Countdown: 28 days to trip
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
Moon and Venus
i get a weekly email of my astrological reading courtesy of Astrocenter and once in a blue moon i would actually find it in my inbox loaded with a gazillion emails from the weekend. here's the weekly reading i got today and i felt it's worth posting...
What Do You Want?
The Sun and Venus in Cancer make this a time of reflection, APM. It is a good idea to slow down and to take a look at your priorities. This process happens about the same time every year, and it gives you the opportunity to conserve your energy and to affirm your direction by tuning into your inner guidance. If you can plant the seeds of your future desires in your subconscious mind while it is more accessible to you, you will set great forces in motion that will enable you to bring your dreams to life. This week is rather like a period of gestation when you are waiting for the right time to make a move. Forces beyond your control are working on your behalf so that once the Sun moves into your sign, you will be ready to take action and bring these exciting ideas to life. You have a lot of energy at your disposal but may not have a focus for it. It may help to use it in order to clean out clutter, clear up any backlog, and give yourself plenty of room to maneuver once you know where what you are doing.
hmmmm.
What Do You Want?
The Sun and Venus in Cancer make this a time of reflection, APM. It is a good idea to slow down and to take a look at your priorities. This process happens about the same time every year, and it gives you the opportunity to conserve your energy and to affirm your direction by tuning into your inner guidance. If you can plant the seeds of your future desires in your subconscious mind while it is more accessible to you, you will set great forces in motion that will enable you to bring your dreams to life. This week is rather like a period of gestation when you are waiting for the right time to make a move. Forces beyond your control are working on your behalf so that once the Sun moves into your sign, you will be ready to take action and bring these exciting ideas to life. You have a lot of energy at your disposal but may not have a focus for it. It may help to use it in order to clean out clutter, clear up any backlog, and give yourself plenty of room to maneuver once you know where what you are doing.
hmmmm.
Friday, June 20, 2008
can hardly wait...
Countdown: 37 days to trip
Hong Kong
From century-spanning traditions to progressive modern innovations, touring Hong Kong offers a unique look into the history of this magical land while providing a glance into the future of the country. Colorful works of art, sprawling forested hills and one of the world's most advanced cities and economic centers are just the tip of the iceberg for those ready to experience Hong Kong travel.
As your plane lands at Hong Kong International Airport, also known as Chek Lap Kok, you'll be instantly aware of just how innovative Hong Kong is. The airport, which opened in 1998, is highly regarded as one of the best in the world. With full-service efficiency and modern facilities, your Hong Kong flight arrival will be just the beginning of an incredible experience.
A brilliantly magical and complex land, there's no shortage of places and sights to discover when you vacation in Hong Kong, China. Modern Hong Kong is separated into four major regions which include Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Each region holds its own secrets.
Hong Kong Island is home to the primary city and it's the heart of Hong Kong. With a breathtaking skyline, it's a gorgeous view, especially when seen from atop The Peak which overlooks both Victoria Harbor and the cityscape. The southern coast of the island is where sun worshippers gather for a respite on the gorgeous beaches found there. The beaches at Repulse Bay are both the largest and the most popular. For an inexpensive treat, take a tram ride and get a good look at the city from ground level. Also, make sure to take in the significance of Golden Bauhinia Square and try some of the best restaurants and bars in Lan Kwai Fong. Believe it or not, there's even a Hong Kong Disneyland Resort which is located on Lantau Island.
A trip to Kowloon will offer an equally great experience. Here, you can expect to find the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Kowloon Park. Every night, you can enjoy the Symphony of Lights, a brilliant light display featuring many of Hong Kong's skyscrapers. Another scenic joy is a trip on the Star Ferry where you can get a beautiful look at the city's skyline from the water. Be sure to bring your camera! If the shopping of Hong Kong Island is a little expensive for your budget, then you'll find the opportunities in Kowloon to be much more reasonable.
From Kowloon, a pleasant ride along the Kowloon Canton Railway will have you on your way to the New Territories. This is where you can get a glimpse into the "real life" of Hong Kong's residents. While Hong Kong Island and Kowloon offer a more modern approach, the New Territories is where the traditions are kept firmly intact. Enjoy a lesson in the region's history with a visit to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and take in the spiritual temples in the area. Some of the must-see temples include the Man Mo Temple and the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree. The many outdoor parks hold plenty of excitement and photographic opportunities as well. Enjoy a jog in the Tai Po Waterfront Park or visit the monkeys at Kam Shan Country Park.
Hong Kong nightlife is an experience unlike any other. To begin planning your visit, or to learn more about this enchanted land, the Internet is your best source. Plan your vacation, make your reservations and even pay for it all up front, right from the comfort of your couch! By making your plans online, you'll have a better chance of finding cheap airfare, deals on hotel accommodations and sightseeing tips for your memorable visit to exotic Hong Kong.
SOURCE: AOL Travel
38 days to trip.
Hong Kong
From century-spanning traditions to progressive modern innovations, touring Hong Kong offers a unique look into the history of this magical land while providing a glance into the future of the country. Colorful works of art, sprawling forested hills and one of the world's most advanced cities and economic centers are just the tip of the iceberg for those ready to experience Hong Kong travel.
As your plane lands at Hong Kong International Airport, also known as Chek Lap Kok, you'll be instantly aware of just how innovative Hong Kong is. The airport, which opened in 1998, is highly regarded as one of the best in the world. With full-service efficiency and modern facilities, your Hong Kong flight arrival will be just the beginning of an incredible experience.A brilliantly magical and complex land, there's no shortage of places and sights to discover when you vacation in Hong Kong, China. Modern Hong Kong is separated into four major regions which include Hong Kong Island, the Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands. Each region holds its own secrets.
Hong Kong Island is home to the primary city and it's the heart of Hong Kong. With a breathtaking skyline, it's a gorgeous view, especially when seen from atop The Peak which overlooks both Victoria Harbor and the cityscape. The southern coast of the island is where sun worshippers gather for a respite on the gorgeous beaches found there. The beaches at Repulse Bay are both the largest and the most popular. For an inexpensive treat, take a tram ride and get a good look at the city from ground level. Also, make sure to take in the significance of Golden Bauhinia Square and try some of the best restaurants and bars in Lan Kwai Fong. Believe it or not, there's even a Hong Kong Disneyland Resort which is located on Lantau Island.
A trip to Kowloon will offer an equally great experience. Here, you can expect to find the Hong Kong Space Museum, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Kowloon Park. Every night, you can enjoy the Symphony of Lights, a brilliant light display featuring many of Hong Kong's skyscrapers. Another scenic joy is a trip on the Star Ferry where you can get a beautiful look at the city's skyline from the water. Be sure to bring your camera! If the shopping of Hong Kong Island is a little expensive for your budget, then you'll find the opportunities in Kowloon to be much more reasonable.From Kowloon, a pleasant ride along the Kowloon Canton Railway will have you on your way to the New Territories. This is where you can get a glimpse into the "real life" of Hong Kong's residents. While Hong Kong Island and Kowloon offer a more modern approach, the New Territories is where the traditions are kept firmly intact. Enjoy a lesson in the region's history with a visit to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and take in the spiritual temples in the area. Some of the must-see temples include the Man Mo Temple and the Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree. The many outdoor parks hold plenty of excitement and photographic opportunities as well. Enjoy a jog in the Tai Po Waterfront Park or visit the monkeys at Kam Shan Country Park.
Hong Kong nightlife is an experience unlike any other. To begin planning your visit, or to learn more about this enchanted land, the Internet is your best source. Plan your vacation, make your reservations and even pay for it all up front, right from the comfort of your couch! By making your plans online, you'll have a better chance of finding cheap airfare, deals on hotel accommodations and sightseeing tips for your memorable visit to exotic Hong Kong.
SOURCE: AOL Travel
38 days to trip.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Father's Day
when was the last time you cried?
last night i had very vivid dream. my family was around the dinner table. my mom, sisters, brother and my dad were all present. in fact, i was sitting right beside my father. he was talking to me. the voice is exactly how i remember it - clear, fluid, strong and dominant but caring. he was telling me how happy he is for me and that everything is ok. he goes on to tell me that he wants me to have his watch and that i should keep it no matter what and 'even if he gets hurt'. in my dream, i started to cry. tears streamed down my cheeks like crazy.
i woke up - crying. tears streaming down my cheeks like crazy. my pillow was wet. the dream felt real. his voice so solid. and his words resonated in my head for the rest of the day.
'even if i get hurt'
last night i had very vivid dream. my family was around the dinner table. my mom, sisters, brother and my dad were all present. in fact, i was sitting right beside my father. he was talking to me. the voice is exactly how i remember it - clear, fluid, strong and dominant but caring. he was telling me how happy he is for me and that everything is ok. he goes on to tell me that he wants me to have his watch and that i should keep it no matter what and 'even if he gets hurt'. in my dream, i started to cry. tears streamed down my cheeks like crazy.
i woke up - crying. tears streaming down my cheeks like crazy. my pillow was wet. the dream felt real. his voice so solid. and his words resonated in my head for the rest of the day.
'even if i get hurt'
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Six Most Fattening Summer Cocktails
Summer's here, and that means it's time for frosty cocktails and outdoor bars. But not all icy drinks are created equal: A couple of your after-work favorites can be equivalent to a whole day's worth of calories—or a nice big piece of cheesecake. Here's where some summer favorites stack up on the health scale. (The most calorific drink may surprise you.)
6. Daiquiri. A frozen strawberry daiquiri, made from strawberry schnapps, rum, lime juice, sugar and strawberries, contains about 220 calories. Using a prefabricated mix or fruit juices will boost the calorie count even more, says Jackie Warner, a fitness trainer and the star of the Bravo network's "Work Out." "You really want to not combine juices with liquor, because juices are loaded with sugar, and then liquor has alcohol sugar, so you're loading the sugars together," she says.
5. Mojito. The classic mojito—a mixture of lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, rum and soda—will run you about 242 calories, according to cookinglight.com. Rum is already a little more calorie-heavy than other liquors, so Warner suggests asking for a sugarless mojito to up the health value. "People would be shocked how tasty it really is," she says. "And the hangover the next day is much, much less." (A big dose of sugar can contribute to your morning-after headache.)
4. Mint Julep. You don't need a straw hat or a horserace to drink a mint julep. But the concoction of bourbon and mint-and-sugar syrup might set your diet back. One glass contains about 472 calories, according to allrecipes.com.
3. Piña Colada. If you like piña coladas, watch out: the rum, pineapple juice and cream of coconut drink can contain up to 650 calories. Using crushed pineapple, fat-free ice cream, sugar-free syrup and Splenda will make the drink significantly healthier, although maybe a little less fun.
2. Mudslide. A 12-ounce frozen mudslide—made with vodka, Kahlua liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream and vanilla ice cream—tastes like an alcoholic milkshake and is just about as unhealthy. It has 820 calories and 27.2 grams of fat, according to drinksmixer.com. That's equivalent to a Carl's Jr. Loaded Breakfast Burrito or two 44-ounce soft drinks and would eat up more than half of a 1,500-calorie-a-day diet.
1. Margarita.Jimmy Buffet fans might not be too happy to hear it, but Margaritas may be the summer's least healthy drink. If you use a sugar-saturated Margarita mix, add tequila or Triple Sec, and then pour the drink into a salt-rimmed glass, the result could set you back 850 calories, Warner says. "That's insane," she says. "I would much rather have a slice of cheesecake." (Margaritas prepared from scratch can have half as many calories.)
But there's hope for the thirsty partygoer: Warner recommends opting for lower-calorie options, like a vodka mojito, or cutting back on unhealthy mixers like juices or sodas. "You can get sugar-free mixers or anything diet," she says. "You can get diet tonic [water] now, so you can add a little spritz of tonic and you can add lemons. There's all kinds of ways to flavor it with no calories whatsoever." Her drink of choice? A vodka on the rocks (115 calories). You could also go with a simple glass of rosé, which only has 105 calories and is probably cheaper than a frozen drink, too.
By Tina Peng | Newsweek Web Exclusive
6. Daiquiri. A frozen strawberry daiquiri, made from strawberry schnapps, rum, lime juice, sugar and strawberries, contains about 220 calories. Using a prefabricated mix or fruit juices will boost the calorie count even more, says Jackie Warner, a fitness trainer and the star of the Bravo network's "Work Out." "You really want to not combine juices with liquor, because juices are loaded with sugar, and then liquor has alcohol sugar, so you're loading the sugars together," she says.
5. Mojito. The classic mojito—a mixture of lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, rum and soda—will run you about 242 calories, according to cookinglight.com. Rum is already a little more calorie-heavy than other liquors, so Warner suggests asking for a sugarless mojito to up the health value. "People would be shocked how tasty it really is," she says. "And the hangover the next day is much, much less." (A big dose of sugar can contribute to your morning-after headache.)
4. Mint Julep. You don't need a straw hat or a horserace to drink a mint julep. But the concoction of bourbon and mint-and-sugar syrup might set your diet back. One glass contains about 472 calories, according to allrecipes.com.
3. Piña Colada. If you like piña coladas, watch out: the rum, pineapple juice and cream of coconut drink can contain up to 650 calories. Using crushed pineapple, fat-free ice cream, sugar-free syrup and Splenda will make the drink significantly healthier, although maybe a little less fun.
2. Mudslide. A 12-ounce frozen mudslide—made with vodka, Kahlua liqueur, Bailey's Irish Cream and vanilla ice cream—tastes like an alcoholic milkshake and is just about as unhealthy. It has 820 calories and 27.2 grams of fat, according to drinksmixer.com. That's equivalent to a Carl's Jr. Loaded Breakfast Burrito or two 44-ounce soft drinks and would eat up more than half of a 1,500-calorie-a-day diet.
1. Margarita.Jimmy Buffet fans might not be too happy to hear it, but Margaritas may be the summer's least healthy drink. If you use a sugar-saturated Margarita mix, add tequila or Triple Sec, and then pour the drink into a salt-rimmed glass, the result could set you back 850 calories, Warner says. "That's insane," she says. "I would much rather have a slice of cheesecake." (Margaritas prepared from scratch can have half as many calories.)
But there's hope for the thirsty partygoer: Warner recommends opting for lower-calorie options, like a vodka mojito, or cutting back on unhealthy mixers like juices or sodas. "You can get sugar-free mixers or anything diet," she says. "You can get diet tonic [water] now, so you can add a little spritz of tonic and you can add lemons. There's all kinds of ways to flavor it with no calories whatsoever." Her drink of choice? A vodka on the rocks (115 calories). You could also go with a simple glass of rosé, which only has 105 calories and is probably cheaper than a frozen drink, too.
By Tina Peng | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Sunday, June 01, 2008
the countdown begins ....
the tickets have been bought, the hotel in Hong Kong reserved, day tours in HK and Macau are booked and the balikbayan boxes are on its way to Manila.
the countdown begins!
56 days to trip.
the countdown begins!
56 days to trip.
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