Archive for November, 2009

Sunday Stealing: The Tell Me About Yourself Meme

1. When is your birthday? Two days after Valentine’s Day
2. Where were you born? In the city
3. Where do you live now? In the boondocks
4. What is your heritage? Asian
5. Tell us about a weakness. Emotional eating
6. What’s a goal that you’d like to achieve? Lose weight (that is why #5 is a weakness)
7. What is the most overused internet phrase? LOL. And it’s not even a phrase!
8. What was your first thought this morning? I hope I can squeeze in some work before we go out the whole day. And that the office furniture I had custom-made be delivered today.
9. When do you usually go to bed? Various times, usually strange patterns too
10. Do you smoke? If not, did you ever? I don’t smoke now but I have, for five years when I was 16-21. (on and off)
11. Do you like your current relationship status? I’m married – that’s forever. If I don’t like it, I have a HUGE problem.
12. Do you (or did you) get along with your parents? I do get along with them now ever since I became a parent myself.
13. How often do you drink alcohol? Not as often as I’d like.
14. Have you ever tried drugs (that weren’t prescribed)? Never
15. Have you ever gone skinny dipping? If yes, do tell. Never
16. If given the choice, how would you like to die? Peacefully. In my sleep.
17. What did you want to be when you grew up? A doctor.
18. Have you ever been dumped? Hmmmm…I think not
19. What’s on your pizza? Lotsa beef and cheese
20. Have you ever shoplifted? Never

If you remember, I have blogged about controversial PETA ads before (flubber whale aimed at obesity amongst other things) and this one takes the cake especially since it’s the start of the holiday season.

The controversial Santa Clause ad says that normal cow milk can make men suffer impotency. And that taking the Viagra pill doesn’t guarantee that it will be solved at all. In fact, there are reports that 40% of men who take it don’t feel the effects at all. It was also reported the women can take the pill too, to increase their libido. PETA feels strongly in advocating people go the natural way.

As proven by medical science, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, prostate cancer, and hormonal imbalances are just some of the health problems that cause male impotency. Eating a diet rich in leafy greens, fruits, and grains will help you lose weight, prevent onset of diabetes, clear clogged arteries and stabilize hormones. PETA takes it one step further by telling people to ditch “artery-clogging” meat and dairy products as well (therein lies the normal cow milk causes impotency ad).

They even have a catchy tag line:

Vegetarians do make better lovers.

Here are some of their controversial impotency ads:

 

I have been obsessed with going to Myrtle Beach ever since I saw a gorgeous photo of a sunset cast along the pier on a beach shoreline. It made me want to go there as soon as possible. It doesn’t help that the Myrtle Beach Resort I was able to find, Avista Resort, is one of the best Myrtle Beach Resorts one can get into, offering a fantastic view of the ocean with world-class amenities.

Getting into an Oceanfront Myrtle Beach Resort like Avista is the perfect icing on the cake to top one’s vacation. It is a cut among Oceanfront Myrtle Beach Resorts because you get to have benefits of living in a condominium with hotel staff:

As an Avista Resort Guest, you will experience the comforts of a full service resort with the space and luxury of a Condominium. We offer our vacationers the following services and amenities.

• Spacious one-two and three bedroom condominiums
• Bell stand / porter service
• Water features include: 3 pools, 2 lazy rivers. kiddy pool and 3 hot tubs
• 24-hour Front Desk
• Fully appointed kitchens with refrigerator, microwave, oven and appliances
• Fitness Center
• Wireless Internet Access
• Private Balconies
• Shopping, dining and entertainment within walking distance
• Full Service Restaurant, Poolside Grill – Open seasonally, Tree Top Lounge and In-Room Dining
• Centrally Located to all Golf Courses and Attractions
• Private Covered Parking
• Convention and Event Facilities
Technorati Tags: avista resort,myrtle beach,travel

I am in quite of a dilemna. Part of my Christmas gifts to our family is finally subscribing to cable TV. It has been almost one year since we had one – it just wasn’t offered in our area yet. Now that it is, satellite TV like Direct TV is also offered.

And now I do not know which to sign up for. Direct Satellite TV has a lot of specials right now that I am so close to signing up.

A cousin recently signed up for Direct TV in California because her contract with Comcast expired. She got it primarily for NFL and NCAA, sports staples for her husband.

I have never been one to wear jewelry all the time. I prefer to only wear earrings, usually studs and my wedding ring everytime I go out. Sometimes, I just wear fashion earrings so that it will go well with my outfit for that day.

I know though that more than a fashion statement, jewelry is actually an investment in itself, especially gold. They have never been known to depreciate in value ever since and their markey has always been liquid – you can sell it as easily as you bought it, because everyone wants to invest on a classic set.

My next jewelry purchase though would be one of those aquamarine rings from Apples of Gold Jewelry, specifically this one:

Here are its specifications, according to the web site:
This is a beautiful aquamarine ring with a large 10mm x 8mm emerald-cut aquamarine center gemstone surrounded by 0.28 carats of diamonds.

Amethyst gemstone is approx. 2.75 Carats.

Gemstone Size: 10mm x 8mm
Gemstone Carats: 2.75 Carats
Gemstone Clarity: Eye Clean
Gemstone Shape: Emerald Cut

Diamond Carats: 0.28 Carats Total
Diamond Color: I
Diamond Clarity: SI

Metal Type: 14K White Gold

They offer free shipping and and have a coupon code “CYBERMONDAY” for 10% off until November 30th! What are you waiting for?

Saturday 9: Leaving on a Jet Plane

1. When was the last time you jetted away for the holidays?
We always stay at home during the holidays – we need to be with family come Christmas time.

2. What is your fondest birthday memory?
18th birthday – my family surprised me with a party.

3. What names do you go by?
Too many for a woman who only has two names to begin with.

4. What do you look forward to most in the next six weeks?
Christmas, what else! Stores that accept credit cards must be having a lot of swiping going on – the hunt for christmas presents is on!

5. Where is your least favorite place to be, and why?
Anywhere dinky, stinky and hot – like markets.

6. Have you ever had a scary stalker type?
Not really.

7. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Santa Claus bringing in presents at the dead of the night.

8. What are two activities you do after eating Thanksgiving Dinner?
We always start and end things with a prayer.

9. What did your family do for Thanksgiving when you were a kid? Do you still do it? If not explain why.
We do not celebrate Thanksgiving here, it was our first time this year!

Source.

Vanity has surged so much this year. You can see its evidence through the sprouting of spas like mushrooms all over the place and seeing men actually going to salons and doing more things than getting a haircut! Enrollment for cosmetology schools in kansas has also doubled. In fact, if you are an aspiring student and would like to find a school that is best for you, FindABeautySchool.com makes it fast and easy for you to find the beauty school that’s perfect. They’re the most complete, convenient beauty school directory on the Web. because they have included every accredited beauty school in the United States, searchable by state or zip code and have even provided links to their Web sites so you can check them out for yourself.

A day after Thanksgiving, most families are now putting up their Christmas trees up! It is officially the start of the holiday season for many families, as evidenced by the throng of people who lined up for Black Friday sales everywhere.

I didn’t shop that much at all yesterday. I just bought new bedroom linens and pillows for our beds and some kitchenware. I am hoping to hold out on after Christmas sales because I am eyeing to get great Christmas decoration deals – I have been longing to get a complete Christmas village set up in our house during the holidays.

Other than that, I would love to get more outdoor lighting fixtures from Lighting Sale. They currently offer 20% off  for Black Friday on phone orders over $200. They have no sales tax, offer free shipping and guarantees fixed prices and a safe and secure shopping portal – what more could you ask for?

We need ceiling lights for our garden posts and these would be perfect:

My cousin recently had their landscape renovated and they are looking great landscape lamps and lights. These are unique light lamp paths that would contribute to the over-all feel of their garden!

And as you know, I’m such a great fan of online shopping!

A woman is the full circle.
Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.
~ Diane Mariechild ~

We have come a long way in terms of how women are treated and given the same freedom and rights today than the times of oppression. While there will always be a few loopholes and sexual discrimination will never be eradicated, we can say that women these days are given equal chances and rights as men.

Most women multi-task and thrive under pressure. Women these days are mothers, wives and career women all at the same time. They strike a great balance in the areas of their lives and I am so proud of the women we have become today.

What I like most about our kind is that we are so adaptable to change and always have room for growth. We strive to improve ourselves all the time. That is one of the reasons why the NAPW or the National Association of Professional Women were created. It is a membership organization which has ties to Fortune 500 companies and they offer exclusive savings to over 60 recognizable businesses – at the same time provides seminars, web seminars (webinars), podcasts and educational tools to help their members be more successful.

From how to conduct a phone interview to how to multitask and or how to find happiness as work, NAPW gives that to their members. Follow  NAPW Twitter now!

I am a nerd. I love to study. I firmly believe no one should ever stop learning or even trying to learn something new. It is with good news that adults like me who have families who keep them busy and who need to work can still finish and have time to get a degree on their own. You can get online college courses at Capella University.

They are an accredited, fully online university that has built its reputation by providing quality education for working adults, has released its latest Inside Online Education podcast. It features a discussion of financial aid options at Capella with Mike Nylund, the university’s financial aid director.

This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive. For more information, please visit Blogitive.com.

I’d never seen anything more beautiful—even as I ran, gasping and screaming, I could appreciate that. And the last seven months meant nothing. And his words in the forest meant nothing. And it did not matter if he did not want me. I would never want anything but him, no matter how long I lived. Bella Swan, New Moon, Chapter 20, p.451

 

Before you, Bella, my life was like a moonless night. Very dark, but there were stars—points of light and reason… And then you shot across my sky like a meteor. Suddenly everything was on fire; there was brilliancy, there was beauty. When you were gone, when the meteor had fallen over the horizon, everything went black. Nothing had changed, but my eyes were blinded by the light. I couldn’t see the stars anymore. And there was no more reason for anything. Edward Cullen

I need to make sure that the Cole Haan shoes of the big boy is scrubbed and cleaned for his school act in a few days but I googled for more New Moon book quotes. Enjoy!

I didn’t have to look to know who it was; this was a voice I would know anywhere—know, and respond to, whether I was awake or asleep… or even dead, I’d bet. The voice I’d walk through fire for—or, less dramatically, slosh every day through the cold and endless rain for. Edward.
Bella Swan, New Moon, Chapter 1, p.4

 

Edward had drawn many careful lines for our physical relationship, with the intent being to keep me alive. Though I respected the need for maintaining a safe distance between my skin and his razor-sharp, venom-coated teeth, I tended to forget about trivial things like that when he was kissing me.
Bella Swan, New Moon, Chapter 1, p.16

Be good, please.
Edward Cullen, New Moon, Chapter 1, p.16

Do you think I’ll ever get better at this? That my heart might someday stop trying to jump out of my chest whenever you touch me?
Bella Swan, New Moon, Chapter 1, p.16

 

 

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s Monday and I really need to work but here I am trying hard not to surf for more New Moon the movie still and screencaps – but I fail. It doesn’t help that my fellow Twi-fan friends are still as over the moon as I was with New Moon.

So I learned that shooting for Eclipse the movie has wrapped up (follow Eclipse’s director Chris Weitz’s twitter!) on October 24th and post-production will take 8 long months. Scheduled showing is on June 30th, 2010 and you bet that date is blocked for the movie as early as now. I want to buy all the magazines featuring the Twilight cast but judging from everything I am seeing online I might need to avail of the payday loans offered at the office to be able to get them all.

So I do what I do best – I surf for everything. The internet can really be a valuable source of information!

Soooooo…..

Team Edward?

Team Jacob?

This was one scene that made me giggle like a schoolgirl – especially when Bella grabbed Jacob’s hair by her fist while Jacob was sitting on her bed….*sigh*

BELLA SWAN! YOU ARE ONE LUCKY LADY!

I have been blogging about it months before it hit the big screen (if you have been following me you would know I blog about it every two weeks, together with my search on a Medicare supplement for our family every now and then), so you would not be surprised that I was able to see it the day it opened at the theaters. I was blessed to see it with girlfriends who are also twi-fans so all my (over)reactions were normal as we were all (over)reacting the same way.

I wish I can show the five stills that made my heart beat 1000times per minute but I can’t seem to find them all online. Rest assured, give me another week and my researching skills would have uncovered it!

1. Edward saying goodbye to Bella and kissing her on the head one last time before going away. That accomplished what 100 dialogues never could. Good job Rob P!

(This still was not it)

2. Jacob giving Bella the look at Emily’s place after fighting as a werewolf with fellow Quilette werewolf Paul.

3. Jacob and Bella on her truck on the way home before Jacob smelled Alice’s scent.

4. Jacob saying, “Bella, don’t go…for me.” before Bella & Alice went to Italy to try and save Edward from hanging himself in front of the Voltourri. Of course, Kristen Stewart had to ruin the scene by doing nothing but bite her oh-so-very-nice lips.

5.Edward’s “Marry me…Bella” – enough said.

Based from my scenes above, you can very well see that for me, Jacob was the star of New Moon As Bella said, “You are like your own sun” when she was cuddling with Jacob on her truck. And it is true, Taylor Lautner SHONE in this film – with his acting and his buff body, which is hard work I know . Edward has a few flaky scenes – I don’t know why he always seemed to be “reeling” it in all the time but his last scenes with Italy with him looking gloriously f-cking ugly but still amazingly gorgeous (I know – how does he do it?) was his redeeming grace. He was good there.

Bella was lame, and her only shining moment was at every succeeding scene she was shining and glowing and becoming more gorgeous and beautiful at the same time.

That said, CG animations were great. There were a few too many melodramatic action scenes but how can you portray vampire fight scenes without being gory in a romantic mushy movie right?

The movie was SO MUCH better than the first, and though I am not a Rob P fan, you can count on me to be first in line for Team Edward Jacob gave him a run for his money and for that alone, he earns a space in my dreams every night Stone cold though – all the way How can I say no to the romance and wisdom and passion of a 109 year old man in a 17 yr old (great) body?

Four of my dear friends are expecting and all of them are expected to deliver at the second quarter of the year. As early as now, they have been scouting for the latest prices on baby essentials or what are considered expensive buys: the baby’s car (aka stroller), the baby’s crib, high chair, bassinet and cots.

Prams have never been as varied and diverse (not to mention expensive) as it is now. I read a review on the most recommended pram and my jaw almost dropped when I saw that it cost almost $700! (Truly, a pram is the baby’s car!!)

Then there are play gyms, exersaucers or convertible baby gyms (which are essentially playmats).

The highlight would be the baby cot or crib. I am quite partial to a convertible cot bed, one that would last until the baby goes into toddlerhood. As you notice it already has a changing station that can be converted into a bookshelf once the baby is done with diapers. If the baby is small, you might want to consider getting a bassinet too.

You might as well know that I am partial to convertible high chairs as well. I’m all for longevity in baby furniture.

Travelling would always be included in every holiday season in our family. We try to limit it to one long trip everyday holiday season but invitations come all the time and it is hard to decline.

What do we always bring, aside from our portable GPS device?

1. Clothing – we pack light, as much as possible clothes that can be layered. No bulky clothing such as jeans and clothes that would require ironing! You need to make sure you have travel essentials too: medicines, first aid kits, travel guides, maps and if you travel with kids, toys and activities that will prevent them from getting bored.

2. We try to make sure that our luggage is easily identifiable with tags and labels you can spot even you are far away.

3. Music and entertainment, especially if we are on a long road trip. Our iPods are charged and loaded with lots of music and videos for all of us. Of course, we are really not a fan of hiking and camping so everything loaded in the car are not really bulky.

4. Cellphones.

While most people would love to get in on a cabin and enjoy the snow during the holidays, I know there are families who would love the beach more than anything else. That is why even at Christmas time when the beach water is below freezing, Myrtle Beach Resorts are still fully booked. Nothing beats walking by the shore with the waves crashing in, they say. It is always hard to find a Myrtle Beach Resort that offers a great location with a view with class A amenities.

That is why families would always prefer booking a room at an Oceanfront Myrtle Beach Resort. While there are no disadvantages taking rooms in Oceanfront Myrtle Beach Resorts, booking a condo room in Avista Resort would be as equally appealing – here are their amenities:

• Spacious one-two and three bedroom condominiums
• Bell stand / porter service
• Water features include: 3 pools, 2 lazy rivers. kiddy pool and 3 hot tubs
• 24-hour Front Desk
• Fully appointed kitchens with refrigerator, microwave, oven and appliances
• Fitness Center
• Wireless Internet Access
• Private Balconies
• Shopping, dining and entertainment within walking distance
• Full Service Restaurant, Poolside Grill – Open seasonally, Tree Top Lounge and In-Room Dining
• Centrally Located to all Golf Courses and Attractions
• Private Covered Parking
• Convention and Event Facilities

If I could just insert a countdown timer on my blog just to show you how much I am excited to see this:

It is insanely better because I get to watch it with friends who are fellow Twi-fans .

Here is some behind the scenes peeks for you to get all excited about more:

 

We have received news that an aunt finally has been issued a visa and she is flying to the US by March of next year! She hasn’t travelled outside the country in her whole 65 years of life! She is one of the Executive Bosses in one of the premium hospitals in the government and she is retiring next month. So she is going to treat herself out to a vacation. She will be going to the west coast first and then going to the east coast. I have an aunt who lives in Philly and I’m sure she will take her to NY. It’s just a boat ride away. She is also reading about everything about tours and have read about the Charter bus NYC tour packages and how it will work handy with touring NY. She deserves the break – I’m sure she will have fun!

They have package deals to Six Flags, and knowing her love for adventure, I am sure she would love it there more than in Disneyworld! The bus charter can also help her visit relatives easily in the East Coast because they have routes to Philadelphia , PA,  New York , NY,  New Jersey, Boston , Massachusetts, Baltimore, Maryland and Washington DC.

1. Drive
2. Swim
3. Ride a bike (yes!)
4. Manage my time better
5. Learn how to control my eating aka have discipline
6. Save money
7. Sing
8. Play a musical instrument
9. Read minds
10. Fly

The last two are things I wrote because I don’t have anything more to add.

 

Five years ago, I was a gym rat, for purposes of being able to have access 24 hours to a steam room and sauna. For the two years I’ve gone to the gym, I spent more time in the steam room and sauna than running on the treadmill, using the Stairmaster and lifting weights. And I credit that to my weight loss and clear skin.

Saunas have proven to aid in detoxification and burning of calories which in turn help skin purification and relief for cardiovascular and arthritis pain. It is actually better to use infrared saunas as they are proven to burn as many as 300 to 600 calories during a session. WOW! That is more calories I can burn walking in the treadmill for an hour. It is also said that those who use them lose 80-85% water–the rest being composed of cholesterol, fat-soluble toxins, heavy metals (such as mercury and cadmium), sulfuric acid, ammonia, sodium, and uric acid as opposed to the box of hot rocks sauna which is 95-97% water.

Crystal Sauna has different types available to the market. I would definitely get the Family Series for us if I had the money and space in the house.

Life has been crazy lately, hence the lack of posts that share stuff I find while surfing the web. I have been very busy with real life that I don’t get to exercise much (surf online). We have dealt with two medical emergencies this week. They were accidents mostly and we are thankful that they are safe. However, it doesn’t make me feel less apprehensive thinking that accidents can happen to anyone – we can all do something to prevent it.

My parents are getting old and in a few years time, they would be prone to falls. A Medical Alert bracelet might just be the thing for them. I have read all about them and the more I am convinced that I would need to get them when the time comes. Medical Alert are not only house sensors but are objects that can be clipped to the body so that they can be worn.

Take for example, a house sensor. If no activity is sensed in the house for 24 hours, a call will be done to make sure everything is OK at home. This is going to be so convenient for my peace of mind since my parents live alone. The body sensor can also detect falls and can be alerted even if the person can’t speak!

In every business, expansion means growth. It also means that you encounter more risks. When expanding, it would always be wiser to have an accountant or a third party do book keeping for your finances. There is a Las Vegas accounting firm called KondlerCPA. They are a known respected leader in the financial account world that is committed to providing value to their customers as well as their stakeholders.

There always has been a lot of problems that arise when it comes to financial matters so it will always be best (and wise) to make sure that every cent is accounted for.