So What's New Around Me?

Okay, apart from a new door jamb for our main door *smiles* Yeah when we came home today, I saw that the jamb is already fixed (it's replaced with a concrete one) and I couldn't help but be happy despite the "fixing litters" around.

And then a mail from the credit card company was waiting for me and I found out that my credit card limit was increased. I'm looking at that as a compliment for being a good user. *cheers!*

Online, I found out that I missed some opps but then I also have a few waiting for me to accomplish (Mesothelioma lawyers anyone?). And then I learned that Gmail has added more emoticons to its list. Wow! But I'm sure there'll be more great news to come (for me, for you, for us).

It's Good to Be Back

The last four days had been difficult for me. First and foremost, we had to bring my son to the hospital because he's not feeling well due to cough and fever (he's asthmatic by the way). I know that if a parent is reading this, he/she will surely understand if I say it's never easy to have a sick kid at home. It's always tough.

Second, while in the hospital, I was devoid of any Internet connection whatsoever. Fine, I could check my mail (Gmail at its best!) using my phone but other than that, there's nothing from the worldwideweb I could completely view. *throwing phone out of the window!*

But I'm glad to be baaaack. I'm glad my son is better and that we're home now. I'm glad we're 100% covered by our insurance company. I'm glad I can check things online now while my tot sleeps. I'm so glad for many things - disposable diapers for my son to use while in the hosp, wonderful parents who always help me out... and then so much more. I'm really glad that there's a God who is always merciful and kind.

I'm Shopwiki-ing!

Are you tired of scouring the Internet for gifts for your partner, your family, your friends and then not to forget, yourself? If you’re tired of going from one website after another in the hope of finding the ideal gift for yourself and your loved ones, I have one great news for you. Now, there’s actually a revolutionary tool made for product searches – be it toys, clothing, cosmetics, beauty products etcetera, etcetera… It is called ShopWiki and it works the same way as search engines like Google, Yahoo or what-else-do-you-have.

I have tried it today and I found out that I can search for anything-as in anything under the sun!- and Shopwiki will find it for me. As an example try typing the keyword mineral cosmetics. I tried today and Shopwiki presented me with a hundred or so products –no, I definitely am not exaggerating. Like so many products were found and all I have to do is look and see what I want or what suits me (budget and all). And because I'm a big fan to Aveeno Baby products, I also tried searching using the keyword "Aveeno Baby" and it sure did find lots of products for me.

It definitely makes online shopping easier and makes looking for gifts much simpler. And unlike other shopping sites, ShopWiki gives it all to an online shopper. I mean, for your search, it provides you whatever it finds all around the Internet! So so cool ey? Now think about this, which shopping site can give you that? Rack your brain and you’ll see that it’s only Shopwiki that specializes in these online shopping searches. So why not give it a try today?

Oh by the way, I have to mention that I've read Shopwiki's Cosmetics and Beauty Tools Buying Guide and boy did I pick some good tips from there.

Photoshop: Brush Shortcut Tips

I've been a little obsessed with Photoshop shortcuts lately (offline that is!) so I guess I wanted to make a post of few brush shortcuts that are useful to me.

Selecting the brush: Click "B"

Changing the opacity percentage: Click SHIFT and then the numbers quickly (I have to add that!)
Digit "0" = 100% and "5"=50%


Adjusting the brush size: Click the brackets. "[" will make the brush size smaller; and "]", bigger.

Adjusting the brush softness/hardness: Click SHIFT and then either of the brackets.

Dream Loots of the Week

I don’t personally consider myself a shopaholic but I must admit I’m easily attracted when the word SALE is hanging by the shop window. This tricky bold sign is a natural magnet to me – or maybe most women for that matter. And when I see this on a boutique, it would seem that my feet have a mind of their own and then I find myself amongst sale items. Surely there is nothing wrong with being a discount shopper ey? *innocent smile*

And when I see the word SALE online, my fingers act the same way, too and they start to click, click, click.

And click I did today and found myself viewing quite an array of knitwear, dresses, tops, coats, trousers etc… at Roman Originals. And if I did have a cart, here are some items that I’d be bringing to the cashier:

Cardigan with contrast edge.

I imagine that this would be my all-time favorite, I'd be wearing this with a sheer blouse and a trendy pants.

Two-tone boucle top with flower detail

I could use this in the office as I'm always working in a very low temp environment.

Short taffeta dress with scarf

Hmmm. I'd love to wear this to an evening affair, sans the belt/scarf though as I believe it would cut my height and being petite and all, that is the last thing I wanted to do. There are other lovely dresses in their Evening Wear collection that I dream of wearing but then they are not on sale so this one is so me and so perfect, price-wise. The setback though is that checking with their size guide, it would seem that even their S-sized items would still be baggy on me. *sad*

But anyway, if you're looking for discount online shopping, try checking the Romans Originals collection and tell me whatcha think. Oh before I forget, they have an ongoing competition that entitles one to win £250 or an entire wardrobe of clothes!

This Time I'm Thankful for Credit Cards

Oh, what a reminder. I was given a keyword for an online assignment and do you know what the word was? It's debt consolidation. Heheh.

Okay fine. There's nothing to worry though, as I have already prepared my payment (thanks God for the blessings!) but I'll have to schedule my payment for the huge bills I incurred to pay for our immigration fees. Actually, I used my credit card to pay for the fees and the bill due date is next week. I'm not always fond of having credit cards (or using them) but if there's a particular time when I can really say I'm glad I do have them, it's the time when I used them to pay for immigration-related fees. I feel safer and protected paying these fees using my cards because as soon as the charges are posted, I have proof that my application was received by the right department/agency/persons. And then I am assured that it's the right payee I'm sending my money to (and the right payee who's collecting the money from me).

Other than these instances, I still am not too convinced of the advantages of having a credit card and so I stick to the rules-- my rules actually-- to use cash or my debit card when paying or just use the card only when necessary.

Beware of Asbestos!

What a lethal thing asbestos really is! I've read the wikipedia entry about asbestos and here's what it says:

Asbestos is toxic. The inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious illnesses, including malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis (also called pneumoconiosis). Since the mid 1980s, many uses of asbestos have been banned in several countries. Source: Wikipedia

And then I found this diagram that illustrates the effects of asbestos fibers as they get on our body. Click the image to enlarge. Source

Nice Thang

Hey, just a couple of days ago, I noticed that my Pagerank is up one notch higher than before. Almost couldn't believe it because I've been doing non PR-friendly stuffs lately and so I never really expected the increase but it's a happy thing - I mean it's always nice to increase one's visibility in the worldwideweb, if you get the drift.

*Big smile*

So cheers and thanks for swinging by, amigos and amigas! I'll now celebrate by taking care of my laundry hamper with its almost obscene load -wanna join the fun?

What's Cooler Than These?

Attaching emails has never been this easier with Gmail before. So what am I talking about? Read this post about inserting images to the email at the Gmailblog. And also, now you can view images immediately with your Gmail, this doesn't apply to URL-based photos though.

Oh by the way, around the internet today I found cool displays of pool floats lounges. Here's one that I dream of having - somebody get me one for my birthday, okies? *chuckles* But really, we've been frequenting the pool lately because apart from the fact that with the summer heat, it's always lovely to soak in the pool these days, my son loves to go play in the pool. And so this floating thing would be a perfect addition to our pool paraphernalia. Oh lovely-ness!

B for Bronzers

It's one of those make-up tricks again.

If you want to warm up skintone, you may replace your regular blush with a bronzer. There are lots of available bronzers from known brand names but I like one from BodyShop. I truly love Bodyshop products! *smiles*

Anyway, powder bronzers are can be applied more precisely than a blush. And with bronzers, it seems that you cannot go wrong with them. Unlike blush-ons and weight loss products, I think that with bronzers, you don't need to worry if you've got too much or too little.

To apply, use a big brush and put on sparingly to the apples of the cheeks.

Gmail: Sender Time Zone

Gmail has made it easier for everyone to tag timezones for each of our contacts. So now we'll at least have a little indication if someone may be unreachable at a particular time or not.

Actually, they've had it color coded. Green means reachable while red, not. Read more of that from this post.

HapPy EaStEr!

Me = Discount Shopper

Just for fun, I did another of those online tests again. *smile* And here's the result...tadaaa.. Me equals a discount shopper!

You Are a Discount Shopper

You love to get things as cheaply as possible. You live for sales. It's partially because you like to save money, but it's also because you like the thrill of finding a fabulous deal. Of all the types, you tend to shop frequently but rarely by. You keep an eye on prices. Brand names are not that important to you. You know how to have style without collecting designer tags.

What Kind of Shopper Are You?

Bathroom Cleaning Secret

Sometimes, I forget that it only takes a pot of hot water and a good squirt of dishwashing liquid to make our bathroom spic and span. And then I resort to using those commercial bathroom cleansers that are way too strong for my olfactory glands, in the hope of finishing the task in a blink of an eye. Eeeeew. But what torture that is.

But not last Saturday. I had a fun time cleaning our bath. Really did. Thanks to great-smelling dishwashing liquid. And the power of hot water (to easily melt the grease on our tiles). :-)

5 Years in Service

Yeah, Gmail turns 5 years today so I guess this is in order: HaPpY BiRtHdAy GMAIL!

To the men and women who make our lives easier and happier, thanks for bringing wonderful features and valuable service to us all. More power.

Also, they are bringing in the good news on their blog about their improved Autocomplete feature with their search system. Gotta love them, doncha?

Does Someone Have To Rub This In?

What a grouchy title! *chuckles*

What a timely advice I received moments ago. The message is loud and clear, and that is to get enough sleep.

Everyone needs 8 to 9 hours of sleep every night. If you don't get enough sleep, you may have problems paying attention in class or doing your homework. Or much worse, you could become moody, irritable and depressed.

Okay, tell me all about it. I’ve been working night shift for a week already! Just werq, werq, werq. I even forgot what brand of TV we have on our tv stand!

Spring Cleaning Day!

...of my make up accessories. Today.

I'm sure my kikay set are at their happiest today, as just an hour ago, I've given them- my sponges, mascara brush (which should be cleaned at least a month or as needed to get rid of clumps and prevent build up of bacteria on its bristles) and what-not their much needed bath. *smile* All are squeaky clean, free of possible fungi and bacteria I hope. I'm just waiting for them to get completely dry.

I've been meaning to do it for quite sometime and finally, I had the time to do just that. What sense of accomplishment that is. I know it's trivial and a very basic routine but it feels good to have finally performed the task.

Oh btw, are you hunting for engagement rings, just check the preceding link.

G-mail the Indian Way Now

Now it's possible to type your an email in Gmail in the Indian languages (characters). The 5 languages supported are as follows: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.

The Indians must be loving Gmail now! *smiles*