Curbside Stories

   Today is the last of September and that means Christmas is definitely nearing.  I am getting excited already.  Although I have not yet decided what exactly to do this Yuletide season, I am definitely going to celebrate it with a bang.  So, goodbye September and hello October! Photo from here .

It is Oktoberfest once again and of course that means overflowing beer and non-stop parties.  Oktoberfest is a 17-day celebration that started in Munich, Germany 200 years ago to commemorate the wedding of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.   It is held every second week of September until the first weekend of October at a place called Theresienwiese.  It is the most popular event in Germany and the world's largest celebration with millions in attendance excluding other countries' Own Oktoberfest. Overflowing beer is paired with hendl (chicken), schweinsbraten (roast pork), brezn (pretzel) and wurstl (sausages) among others.   Where will you celebrate Oktoberfest?

Nothing could possibly be more literal than this.  Do you still send mail via snail mail?  I could not remember the last time I did.

This library information desk design is so ingenious.  It is made of stacked books. Photos from here .

I began monitoring my bone density three years ago.  I get free scans because I work in a hospital. My first bone density scan was fine, I was still in the normal range--that was before I got pregnant.  After I gave birth to my son in 2008, I was scanned again and I was surprised of the result--I was osteopenic.  Just last week, I had my bone density scanned again and I am still osteopenic.  I guess I have to take extra efforts in avoiding what needs to be avoided and doing what needs to be done to make my bones healthy again. Osteopenia is having bone mineral density that is lower than the normal range.  A score above -1 is considered normal, a score between -1 to -2.5 is considered osteopenic, and a score below -2.5 is considered osteoporotic. Bones become naturally thinner as we age but having osteopenia means greater risk of having osteoporosis.  According to studies, women are more likely to have osteopenia and osteoporosis because women have a low...

I hate meetings, specifically long meetings without an output.  I think those are just a waste of time, energy and resources.  And more often than not, in the middle of a boring and pointless discussion I end up making doodles, frequenting the bathroom, sleeping with my eyes wide open, or practicing out of the body experience.  I actually am running out of things to do just to keep myself  looking awake during meetings.  Today may be my lucky day.  I have found another kill-boredom-during-meetings-activity that will, well, kill boredom during meetings.  Thanks to the Desktop Diva . *Drum roll, please. Just cross out the words that will be mentioned during the meeting.  If the five blocks are crossed diagonally, horizontally or vertically, just like in Bingo, you win.  Stand up and shout BULLSHIT!!! I think I am going to win in less than one minute.

This is so icky... a mouse bit my finger last night while I was sleeping. I was awakened by a sharp ache on my right hand and when I looked at it, I saw my pointer bleeding.  The mouse did not take a big chunk out of my finger but it punctured deep enough to let blood out.  I wiped off the blood with an anti-septic and went back to sleep again.  The mouse entered our room when I left it open for hours yesterday.  I saw it running and sneaking into corners last night, I tried to ward it out of our room but it just doesn't want to leave soon. I had an anti-tetanus shot today just to be sure.  I will get back to that mouse when I get home.

This is the place where I was tempted by Jose.  Qubo Qabana is a resort/hotel in Langkaan, Dasmariñas, just a few minutes away from SM City and Robinson's along Governor's Drive.  It is not a big resort but they have almost everything a tourist can ask for. View from the inside of the entrance where large groups can rent the function halls. The KTV rooms on the left. The bar where anyone can have a drink or quick snack. The stage where live bands perform on regular schedules. The pool.  It is not that big but it is definitely cute.  On the backdrop is the hotel. The cottages. Qubo Qabana at night.

I am not a drinker, I used to socially drink but that is just about it.  I had no idea that this night would be the night I'd have a drink after a very very long time.   I attended a party and it was fun, I could not resist a shot of tequila.  One shot led to another and another--I have had four shots of Jose Cuervo tonight.   I did not become tipsy.  I went home looking and feeling normal.  So normal that I am still blogging about it. It is when I got home that I remembered that the reason I stopped drinking alcoholic beverages is that I develop rashes within 24 hours of consuming it.  Good luck for me.  Antihistamine, I hope you will work like the last time.  

I had chicharon snack earlier this day, yummy but I felt a bit guilty after eating a few strips (few meaning only 3 strips).  Chicharon is simply pork skin that is seasoned with lots of MSG and NaCl and is deep fried to crispy perfection.  My friend bought a medium bag from the famous chicharon maker in the Philippines--R. Lapid's.  Chicharon is a popular pulutan (finger food) of beer lovers aside from peanuts.  Doctors will not agree on the combination of alcohol and cholesterol... it is slow suicide.   

 Photo from here . Jennifer Lopez officially joins the American Idol group wearing a sparkling silver jumpsuit.  This lead me to thinking, American Idol will never ever be the same again.  Her hair is so luscious and gorgeous, though. I still don't know what to expect from J. Lo, I don't know her judging style (although, she once became a mentor) and her style sense has become so unpredictable.  The next American Idol will definitely be a fusion of music and fashion. 

WARNING:  What you will see in this post is highly obscene.  This is not for the faint of heart. Click on the jump and READ ON.

This is a no brainer, Follow my blog with bloglovin .  Thank you!

Remember my story about a friend who wants to open a furniture business?  Her business loan application was approved and she's now in the process of sourcing suppliers.  I helped her research some things about the business--it's viability and profitability, her main furniture line, the competitors and how to go about the business in general.  I told her she needs something that will help her in inventories and generating reports--a furniture retail software .  I have heard of this product when I attended a furniture expo sometime last year, I thought why not?  It is a great idea to add technology to a furniture business especially to those, like my friend, who are just starting in the business because it will make every transaction a breeze.  I asked her if she's willing to try and I can tell by the look in her eyes when I discussed its advantages that she will go for it.

If you have failed, stumbled or fallen, it is not right to blame it on others.  We fail because we sometimes neglect details, we stumble because we choose to travel a rough road, we fall because we miscalculate the height.  Everything that we do is a matter of choice-what we eat, what movie we want to see, who we wanted to be and who we wanted to be with. 

Nuff said.

This is my most favorite and most precious photo of all time.  This was taken at Manila Ocean Park when Lance was just nine months old.  We went there after his check-up as per request of his Daddy because he thought we all need to have some time out after many months of going to the doctor every week.  Although Lance did not fully appreciate the fishes, I can tell through this photo that he had a great time with me and his Dad.  I just love his smile.

I saw this picture in my flash disk.  This was taken about two years ago during our business planning session.  That's me wearing a pink blouse and brown cardigan.  There are two photo bombers in this photo.  On the right, there's a woman blowing her nose--that's my aunt (she'll kill me when she learns about this, haha) and the other one is the man behind me.  I don't know who he is.  He looks really upset.

I was working late last night to beat some deadlines on my VA job, my son was still awake and playing with his toys.  He would interrupt me from time to time, asking if I could fix his toy or if I could play hide and seek with him.  I said to wait for a while because I am working.  He said, "I don't want you to work, it is already bedtime."  Just like that, I stopped with what I was doing.  I was scolded by my own son.  I was left thinking, why do I tire my ass off when I really don't need to.  Pangs of guilt.  I am shifting gears but I forgot to fasten my son's seat belt. Guilty feelings kill me, especially when it involves my beloved son.

I thought this only happens in comedy shows.  No wonder most news anchors are now delivering the news standing.  This guy apparently has no idea that his boxer shorts are making the headlines.  LMAO!

If you are a freelancer like me, you might want to join us on September 24 for a Free online conference. Click on the image for the full details.

Do you always pray for signs... signs that he is the one for you, sign that you will pass the board exams, signs that you will win the 100 million jackpot in lotto?  I once prayed for a sign but I did not ask for a specific one.  I forgot about what I prayed for and maybe the sign thing was granted but I was too preoccupied to notice it so I was not able to say thanks.   Signs... ask for a specific one, as specific as this road sign.  If you have accidentally or intentionally kick him in the cock... it is a sign that he is not for you, it could mean you will not pass the board exams or you will never win any lotto jackpot.

This and other roller coaster snap shots made me laugh.  I remember when I was in 2nd year high school, we had a field trip and the last stop was Star City in Pasay City.  My friends and I tried  the Haunted Mansion... we screamed our hearts out and our voices were heard by everyone outside.  It was scary and funny all at the same time.  We wanted to try the roller coaster but we were taken aback by one horrible/funny/disgusting story. One of our classmates rode the roller coaster together with our other classmates.  He was seated in front for the ultimate experience.  It was a bad idea... for those who were seated at the back.  When the roller coaster started, flipped and rolled, one of our classmates asked if it is going to rain because he felt something wet on his face.  This is the disgusting part, brace yourselves.  It did not rain and it wasn't a bird's poop that landed on his face but the saliva of our classmate who was seated ...

I love this movie!  My son loved it, too!  We watched this on 3D and it was really cool.  I love all the characters--even the geeky looking Vector.  The minions are too cute, I want to take them home. Despicable Me is a story of a super villain, Mr. Gru (Steve Carell), who used three orphans (Margo, Edith and Agnes) to steal the shrink ray to Vector (Jason Segel), Mr. Gru's antagonist.  He will use the shrink ray to shrink the moon and steal it.  This is a perfect family movie.  It shows that even the most evil villains can change and be good, too.  It also shows the value of keeping one's promise, to never lose hope and to trust the one you love. 

I have a teeny tiny house with only one bedroom that I share with my son.  It is cute and very easy to maintain.  I am having one problem, though.  My son is growing up so fast and his things are starting to accumulate.  I need to think of ways to maximize space.  I need something like the one in the photo ... something that looks like it. 

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The world will once again commemorate the 9/11 attack.  American's and the bereaved families of victims have their way of remembering that fateful event, but what is with this Koran burning plan in Florida? The US diplomatic chief Hillary Clinton has already expressed her condemnation in the Florida Pastor's plan to burn the Muslims' Holy Book--Koran. I personally think it will just make things worse between Christians and Muslims all over the world.  It is too radical and a complete disrespect to their religion.  It is a shame that a pastor, of all people, would think of such thing.  He humiliates the Christian community. I hope that the Holy Spirit will come down to him and change his heart and bring him back to his sanity. 

My mom always tell me to never leave the house without wearing at least a lip gloss.  I am pale, I look pale, so it all makes sense to me that  wearing hints of color will make me look healthier and not as if I recently recovered from leukemia.  This Fall, it is all about red and kiss me-luscious lips.  Why not visit Sephora to shop for the most vibrant red lipsticks from different brands?  Aside from making you look beautiful and kissable on the outside, you  will also feel beautiful from the inside because every $1 of your purchase will go to the Beauty Bus Foundation .  It provides in-home beauty treatments to terminally and chronically ill patients and their caregivers. 

Where were you when.... 1. The World Trade center was hit by a plane? *I was watching a noon time show.   2. An earthquake struck Haiti? *I was in the office rushing paperworks.   3. A tsunami came rumbling towards the shores of Indonesia? *I was in Tagaytay City for an overnight stay in a hotel.   4. Neil Armstrong made his first step on the moon? *I was not even born yet and my parents have not yet met.   5. Hong Kong nationals were held hostage by a deranged ex-policemen in the Philippines? *I was in the office preparing for a meeting. 6. President Noynoy Aquino was saying his oath at the Quirino Grandstand? *I was watching him live at the comforts of our home. 7. Ma. Venus Raj answered William Baldwin's question during the 2010 Miss Universe? *I was nervously watching her on television.  

I am feeling 80s tonight so I am going to listen to three of my most favorite songs of the 1980s. First on tonight's playlist is Industry's State of the Nation.  Industry is a new wave band from New York City founded by a composer and studio engineer, Andrew Geyer, in 1978 but it was during 1983 that the band became really popular.  The band is composed of Mercury Caronia as the drummer, and Sean Kelly as the vocalist who is famous for the moniker "Industrial Complex".  Although the band was short lived, they left us with one of the most profound songs ever written. I hope you are still with me, next is Suzanne Vega's Luka.  Just like Industry's State of the Nation, Luka talks about one of the issues of the society--child abuse and domestic violence.  Suzanne released the single in 1987 and it ranked 3rd on the Billboard Hot 100. Queen is my most favorite band of the 80s.  Freddie Mercury is a legend!  I love all of their music so it is hard fo...

Do you hate bras with underwire?  Do you like wearing body hugging tops, tube tops and halter dresses?  Are your girls uncomfortably and oddly lopsided?  Do you feel that nature and gravity is taking its course on your precious girls?  If you answer yes to any of the questions, BraStick is the product for you!  Each pack contains 6 push-up adhesives and 6 nipple covers to lift and make your girls perkier than it ever was.

My friend and I had an emergency last Monday.  My BFF asked me if we could go to SM Mall of Asia to buy a charger for her brother's laptop.  Off to the mall we go.  While waiting for my friend to finalize order at HP, I took some pictures inside the mall using my Samsung GT S5620. The top view of the promenade where people sit, enjoy fresh air and dine al fresco. Bibingkinitan stall, one of the many food stalls in the promenade.  They sell bibingka, the Philippines' staple dessert during the Yuletide Season.  Of course the stall is open all year round which is perfect for out of season craving for bibingka.  Yum! I got a little conscious taking pictures of the place so this is blurred.  This is inside Subway.  We got a little hungry so we had some yummy and healthy sandwich.  Thanks friend for the treat! =) This is the famous globe of SM Mall of Asia that also serves as their advertisement spot.  I waited for the Philippine flag...