Been so much addicted to eating good food lately... well, since I have started working in a food-loving-devouring company that resides in one of Singapore's best locations to eat - Chinatown.
The past few weekends, I've had the idea of scouring the country for best places to eat various cuisines and so far.. I've dined in approximately less than 1/4 of Singapore's most appetizing restos. A few of my favorites are Aston's Specialties at East Coast Road for their scrumptious Steaks, Marche Restaurant at Vivo City for the marvelous Paella, Cuba Libre in Clarke Quay for the live band and really yummy Cuban cuisine and the amazing Calamares de Cuba, Cafe Supunsa (Thai food) at Robertson Quay where me and Carl and my ex-colleagues used to eat at least once or twice a week for their very scrumptious Pad Thai and Green Curry, and where else... damn there's so much more I can't think of right now.
To help me find these really good places, I often consult to yum.sg, flavor.sg, and hungrygowhere.com where this specific portal (hungrygowhere) has a new service of delivering your favorite gourmet food from anywhere right at your doorstep. Wohoo! I'm never happier or hungrier than ever.
I'm predicting that I'll gain at least 10kg before I get back home to Manila for christmas.
Damn.
Gimme a V! Gimme an O! Gimme an X! What's that spell? VOX!
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"It is becoming more and more important that all sun lovers take precautions to avoid excessive exposure to the sun's harmful rays. Following are some tips to make your sun worshipping both enjoyable and safer."
Many family traditions include a yearly visit to the beach. Tucked away in our memories are the smell of coconut oil, the warmth of the sun and sand mixed with cool beach breezes. However, gone are the days of baby oil and metal sun reflectors, replaced with safer sun practices to preserve our natural skin color and condition. Sun protection comes in a variety of options to include sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, sun protective swimwear and cover-ups.
An important part of your beach planning will be your sun protection. Sun tanning and trips to your local tanning salon aren’t the best idea anymore. That’s because both emit harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can cause painful sunburn and may eventually lead to skin blemishes, premature aging of the skin, cataracts and other eye problems, weakened immune system and skin cancer. And if the Earth’s ozone layer continues to deplete and the approximate rate of four to six percent per decade there will be more UV radiation reaching our skin.
It is true that light skin is more susceptible to sun damage, however darker skinned people such as African Americans and Hispanic Americans can be affected. Everyone should be educated about the affects of the sun and the steps needed to safer sun exposure.
The easiest way to protect you from the sun is simply by avoiding the sun; the sun’s rays are strongest between 10am and 3pm. Cloudy days may be deceiving as the clouds only block about twenty percent of UV radiation, this is also true when swimming in the water (the UV rays can still reach you).
If you are going to be out in the sun in your bikinis or swimsuits, either sunscreen or sunblock should be used. Both sunscreen and sunblock come in creams, lotions, ointments, gels or wax sticks, and when applied to the skin will reflect, absorb or scatter either all or at least some of the sun’s harmful rays. Currently on the market are some makeup items containing sunscreen (lipstick being one example). Sunscreen products are believed to block a large percentage of harmful UV radiation. The FDA requires that any label of sunscreen products state the sun protection factor (SPF), the higher the number the longer a person is able to stay in the sun before burning. It is recommended to wear at least a sunscreen with SPF 15, the product should also be applied liberally 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. The sunscreen should be applied to all areas of skin that will be exposed to include; lips, ears, eyelids (be careful not to get in eyes), neck, nose, scalp (for those with thinning hair), feet, and hands. Children under 6 months should not wear sunscreen (covering their skin is the best bet against sun exposure), as they might be too sensitive to the ingredients. Sunscreen should become a regular habit for children whenever going outdoors.
Sunglasses are a very important part of sun protection. Not only do sunglasses help us see in the glaring sun, but also protect our eyes from sun damage. Price doesn’t matter as long as the glasses are blocking ninety-nine to one hundred percent of UVA and UVB radiation (it should say on the label). Try and select sunglasses that protect your eyes from all angles, a large framed wraparound style is suggested. Don’t forget to put sunglasses on your children as well; they can start wearing sunglasses as early as one year old. It is important to purchase real protective sunglasses for children, not toy sunglasses. Even if you’re wearing sunglasses you might want to put some sunscreen on your eyelids (be careful not to get the sunscreen in you’re eyes), as the sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays not the skin around the eyes.
Hats are an easy and fashionable ways to protect you’re eyes, ears, nose, neck and scalp from the sun. Try and purchase a hat with a three- inch brim all the way around the hat if possible. There are such a wide variety of hats available in styles ranging from lovely straw hats with wide brims, to cotton hats with brims and baseball caps (some with material draping down the sides and back if desired).
Another popular form of sun protection is available in the sun protective swimwear and cover-ups. This swimwear covers the areas of the body most sensitive to sunburn, giving effective sun protection. The swimwear comes in styles similar to a t-shirt with adjoining shorts, and is a great idea especially for children. The swimwear and cover-ups boast a SPF 50 (highest rating for fabric) and most often offers approximately ninety-eight percent sunblock, the nylon-lycra mix is lightweight and fast- drying. There are also sunsuits combined with buoyancy aids (another great idea for children). The sun protective swimwear, t-shirts, cover-ups and hats are available in babies, children and adult sizes. Although the protective swimwear is quite popular it has yet to be approved by the FDA.
Cover-ups should be worn whenever possible if out in the sun. A cover-up can include any lightweight, loose-fitting, long sleeved shirts, skirts, pants or robes that provide protection from the sun. There are toweling robes manufactured that serve both as a towel and a cover-up after swimming. Almost all materials and colors absorb or reflect the sun’s harmful UV rays. However it must be noted that it is suggested to avoid wearing wet clothing in the sun, as the sun’s rays can much more easily pass through wet clothing.
It is important to avoid artificial tanning as much as possible. It has long been a belief that the ultraviolet (UV) rays from tanning beds are harmless as they emit mostly UVA rays and barely any UVB the rays considered to be most hazardous. However it has been found that UVA rays may be the cause of the most serious forms of skin cancer (melanoma). This is scary considering some people use the tanning beds all year long, thus increasing their exposure to the harmful rays at an alarming rate.
An alternative to a real tan may come in one of the self-tanning products available on the market. Self-tanning products are sold in tanning pills, sunless tanning lotions and sprays, cosmetic bronzers and extenders and tanning pills. Through a bit of trial and error you can usually find a product that will produce a desired look from a subtle glow to a deep dark tan. Caution should also be exercised with these self-tanning products. In particular the tanning pills that use carotenoid color additives which are approved as additives for coloring food but not for use in tanning pills, if consumed in high levels they may be harmful. The tanning accelerators using tyrosine have not been FDA approved and should also be used minimally. The bronzers and extenders use color additives that are approved by the FDA and because they wash or wear off quite quickly are quite safe.
Although it’s important to practice caution while being out and about in the sun, your day at the beach or lake can still be a wonderful experience. We just have to take a more careful approach to our sun seeking ways to ensure our future health. So pack away your coconut oil and reflectors, replacing them with sunscreen and great sun protective hats and cover-ups.
I always ask Aram if he likes my cooking. He'd always say, "It's okay.", but I do look forward for the day that without a blink of an eye - he'd say that he liked what I cooked. It has always been a challenge for me, because I honestly, honestly love to cook. And having your boyfriend say "It's okay." every damn time - is not a good sign. =(
I can actually relate to what Phoebe of Friends commented about Monica's cooking that her cooking always tasted garlic. Aram said nothing tastes bad about my cooking but the use of the same spices over and over again is what he hates. Ouch. I love garlic, oregano and most of all basil (fresh or dry - I love basil!).
Even though I love these spices, I guess I need to stay away from them for a while. So I've been slowly adding more spices in my spice rack. I bought ginger, sage, cumin and I tried using those I seldom use like the rosemary and thyme.
And for the first time yesterday, he liked what I cooked! I got so excited that I had to blog about it. =)
We had Thai Chicken and Basil for lunch - yes, I know I said I had to stay away from basil, but it was my last stash of fresh basil and I hate throwing away food. I went looking for a recipe, aside from pesto and bruschetta (like he will kill me if he sees those on the table), which I can make use of what I have in the ref, and I remember that Thai in a Box Chicken and Basil rice topping. I went looking online for the recipe and there goes our lunch!
Then it's good that I have checked one of my Rachel Ray "Everyday" magazines before I went out for grocery. I found a beef kebab recipe. Aram loves kebab, maybe him being half-Iranian is the reason why. So for dinner I have prepared the beef kebab (with a pinch of cumin) and a salad (with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and fresh grapes). I have asked him to prepare the garlic-yogurt dressing earlier (whatever they call that... He said they don't serve that in Iran.)
After dinner I asked him if he liked dinner. He said "Yes... and also the chicken and basil lunch earlier." Yay! Finally the day I've been waiting for. =) The kebab isn't far from the King's Kebab taste, a Persian Grill we frequent for dinner in Shaw Boulevard for kebab cravings. Now, I can save us couple hundred bucks and gas, too.
Aside from these, I was able to cook bread pudding too and shared it with our pad mates. Our ref is full of old breads, our bread + their bread + eggs + milk + raisins + apples (that I've been wanting to get rid of) + crushed pineapple = home made bread pudding.
I realized I spent my whole day yesterday in the kitchen and grocery. Oh well. At least finally Aram loved my cooking. =)
I used to be hung-up on the need to be successful. That is, until I took a daring step into the unknown and discovered the difference between attaining success and successful living. While others achieve transcendence while trekking in Tibet or living among indigenous tribes in the Amazon rain forest, my spiritual epiphany began with a move to Munich, where I didn't know a soul or speak the language. (Does gesundheit count?) In that move I learned to follow my inner guidance, surrender to life, and trust that I am safe and taken care of regardless of where I am in the world. I discovered that life is meant to be an adventure, and that only when we step out of our comfort zone can our dreams become a reality.I was 31 and living in Southern California. Despite many wonderful friends, a rental house near the beach, a sports car, a busy psychotherapy practice, and a lucrative speaking and consulting business, I wasn't happy. Mostly, that was due to my ever-present quest for success. I dressed to succeed (according the popular book on that topic), drove the car a successful person would drive, and constantly thought about what I needed to do next on that seductive road to bigger and better achievements. I worked too much, and played too little. Though I exercised at a gym (for successful people, of course) took yoga classes, and meditated regularly, there was little peace in my life. I was driven by the fear that if I stopped for a moment, someone else would take the place that was waiting for me at the top of the mountain. I was surprised to receive the message, "move to Munich" in response to my inner plea for clarity, guidance, and direction. But when the inspiration came through, I decided to "go for it" and see where it would lead me. My transatlantic move was both the scariest and most exciting thing I had ever done. I took nine weeks off to travel by myself to Europe (I had never been there) and look for work at the same time. Five months later I closed my business, sold or gave away everything I owned, and moved to a small, furnished apartment in Munich to teach psychology for an American university.One of the first things I noticed after my overseas move was that I had taken myself with me. There I was, six thousand miles from home, and recreating the same negative patterns that I had hoped to leave behind. Unfortunately, this made it difficult for me to blame my unhappiness on my life circumstances. Clearly, my life was not going to be truly satisfying until I looked within and changed some old, familiar ways of being in the world. The most important thing I did was to redefine success for myself. Instead of always pursuing some illusive, future goal, I decided that success for me would be having nice days. Each morning, I thought of ways in which I could make that day special. I began to appreciate the music of the distant church bells chiming in my neighborhood, the delicious smell of fresh bread in a local bakery, and the light cast within my tiny apartment, with snowflakes falling outside my window on silent winter afternoons. With spring, I rode my bike along the banks of the Isar River, captivated by the beauty of nature and the magnificent, old buildings that line its banks. I anonymously walked the streets of the city, and discovered favorite cobblestone passageways leading deep into the ancient past. Each night, as I lay in bed, I asked myself the question: "Did I have a nice day?" If I did, I considered myself successful. During this time, I discovered that I didn't need lots of money or possessions to live abundantly. I earned little, owned almost nothing, and didn't even have a car (unheard of in Southern California, freeway capital of the world!) Yet, I found with a little economizing I was still able to travel to Denmark, France, Greece, Cypress, and Italy for glorious experiences. I stopped identifying myself by my accomplishments or income level, and even stopped dressing for success (oh, sweet relief!) Although I made new friends from many cultures, I found that I was contented simply being with me. Not surprisingly, just when I was completely at peace within myself, I met a wonderful man who has been my life partner ever since. Life has taken its inevitable twists and turns since then, bringing new joys and challenges along the way. Thanks to my time in Munich, I strive to say "yes" to life whenever possible. I have come to believe that we live our best lives when we act courageously in accordance with the magnificent guidance within us. There are enormous blessings which accompany our willingness to say "yes" to the opportunities life places on our doorstep. Although these opportunities never come with written guarantees that all will be fine, in my experience, when we risk following our inspiration, life unfolds even more perfectly than we ever imagined.
Although we typically post on Team Vox to let you know about things that are going on with Vox (to, uh, state the obvious), once in a while, we like to let you know about other cool things that are happening around the blogosphere. And we think the idea of four hilarious mommy bloggers traveling across the U.S. on their way to the BlogHer '08 conference - all the while blogging and video blogging the journey - is one trip you will not want to miss.
Four adventurous bloggers from the Silicon Valley Moms Group were selected to participate in the Summer Road Trip '08 and blog about their travels, hotel stays, media appearances, time away from their families, and life on the road. Six Apart helped them partner up with General Motors, who provided the blogging mommies with a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV to help make their journey comfy, safe, and a little more green.
In case you're not familiar with them, SV Moms is a group of over 200 bloggers who showcase the ups, downs, outrages, struggles, victories, and everyday humor of motherhood. There are currently nine regional and demographically tailored sites that give mothers from D.C., New Jersey, the Deep South, Rocky Mountains, L.A., and Silicon Valley a powerful voice and sense of camaraderie across the country. Whether you're a mother, a child, or just a person who enjoys a good blog, you'll really love reading the words of these amazing women.
The moms buckled into their Chevy Tahoe Hybrid SUV on July 11th and even got an encouraging message from Katie Couric to kick things off! They are currently somewhere in the middle of America making their way to San Francisco where they'll attend an SV Moms Group Party, as well as BlogHer '08.
You do not want to miss these entertaining and irreverent bloggers -- or their spontaneous contest giveaways! -- as they blog from the road. Experience the journey at MomRoadTrip.com.
And let us know about your summer road trip - or plane/boat/bus trip - in the comments! (I like to live vicariously.)
Pet Boxers, although low-maintenance, require your consistent attention, exercise, human interaction, consistent obedience training and lots of love. You cannot leave them to their own design for too long or they get lonely, bored and into trouble.
Being a big and strong dog as well as a highly intelligent one, Boxers need both physical and mental stimulations to keep them even-tempered and dignified while still keeping their impish spirit and fearless courage in tact.
How to keep Boxer out of trouble
Their high prey drive (some owners called it play drive) needs proper outlets or they could get destructive as house pets, and tend to fight among themselves especially if the other family Boxers are of the same sex. The female, it seems, is more aggressive than the male.
Keeping Boxers busy is the best way to keep them out of trouble! Tire them out with long walks, 3 times a day. Give them plenty of exercise, play with them, especially the inquisitive puppies or they would tear up your home out of boredom, pent up energy and frustration.
For all your love and caring, be prepared for wet slobbery drool and kisses and love in return.
What some proud owners say about their pet Boxers:
* "Having a Boxer is like having another human in a dog body with you. You can talk to Boxers and they would understand. They demonstrate feelings just like human does. If they are loved, they will love and protect you."
* "Boxers are the most loyal companions. My Boxers bring me up when I am down. They are the canine clowns of the dog world. They are the only dogs for me."
* "They are a gift! The two I have are always smiling and they cheer me up when IÆm not too happy. They can be your friends for life!"
* "My Boxer can take up my moods or lay quietly by my feet for hours."
* "Boxers are so intuitive, so easily bored and heartbroken. They are the definition of devotion and courage."
* "If I treat my Boxer puppy as an intelligent animal and talk to him almost like he's human, he is more responsive and better behaved, as though he's picking up on my sentiments by the way I am speaking to him."
* "Boxers can be very manipulative. They are a lot smarter than they look! DonÆt get taken in by their innocent-looking face or let them walk all over you no matter how much their eyes make them look like they are truly sorry."
* "Give up being house-proud and enjoy your "devil dog". DonÆt have potted plants because youÆll end up with empty pots. DonÆt run to answer the phone because youÆll be rugby-tackled and end up flat on your face."
* "Bringing a puppy or even an older dog into your home and your life is a major decision. It brings with it responsibility and commitment, but it also renders supreme joy, laughter, and sadly, but inevitably, tears. Not one of us who has ever shared his life with a Boxer would have it any other way."
* "Boxer dogs think they are human. Treat them like one - love them, talk to them, cuddle them and value them and you will get your love back unconditionally 10,000 times."
Need products and supplies for your dogs? Visit http://www.mypetanimals.com/Dogs/ today!
Do you live in or around Cincinnati, Ohio? If so, you're in luck because Scott and the Queen City Voxers Group have organized a Vox user meetup!
WHERE: Ault Park Playground. 3600 Observatory Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208. "We'll look for each other at the playground marked by the red X below. If it's raining, head for the shelter to the north of the [red] X."
To RSVP (which is not essential, but is appreciated), reply to Scott's announcement or send him a private message. All Voxers, as well as their friends and family, are welcome to attend.
If you do attend the meetup, have a great time and please take lots of pictures and send them to me so I can post them in Team Vox for everyone to see!
Thank you so much to Scott for organizing this meetup. Wish I could be there!
Had a chance to go to the first Singapore toy and comic convention last week with Carl where we burned our pockets bu buying 6 tofu toys (one wobbler signed by a devilrobot), Tokidoki stickers, a Tokidoki hat, and a Nintendo Wii (and guitar hero - which I think is already overused hehehe). The event was so packed that 10 AM in the morning at least 5,000 people (estimate) were already queueing to get inside. Also had a chance to grab a few drinks with Apol Sta. Maria and his girlfriend at the Butter factory last weekend where we watched The Devilrobots, Pete Folwer, and Simone Legno draw murals on white boards placed at the middle of the bar.
Oh well. Just another week.
Can't wait to watch the death cab concert soon.
Conditions differ from circumstances. Circumstances are changeable conditions which merely "stand around about you," and, of them, have no stability. They are created by man, and can be overcome by man.
But, differing from circumstances, there are certain conditions which seem to be so "fixed" that they obstruct your progress toward success. They are of two kinds: undesirable facial features, and malformations of the body. They are often so fixed that it seems impossible to change them.
Yet, the limitations of all such conditions can be overcome! It has been done hundreds of times, and that which has been done, can be done!
Of course, you cannot change your height from four feet eight inches to six feet two inches, but in all dealings with others, you can overcome the limitations which you think are due to a stature of four feet eight inches! You can carry yourself in such a way that others will think of you as a king. Napoleon, though short of stature, made himself the commanding figure among all classes and manner of men, merely by the way he carried himself. He did not increase his stature, but he overcame its limitations.
Whether or not you succeed in overcoming conditions, which it seems impossible for you to change, depends on your vision of the powers of your soul, on your faith in its possibilities, and on your use of expression as the means of overcoming the limitations. If your ideal of the possibilities and powers of your real self is limited, then you hinder yourself in climbing out from under the conditions. But, if you realize that your soul is infinite, and that its possibilities of expression are limitless; then, no matter what the partial manifestation, no matter what the restricting condition, no matter what the limitation-you can climb out from under it, by changing your expression!
In essence, your soul is perfect-embracing all possibilities and all powers.
In manifestation, you limit yourself by limiting your expression.
You can change your expression!
You can change your body!
But, to change the bodily form, you must change its expression first!
If you are locked in a room, with the key on the inside of the door, on your side, you will fail to get out-no matter how much you butt your head against the door-unless you first turn the key to unlock the door.
But, it is easy to succeed in getting out of the room, if you turn the key in the lock first, and then open the door.
If you have failed to climb out from under the limitations of bodily conditions, it is because you have been attempting to batter down the form of the limitations without first changing its expression. To succeed means "to climb out from under." It does not mean to batter down, to smash, or to '' reduce to nothingness.''
You can always change the expression of any form of life.
And, changing its expression will change its form.
Soul expression is soul-in-action.
Activity comes first!
Every soul loves the beauty of activity more than it loves beauty of form; for, in active expression, there is a beauty which has a greater and stronger appeal than the beauty of form.
Do you not prefer the living, romping, active, companionable dog-even though he may not be perfect in form-to the most perfect clay model of a dog any artist ever designed?
As a mother, do you not prefer the active, living child-even if its nose is not perfect- to the most beautifully formed and perfectly featured doll in the world?
And, young man, do you not prefer the living, loving, joyously expressive maid, to the perfect wax figure in the department store window?
It is beauty of expression which we most love! It is beauty of expression which attracts others most!
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