Almost Winter

The search for my ultimate winter boots is on!

Well, Autumn is almost over soon, and I want to be ready for the winter this year, by buying myself a pair of boots. Ever since I got here about 5 years ago I've been wanting to buy one! In Manila I never really had the reason to wear them (well of course, lest I look silly donning a winter boot in Sunny Manila!).

I'm thinking what style to buy, and whether to buy a brown or black one. Or white?? Hehe. I think I most likely will stick to a black one for my first buy.

Most likely a plain but gorgeous one. Not too shiny not too dull. I was looking at a UGG boot as well. But I think thats a bit quite over for winter here. It's not like we get snow here. But then again. I still may buy one! Hehe!

I should probably check out what they have at Myer. Or some other shop at the Pitt Street Mall.

Europe Travel in 2009?

Today I spoke to a friend in Dubai who's got a colleague that transferred from Sydney to Dubai in the hope of a change of work environment. She's mentioned about her colleague not being able to get a working holiday visa because she was aged over 30. This gave me an idea to try to get a working holiday visa in case I get my Aussie passport before I turn 31. All is up in the air about that. But in case I do get my passport with enough time to process that, I could opt to get a work visa for either the UK or Canada. If not, then I should just be content with travelling to Europe or America.

I've been planning my Europe trip in my head for the longest time, working out the cities that I would be visiting. One city that I intend to go to is Riga, in Latvia. I've seen quite a number of Riga apartments for rent, which may be the better way to go if I intended to stay in the charming city for at least a week. We all know how expensive staying in hotels can get, and I intend to travel wisely by staying in an apartment in Riga and use the money I save on shopping instead! It's quite handy that I was able to come across a great website on apartments for rent in Riga. This site is user friendly, showing photos, property description and rates in one page. So clear and straightforward I wish planning for each city was this easy.

Whatever reason or however way am sure I will do Europe next year!

Kids' Q

Val's tagged me!

Copy here:
1. Answer the Kid’s Question by Gregory Stock, PH.D. Remember: Don’t respond as you think others want you to. Respond the way you actually feel!
2. Add your name (linked to your blog)
3. Tag everybody else!

Kid’s Question #1 If you were the ruler of the world and you could have anything you wanted as well as have people do anything you wanted, do you think you would get greedy and mean or would you be a good and fair ruler?

MY ANSWER: Of course a good and fair ruler. I'd eliminate greedy and I'd take control over everybody's wealth. Materially Rich and poor will be out of the dictionary because everyone will have fair access to wealth!

Jhong, Alpha, Em, Something Purple, Bigeyedgal, Chronic Shopper, Coriander Dreams, ADD YOUR LINK HERE

Grab the tag if you may! :)

Laser Skirmish in Sydney

This weekend my siblings and I are going to play laser skirmish in a city called Gosford, which is in the northern part of Sydney. We've been talking about it, getting all excited about playing against each other. Unlike laser tag, laser skirmish is played outdoors. We'd be all geared up in camouflage, BDU pants, hats, the whole outfit that one uses in combat! This will be a first time for all of us, and we are pretty enthusiastic about the activity. I could just imagine running and hiding through acres of battlefield. I am really just hoping the weather is good this weekend. Otherwise, I suppose playing in the rain would be fun too!

What do you get out of blogging?

At one point, some point in time, we need to express ourselves, beyond the real world (where we often times coat our feelings and words with a happy mask). The world wide web is such a great tool to be able to say what one wants without having to wear a happy mask. It is easy to write something about anything. But an entry written without any emotion attached to it, is like a soul-less person writing about life.

I blog for so many reasons and sometimes no reason. I just find my space (this very space I call my home) a place where I can be myself, write about anything I want, whether it is for personal gain, or whether it is to satisfy the need to share information. It can be a blabber about something I have learned, something about what I feel. Any thing. Any place. Any person. Any event. All that I want to save in my world wide web space.

I may write about the most mundane thing to you, but for me it may mean the world. At the end of the day I blog for me. I'm sure a lot out there share the same sentiments, and really to each their own. We do what makes us happy, and our happiness should not be dependent on others. Blog, write, type, inform. I just do it.

Is there one thing that you truly just can't decide on?

Whether Coke is better than Pepsi, or whether you prefer to spend your vacation be by the beach or in the mountains?

In life there are just so many things that you can't decide on. You figure you'd want to decide based on your feelings for the moment. I feel a bit cold so the choice between hot chocolate and ice cream becomes obvious : have a cup of hot choco to warm you up on a cold day. Or, you've felt like eating fish for dinner at a restaurant, thus choice between red or white wine is apparent : white wine goes with fish.

Sometimes we are just so preoccupied with wanting to decide, but oftentimes the situation decides for you. You are hoping so. For life to just unfold in front of you. But then again are you willing to wait to be put to bedrest before saying I need a break from work? Or will you read the signs: sleeping on the job, wrinkles, prolonged daily headaches, to be able to know better before involuntarily being led to a decision.

Life is not as easy to decide on. There are hidden meanings, deeper translations, and wiser thoughts. There are complications of things such as those out of your control, unwelcome surprises, and annoying people. There is the limitation of work too. You can't just take off from work to spend the day at the beach. Consequences. You don't work you don't get paid. But then again, a long year's hardwork deserves a much needed long holiday to visit that city you've been daydreaming of since the beginning of the year.

To decide and to stick with it is such a hard thing to do. But to those who have claimed to abiding by their decision, I salute you. To people out there like me who are still in the struggle, well, good luck to us. The road is long and we are the only one who can decide which path to take. Life is about taking chances, and being given chances. Making a mistake in choosing your road does not stop in a dead-end. One can always turn back, or go forward to get back on track. Good luck to us.

Anyone with a Green thumb?

Every once in a while one stumbles upon fine inventions or best buy finds that make our lives easier. I am not really much of a plant person, as my thumb is the least green. Having said this though I have always dreamed of having a neat garden when I get my own dream home. I would most likely need garden stakes to organise my plants. I find this to be the most useful tool particularly with bearing plants. Distinguishing the celery column from the coriander column. Considering I love labels, having garden stakes would allow me to arrange and "catalogue" my plants in my own backyard! I have an aunt who I know would enjoy this as well. She's into labelling boxes, tupperwares, and plastics. And she is into gardening as well. I'm sure she's not the only one out there who fit the description: neat gardener.

Garden stakes purchased from metalgardenmarkers.com come in various sizes and styles, and are made from galvanized steel wire thus rust resistant. Hopping onto their website to purchase these organising tool is a gardener's heaven as the site is easy to navigate. For United States and Canada residents they even offer a free brochure! And to those who are living elsewhere, like myself, purchasing these handy garden stakes would not be a problem as shipping is available for shipping to anywhere in the world.

Quotes for today

....In every work of genius we recognize our own rejected thoughts; they come back to us with a certain alienated majesty. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm finding myself such a fan recently of R.W. Emerson's work.

....Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else. - James M. Barrie

What's your thoughts on Camping?

Every been on a camping trip? My family and I were meant to go camping while they are here on vacation. I was actually already looking at campsites, and have found Glenworth Valley to be quite a good one. With activities such as: kayaking, abseiling, horsebackriding, quad bike tours, bushwalking, and even laser skirmish!
As much as I am a girly girl, I have recently been wanting to try to camp outdoors one day. I am probably not ready for the full on camping with no highway in sight or even no toilet within walking distance. I would love to experience though sleeping under the stars, hearing the cricket sounds to lull me to sleep, and wake up with sunshine streaking through the tent window. I am not prepared to see spiders and snakes though and everyone knows that Australia is spider country (and snakes too!)So, Glenworth Valley would've been perfect. If only the people I was going with were game about it. But they're not! So, we have opt to stay at a motel in the closest town, Gosford, and just head to Glenworth Valley for the day! That will do for now! We are planning to do the skirmish, quad bike and possibly kayak and bushwalk! I am quite excited. I've never done skirmish before and I haven't been to any of the places above.

This is what Glenworth Valley's aerial view looks like:

Work news life

"We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities. "
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

A good colleague friend is moving onto another area in the business as she's told us today. Am a bit sad and yet happy at the same time as it means something better is in store for her. But part of me is selfish as I've become close to her and we are each other's extra hand/head/ears just really helping out in all ways. I suppose that's life. Just when you are getting comfortable things are stirred. Enough to keep one on their toes and go on with unique journey through life. Nothing stays the same. Everyday we learn something new discovering better things out there, leading us to be better "you's" and better "me's". C'est La Vie.

Recycling Plastics

Nowadays, a lot of individuals in households are conscious of disposing of their scraps properly. This is the way to go now, especially with a lot of issues happening in the world we live in eg, global warming, increasing diseases and other things. We live in a world where we should all be responsible for disposing scraps properly. Businesses are involved in this as well. One of the biggest industries that contribute to this is the food industry. With all the fast food scraps, drink bottles, food containers and other snack food packages that goes in transaction each minute of the day this is one area which particularly does a good deal of recycling. One type of plastic commonly found in food packages is High Density Polyethylene or HDPE. Recycling HDPE Scrap or Regrind HDPE (which are flake pieces) business is taken seriously by industries and as consumers we should still be aware of this. Recycle for a better world! I know I have been exposed to this early in my youth and have been conscious with segregating biodegradable items with non biodegradable items. Really, we can help out in recycling in that little effort that we put in!

QnA for today

1. How late did you stay up last night
and why?
- A bit past midnight. Blogging and researching.

2. What was the first thing you said
when you got up?
- Good morning sunshine!

3. Who were you with friday night?
- Siblings and Hubby

4. Do you think you will be in a
relationship 3 months from now?
- I'm sure!

5. When's the next time you'll see your
friends?
- Which one? My Manila friends? Dunno. My Sydney friends. Whenever!

6. What were you doing this morning at
7am?
- Still sleeping

7. What radio station do you listen to
the most?
- Nova 96.9

8. What was the reason you last cried?
- I was chopping onions!

9. Have you ever talked to someone when
they were high?
- no

10. What are you listening to?
- My sister talking with her boyfriend

11. Who was the last two people to
text you?
- Hubby and Friend from Manila

12. What's the fifth text in your inbox
say?"
- "Where are you??"

13. How many red lights have you ran?
- I can't remember

14. What high school did/do you attend?
- SPCP

15. What was your least favorite lesson
and why?
- Statistics! I think thats self explanatory!

16. What were you doing at 11pm last
night?
- Chatting away

17. Who was the last person you texted
last night before bed?
- hubbybaby

18. Will you be driving in a year?
- I hope so (in Syd)!!

19. Is there anything that you are
craving right now?
- Everything from Teriyaki Boy!!!

20. When did your last hug take place?
- this evening :)

21. Do people ever make stupid mistakes
when spelling or saying your name?
- All the time

22. Have you ever started a sentence
with "No offense, but..."?
- Not really

23. Do you drink tea?
- Iced tea only

24. Have you ever been arrested?
- Never

25. Have you rode in someone else's car
today?
- Not today!

26. Have you made a mistake this past
week?
- A few... I'm only human..

27. What are you listening to right
now?
- Still them chatting away

28. Say a statement about somebody.
- Somebody is feeling cold

29. Do you miss someone?
- Yep

30. Are you happy with your life right
now?
- Yup!

31. In the past 72 hours have you been
under the influence?
- Influence of? My siblings' eating habits! Yes!

32. What was the last movie you saw?
- 10,000 BC

33. What do you need to be doing right
now?
- Nothing really

34. What's the connection between you
and the last person you texted?
- Hubby

35. Who do you hate?
- No one.

36. What do you wear to bed?
- Shorts and shirt

37. Has anyone got on your nerves
lately?
- Yup clients

38. Do you think you'll be married in
10 years?
- I hope so!

39. What were you doing at 6pm Friday
night?
- Having dinner out

40. Do you know anyone with the same
name as you?
- None

I am a Postie

Finally I am part of the Smorty circle! Smorty connects advertisers to bloggers. It is a place where advertisers can advertise on blogs a to promote a product or service. For writers like me who are wanting to let out creativity and combine that with the passion for writing, Smorty provides this perfect venue and at the same time I can get paid to blog.

Creating my Smorty account was easy and painless. For as long as one's blog is at least three months old and active, not have (excessive) duplicate entries, be indexed by Google and Yahoo, have non-violent and no hatred content, then I am all good. Well of course there are other considerations that Smorty looks into. However, they are only reasonable in making a decision to accept a blogger into their network.

I am looking forward to being an active and involved postie. I know I will be taken cared of by the whole Smorty team. I know that they only have the best interest for posties like me.

Do you remember the New Kids on the Block?

I remember when I was in Elementary, this was one of THE hottest IN thing ever. Hehe. Well, I guess either you loved or hated them. My best friend loved Joe Mcintyre and looking at him now, well he's turned out to be quite a hottie. See if you can spot them then and now. (Jonathan Knight, Joe Mcintyre, Danny Wood, Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight). Do you remember that NKOTB craze?

Original photos taken from here.

Entrepreneur Wannabe

Ever wonder how you'd do if you were an online merchant? I've always wanted to try my luck in selling cute items that girls would love, possibly handmade jewelry. With Ashop Commerce's ecommerce software , being an entrepreneur couldn't have been any easier. Ashop has made this dream achievable. Although I would probably want to try it out first, it is good that they have the 10 day free trial offer. But I'm pretty sure it would all work out well because Ashop has got one of the best shopping cart software available in the world wide web. Aside from excellent customare care (they have got live chat support tool) they have an intelligent ticket tracker. Really having all the support for a new entrepreneur wannabe as myself this is very much comforting. And as a business person I am definitely attracted to the fact that Ashop Commerce does Web Promotion, has Design Services, even Domain Registration and a whole lot more other tools to choose from. I've had a browse through their tutorial movies and demo stores, and so far I am impressed. I am sure this award winning shopping cart software would live up to their name.

Back to Back QnA

Thanks Valerie for this... :)

1. Does anyone know your password? I'm not sure! Gave it to hubbybaby but I think he's forgotten them (to think he was the one who came up with those passwords!)

2. What was the last thing you ordered at McDonalds? Cheeseburger

3. Are you an emotional person? Yes! I feel I laugh I cry I emote. I try not to do all at once tho!
4. Do you like your name? Yes.

5. Do you believe in love at first sight? No. I think some people just are lucky to marry the person they fell in love at first sight with. Doesn't always work. You have to know the person before you decide to love them.

6. Ever felt jealous of your friend? Yup! Who hasn't?

7. What was the last thing you did? Gone to Sydney Aquarium. Walk walk walk.. Tired!

8. Who is next to you? No one.

9. Who was the last person you ate with? My hubby and siblings

10. What song are you listening toright now? Four Seasons of Loneliness - Emote!

11. How is the weather right now? Just right. But am sure it will turn cold later.

12. Last person you called? Sister dear

13. Who are you thinking right now? Nothing!..Blank mind. Does that to you at the end of the day. Well at least to me.

14. Last song you sang? Whitney's I'll Always love you! (it was playing on the street as I was walking earlier! Last song syndrome!)

15. Last time you danced? Hubby swept me off my feet a few days ago. Haha!

18. Last thing you ate? Chocolate :)

19. Been really depressed before? Yes. Well, first love hit me bad. I've gotten over it after 3 long years!

20. Faked being sick to miss school? I have! But I don't remember that to have worked on my mom. Was never a good actress!

21. What time did you wake up today? 830AM! This is early for me!

22. Current taste? Nada.

23. What are you wearing right now? Night clothes :)

24. Are you too shy to ask anyone out? Depends who we are referring to. A stranger? Yes. Someone I know? No.

25. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Their jawline.Smile. And eyes. And shoulders. haha! Nothing in particular!

27. Current love? The wharf.

28. What date and day is it today? 01 April 2008 Tuesday

29. Did you go anywhere today? To my new office address. Sydney Aquarium

30. What did you do there? Worked. Went around the aquarium to take photos and enjoy quality time.

34. Do you call your parents by their first name? No!

35. Are you an only child? Nope.

36. Where do you go shopping? No particular shop. For as long as I have the $$ whichever lovely place will do.

38. Do you like books? Yes

39. Do you want to get married? YupYup.

40. To whom? To my hubbybaby

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1.What's the connection between you and the last person you texted?- good friend.

2.What is wrong with you right now?- I've got a mosquito bite on my right elbow. And it's sore.

3. Do you ever miss your first love?- No.

4.When did you last cry?- I think a few days ago. Out of frustration about something.

5.What do you hate?- Being not in control.

6. What do you want in your life right now?- I want to be able to take control of my life. Hehe. Control friek...

7. Are you happy?- Relatively

8.What are you listening to?- Compilation of old old songs.9. What do you smell like?- I smell like cotton breeze

10. What time do you go to bed?- I try to sleep by 12. If not then whenever.

11.Who was the last person in your bed besides you?- Sister dear

12.What do you wear to bed?- Depends. Summer - whatever. Winter - everything.

13. Do you tend to make relationships complicated?- All the time. And that is an understatement.

14. What did you do yesterday?- Went to Homebush

15. What was the last movie you went to?- 10000 BC

16. Is your shirt new?- No

17. Do you live near your ex boyfriend/girlfriend?- Yup

18. Are you scared of bugs?- Yes yes yes! Bugs and every other insect that tends to crawl on you when you least expect.

19. How was your day today?- Stressful. Tiring.

20. What do you think of Eminem?- Indifferent. (Not a fan)

21. Do you read?- Yes. Reading makes me think. And I like thinking. :)

22. Do you sleep with a teddy bear?- No. When I was young I tried to. But teddy just ends up on the floor. I gave up since then.

23. Do you like anyone right now?- Yes. Love is more like it.

24. Are you bored?- Not at the moment. My hands and plate are both full.Too full.

25. What are you excited about?- So many things. Mid May. Phantom of the Opera. The thought of me losing weight. Owning my own home. Etc Etc.

26. Who was last person to cook for you?- Sister dear

27. Who was your last text message from?- Ex flatmate

28.Who was the last person to make you cry?- Family

29. Name someone whose name starts with the letter P?- Patrick

30. Do you care what others think about you?- Sometimes can't help it. But re: trivial things, No.

31. Have you ever been in love?- Yes!

32. Do you trust people easily?- Not as much as I used to.

33. Do you think you'll be married in 10 years?- I think so. I hope so! I'd be 40 then!

34. Will you ever kiss the last person you kissed again?- Yes of course I will.

35. What do you look forward to in the next 3 months?- I'm not looking forward to the winter months. But I am looking forward to things being calm and settled again.

36. Who was the last person to call you?- Hubby

37. Do you plan on moving out within the next year?- I already have!

38. What happened at 10:00 am today?- I was fixing my log ins at my new desk.

.. Feel free to take this on! :)