city?
Hopefully. It gets lonely here.
I love it Connie. Congrats on the new CASA
Congratulations Connie. And absolutely, the new domain name is perfect!!! I am excited for you on this new chapter of your life =)
I’m here! *Takes off my shoes* when’s lunch?
Congrats on the move, Consuelo! Err…. :p
Congrats on the mvoe ms connie! serendipitous nga ang CASA
awesome! it’s the name that should have been in the first place.
Clearly, the stars and the universe conspired for all this to work with your house move.
Come to think of it, Casa Veneracion would make for a good business name, not a full blown restaurant but more like a house (if you can spare one) where guests book in advance for their own private event and they’d have a taste of your cooking.
Puede, “Casa Veneracion” puedeng puede na sa bar at resto mo!
Oo nga! Pwede rin. See, ang daming possibilities, di ba?
Go for it!
i’m a new fan of houseonahill.net and quite sad the chapter ended too soon for me. But i’m happy for you and your family for this new chapter.
I do miss the more contemporary header design of house on a hill
Congrats on the epiphany, clearly the name is meant to be talaga. Love the new header, I noticed it first before the URL.
So tuloy na tuloy na ba talaga lumipat?
Thank you, thank you! About the header: For this first time, I completed an entirely new header in less than 15 minutes. I’m thinking of different headers though for the different categories — if I can manage the PHP codes correctly.
Pinayhekmi, in the other blog hahahaha
Jon, quieeeettttttt!!! Ano ba! hahahaha
Jhay, like a bed and breakfast inn, right? hehehe We’ve been thinking about it. Though definitely not here in Antipolo.
curiousGirl, sana, sana… Been looking and looking…
Wow, Congrats! Moving to the city where the girls are is a wise move.
Goodluck Ms. Connie and to the whole family!!Another exciting chapter in your lives for us to witness..First thing that went through my mind was what will happen to your house, i’m surely going to miss it..para namang dun ako nakatira hehehe..As a regular reader kasi Ms. Connie parang part na rin kami sa family mo, through your unselfish sharing mostly of what is happening in your home. From the day you moved in, the minor revisions, decorations you’ve done and everything that you’ve cooked and shared to us.
I know, beginning a new chapter in our lives is exciting but there will always be sadness in departing on what we have been used to.
I do hope you will not sell your house, gawin nyo na lang bahay bakasyunan.
Again, Goodluck to all your future plans!!
so many thoughts running through my mind when I first came here (new domain) and as I read each paragraph of this post so I’ll just post the exact thought that’s left as I’m writing this comment – yahoo! google and imdb also don’t have seo in their domains but they hit it big. hahaha
and before i hit the post comment button, naalala ko – ang daming tao at sasakyan sa taft kahapon, enrollment ba sa la salle at st. benilde?
congrats to the move
“yahoo! google and imdb also don’t have seo in their domains but they hit it big”
EXACTLY!
Re Taft: The third term is not yet over and they do their enrollment online so it must be something else?
CASA is just perfect! But what if you get pregnant? hehe. Looking forward to the new adventures here in Casa Veneracion! Housewarming?
Naku, there’s no more initial left for another baby. Di na talaga pwede hahahaha
You can also duplicate the initial A in CASAA Veneracion, just in case.
Nakakainggit, Antonio pala si Speedy. I don’t know why my tatay give me a name which is hard to say and there is no mistake that it is coming only from the Philippines.
Hey, congrats for the new chapter!
connie ang online barkada mo dumadami na, time na para mag pa grand inuman. sige sagot ko na ang lechon biik.
Pag lumipat kami. This house on the boondock is too far — like an out-of-town trip for most people hahahaha.
Great name– and really appropriate for the whole family, meaningful! Congrats, Connie!
Thanks, everyone! I’m adding sections to CASA Veneracion so that the travel photos can be larger.
Good luck to CASA V!!!!
He he he. Congrats Sass.
I’m at the office and your blog site is not in my bookmarks. I always use the google search in accessing your site.
I really did not notice the change.
Houseonahill.net was blocked in many offices in the Philippines. Let’s see what happens now hehehehe
really? grabe naman un. special mention
Hay, naku, to this day, I still don’t understand why. But that’s how it is.
I remember I told you maybe 4 or 5 years ago that your was blocked in Amkor, my previous employer.
Our ICS told me that it has something to do with your web site and not with your blog site.
What does that mean? The IP address of the server was blocked, not because of the content?
Well, I don’t know. The advice that was given to me is that you’re the one that should do the checking. They don’t specifically block your IP address.
Wow, so the implication was that I was making my web site unavailable, ganun? Eh loko pala sila eh.
Whether it’s a hill or a casa, we’ll keep ourselves posted just the same. (May I suggest “CASAVA”, as in, CASA Veneracion is Amazing).
Wow, that is nice hehehehe Thanks, Lance.
Wow! Bago na pala pamagat nitong blog mo. hehe. Nice one Ms. Connie. Love the name and the header. Pag preggy ka na tsaka na lang isipin yung idadagdag sa name. pwedeng EL CASA VEERACION kung boy at LA CASA VENERACION pag girl. So dapat ang name ng anak mo either Elpidio or Lala. LoL!
EL CASA VENERACION pala not EL CASA VEERACION.
Thanks, EmyM!
d0d0ng, Lance and Frenchy, you really don’t want to give up on the idea of an addition, eh? hehehehe
It has something to do with the new cozy place….hmmmm.
Okay, it is like a second honeymoon to be honest? Hehe!
Hahaha With no kids in the house five days a week, very conducive eh? hahahaha
Hi, Ms. Connie. It’s a good thing that in my office they can’t block Houseonahill.net
Yun na nga lang reliever ng stress ko pag di ko na maintindihan ang sinasabi ng mga doctors hehehe. Congrats in your new home. 
Congratulations po! http://www.casaveneracion.com — I lab et!!!
congrats po on the evolution
Thank you, thank you!
COngrats ms. connie =) naku sana may access pa din ako site mo when i move sa new company na lilipatan ko.. hehe i’ll make sure kc na im visiting your site everyday before going home from work to get updates s mga recipe at magka idea ako ano menu namin.. hehe
I hope so too.
Congratulations on the new domain
I love your new domain name, it has more heart than the older one, bagay talaga sa site mo and sa iyo, congratulations on your new domain name!
“more heart”
Oh, I love how you put it.
Congrats on your new weblook! I’ve been following your blogging for the past 3 years. This one is better and more organized. Nice to see a face behind those names you’ve been mentioning.
Anticipating for your Christmas “pasabog”
“better and more organized”
Thanks. It took a lot of planning (and it was hard for someone like me who’s not very organized hahaha) but I’m glad it works. The Christmas food section will be just as organized.
do you have a recipe for paella?
How is your question related to the subject of the post above, Mai?
congratulations!!! i’m still used to typing pinoycook.net, it’s a good thing that it redirected to your new site. keep up the good work!!! hope more recipes to come….
just curious, are you from Bulacan coz my father’s middle name is also Veneracion and used to attend ‘Ang Tipan’ . sorry this question is not related to the post above….
Congratulations to CASA Veneracion!!! i must admit that i like the sound of CASAVA coz cassava was the first recipe i searched when i hit pinoycook.net
i always looking at your site and have tried plenty recipes of yours. An opportunity to say thank you for sharing all updates in your CASA espcially in the kitchen. We really enjoy your recipe ms.connie! keep it up and more power!!!
hi mam connie
do you know how i can contact the owner of the vacation house in tagaytay? im planning to have my wedding in november this year. thanks po! 
more blessings to you and your family 
Mimi, please post your question under the proper blog entry.
Hello,
I just recently checked your blog as I got curious about your recipes. I just admire your blog’s design. It’s very organized and entertaining. Just curious, is this a VIP blog? Because you can post ads. I hope you can teach me how to tweak my site. I am struggling when it comes to IT stuff hehe.. Kudos to your blog!
You mean WordPress’ VIP hosting? Oh, no, that is waaaay too expensive. I use WordPress but not hosted with them.