Thank You

As the month of Love comes to a close, Woman on a JouRney says "Mahalo Nui Loa" to all her friends, visitors and fellow bloggers who accompanied her in her journey through life.

EC's top card droppers for February:

Sound of a Soft Breath
BMWF1 Blog
1 Blog and 2 Sides
Bulgarian Silvatree
Chronic Chick Talk
Ask Ms. Recipe
Blog Contest Station
Internation Musings
Sweet Nothings
Womensselfesteem.com's Blog

Monochrome Friday: Chocolate Martini

Banabear's Chocolate Martini

My husband makes the best chocolate martini in town.  I have yet to taste one better than his.

Barcodes

Almost, if not every item purchased nowadays from retail stores, grocery, department stores, and wholesale merchandise establishments carry with it a UPC barcode. The invention of barcodes has been a big help to businesses, in the sense that it automates various forms of accounting and inventory, making inventory faster and more accurate than manual counting; hence, it increases productivity and lessens the probability of error.  The use of the barcode also reduced incidence of shoplifting because price tags cannot easily be switched from one item to another.

A barcode scanner is an electronic devise used for reading printed barcodes.  It was first used to automate grocery checkout, a practice which is universally done today not only by grocery stores but other businesses as well.  There are different kinds of barcode scanners, depending upon the needs of the user.  Retail bardcode scanners are handheld and cordless scanners, popular among retail outets.  Omni Barcode Scanners are designed for higher volume scanning, and are better at reading poorly printed, wrinkled or even torn barcodes.  Another kind, the Industrial Barcode Scanner are heavy-duty scanners designed to withstand rough or hazardous locations.

Dancing Fountain of Bellagio

The dancing fountain of Bellagio is a must for every Vegas visitor.  This is the same fountain which was the scene of the Ocean's 11 ending.

Attention Camera Bugs

For photography enthusiasts, like myself, who cannot resist the urge to take shots of subjects that catch our fancy, we need to make sure that our cameras have a compact flash with a capacity large enough to store the pictures we take.

The good news is that today, compact flash cards now come in large capacities from 512 MB to as much as 100 GB.  Most cameras can take only from 1 GB to 16 GB so these are the most common and saleable choices.  

Compared to an ordinary portable or flash memory card, a compact flash card is more durable and, as I have mentioned above, available at higher storage capacities, depending upon the kind of camera one uses.

Paris, Vegas Version

When banabear and I visited Las Vegas last month,  we spent most of our time going to the different themed hotels along the Strip.   Even though Vegas was freezing cold at that time,  it did not stop us from walking around day and night until our bodies pleaded, "enough for the day!"

Some of the attractions along Las Vegas Boulevard were replicas of Louvre and the Eiffel Tower.  I have not been to Paris so standing next to these structures made me feel like I was actually in Paris.  

However, that was incomparable to what we experienced the first time we stepped inside Paris, the hotel.  When we looked up and saw the "blue skies" and felt the warmth of our surroundings, we suddenly felt like we were transported to a different world.  From then on, Paris became one of our favorite places.

Inside Paris:

Fine Linen

I have always loved shopping for linens for our queen-sized bed. When choosing the design and color, I am particularly inclined towards earth tones to match the tropical motif not only of our bedroom, but practically the whole house. I also prefer linens with solid colors and very simple designs over those with flowery or ornate ones. The same goes with my choice for table linens.

Aside from the color and design, I also take into consideration the thread count, the quality, construction and the finishing.

Thread count usually range from 80 to 1000 (to 1020). The higher the thread count, the softer the fabric feels.

The quality of yarn used in the fabric also affects the quality. I have read that the world's finest cotton is the Egyptian Cotton.

Italy is known world-wide to have the finest spinners, weavers and embroiderers. Try looking for linens made in Italy and compare it with other linens and see if you are able to spot the difference.

Most made-in-Italy cotton sheets are mercerized. It is a process where the fabric is treated with sodium hydroxide to shrink the fiber and increase its luster and affinity for dye. The finishing brirngs out the subtle sheen of the sateen, the softest nap of cotton, the richest long-lasting color and enhances both the feel and quality of the fabric.

One of the best and renowned manufacturers of luxury and the finest linens is Sferra. An institution in fine linens, it offers the best in Italian linens. It also offers 1020 thread count and 100% Egyptian cotton sheets. Known for excellence in quality and design, Sferra has provided furnishing for heads of state and even the Vatican.

Break Time

I woke up at 6:30 this morning to the buzzing of my iHome.  It was a chilly morning, and even when the aircon was off and the windows were all closed, I had to wrap myself in my favorite Minnie Mouse hooded jacket to keep myself warm.  I dragged myself downstairs to start studying for  tomorrow's quiz in Law 202 (Legal Interviewing, Negotiating and Advocacy).  

However, instead of concentrating on my notes, I ended up writing a few posts in my blog.  It's 5:35 in the afternoon now and I am not even halfway through my notes even when they're just like a hundred or so pages.   My head feels heavy and it feels like my migraine's about to attack again.  

Maybe  I'll take a breather outside before I hit the books again.  

My Country

He started the fight...

The fight is not over yet....

"The Filipino is worth dying for."

-Benigno S. Aquino, Jr.

People Power Revolution: 23 Years After

The People Power Revolution was a 3-day non-violent mass street demonstration in EDSA which resulted in the ouster of then President Ferdinand Marcos.  

Sen. Benigno S. Aquino, Jr.

(1932-1983)

His asssasination sparked a series of protests against the Marcos regime leading to the EDSA Revolution, the bloodless revolution that surprised the world.

The monument of freedom

 

"Every Filipino today stands a little taller and a little prouder.  No longer the butt of jokes and  the object of pity or derision, Filipinos can take their place in the council of nations because they are one of the few races who have done the impossible."

                                                                                     -Philippine Daily Inquirer

                                                                                  (Editorial, February 27, 1986)

Are you proud to be a Filipino?   I am.

Clint Made My Day

Yesterday afternoon, banabear and I watched a beautiful movie which I highly recommend for everyone to see.  Gran Torino is Clint Eastwood's latest movie and possibly one of his best.

The 78 year old action star plays Walt Kowalski,  a grumpy Korean War veteran and retired Ford auto worker who lives in an old Michigan neighborhood dominated by immigrants, particularly the Hmongs.   His prized possession is his 1972 Gran Torrino.  

I was too young to appreciate Eastwood's Dirty Harry movies in the early '70s but I admired him in his later movies like Bridges of Madison County and In the Line of Fire.  At 78, he is still good-looking  and sexy.

Aside from being the lead star of Gran Torino, an action movie with a heart, Eastwood is also the movie's director, producer, and co-wrote the score (his son is one of the co-writers).

Viva Las Vegas!

People from other parts of the U.S. and the world flock to Hawai'i to enjoy the paradise-like weather and beauty of the islands.  What about Hawai'i residents?  Where do we go for rest and recreation?  Majority fly to Las Vegas, a renowned major resort city billed as the Entertainment Capital of the World.  Las Vegas is known for its casino resorts, themed hotels and entertainment.  

Just before the spring semester started, hubby and I spent a few days of vacation at Las Vegas.  We had fun going around the famous Las Vegas Strip which was filled with tourists from dusk 'til dawn.   The Strip is especially awesome at night when the themed hotels lining up the boulevard glow with different colors.  That's just on the outside.  As soon as we stepped inside each of the themed hotels, we were transported into another world.  It was magnificent.

Getting around the Strip was a breeze because of the Las Vegas Monorail which transported us from Sahara to Paris to the Venetian to Caesar's Palace, Paris, Monte Carlo, New York in just a few minutes and 'without need of a passport.'

My January trip to Vegas was my first but certainly, won't be my last.  I hope to come back again and enjoy more Vegas vacations.

Monochrome Friday: The Big Kahuna

Monument at Waikiki Beach, Hawaii in honor of

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, a full-blooded Hawaiian symbolized Hawai'i to millions of people.  An Olympic champion and the world's fastest swimmer, he won three gold medals, two silver, and one bronze in four Olympic games.   

Known as the "Father of International Surfing", he was regarded as the person who popularized the modern sport of surfing.  He was the first person to be inducted in both the Swimming Fall of Fame and the Surfing Hall of Fame.  He is also a member of the US Olympic Hall of Fame.

He became a hero when he saved eight lives from a capsized launch at Corona del Mar, California in 1925 using his surfboard.  Newport's chief of Police called Duke's efforts as "the most superhuman surfboard rescue the world has ever seen."

He was  a movie actor from 1925- 1933 and elected Sheriff of Honolulu for thirteen consecutive terms from 1934- 1960.  Duke died at the age of 77 on January 22, 1968.

He has honored his name, he has honored his race, he has honored his state.

A monument at Waikiki Beach honors Duke's memory.  It shows him standing in front of his surfboard with his arms outstretched.  People honor him by placing lei  on his statue.

Rev Up Your Car

Hubby is so attached to his SUV and has no intention of giving it up in favor of a newer model.  He takes good care of it and especially when it has been detailed, it looks new despite the fact that it is more than six years old.   Hubby always says that if you take good care of your vehicle, it will take care of you in return.  

A well-maintained vehicle has the endurance of running through extreme road and environmental conditions.  This is especially important in the U.S. where we usually travel long distance on freeways and highways.  However,  for those who want to increase the performance of their vehicles on the road as well as upgrading their looks, they can always install performance parts.  From exhaust upgrades, wheel, electronics, exterior to aerodynamic ground effects products, performance parts will help improve the speed, stability, staying power as well as visual effects of your vehicle.

Weekend Snapshot: Love, Vegas Style

Paris, Las Vegas Strip

What Movie is Your Love Life Like?

Mine is:

Your Love Life is Like Annie Hall

"A relationship, I think, is like a shark. You know? It has to constantly move forward or it dies." You believe that love (if you even believe in love!) is a very complicated thing. Maybe love is pain. Or maybe it's all a big therapy session. You're still figuring it out. Your love style: Brainy and a bit neurotic Your Hollywood Ending Will Be: Realistic and reflective

What Movie Is Your Love Life Like?

Love is....

1 Cor. 13: 5: "It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

my love

1 Cor. 13: 6: "Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth."

Special day

Proverbs 17:17: "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

With BFF, Joehyda

Proverbs 3:12: "For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights."

the Stobies

Ephesians 5:33: "Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."

Walter and Cristina

The greatest love of all-

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Wishing you all a love-filled day!

My Heart Remembers

This song brings back sweet memories of happy days.

Monochrome Friday: Love is in the Air

A pair of doves at Waikiki Beach, Honolulu

What Internet Slang Are You?

I am an FAQ

For you, the internet is like your personal library. And you know more facts than fifty normal humans.

Your brain is basically lot a computer at this point. You have a lot of information stored up there.

You spend hours looking up obscure information and learning things. If you have question, you always Google it.

You can't help but be a bit of a know-it-all. You can answer everyone's frequently asked questions.

What Internet Slang Are You?

Quiet Afternoon at KCC

As I have mentioned in one of my previous posts, I am enrolled in four subjects this semester.  On Mondays and Thursdays, I attend classes at the William Richardson School of Law at UH Manoa.  On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, my classes are held at the Kapiolani Community College campus at Diamond Head.  Since I live on the other side of the island and I only commute by the bus, I have to allot at least three hours of travel time so that I  arrive in school early.   On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I am usually in school two hours (sometimes more) earlier because I like staying in the library where I can surf the net, do my assignments and study while waiting for my class to start.

This afternoon, instead of staying inside the airconditioned library, I decided to stay in one of the tables located in the grassy lawn (called the Great Lawn) fronting the Lama Library.  It is already 5:52 in the afternoon while I am writing this post and I am basking in the cool afternoon air and enjoying the tranquility of my surroundings.  Except for the chirping of the birds, everything around me is quiet.

I took a couple of shots from my cell phone's camera to capture the beauty of the  surroundings.  Unfortunately,  my phone's camera is not that good so the pictures did not really give justice to the scenery.

Bluebook Jeopardy!

Those who grew up in the US are familiar with "Jeopardy!", a popular quiz show featuring trivia topics in such areas as history, literature, pop culture and science.

In our Legal Writing class last Thursday, Professor J (who was a Jeopardy! champion in her younger years) decided we play Jeopardy to test our knowledge in Legal Research and the BlueBook (style guide for legal citation in the U.S.)  

We were divided into  four groups of three members and played on  categories such as Courts, Formats, Abbreviations, Etc.

I played for Team D with Jocelyn and Sean.  At the end of the game, we were ahead of the rest with $1800 but at the 'Daily Double', we risked the whole $1800 we've accumulated for a chance to win the game.  For the last test, we were made to write correctly a parallel citation of a Hawaii case.  We thought we did everything right except that a 'dot' we incorrectly added  made us lose all our money - and the  game.

Better luck, or shall I say, preparation, for the next game!

Outdoor Lighting

I like looking at the different designs and styles of outdoor lights displayed at home improvement stores. 

Outdoor lighting can add beauty and appeal to our homes.  A uniquely designed outdoor light placed at the entrance of our house,  front or backyard is an attractive piece of accessory.  There are different styles and kinds to choose from to match the motiff or design of our homes.  

Aside from the aesthetic effects, there are a number of practical uses for outdoor lighting:

Unwanted guests are less likely to intrude a house with a well-lighted porch or yard.  The lights add  protection to our abode.

Outdoor lighting enables us to enjoy outdoor evening parties.  An outdoor light with the right illumination can even create a beautiful ambiance to the place.

With outdoor lighting, it is safer to step out of the house at night where you can see things clearly.

Next time you go shopping for home accessories,  check out the outdoor lighting section.  You may find the right design and style suited for your home.

Monochrome Friday: Las Vegas

Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Paris, Las Vegas Strip

Flower of Nobility

Although I do not have a green thumb, I am a person who appreciates flowers.  I admire the different variety of flowers my mother grow in our small garden back in the Philippines.  There were flowers that bloom at night,  flowers that emit a sweet fragrance and  flowers with attractive colors.

Flowers add beauty and ambiance to a place so I make sure we have fresh flowers of attractive colors in our living room and dining room. Our front lawn is also planted with flowers which add attraction and beauty to the place.

One of the flowers that I love is the fragrant, white magnolia which signifies nobility.  The magnolia tree come in different varieties. Dwarf Little Gem Magnolia trees, as the name suggests,  grow only twenty feet tall, in contrast to the parent, the Magnolia Grandiflora, which grows to as tall as eighty feet.  The size of the tree, the beauty and the sweet fragrance of the flowers when they are in bloom  makes the plant perfect for landscaping small gardens and front lawns.  Aside from its aesthetic effects, the blooms  purify the air and the dense small leaves of the tree help absorb carbon dioxide and other noxious fumes in our environment.

Valentine's Day is around the corner.  Express your love to your significant other by sending a flower. 

Girls Day Out at Waikiki

Yesterday, I had fun hanging out with my blogger friend, May. We spent the whole day playing tourists around Waikiki.

Strolling around Waikiki Beach.

After a sumptuous lunch at Cheesecake Factory, we "explored" new additions to the shopping district.

We visited the Honolulu Zoo.

We capped our day at Islands at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu.

We went home tired, sleepy and with achy feet. See you for breakfast next Saturday, May :)