Writing is a form of art that knows no boundaries and no imperfection. It is limitless.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Saturday, December 26, 2015
BOX OFFICE CHRISTMAS LIST
Believe it or not, your couch has a potential of giving you the most awesome time during the holidays. Besides the usual hot chocolate shared with unending guests coming over, your body somehow shouts for a "me" time that could relax on a movie or two. But of course, we don't want to take away the feeling of Christmas so let's get into a winter journey with this list of my personal favourites:
1. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Tim Burton truly is weird with all of his directions but that's what made this movie tick. Probably because he did create the story and produced the idea but it was actually passed to a trusted colleague, Henry Salick, for the entire direction. Tim Burton was busy back then with Batman Returns, hence, he had to let it go.
It truly is one-of-a-kind of animation that one minute of the movie had to be shot for a week. The set are made up of miniature mock ups and Disney had to fight for Jack Skellington to have eyes. The contrast between the joy CHRISTMAS brings versus the fear that Halloween surfaces were an interesting combination. If you haven't watched this movie, it is worth your time so do see it.
2. HOME ALONE
1. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Tim Burton truly is weird with all of his directions but that's what made this movie tick. Probably because he did create the story and produced the idea but it was actually passed to a trusted colleague, Henry Salick, for the entire direction. Tim Burton was busy back then with Batman Returns, hence, he had to let it go.
It truly is one-of-a-kind of animation that one minute of the movie had to be shot for a week. The set are made up of miniature mock ups and Disney had to fight for Jack Skellington to have eyes. The contrast between the joy CHRISTMAS brings versus the fear that Halloween surfaces were an interesting combination. If you haven't watched this movie, it is worth your time so do see it.
2. HOME ALONE
One of them classics that is truly enjoyable for the whole family. Though I'm still bothered of how Macaulay had turned out now, he was still so cute back then.
3. SERENDIPITY
In 2001, this word didn't have that much impact even though it denotes highly of how chances and fate could stir it up for you. Now, it had given fame to restaurants located in New York and Las Vegas (I had to eat in there). So the movie is about John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale met at Bloomingdale's to start off picking up a Christmas gift. Of course I won't spoil the whole story for you but what I'm trying to get at is, a gift, no matter how small or big has a purpose. Give it wholeheartedly, give it fully. You don't have an idea what comes back to you just for the universe to reciprocate that gesture.
3. SERENDIPITY
In 2001, this word didn't have that much impact even though it denotes highly of how chances and fate could stir it up for you. Now, it had given fame to restaurants located in New York and Las Vegas (I had to eat in there). So the movie is about John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale met at Bloomingdale's to start off picking up a Christmas gift. Of course I won't spoil the whole story for you but what I'm trying to get at is, a gift, no matter how small or big has a purpose. Give it wholeheartedly, give it fully. You don't have an idea what comes back to you just for the universe to reciprocate that gesture.
Here's one of the many songs the movie had made popular.
It's not entirely about Christmas but the breaking point was during the holidays. A FEDEX Executive had been assigned to deliver in Malaysia during a storm. His plane crashes over the Pacific Ocean and was washed ashore a deserted island. A desperate attempt to get united with his loved ones made this movie a memorable one.
A message to all, time is important.
Tell that person you love her, grab that opportunity, help when you can. Never hold back because you don't know that it could be the last chance you may have.
Watch how Tom Hanks had shrunk from being huge at the beginning. He didn't have much to say in the entire film but he had lost 55lbs with a strict diet and a regular exercise regime in 4 months to resume shooting as he impersonates the real castaway. This film was based on a true story.
5. THE HOLIDAY
This is such a cool story in terms of the character's jobs, their houses and it is a star-studded film. Each and everyone of us longs for a good holiday and believe me, you deserve it. So check out how these two, a workaholic and a hopeless romantic, had switched lives to plan theirs.
6. THE FAMILY MAN
I never get tired of watching this movie. Besides the fact that Nicolas Cage is a natural, this movie sends out a very meaningful question, "What If?" See how the very rich Jack Campbell had a glimpse of the real gems in life.
7. LOVE ACTUALLY
This story is about 6 ordinary couples that mirror ordinary lives where we are most likely in. Amazingly, when I watched this, it made me aware of how we unexpectedly affect somebody. And what's more intimidating to know is that how "greatly" we affect them. We touch lives of people unexpectedly but sometimes, we create such huge ripple, we actually makes a change happen. And may I remind you that one of the strongest forces is love. You're lucky to be able to give it and to receive it.
Related posts:
1. FOR OUR OWN GOOD - If you don't like anything FICTION, this is about a 2-hour documentary busting some controversies in the Western countries.
2. 15 CELEBRITIES WHO ARE SMART WITH THEIR MONEY - You'll be surprised how the most dorky looking ones are actually the smartest.
3. 10 CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS - This may be written last 2014 but the list may still serve you well to avoid desperate times of not knowing what to give that special someone.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Monday, December 21, 2015
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE
Though there maybe some things that we cannot control, we have the capacity to make things happen and I have learned that God qualifies us to do so. What we don't know is how to actually make the first step.
As the holidays are coming upon us,
chew on this video's message as well as
you chew that melts-in-your-mouth-not-in-your-hands turkey roast.
Related posts:
1. PARADIGM SHIFT - How a huge change had given me a different way of looking at 3 concepts: TIME, SAVINGS & COMPOUNDING.
2. TEST YOUR FINANCIAL FITNESS - Do you know what you are worth today if you would die?
3. 15 THINGS TO GIVE UP - Letting go sometimes is the answer in reducing weight on our shoulders. The question is: what are the things you should let go of?
Saturday, December 19, 2015
On-the-Go in Winter
I have blogged about my drive in solving puzzles. With that being said, putting together pieces is also rewarding in itself. From cutting pieces from the magazines and pasting it in a notebook for my style book when I was young, to watching Clueless over and over because of the virtual closet intro, to playing Mall World in Facebook up to POLYVORE.COM, I find art in simply creating a look. Inspired by my everyday life, I aim to always be on the go maintaining an up to date style intact with the need to be warm. Though I have a black Asian hair, colours could be reversed to match it. The coolest temperature today would be reaching until 16 degrees Celsius so, stay warm people! Here's a look that I named, On-the-Go in Winter.
Related posts:
1. AMELIA ON A PICNIC - a summery outfit that keeps you comfortable and dainty
2. AMOR - a staple that was inspired by a series in the Philippines entitled, "Pangako Sa 'Yo"
3. HOLIDAY TRAVEL - click on to see how to travel in style in this ensembles.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
WHAT DOES THE COLOR MARK AT THE END OF EACH TOOTHPASTE TUBE MEAN?
Since it's almost a part of the subconscious for most of us, brushing our teeth may have never been given that much of a thought as far as considering why the end of each tooth paste tubes is marked with a certain colour.
Some had given out information that these colours mean the following in terms of composition and ingredients:
GREEN - all natural
BLUE - natural + medicine
RED - natural + chemical composition
BLACK - all chemicals
With good intentions, these warnings may serve consumers well. But it had been proven that the best to get hold of the composition and ingredients of a certain product is to consult the ingredients label at the back.
These coloured tabs at the bottom of the toothpaste tubes may mean a lot of things. Though it shouldn't be limited to the ones above, it may also serve as "eye marks".
"Eye mark: A printed rectangular mark most often found along the edge of webstock that can be identified by an electric eye. The mark identifies a point on the web where an individual package is to be cut."
- http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/toothpastemarkings.asp
These eye marks or colour marks are sensed by the light beam markers of the machines that produce these toothpastes massively. This marks where they need to be cut and sealed. Since they produce millions and millions of these at a time to meet the people's demands, they produce it at high speed. Hence, they need to be marked accordingly. Whichever machinery they use, and depending on the brand, the markers may differ that's why the colours vary.
As a reminder for all of us, the best way to know regarding chemical composition or the ingredients used whether they are natural, organic or not, is to check the label. And for us not to be overly dependent on the internet that we cannot figure out the difference between hoax information and hearsay.
Related posts:
1. FABULOUS FINDS THIS NOVEMBER - Freebies that may serve you well and/or never knew existed.
2. DO I NEED INSURANCE? - Here's an informatics guide to help you figure it out.
3. ARISING ENTREPRENEURS - Learn from these small business owners how they made it thru to make their dreams happen.
Some had given out information that these colours mean the following in terms of composition and ingredients:
BLUE - natural + medicine
RED - natural + chemical composition
BLACK - all chemicals
With good intentions, these warnings may serve consumers well. But it had been proven that the best to get hold of the composition and ingredients of a certain product is to consult the ingredients label at the back.
These coloured tabs at the bottom of the toothpaste tubes may mean a lot of things. Though it shouldn't be limited to the ones above, it may also serve as "eye marks".
"Eye mark: A printed rectangular mark most often found along the edge of webstock that can be identified by an electric eye. The mark identifies a point on the web where an individual package is to be cut."
- http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/toothpastemarkings.asp
These eye marks or colour marks are sensed by the light beam markers of the machines that produce these toothpastes massively. This marks where they need to be cut and sealed. Since they produce millions and millions of these at a time to meet the people's demands, they produce it at high speed. Hence, they need to be marked accordingly. Whichever machinery they use, and depending on the brand, the markers may differ that's why the colours vary.
As a reminder for all of us, the best way to know regarding chemical composition or the ingredients used whether they are natural, organic or not, is to check the label. And for us not to be overly dependent on the internet that we cannot figure out the difference between hoax information and hearsay.
Related posts:
1. FABULOUS FINDS THIS NOVEMBER - Freebies that may serve you well and/or never knew existed.
2. DO I NEED INSURANCE? - Here's an informatics guide to help you figure it out.
3. ARISING ENTREPRENEURS - Learn from these small business owners how they made it thru to make their dreams happen.
Saturday, December 05, 2015
MY ADVOCACY FOR A FINANCIALLY LITERATE SOCIETY
Settling had made me sit aback and realise life's complexities. Right now, decisions are not done just for the sake of what I want or what fits in my schedule. My spouse and my daughter are the primary considerations for all the decisions I have to make.
Realizations, shifts in how I think and enlightenment that took time to seep in my mind is becoming clearer as ever. I am reminded of my purpose when my daughter giggles right in front of me. My drive comes from my spouse often when I hear him vent out about how he had a tired day because of a promise to be strong when he gets weak. All of these are symptoms of a family woman. And like how I always convince myself at the end of the day, I tell to myself, "I am a grown up."
Being a grown up entitles you to many things. With that much responsibility that it expects from you, life still needs to be perceived simply. Challenges will always be there but you should never think that others had not gone that road. One's experience may be different with the other but dealing with a life changing situation may have been dealt by somebody in a certain way. That being said, let me share to you how I came about a calling to an advocacy.
My old time best friends and I have our own family to rear and slowly, we fused into one thinking about how to make the most out of our productive years. We recently had that much time to rethink our 401(k)'s. We are aware that we are employed by the same company for nearly 10 years. So, when there was a random invitation to whoever needs understanding in terms of percentage allocation for the investment we put out on it every month, we went for it. Fast forward, we became interested in becoming financially literate.
As we start investing outside Hong Kong's compulsory one, Fidelity, we became aware of stocks, maturity dates, importance of insurances, compounding interest, retirement and many more. And one investment tool aids somebody into saving a certain amount faithfully, every month for 3 years, allowing it to earn a fixed 5% each month. Imagine if that money would be allowed to reach a maturity date of 20 years without getting withdrawn, it'd be earning millions. So, a paradigm shift happened to me giving this a thought that if I had started investing 8 years ago the time I left my hometown to work as an overseas worker, I would have a million at least in 12 years to start a business or something. I could actually retire at 44 if I would want to. Because I came here to Hong Kong when I was 24.
The catch is, I just knew of it now. So I just started 4 months ago. But then again, it is still good. Because if I wasn't able to do something before, the next best thing for me to focus on is that, I can still do something about it NOW. In addition, my friends and I had pleaded to sharing to the best of our ability, for FREE, the necessary information for all youngsters coming in and working here with us to know the importance of SAVING MONEY, INVESTING AND REINVESTING, the 3 Basic Laws of Money.
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| Starting to spread the mission in our humble home. |
Related posts:
1. PARADIGM SHIFT - 3 universal concepts that had happened in our pursuit of a financially literate society
2. CASHFLOW - everybody needs to wake up at some point, playing this may do the work for you.
3. HOW FINANCIALLY FIT ARE YOU - a simple test to take to know if you are in the right track in supporting yourself financially.http://www.spearheadmission.com
Wednesday, December 02, 2015
CAFE 1950
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| Quite unique from the outside exterior to the inside. |
I am almost hopeless in going around Tin Shui Wai to find a different restaurant to dine into. The choices are so limited. Or so I thought. Because today, my daughter and I ran into Cafe 1950. And I thought it was worth a try. Located in Tin Shui, it was just a 10-15 minute walk from where I live, literally behind the building pass the park. And where I walked is totally safe and stroller friendly.
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| their menu |
So as I was checking it out from the outside, they got this huge menu that was so appealing to me because of the serving, the presentation (totally different from the others since some dishes are plated on a wooden chopping board which I find to be the latest culinary trend lately) and most especially, the worth of each dish. As you can see, it ranges from HK$72 up to HK$200. Not bad right?
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| See how those lights (often can be seen in a green room as spotlights) match the wall and the rustic ambiance. It seems like they are the link to how the well decoded walls had got connected to the plain ceiling. |
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| the hues carefully compliment the interior of the place |
I was decided. I went in and was surprised that there was just a couple sitting at the far end corner of the room and us who were there at nearly dinner time. In my mind, that says "it might not be good otherwise, it'll be packed." It didn't stop me from going for it though.
The restaurant's interior was quite rustic and spring-y in style. It looked fresh and laid back to me. It was very tidy, and every decor matches each other giving birth to a breathable atmosphere. The green plants stylised it into becoming unique and welcoming. Everything was simple and the shades used to compliment the bowls, plates, the drawers where the condiments are, were kept subtle. Green, white, teal, beige or nude and rust were hues that you may see in a beach house. Green for any plant, white, for the clouds, teal for the sea and rust and beige for the sand. The electric fans mimicked the blowing winds in a beach house. The high ceiling gave it enough space for a breezy feel.
Sad to say though, I got annoyed as soon as I was stopped to choose where to sit. I wanted to have a feel of their couched booth so, I went for it but they said, "You should make your baby sit on you." And added, "So that you can fold your stroller." So, I asked, "Do you have a baby seat?" They said no so I said, "Oh no, she'll just sit on the stroller then, it's safer." But they disagreed and was pointing me to a tacky area. I asked why I had to stay there because of the stroller and they said, "Because it's in the way." I tried to contain myself but I had just let go of a sarcasm, "By all these people?" There were none. So, they were caught speechless. My buttons were pushed right before I was about to try their food.
Literally, there were no people at that time to complain of my stroller. Anyways, I'm sure it was just lack of understanding on their side. Because I was trying to convince them that it won't take long for me to eat. So I ended up sitting on one of these tables. I initially would like to try that one at the far end but explaining to somebody who doesn't speak English well is hopeless. I didn't want to ruin the excitement I have so I had just conformed.
The menu was well presented. Individual choices come with a choice of soup, rice or noodles and drinks. There are also choices where lunch and dinner sets are available on a cheaper price. I think this depends on what is on season as per ingredient needed.
I was craving for something different yet fulfilling. For a price of HK$72, I got a satisfying grilled chicken on white curry sauce with a cup of steamy rice with cheesy scrambled egg on top. Garnished with some flaky seaweed, it had delivered an unexpected tactile sensation that I've been longing to have for quite a while now. Don't get me wrong, I love home cooked food but there comes a point that you long for something different. Along with my meal came a usual tasting creamy corn soup but with a delightful hot Lemon Tea. I swear this tea was so relish it made me ask if it's from Korea. Because some of their drinks like the lime soda are featured Korean.
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| as presented |
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| as you open |
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| Grilled Garlic Oyster - HK$1/piece |
I also ordered a take out for my husband. Angus beef steak with rice, with a choice of pepper steak (from garlic and/or gravy) and soup. I got him the Korean Lime Soda for a price of HK$134. It didn't take them too long to bring my order and a little over 2 minutes, the water tried his best to speak in English to me in offering grilled garlic oysters for a dollar. Minimum order was 2 pcs. So I ordered for the sake of maximising my dining experience in Cafe 1950. I didn't trust it at first because I was worried that they may be giving out this deal just to finish up an "almost rotten" bunch. But no, I approve along with my husband that it was nicely done. All of their services were on time and was hot enough for perfect consumption. But if it would come a time that by the moment you decide to try this, and there are a lot of people already, you could log on to their wifi and for me this completes my 3 stars out of 5 for this dine-in newbie.
It was taped beside the cutlery box that gives out a very good message for the customers.
These maybe unnoticeable to some but these are the little things that make this haven a trendy place to visit. I like how minimal it is, how rustic and warm and most of all, modern. Go and try it if you are around Tin Shui Wai. It sits near the Tin Shui Market. Happy Wine and Dine Wednesday!
Related posts:
1. MAMASAN - an Indonesian experience at the heart of Central's blissful city.
2. ALCHEMY - a lovely happy hour with oysters! haven nearby Mamasan, good to visit as you start a night of drinking
3. JOLLIBEE - a very famous fast-food pride of the Philippines also stands in World Wide Plaza, Central
Saturday, November 28, 2015
DANCING MAKES YOU SMARTER!
Many are asking if first lady, Michelle Obama's dedication to encouraging more and more people to eat fruits and vegetables, is working. In its partnership with her "Let's Move" Project, I support her dedication to her legacy in helping the people of America to embrace consumption of fruits and vegetables and then following it up with proper exercise. I am surprised that one of Michelle Obama's favourite shows is "So You Think You Can Dance" that helped her decide in pushing for the project.
To help her out in my own little way since I agree that getting in shape actually changes lives of people, here's something to share for #swagginsaturday. This is why I love dancing.
Related posts:
1. WHO'S GOT THE SWAG - some of my favourite dancers
2. UAAP CHEERDANCE COMPETITION 2015 - my university gets the 2nd place in this competition, the University of Santo Tomas
3. TEAM PILIPINAS, ALL GIRLS ELITE - Philippines won silver internationally. Check out what the group is made of!
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