finally, a tree

After a few weeks of window shopping for a Christmas tree, I think we finally nailed it. Riza and I scoured Divisoria, Dapitan Arcade, and different malls. And through all of it, we decided that the tree in this particular mall near us was what we’ve been looking for. We’re aiming for that simple and elegant look commonly found in orlando fl hotels. And later today, we’ll be picking up our tree. I think we have enough decors bought from Divi to make the tree awesome!

I’m still skeptic though on how to properly put the lights.

Any suggestions?

Christmas tree hunt

We’re off to the mall later to look/buy our Christmas tree, and maybe to do some green shopping and look for additional gifts too. We’re still undecided on what type of tree to get. We initially wanted a traditional tree that’s maybe 4 or 5 feet tall. But when we visited our friends F. and M. and saw their beautiful, tall and slim tree with awesome trimmings, we’re now considering getting the same type of tree. We’ll see.

Torchlight

I think we might need desktop computers at home.

I’ve recently been introduced to DotA, as I mentioned here. And last weekend, my brother in law introduced me to another computer game called Torchlight that had me hooked the instant I tried it. I don’t know much about at the game at this point but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it after a few more game times.

Anyone out there who has tried Torchlight? Any tips (and cheats)?

free stuff

We got one great deal last weekend at the toll plaza when a customer rep from Glade offered to exchange our old empty Ambi Pur car fresher with a new startup car kit from them. As I was busy driving, my wife and SIL who were putting together the kit at the backseat had a hard time figuring out which parts go to their right slots. After a frustrating 5-minute assembly, they were able to attach it correctly. I think it smelled great. Now if only they could also give some free car mats. Now that will be awesome!

easy grilled chops

Our diets flew out of the window along with appetite suppressant reviews when, after just two weeks, we decided to grill some chops again last Monday. And this time I was able to take photos!

We went to the nearby grocery and bought almost two kilos worth of chops (around Php260) and two bags of charcoal.

Wifey’s cousin J. rubbed these with a mixture of melted butter (Anchor), olive oil, basil, thyme, oregano, and rosemary for about 30 minutes before grilling.

Grill each chop for a few minutes on each side, depending on the thickness. Then let the cooked chops rest on a warm plate for about 15 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

do I dare

For some, today marks the start of Christmas. Christmas at Starbucks that is.

Because starting today, Starbucks planner promo cards are being handed out to each customer. And those lusting over the planner has to accumulate a total of 17 stickers by buying 9 beverages from their Holiday Feature Package and 8 core beverages to get the much coveted (like diamonds to some) Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee 2010 Planner.

Do I dare spend at least Php2000 for coffee? NOPE! Absolutely not!

Goodluck to the rest of you!

scared

I scared my wife Riza, and myself too, earlier today when I was roused from sleep with a stabbing pain on my left torso. I’d often have this kind of sprain, but it’d usually disappear after I adjust my sleeping position. But the one I had earlier was very painful. I needed to get up as I was gasping for air. I was reaching for any support on my bedside (like maybe industrial handles) but all I found was the window curtain.

So I woke Riza to try to help me, but there really was nothing she can do. She did manage to help me sit and was asking if we should go to the hospital. Between difficult breaths, I asked her to just massage the affected area. We were like that for maybe 10 or 15 minutes until the pain was gone. I was sweating profusely and never felt so tired and weary after.

cookie Tuesday

It’s been a while (months) since Riza baked cookies. And whenever she does, she also takes orders from our officemates. Making cookies isn’t really hard (I think), it’s just that we have a small oven and thus could only produce a few cookies at a time. So the baking time is the real killer. And wrapping them up in individual pouches takes time.

She doesn’t really make a whole lot because she’s a bit shy charging people for her baked goods, but since she has a great time making them, I’m all for it. Plus, there’s nothing like freshly baked cookies. They’re not like Swisher Sweets, but they’re addictive too!

here we go again

We live a few houses away from a public school. So as I was in the shower this morning, I hear children singing “Walang pasok” (no classes) over and over again.

So when I opened my Twitter, it was only then that I read that Storm Signal number 2 has been raised over the metro. But outside, aside from overcast skies, there was no indication of the approaching storm. No rain and no strong winds. The calm before the storm I guess.

We’ve all been through this before. After Ondoy and Pepeng, it’s but normal to get scared and paranoid. So early as now, stock up (NOT hoard and panic buy) on food, pet supplements, candles, and batteries. List down emergency hotlines and don’t forget to charge your cell phones. You all know the drill.

Be safe everyone.

get up

         What’s a handful of hours spent in line to get registered compared to six years of my future?

-Kristin Facto via Twitter

We whine a lot. We blame the government for almost everything that goes wrong with our country. And yet we ourselves don’t act. We turn the other cheek and ignore everything that’s going wrong. I guess we got fed up with all the issues that we simple don’t care anymore. We’d rather devote our time to looking for the best eye wrinkle cream or that shopping bazaar next weekend. Apathy is rampant.

But there is hope. And that starts with you moving your butt and registering for the coming elections. It’ll be six years before you can do that again. You don’t have anyone to blame but yourself if he/she turns out to be another NOPE.

Here’s how!