The view

Taken during my first tramway ride at palm springs aerial tramway...
See how high we went... can't even see the parking lot!

I have fear of height so just imagine how scared I was while on that rotating tramcar :P

This is the way

How about this road going up there?
...and let the last man come down!

What do you call this little creature??

Looks a little creepy, isn't it? Hubby almost stepped on it the other night. It was crawling that was why he noticed it. And the curious george that he is, he hurried inside to get a ziploc so he can capture and disect it! No, he did not kill the poor creature, he only put it in a clear plastic so he can take a closer look at it :).
And this is how its belly looks like...
So, do you know its name?

'still don't know why

Have you ever noticed that time flies so fast when ‘ber’ months starts? I really have no idea why it is so but, that’s how I feel about it. October is almost within reach! Which means, November and December are coming soon… Yey! I’m so tickled-pink thinking that soon, I’ll have my feet on the Philippine soil again… Ahhhhhh… The thought gives me a reason to wake up early everyday. It’s been over three years since the last time I had pandesal! I wonder… does it still taste the same? Hmmm…

And speaking of going back to where I came from, I’m not only excited for the pandesal, of course, I’m very excited to see everybody again especially the whole family. I envision that my sister will be a lot better. She is going to have her 6th chemo session by the end of this month and I hope that it will be the last and all the bad cells will be gone forever.

Anyway, does anybody here is aware about this stem cell research innovation for women? I’m not really familiar about it but I got curious when people started talking about it. If you visit the C'elle website, it is written in there that they provide women with a safe and easy method of collecting and preserving stem cells found in women’s menstrual fluid each month, which can be a key to treating a number of possibly life-threatening diseases that she or anybody in the family may have in the future. Interesting, isn’t it? If you want to know more about it, try to visit C'elle Client Testimonial. See it for yourself.

My only question is: why is cancer not on their list? Anyboy has an idea???

LoudLaunch - Compensating bloggers for their unbiased opinions, reviews, and analysis. View the LoudLaunch campaign release this post was based on.

Whenever you need it..

Thanks goodness, it’s Friday! It has been a gloomy week for us, which is really nice. It has finally started to cool down. I love this kind of weather. Raindrops fall every now and then but not that much. I think this is because of the consecutive hurricanes that are hitting the neighboring states. I feel bad for those who are affected, but what can I do? Its natures will.

I just hope though that those who are living in those areas have done something to keep some of their important things safe. Like, they should have known about portland crating services, the Industrial Craters & Packers who provides best service for everyone’s crating needs. They are actually very high-tech because they use CAD drawings to design the crates. Whenever your stuff needs to be protected from vibration, corrosion or moisture, they have the best solution for it. It’s easy to find them online, too… You can just type in shipping crates portland or crating portland and their website will pop-up as one of the top service providers.

And seems to me that we also might need their services soon!
:)

Surgery, anyone?

Since we got into this place, hubby’s schedule has been different and actually difficult. Especially after I started working, we barely spend a lot of time together. He has to work nights and I have to work days. It’s seldom that we have the same weekend off. I think it happens only every 8 weeks. Imagine that? The sad thing is, whenever his schedule is from 12 midnight to 8am, of course I wake up to see him go and after he’s gone, I can’t go back to sleep! It’s really hard. I’ll only feel sleepy around 6am which, by that time, I already need to get up, wake my bones and get ready for work, else, I’ll be late for the day.

Right now, everything feels normal but I can see what lack of sleep is doing to our eyes. And this weekend, since hubby had a long weekend too (which is just a coincidence), we were able to catch up on our sleep. We got up really late because we stayed a little longer and tell stories about this and that until he noticed how puffy my eyes are and I notice his, too! He was a little bit worried. He said that we might need a plastic surgery when we get a little older. To which I agree because I don’t want us to look like a pair of owl when we get old. I told him that if ever we’ll have a surgery, I’d prefer it to be done at Beverly Hills cosmetic surgery because I believe that’s where the best surgeons are. Or have it done by a California plastic surgeon because that’s where all the celebrities go… I think. I’d want it to be done right the first time rather than having it done twice or thrice or worst, having it done four times. Or probably he needs to find a day job? Or better yet, we might just need to go back to Alaska. Hmmm… What do you think?

Feels good!

Well? It amazingly feels nice today. Not too hot. The sky is clear in our part of the world. The color is actually sky-blue. See that? Ahhhh... Seems to me that it's been so long since I've seen our sky like this one... The weather is probably giving us a break because it’s our Labor Day Holiday today? I hope it will stay this way for the rest of the week.

I feel bad though for those who are slamming by Gustav right now. And Hanna, she looks like another bad one. I hope that their damage will not be as bad as what Katrina did 3 years ago. I can only pray…

Code: Fire

It was a couple of minutes before 8pm when I took this picture. It's blazingly-orange the first time I noticed it and the color changed to this one when I had the camera in my hand.

Ten minutes later, it was dark. And now, there’s lightning strikes every few seconds or so. It might rain tonight. Or, it might have been raining a few miles away from where I am. Hmmm… Interesting!

Rain and everything else

How’s everybody doing lately? Nothing much going on our side of the world right now, except that it’s been raining since Friday night. And as of the moment, heaven is roaring and I can see lightning strikes every few seconds or so. I just hope that by tomorrow, everything will be back to normal – hot but not humid. I like it that way.

And since it was raining, we stayed home all weekend long and watch all kinds of outdoor shows. Baseball, golf, tennis, car racing, fishing, and even pheasant and deer hunting did not escape us. My husband has been talking me into pheasant hunting, but after watching the show, I think he needs to get me a tactical pants first. He used to do it a few years ago and I know he liked the experience judging from his stories. Only that until now we haven’t made the decision yet because he wants me to do the cleaning of all our catch if ever we’ll have one! And that idea I don’t like. But who knows, he might be able to persuade me one of these days. We’ll see…

PH: Support

Just imagine the support they put on this bridge...



More Photohunter's here!

Nothing much to say

This has been a quick week for me! I think that's really what happens when you're busy, time passes by in a blink of an eye :)... Plus, the company let us go home early today in celebration of the 4th of July holiday. And I thank them for that! ;)

We really didn't plan anything special since DH will still be working. So, that means that I will be home alone for a quarter of the day and half of the night for 2 days, and I will have the kitchen all to my self! :)) Meaning, more kitchen experiments for me. He.He.He.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!

:)

PH: Bright

I still believe that behind that dark clouds, the sun is still shining bright(ly). I hope you do, too :)

More Photohunters here :)

WS: At the Lake

This is actually where we spent the last leg of our roadtrip 2 weeks ago... at the Lake. It's so neat because everybody knows everybody. Every weekend, the gathering starts around noon, tie their boat side by side and party until 5 or 6pm. Sounds crazy but it's really fun!


More Weekend Snapshots here

Eyeglasses, anyone?

Of all the seasons we have, I love summer most. Winter is fine when it’s not snowing hard. Spring is nice, only when I’m inside. It is because I hate pollen. It makes me sneeze all the time and my nose never stops dripping. Fall? I don’t think we have it. We have only been in this place for a little over a year now, and I only remember that summer is gone when little flakes starts falling down from above.

So, what do I love most about summer? Of course, the sun! But I remember when I was still in school; my friend loves summer because it would mean no wearing of eyeglasses for her. It means freedom to her eyes. No textbooks - for a while. It also means freedom to her nose, because her eyeglasses are very thick and heavy.

Looking back, I wish her parents know about this $ 8 Zenni Optical Rx Eyeglasses where they can find a huge selection of stylish prescription eyeglasses with high quality and yet, the prices are very affordable. Also, they are sure that what they are getting for her has a full guarantee, with microfiber lens cleaning cloth, quality hard eyeglasses case, lens edge polishing and beveling, anti scratch coating, thin and light 1.57 index lens, and full UV protection – which I think is very important so she can wear it all day long.

Oh well, I think it’s not too late for those moms out there whose kids are wearing eyeglasses. Visit zennioptical.com now and let your kid stay in fashion!

PH: Water

Summer is fun especially when you're on vacation in a place like this...

More Photohunter's here

She found me

Yay! I just received a message from my high school best friend! See what wawawa can do? He. He. He. I think the last time I received a message from her was when we were in 3rd year college when she sent me a birthday card. After that, seems to me that we were both so busy that we haven't sent each other a 'hi' 'hello' note! Isn't that crazy?

And then we graduated... 3 months after graduation, I started working and I think she does, too... 7 years after I graduated from college, I left my home country to find that 'greener pasture' without knowing where she is. I made friends here and there but she's different from others. Probaby because we were very close during that time and as they say, high school life is the most exciting part of your life, which I strongly believe and of course, it is because everybody is really different.

Hmmm... I just hope she's still the same girl I used to know co'z I still am, so we can have more giggling time again even in emails only!

I am very excited!!! :))

Please help us pray for my sister

If you still don't know, my older sister was diagnosed for having some kind of tumor on her breast 7 months ago, and she just had her 2nd chemo session on the 10th of this month. And there will be 4 sessions more. The last time I talked to her, she told me that her hair started to fall out, so the reader that I am, I advised her to shave it off. And she had it done. She don't need to see hairs on her pillow every morning and feel pity for herself. She needs all the strenght she has to fight the battle.

I've been reading a lot about chemotherapy effects and through it, I can feel how she is feeling right now. I just hope she'll remain brave and won't give up. I know she won't. I know she has this inner strenght that we don't have. But you know how it is sometimes, no matter how strong or brave you are, there's a point when you feel like you just don't have it. So please, whoever you are reading this right now, please help us pray for my sister? Please?

Summer is here

After I get out from our office building late this afternoon, it was so hot! When I got home, 15 minutes later, it's still HOT!

See what I'm saying? :( Thanks goodness, my Dear Husband (DH) left the AC on before he left for work.

Hope you're all having a nice, cool evening! :)

WS: Summer fun

At this time of year, don't you wish you own one of these?

And get lost in the middle of the ocean for a little while... Hmmm....

More WS here!

Ready or Not

It's almost 4 months now that I had my 'big friend' embolized and I still feel the thingie that they inserted in there. Sometimes it tickles in a funny way. Sometimes it's sore that I have to stop whatever I'm doing and sit down for a few minutes. I hope nothing serious is going in there. Or probably that stuff they put in there is just doing what it needs to do? Hmmm...I'd like to think it that way.

Oh well, I'm going to have a 3 and a half days weekend! We only need to be in the office until lunch today (you can stay if you want to have some beer and stuff co'z the company is throwing a Memorial Day party-meaning, unlimited food and drinks from 12noon-5pm!) and will be back on Tuesday! Yipee!!!

And... I think this weekend the pool lady will be opening our pool again! Is it summer yet??? Oh yeah! It's the start of our summer!

Are you ready?

:)

Keep your liver healthy

A very good friend shared this information to me. I hope this will help you, too :)
----------------------
Good rest and sound sleep is very important... if u don't sleep well, the toxic in your body will accumulate, affecting your health and your mood...

The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are the main cause.

2. Not urinating in the morning.

3. Too much eating.

4. Skipping breakfast.

5. Consuming too much medication.

6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.

7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.

8. Consuming overly done foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store.


We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our body to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to "schedule."

Because: Evening at 9 - 11pm : is the time for eliminating unnecessary/ toxic chemicals (de-toxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on her health.

Evening at 11pm - 1am : The de-toxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3am : de-toxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5am : de-toxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the de-toxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7am : de-toxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel.

Morning 7 - 9am : Absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick. Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 -10am rather than no meal at all. Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood.

Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.

Making Plans

Are you one of those who plans your life ahead? I mean, planning on what you want your life to be 5 or 10 years from now... or when you get 50 years old...or when you have your first grandchild...or a year or 2 after you become a senior citizen?

If everything did not happen the way you want it to be, there are reasons... And they are usually sensible! Of course! Just read on...

Some things are beyond planning.
And life doesn't always turn out as planned.

You don't plan for a broken heart.
You don't plan for a failed Business venture.
You don't plan for an adulterous husband.
You don't plan for an autistic child.
You don't plan for spinsterhood.
You don't plan for a lump in your breast.

You plan to climb the corporate Ladder.
You plan to be rich and powerful.
You plan to be acclaimed and successful.
You plan to fall in love - and be loved forever.

You don't plan to be sad.
You don't plan to be hurt.
You don't plan to be broke.
You don't plan to be betrayed.
You don't plan to be alone in the world.
You plan to be happy.
You don't plan to be shattered.

Sometimes if you work hard enough, you can get what you want.
But most times, what you want and what you get are two different things.

We, mortals, plan but so does God in the heavens.
Sometimes, it is difficult to understand God's plans–especially when His plans are not in consonance with ours. Often, when God sends us crisis, we turn to Him in anger.

True, we cannot choose the cross that God wishes us to carry but we can carry that cross with courage knowing that God will never abandon us nor send something we cannot cope with.

Sometimes, God breaks our spirit to save our soul.
Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.
Sometimes, God sends us pain so we can be stronger.
Sometimes, God sends us failure so we can be humble.

Sometimes God sends us illness
so we can take better care of ourselves.
Sometimes, God takes everything away from us
so we can learn the value of everything He gave us.

Make plans but understand that we live by God's grace.

--Just what I need! And you?

:)

WS: Up..Up.. and away!

It's a bird! It's a plane! Oh no! It's a kite!

:-)

More WS here!

Stay young

How? This is how they said you do it...

1. Throw out non-essential numbers.
This includes age, weight, and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why they get paid.

2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning.
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop."

4. Enjoy the simple things

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with her/him !

6. The tears happen.
Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is our self. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love.
Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health.
If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, even to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love, that you love them - at every opportunity!

What do you think? I think all of these are true. It's only a matter of how you are gonna do it. I know sometimes it's easy to just read them, but it's hard to do it.

For your eyes only

Yes sir/maam! It's for your eyes only co'z they look yummy but they are pictures! :) Tell me what you think after looking at these gorgeous photos. Whoever created these is awesome!

Well? :)

Duck Quack, Eagles Fly

This story is forwarded by a friend thru email. I might not be a friend of the story teller nor the main character, but I hope this will inspire you to do things you don't usually do. Who knows, this might be your vehicle to success!

--------------------
Ducks Quack , Eagles Fly

Years ago, my friend, Harvey Mackay, told me a wonderful story about a cab driver that proved this point. He was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing Harvey noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for Harvey.

He handed my friend a laminated card and said: "I'm Wally, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement."

Taken aback, Harvey read the card. It said: Wally's Mission Statement: "To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment." This blew Harvey away, especially when he noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean! As he slid behind the wheel, Wally said, "Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf."

My friend said jokingly, "No, I'd prefer a soft drink." Wally smiled and said, "No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, water and orange juice." Almost stuttering, Harvey said, "I'll take a Diet Coke." Handing him his drink, Wally said, "If you'd like something to read, I have The Wall Street Journal, Time, Sports Illustrated and USA Today."

As they were pulling away, Wally handed my friend another laminated card. "These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio."

And as if that weren't enough, Wally told Harvey that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for him. Then he advised Harvey of the best route to his destination for that time of day. He also let him know that he'd be happy to chat and tell him about some of the sights or, if Harvey preferred, to leave him with his own thoughts.

"Tell me, Wally," my amazed friend asked the driver, "have you always served customers like this?"

Wally smiled into the rearview mirror. "No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard the personal growth guru, Wayne Dyer, on the radio one day. He had just written a book called You'll See It When You Believe It. Dyer said that if you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. He said, 'Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'"

"That hit me right between the eyes," said Wally. "Dyer was really talking about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more."

"I take it that has paid off for you," Harvey said. "It sure has," Wally replied. "My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. You were lucky to get me today. I don't sit at cabstands anymore. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on my answering machine. If I can't pick them up myself, I get a reliable cabbie friend to do it and I take a piece of the action."

Wally was phenomenal. He was running a limo service out of a Yellow Cab. I've probably told that story to more than fifty cab drivers over the years, and only two took the idea and ran with it. Whenever I go to their cities, I give them a call. The rest of the drivers quacked like ducks and told me all the reasons they couldn't do any of what I was suggesting.

Wally the Cab Driver made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles. So, what are you? No one can make you serve customers well. That's because great service is a choice.
--------------------

So, which one are you right now? Good Luck! :)

Seven Ups

I think this is just what I need after 5 days of feeling 'blah'. After reading this, I feel like I woke up from a 2 days sleep and back to my normal self again. I hope you'll feel the same way like I did after reading the rules below.

1. Wake Up!!
Decide to have a good day.
"This is the day the Lord hath made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up!!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance,
But the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul."
Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!
For what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..."
Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up!!
To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me".
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up!!
For something higher.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up!!
Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6

What are you waiting for?! Get out and have fun! You only have one life to live so, live each day like it is your last day! [Oooooppppssss! I think I'm talking to my self!]

:)

I'm in!

Yes, I will be in the hospital today for my uterine fibroid to be embolized. I'm really not nervous since my doctor said that it's not really a major procedure.

For those who are curious about it, you might want to visit this page. It says that fibroids are almost always benign. That makes me feel at ease. Only that what I have is as big as a baseball ball and as hard as a golf ball. At least that's what my doctor told me.

All I'm asking for right now is that, everything will turn out fine and I expect to be back to my old normal self after 3-4 days. And by the way, this will be my first time to stay in the hospital for a night! How exciting, ha?

:)

Who is he?

I guess this piece has been circulating throught the WWW for a couple of months now. I really don't know if all of these are true... I may not be eligible to vote yet, but after reading these facts, I got scared. Read it yourself...
-----------
Who is Barack Obama?

Probable U. S. Presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr., a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white ATHEIST from Wichita,Kansas.

Obama's parents met at the University of Hawaii. When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced.

When Obama was 6 years old, the family relocated to Indonesia. Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta. He also spent two years in a Catholic school.

Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, 'He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school.'

Obama's political handlers are attempting to make it appear that Obama's introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this influence was temporary at best.

In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over his son's education. Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta. Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world.

Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when seeking major public office in the United States, Barack Hussein Obama has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background.

Let us all remain very alert concerning Obama's expected presidential candidacy.

The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out. What better way to start than at the highest level - through the President of the United States, as one of their own!!!!

ALSO, AND VERY IMPORTANT, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran.

IF THIS CONCERNS YOU, please forward to everyone you know.

Would you want this man leading our country?
------------
What do you think? Are you ready for a change?