Chocolates No.1 Pasalubong

Talking about chocolates on my previous post, I just read from inquirer.net that chocolates is still the no. 1 pasalubong for returning OFW’s. A pasalubong is a treat you give out to friends after you went on a trip, vacation or being away. This survey is based on the sales at the duty free shops. According to a store supervisor, their sales of chocolates are not affected by China’s melanine scare although they have assured the public that they do not sell chocolates made from China. That is good to know, right? I am one of those who buy chocolates at duty free shops for pasalubong. Although it is cheaper to buy here but having to carry it throughout the flight or putting it inside the balikbayan box or luggages (tendency to melt pa!), I’d rather buy it as soon as we arrive at the airport. I can’t just imagine how many thousands of chocolate bags will be sold from now until the Christmas holiday.

Chinese Made Cadbury Chocolates Recalled

Because of the melanine scare, Cadbury has recalled 11 of its chocolate products that were made at their factory in Beijing. These chocolates are distributed in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia. A spokesman from the company said that these Chinese made chocolates contain the industrial chemical melanine. This food safety scandal of China started when they discovered melanine in baby milk powder which has caused several deaths and other illness to thousands of babies. Melanine is a chemical use to make plastics and fertilizers, rich in nitrogen, found to have been used on baby milk to deceive quality tests for protein.

There are still a lot of food products they say that has been contaminated or allegedly contaminated with melanine, I have received an email too of the lists. Let us just be aware of what we eat and be on the lookout always. Everything is under investigation now or being tested. If in doubt, do not eat or do not let our kids eat. Better be safe than sorry.

Cadbury chocolates are on of my favorites (sigh!).




credit: news.aol.com

My New Work Computer

I got a new computer today at my job. My old computer was still fine, about 4 years old, P4, flat screen, XP pro but what I only do not like is that its color (the old cream/bone/white color). With regards to its performance, it was still fine and fast , never cared that some got the newer models. I guess I was a good girl today. Like what they always say, when it’s your time, it’s your time…maybe that applies to my computer too. All I can say is thank you for giving me a brand new one again. I will enjoy it but not right now because I am working on somebody’s desk.

Former Wamu Customer

It’s has been all over the news since two day ago about the JP Morgans Chase’s buyout of one of the biggest banking institution Wamu. It was the largest failure in the U.S. banking history. Chase bought Washington Mutual for $1.9 billion. On the first day after Chase acquired Wamu, I logged on to my account and this is how their website looked:

I have opened an account with Wamu since I started getting some $$ for my blogs. I tied it up with my paypal. There is a branch right in town so it is convenient for me. Hope they will not close that branch and change it to chase instead. Just thankful that it did not go bankcrupt. I am a Chase customer now. Alright, I am fine.

credit: wamu.com

Finally Daddy Clay Aiken

Finally, he admitted he is gay. Who still think that he is not? At least now, it came from his mouth. No denials anymore, no keeping my private life private. You can read all of this on the latest issue of people magazine. A lot of changes happen when you become a parent and probably this is one of it. Hats off to you daddy Clay.

credits: people.com via new.music.yahoo.com/blogs

Our Xflowsion Workout

Now that the cold season is here, I don’t think we would be able to play outdoor tennis anymore. My husband is a health conscious person; he wants the family to get involve in physical exercise that is why he encourages tennis to us. Not only because he has been playing since he was a kid but because he wants us to get physically fit and healthy.

We have ruled out enrolling to the gym this year because we want to save money. For a family membership we have to shell out at least $100 every month plus the gas of going to and from the gym. I don’t think it will be a good idea at this time that our economy is not doing great.

We came up of a very wise alternative to our daily exercise this winter. We are buying the XFLOWSION DVD, a complete 3-1 exercise or workout program good for the whole family. It has three workouts in one DVD, namely martial arts, power yoga and dance which can make you sweat and totally transform your body. I am sure my family will have fun doing these three exercises. The savings we got is also unbelievable. It will only cost us 3 payments of $19.99 (which is not even a month of the gym’s membership!) and the best part is we own the DVD. Order one for your family now at xflowsion.com. Have a fit and wonderful winter.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Today marks the first day of Autumn or Fall. The wind has already started to be cooler but the trees in my area are still all green. We are still experiencing pretty good weather, waking up at 60 degrees in the morning and highs of 72 – 75 at noon time. It was a beautiful summer for us and just looking forward for a not so nasty winter this year. Well, it’s still 89 days before winter but sometimes snow could not wait for winter. It’s time to take out those winter clothes and boots, keep the tank tops, shorts and flip flops away.

See google changes for the season too. Just reminding us that it’s fall and thanksgiving is around the corner. I like their design.

Chinatown, NYC

This is in Chinatown, New York. If you look closely at the picture, you see luggages opened with goods being sold right on the street. They are selling knock off or imitation handbags and purses. It's like Divisoria in Manila. Even the stores behind sell those handbags too. Chinatown draws a lot of visitors because of this although you can by their goods somewhere but it's probably cheaper and more choices here. I took this picture inside the car, I'd love to go down and explore Chinatown but we can not find a parking closer to where the fun. Maybe next time we'll just take the subway.

Condom Ringtone

Would you like a ringtone that sings “condom, condom, condom?”. This ringtone has been a hit in India and has at least 270,000 downloads from cell phone users since its they BBC World Service launch it last month. It is a strategy to let people be aware the message of safe sex, part of their HIV/AIDS prevention program and a way of communicating a social or health message. They want to target the estimated 250 million or more mobile users in India and eventually break the taboo about condoms. The “Condom a Capella” ringtone sings “condom” in different melodies by Indian duo Rupert Fernandes and Vijay Prakash. It can be heard at condomcondom.org.


credit: news.aol.com

The My.Suit Experience

Two weeks ago, I remembered my husband telling me that we got invited to his friend’s wedding in Jersey City. I did not pay much attention to it and he never mentioned it again. I totally forgot about it until today while having breakfast he asked me if whether we just give peter (his friend) a gift that we like or pick one from their registry or just cash. My eyes grew big and said to him, “When is the wedding?” He went to the car a get the invitation. It will be on Sept. 28th! It was almost 10 am so we went straight to the mall to find a suit for him. We did not find anything that he likes, it’s either too big or no size available or he does not like the style. I called my cousin from Brooklyn because he is like my husband’s built if I he has an available suit we can borrow. He recommended mysuitny.com located in 33rd and Broadway if we want to have a custom suit and they can have one ready for you in two weeks. Yes, my cousin was right. We found a solution to this suit problem. My Suit NY is the best, they pay so much attention to all the details. They will make around 30 measurements on you to make sure the suit will perfectly fit your body style – it’s made-to-measure just for my husband. He is so picky with the fitting so this is just what he wanted. After all the measurements, you pick your own style for the jacket and pants. Just tell the consultant what suit style you want and they can personalize everything for you. Any kind of fabric you want for your suit, My Suit NY has it.
So ladies, this is good news for us. Don’t let some surprises like this one ruin your day. I knew how frustrating it is when you need something right away and you can’t seem to find it at the mall. But hey, if it’s your about mens’ suit, have it Made to measure at mysuitny.com. It will be ready for you in two weeks time and here is the best deal – their suits starts from $495 only. Go online now and have fun doing the my.suit experience.

Thank you Mark

In one of my post, I had a problem how to shrink an image. It was too large for the coulmn of my blog. Mark, the greenman of Tiklaton saw it and offered to help me resize the image. It worked. If you experience the same problem, see his post regarding this one. Thank you so much Mark.

Francis Magalona out of Hospital today

Philippines - Last month, I made a post on my other blog regarding Francis Magalona’s health condition. He has been in the hospital for sometime but I have read on gmanews.tv today that he is scheduled to be discharged by Wednesday. Even his daughter Maxene Magalona (also an actress now) told reporters that her father has gained weight and is doing well. That is good to hear.
With regards to his Eat Bulaga family, they are planning to have a benefit concert for Kiko on Saturday at the Timog Circle, Quezon City. Kiko already missed a lot of EB shows where he is a regular co-host and he is missed vice versa too. The title of the concert is “Dabarkads for Kiko.”

Boudiche Feminine Store

Shopping is a girl's best friend. To others, to go shopping is like a theraphy which is always needed to get better. For me, when I shop for my clothes, I am not picky or have a favorite store. I can shop anywhere as long as I see something that I like and comfortable to me. Through the years and having a family of my own, I became conscious of prices every time I shop for my clothes.
There has been a difference with my habit of shopping for clothes and shopping for my lingeries. I have been a loyal customer to one Lingerie store named Boudiche. It is a lingerie store based in the United Kingdom but readily available online for their international market. When one of my friends still lives in the U.K. she gifted me a Freya antoinette balcony bra barely there and I have loved the fitting and shape. This started my likeness to this Freya Lingerie. I have a good recommendation for you ladies out there. I am more into bikinis than any other types of panties except when there is a need to wear a thong when I am wearing light colored tight pants or shorts. Try Fayreform pigment brief crafted from a luxurious black satin with silver diamond print. It is simple black but the silver diamond print made it so pretty and flirty.
Boudiche is not only a store for bras and Designer Lingerie but they also have swimwears, maternity lingeries, camisoles, nightwear, hosiery and a lot more feminine stuffs. This is a store that every woman will really fall in love with. Intimacy can start from Boudiche.

Serena Wins

Serena Williams is the 2008 U.S. Open Champion. She defeated the No. 2 player from Serbia Jelena Jankovic in a very exciting match 6-4, 7-5. She is $1.5 richer after last night wins, making her the No. 1 tennis player in the world. My Congratulations too to Jankovic for a very good game.

Women's Finals Canceled

The U.S. Open Women's Finals is canceled and rescheduled tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m.,at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The men's semi-finals between Murray vs. Nadal was cut short and to be continued tomorrow afternoon too. Hannah is dumping a lot of rain, expecting around 2-5 inches in the East Coast. Murray won the first 2 sets, 2nd set set with tie break (6-2, 7-6 (5), (2-3). U.S. Open is extended until Monday for the men's finals at 5pm.

credit: usopen.org

Serena Williams vs. Jelena Jankovic at the Finals

I am hoping for the U.S. to win. Last time Serena Williams was in the finals was in 2002 when she beat her sister Venus. U.S. Open was her first grand slam in 1999 and she is so happy that ten years after she is putting up a major fight. At this years quarterfinals, she won against Venus and her sister was seen last Friday supporting and cheering for Serena at the semifinals match against Dinara Safina (Marat Safin sister – one time U.S. open champ too). For Jelena Jankovic, this is her first grand slam finals. This could be very sweet if she wins. Whoever wins will get the No. 1 ranking next week. To quote Serena regarding their forthcoming match: “She (Jankovic) has a lot of pressure to win her first Grand Slam, and I am just enjoying every moment (of the game).” They are scheduled to play tonight at 7:00 p.m. eastern time if storm Hannah will allow them (I doubt it) but Serena said she is ready for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday…doesn’t matter when. Good Luck to both of you.

Best Companion When Travelling

We are planning again to go on vacation to the Philippines sometime next year when school is over. It will be another 18 long hour flight from New York to Manila. I will make sure this time that I come prepared for this long flight especially if you have a toddler with you. One thing that I have bought already is a Cabin Cuddler for the three of us. We do not want to experience what we have experienced the last time we traveled. We were given our own blankets but were so small and has a distinct smell that my nose never like it. This cabin cuddler will serve as your own travel blanket and pillow created by and airline pilot knowing what exactly passengers need when traveling. The blanket is big enough to cover your entire body with a foot pocket that will keep your feet from cold and has an inflatable pillow with the tote bag as your hygienic pillow case. This is not bulky to carry, very handy in a small tote bag that you can hang on your luggage.

If you wish to have one for yourself or your entire family, order now at cabincuddler.com and avail of their limited time back to school offer. You can save $16 when you buy two cabin cuddlers and you get free shipping. Winter will be here soon and you don't want to be cold. It is better to have one because you will never know when you need it and this can be a perfect christmas gift too.

Google Chrome

I guess you already heard/read about google chrome already. I have read about it on several blogs and got curious with it. Download was not a problem - quick and east. Now I am using this new browser by google. I think I am liking it - better, good speed and with much simplicity. If you want to try it too, just go to google.com/chrome to download it. Now, I have IE, firefox (like it too) and the new google chrome.

Labor Day

To all workers, enjoy this day dedicated to all of us! Happy Labor Day!