easy shopping

Don’t you sometimes wish that shopping should be easier? And with Christmas right around the next corner, malls are getting pretty tight. That makes shopping harder. With your shopping bags in tow, shuffling through the huge wave of other people also doing their shopping is getting at the least bit annoying and bothersome.

I sometimes wish there’d come a time when shopping can be as simple as using barcode scanner type of gun, and then the store would then deliver it right at home. That way, I wouldn’t have to lug around our purchases.

extremes, again

I am again in the extremes. Just a few weeks ago, I was rejoicing at Pacman’s win over Cotto. Then, after that, I was beaming with joy at Efren Penaflorida being named as CNN’s Hero of the Year. Yet again proving that Filipinos have a lot more to offer than boxing.

Then, this Maguindanao massacre of civilians (many of whom have no life insurance leads) spread like wildfire all over the world, in the New York Times, CNN, etc.

…even as the President’s advisers darkly propose a state of emergency or some sort of emergency rule in Maguindanao, just how willing or able will the national government be to actually do something about the Ampatuans as the country—and the ruling coalition—braces for the 2010 elections?

The government has declared a National Day of Mourning, but what we really need is a transparent investigation. More than a day has passed and nothing has happened.

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!