Beware of jewellery snatchers

I’m a careful person when it comes to wearing jewellery. I am not comfortable showing them off especially when I’m out on the streets. I only wear my gold earrings once inside the venue or inside the car. For instance, during Sunday Mass, I wear my earrings inside the church and take them off when dropping by the market to buy some fresh fruits and veggies.

It’s best not to attract people, particularly the bad guys, with jewelry while out on the streets. Flashy earrings, necklaces and other accessories are tempting to snatchers so make sure to take them off especially in crowded places. Thus, reserve those diamonds and other precious accessories for special occasions and wear them only in safe places. It’s better to be safe than sorry!  

Weekend brainstorming

I really had a great time yesterday. I met my schoolmates from graduate school and we dined at a Thai restaurant. Our conversation topics ranged from food to politics and especially the environment and waste management. We also had yogurt for dessert at another food establishment while talking about selling used items and setting up a garage sale as one of my friends was thinking about giving away some old glassware which were just gathering dust in their house. We also talked about setting up an educational program for kids, such as having a library equipped with textbooks and other educational materials. It was a spontaneous brainstorming that late afternoon and we plan to meet again this weekend.

mothers day gifts

I salute to the Filipino children who are so concerned of their families. Should I say it is the culture. Like my friend, she is now on vacation after five long years of stay in Europe. Her holiday is timed with the birthday of her mom who just turned 70 last week, and you know what, a whole cow would be slaughtered for this celebration!!! As early as this, it could also be considered one of her mothers day gifts!

Condo 2 updates

Whew! What a busy and active week it has been, I don’t think I’d need some weight loss products for slimming down.

Hmmm… so far so good. We still haven’t decided on our return date, as I don’t want to be pressured about completing the project unlike last time when we had to cut short some work since we had a flight to catch. This week though, we haven’t focused much on the condo projects as our business partner came to visit us and it was an opportunity for us to develop our sales.  

Be a wise consumer

The cosmetics industry has been made very busy and its business very lucrative with the beauty-consciousness now of many people. So many brands of bath soaps and other beauty products have come out into the market in different forms. On my part, whenever I’d see a new product displayed on the shelves, my curiosity would get the better of me, so oftentimes I’d end up buying it, only to be disappointed about it after one use.

And this idea works for those diet products as well. Do a lot of research first, ask for recommendations, learn about the details of the products before buying. Do a comparison of products and weigh the pros and cons. For instance, if you’re comparing between Phosphacore, Clinicallix, Orovo Detox or Nuphedragen, determine which product is appropriate for you based on your medical history as each individual has a different biological background and what works for one might not be good for you. Just be sure to decide on a safe product with no side effects.  

Do you look younger than your age?

Last Tuesday, I attended a gathering and a guy in front of us asked mom to guess his age. Hmmm…I didn’t tell him what was on my mind as he was talking to mom, but I thought he looked like 65. Well, he proudly told us he’s in his mid-50s. He he… For those of you who think you look younger than your age, look in the mirror again! How you see yourself could be different from what others see you. Maybe the best wrinkle cream can do wonders to your face but for me, living a simple and happy life is a sure way to make you look younger. Of course, living without vices and having a healthy lifestyle are the best ingredients to adding more years to one’s life.

Fitness goals

Oh my, I haven’t been exercising for months now! So bad of me, yeah? I know I really need to care for the physical aspect of my life, but these days I’m more focused on the financial aspect, doing tasks and catching up with my condo projects, including my business ventures. Well it really boils down to discipline and priorities. As my friend, who’s a gym instructor said, people give a lot of reasons not to exercise and lack of time is one of them. So even if they have the best exercise equipment available, if they won’t give time for exercise, their fitness goals will remain unmet. 

People change

I was surprised to see my high school classmate looking so different now. She used to be slim and sexy, now she’s round and heavy, she really needs a fat burner or strict diet to lose weight. She still has that same smile and personality though and one thing that’s changed about her is her faith in God. She used to be naughty during our high school days, she would always persuade our group to cut classes and watch a movie or go downtown and do some window-shopping. Now her ideas and her language have changed, for the better of course.

busy life!

Weee…life’s getting hectic every day. I thought I could meet up with my high school friends this week but our business leader came last weekend and we had to leverage on his presence, thus we have been conducting meetings here and there. I haven’t even done my daily accounting and need to catch up on sleep. Ugh, do I need one of the best night creams to perk up my tired look?

Choosing the best recovery program

Choosing a drug rehab facility can be a challenge. For those who want the best recovery program for their loved ones, it’s important to consider factors such as the quality of living conditions for the patients, highly trained therapists, relaxed environment and especially aftercare services. Having a customized treatment program is also important since each patient has different background and needs. There are many reasons as to how one can resort to substance abuse and each person has different emotional and social needs. It’s essential that these needs are addressed during the drug rehab treatment program.

The problem of drug addiction usually starts in the family, factors such as lack of appreciation and attention from parents are just some of the reasons. Thus, it’s best to engage children in summer programs and family bonding activities to provide them the confidence and emotional/social skills necessary for coping up with life’s challenges. 

Using Windows 7 Starter Edition

Despite being met with positive reviews from critics, I’ve been hesitant about using Windows 7. My recent operating system has been Windows Vista on my laptop which died on me. I didn’t like Vista at all, it would take ages to boot and came with a lot of desktop accessories that eats up a lot of RAM.

52nd Annual Grammy Awards winners

The latest buzz last night was about the winners of this year’s Grammy awards. So the Internet was swamped with searches about who won this or that much coveted award. I bet those who were surfing for auto insurance quotes or updates about the upcoming elections took a break that night and kept themselves updated on reports about the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards night.

The Zac Brown Band got the Best New Artist award while Kings of Leon won Record of the Year (Use Somebody), best rock group performance and best rock song. Other winners during the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards night were Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z, AR Rahman among other artists.

Brrr…

A European friend once asked me to choose between living in a cold country or in the tropics. I told him it’s better to live in a warm country, I prefer weather to be bright and sunny always, except during the rainy season. He convinced me it would be difficult when the weather is hot since you need to have an AC or fan to cool yourself and you can’t do anything to keep from the heat if you’re out, while in a cold country, you just cover yourself to keep warm. Well, I guess it really depends on the willingness to adapt to the climate wherever you are, right?

Anyway, last night I chatted with my bro-in-law, who’s now based in Finland, and he told me they’re grounded in the house as the temperature was 20 degrees below zero all week. It was even cold inside their house as the insulation needed to be upgraded. Tsk…I pity those who have no homes and suffering from the biting cold. While some families are worrying about their furnace filters needing to be changed, there are those less fortunate ones living out in houses with poor or even no insulation.  

First automated elections in the country

Election Day will soon be here with only few more months to go and we can feel the tough competition among the candidates already rising. Last Friday was also the running of the field test for the first automated elections in the country. Unfortunately the machine failed to read 4 out of 10 valid ballots. That means a 40% failure rate. Ouch. Add to that was the difficulty in transmitting via Internet the results from the precinct to the municipal board of canvassers (MBOC). Duh… If only the process could be as simple as getting a free life insurance quote online, then people would not have doubts about the integrity of the first automated elections. Hmmm… Technology issues again, and this is no trivial matter as the future of the nation depends on this. 

Just how much is the Apple iPad?

Price is definitely one of the important concerns when a new product comes out. While some folks are browsing on insurance quotes or the latest travel promos, gadget lovers are busy searching right now for any information about the newest device from Apple, the iPad.

The product with 3G will be delivered in 90 days while the WiFi only version comes in 60 days. The current available price is US Dollars. Apple will be announcing its international pricing at a later date. The Wi-Fi models will be shipping in late March, while 3G models will be shipping in April. You can also sign up at the Apple website if you want to be notified when the iPad is available to order.

Tom Bihn bags for the Apple iPad

After seeing the much-rumoured tablet computer, dubbed as the iPad, launched by Apple yesterday, we’ll be expecting the coming up of all sorts of accessories for this device as well. The earliest products are the bags from Tom Bihn specifically designed for the iPad, the Ristretto messenger bag and the Cache foam padded sleeve. The designers sure had a good idea about what to expect from the iPad in terms of size and shape. Way to go Tom Bihn! You sure came up fast with an iPad accessory, it’s like getting an instant life insurance quote online or heating your favourite steak on the microwave. Having an optimistic foresight is the key.

Design project still ongoing

I will be flying back to Manila next week to continue the unfinished interior design projects of the two condo units. My schedule is kinda hectic these days as I’m preparing things here at home before leaving Dad to take care of some bills and other matters. There are still some pending tasks on my to-do list to finish and I also have to prepare the stuff I’m going to bring. Whew, I do need a Minka Aire ceiling fan to cool things down a bit. And I feel so sleepy and tired, I just want to rest a bit. Oh well… that’s life!

Apple iSlate tablet computer

This is how the rumored Apple iSlate tablet computer is supposed to look like:

Some sources say the iSlate will be announced on a scheduled Apple Press Event on January 27. Others are expecting the much-rumored device to be out within first half of this year. I wonder how it would affect sales on the iPhone and other smartphones when this one comes out.  Will gadget consumers choose a tablet computer over a smartphone?

Insurance policies for the faint of heart

My dad recently underwent a series of laboratory tests. This is part of the requirements for his scheduled checkup with the doc. I’m glad he’s not averse to blood tests and urine samples when it comes to health concerns.

I know some people who are afraid of needles and just the sight of them makes them dizzy or even hysterical. This could pose a problem to those who need to undergo medical exams for employment and other important purposes such as application for life insurance. Good thing, there are no exam life insurance policies for those who would like to apply for life insurance without going through medical exams and other laboratory tests.

Life on the road

I wonder how it would be to live in one of those motor homes. While most of us would consider home as a fixed permanent place built in a subdivision or one of those condo units in a high rise building, the idea of a mobile home seems practical especially if you’re always on the go and being on the road has become a lifestyle.

Wouldn’t it be nice to rent one of these mobile homes and tour around the US for a change?

Showbiz life

The challenge with being a celebrity is that you’ll be constantly under the public eye, your every move is watched and even the trivial details such as what you’re wearing becomes such a big deal to others particularly the fashion-minded people. The lady celebs are most often criticized about their looks and dressing style than their male counterparts.
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Which beauty product works best?

When it comes to facial washes, I have a preference for a certain brand of facial foam. I have been using it for more than a year already and my face is okay with it, it doesn’t result to dry skin unlike the others. I’ve actually tried some facial soap, baby liquid soap, and other brands but this one really works on my oily face.

Well, each person has different beauty needs. And what works for one might not be good for the other. Thus, when changing cosmetic brands or trying new beauty products, it’s best to buy in trial packs first so you can’t be forced to finish the whole bottle or jar without harming your skin. It’s the same with finding the best acne treatment products, you need to know which ones are suited for your type of skin. As the usual warning on the package of a beauty product states, “Discontinue use if product causes skin irritation or discomfort.”

I need to put more time on my sites

I’m quite disappointed with my Adsense earnings this month. I dunno why it’s not giving me the results I’ve wanted. Hmmm… I know I’m a lot to blame for that since I have been busy and neglected focusing on housekeeping of my sites. Even the contents are not regularly posted like before. A lot of topics to be posted are still on my list. Getting an seo software could help but I also need to spice up my sites with valuable content to increase traffic and attract regular readers. 

Increasing traffic to your website

Submitting to web directories proves to be a big help when it comes to search engine optimization or SEO. But this can be tedious and time-consuming especially if you have tons of tasks to catch up. If you’re a website owner or administrator looking for an easier method, here’s a tip - you can check out sites providing free web directory service. This saves a lot of time on doing an essential SEO task and what’s more, you get it for free.

Slim, lightweight, portable and power-packed computers

Slim is in! And this goes not only for those who are currently searching for the best diet aids to lose weight, it also means a lot to those who want portability and power when it comes to their netbooks and laptops.

For instance, there’s Acer Timeline with its less than an inch thick notebook computers and their “Light.as.can.be” tagline. Lenovo has its “smartbook” device which is not only slim but comes with a long-lasting battery and weighs just less than two pounds.

Yup, the trend is pushing towards slimmer and lighter portable laptops and netbooks. “I think what netbooks have done is really opened consumers’ eyes to the concept of mobility,” said Toshiba Corp. director of product marketing Philip Osako.

Tablet computers from Microsoft/HP, Dell and Apple

While Microsoft/HP and Dell demonstrated the features of their tablet computers at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas convention center, everybody’s also anticipating (and perhaps imagining) about what Apple has to offer. There have been varied talks about the iPhone company’s official launch of their tablet computer dubbed as the iSlate which is said to be announced in few weeks time. Let’s see how these new tablet computer products would match with each other – Microsoft/HP, Dell and Apple. Hmmm… these companies are really doing big on sales, yeah? I bet a lot of fresh graduates and tech experts are seeking employment opportunities in these companies. 

Travel industry affected by financial crisis

Due to the ongoing economic slump, airlines, hotels and most businesses involved in the travel industry suffer from having fewer sales. This is because people are now spending their hard-earned bucks for basic necessities such as food, clothing, healthcare and other important expenses. For families living on a tight budget, travel and other leisure activities can wait. Other options for fun and recreation can be enjoyed without having to travel out of town or going few kilometers further.
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Acer Aspire Timeline

Here’s the laptop I’m eyeing nowadays… Acer Aspire Timeline.

I’m not sure if it’s available here in the Philippines already so I might be purchasing this in Thailand, though I’m also not sure if it’s available there and I’m still waiting for my techie bro to do the research for me. Meanwhile I am just drooling over the specs. What I really like about it is its slim body and with only 1.6kg, that’s really a come on for those who want portability with powerful specs. 

Processor and chipset: Intel® Centrino® 2 / Centrino® processor technology
- Intel® Core™2 Duo ultra low voltage processor SU9400 or  Intel® Core™2 Solo ultra low voltage processor SU3500
- Mobile Intel® GS45 Express Chipset
- Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5100 (dual-band quad-mode 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N) Wi-Fi CERTIFIED® network connection, or
- Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5150 Wi-Fi®/WiMAX™ dual-mode module

Operating system: Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
Memory: Dual-channel DDR3 SDRAM support, Up to 4 GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, upgradeable to 8 GB using two soDIMM modules (requires 64 bit Operating System)
HDD: hard disk drive up to 320GB
Storage: 160/250/320/500 GB or larger hard disk drive or 80 GB SSD drive, 5-in-1 card reader, supporting Secure Digital™ (SD) Card, MultiMediaCard (MMC), Memory Stick™ (MS), Memory Stick PRO™ (MS PRO), xD-Picture Card™ (xD)
Optical Media driver: 8X DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive (except model 3810T)
Display:
-15.6″ HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness (200-nit) Acer CineCrystal™ LED-backlit TFT LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, Super-slim design (model 5810T)
-14″ HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness (200-nit) Acer CineCrystal™ LED-backlit TFT LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, Super-slim design (model 4810T)
- 13.3″ HD 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, high-brightness (200-nit) Acer CineCrystal™ LED-backlit TFT LCD, 16:9 aspect ratio, Super-slim design (model 3810T)
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Get out and get fit

“My biggest resolution for 2010 is to lose tons of weight.” This is what my friend emailed me and he plans to buy a mountain bike to make his fitness goal more fun as he keeps himself fit while enjoying biking around. Good idea indeed! Aside from having fitness equipment at home and exercising indoors, it’s also good to get out and enjoy nature while getting fit. Whether it’s a long walk or jog, seeing the beauty of the outdoors is a great stress-reliever as well. 

Any TV shows you don’t want to miss?

I’m not really a TV fan but sometimes if I’m not busy at home after dinner, you can see me killing time watching some soap operas or telenovelas. Some stories are the usual rich versus poor, couples with adopted children, some characters having amnesia or lovers being separated by the villains.

I know somebody who’s very much into DMII, and if she misses an episode of this telenovela, she’d readily get updates from those who have watched it. How about you, any TV shows you don’t want to miss?