Empty Streets 1027

New Blog - Side Strip: Travel, Tech and More...

2012-06-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Blogging bug has yet again bit me and this time I feel like I have turned for good. :) Come and visit me at Side Strip where I get to talk about everything that I have felt passionate about and much more.

Things have gone a long way since then. Come and join me on my new adventures over at Side Strip, where every step taken is a whole new world unveiled.

Empty Streets Editorial: Catch Up Articles

2010-03-01T17:42:00.000-08:00

There has been a couple of things that came up and I had to do a lot of things outside of writing for the past couple of weeks. I have to apologize to the readers if you haven't gotten to see new articles here for two weeks. I have a line of articles that are to be launched moving forward and they are scheduled to be launched by next week. I have been over stacked with deadlines with my current job as I got the post of Account Manager and had to ensure that I was hitting the required weekly quotas. Am starting to readjust and things are starting to look better. There are over 500 articles now here Empty Streets and I do hope that you get to enjoy reading them all. Keep smiling always and stay tuned for next week as I promise it will be worth the wait. :)

xoxo

Music Monday: Taylor Swift Rapping with T-Pain

2010-02-15T04:49:00.000-08:00

I have to say that it caught me by surprise when this video came out. Who would have thought that a country pop singer girl Taylor Swift would jive and rap to a rhythm of a different beat and still sound cute at it :) Don't believe it's possible? take a look at the video below :)

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Travel Special: Best Beach Getaway - Boracay, Philippines

2010-02-07T05:56:00.001-08:00

Boracay is a paradise for certified sun worshipers all over the world. In fact, local and foreign tourists have made Boracay their yearly destination. Others have chosen to live on this haven.

Sheltered from the fierce easterly typhoons, Boracay can be found on the northwestern tip of Panay in Aklan, a province on the Visayas island known for its colorful Ati-Atihan festival.

Boracay's thousand hectares boast of all the elements of a tropical heaven - crystal blue waters, powder white sand, liberal doses of tropical palms and flowering plants, and a healthy and diverse marine life.

Boracay has three little communities - Yapak in the north, Balabag in the middle, and Manoc-Manoc in the south, Hilly elevations of upto 100 meters above sea level characterize Yapac and Manoc-Manoc. Intertwining trails link the small villages and may sometimes lead to lush tropical jungles.

The culinary fare at Boracay is as diverse as the nationalities of its visitors. French, Chinese, Australian, Belgian, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Thai - are all fused into the native cuisine. Truly Boracay has become the premiere destination of beach lovers around the globe.

Water Fun:
The Beaches beckons for some serious swimming, or just wading by the shore. For more active vacationers, wind surfing and parasailing gears are readily available. Go sailing with the help of locals acutely attuned to the rhythms of the sea.

Beach Combing:
There are over a dozen beaches dotting the islands. White beach, Diniwid, Alinghai Beach, Manoc-manoc beach, and Cagban Beach, among others. Work on your tan, read a book, relax and have a massage. White Beach probably the most famous stretch in the country features bright, fine sand and clear shallow waters.

Nightlife.
Spend the last hours of the day at any of Boracay's bars and discos. Beer in hand, you can dance on the sand with a few brilliant fireflies. If this seems too rowdy for your taste, take a stroll on the moonlit beach.

Bat Caves:
Explore the bat caves of Yapak, preferably with an experienced guide and take photos of these night creatures.

Kar-Tir Seashell Museum:
Located at the village of Ilig iligan, Kar-Tir features an interesting collection of seashells, wood carvings, pottery, hand-woven articles, and traditional costumes from all over the Philippines.

Here is more on Boracay:

Wellness Wed: The Benefits of S E X

2010-02-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

This is a topic that could be taboo for a lot of people but definitely has its benefits. So for today I ask you to have an open minds as I share with you a report that confirms and enumerates the different benefits of having sex on a regular basis - more or less.

In 1997 the British Medical Journal, it was reported that men who had the highest frequency of orgasm enjoyed a death rate half that of the laggards. Studies show that having sex even a few times a week can have the following effects:

Improved sense of smell: After sex, production of the hormone prolactin surges. This in turn causes stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain's olfactory bulb, its smell center.

Reduced risk of heart disease: In a 2001 follow-on to the Queens University study mentioned above, researchers focused on cardiovascular health. Their finding? That by having sex three or more times a week, men reduced their risk of heart attack or stroke by half. In reporting these results, the co-author of the study, Shah Ebrahim, Ph.D., displayed the well-loved British gift for understatement: "The relationship found between frequency of sexual intercourse and mortality is of considerable public interest."

Weight loss, overall fitness: Sex, if nothing else, is exercise. A vigorous bout burns some 200 calories--about the same as running 15 minutes on a treadmill or playing a spirited game of squash. The pulse rate, in a person aroused, rises from about 70 beats per minute to 150, the same as that of an athlete putting forth maximum effort. British researchers have determined that the equivalent of six Big Macs can be worked off by having sex three times a week for a year. Muscular contractions during intercourse work the pelvis, thighs, buttocks, arms, neck and thorax. Sex also boosts production of testosterone, which leads to stronger bones and muscles. Men's Health magazine has gone so far as to call the bed the single greatest piece of exercise equipment ever invented.

Reduced depression: Such was the implication of a 2002 study of 293 women. American psychologist Gordon Gallup reported that sexually active participants whose male partners did not use condoms were less subject to depression than those whose partners did. One theory of causality: Prostoglandin, a hormone found only in semen, may be absorbed in the female genital tract, thus modulating female hormones.

Pain-relief: Immediately before orgasm, levels of the hormone oxytocin surge to five times their normal level. This in turn releases endorphins, which alleviate the pain of everything from headache to arthritis to even migraine. In women, sex also prompts production of estrogen, which can reduce the pain of PMS.

Less-frequent colds and flu: Wilkes University in Pennsylvania says individuals who have sex once or twice a week show 30% higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A, which is known to boost the immune system.

Better bladder control: Heard of Kegel exercises? You do them, whether you know it or not, every time you stem your flow of urine. The same set of muscles is worked during sex.

Better teeth: Seminal plasma contains zinc, calcium and other minerals shown to retard tooth decay. Delivery though will be left to your imagination. However, to suffice it is safe to say that it could be a far richer, more complex and more satisfying experience than squeezing a tube of Toothpaste. Researchers have noted, parenthetically, that sexual etiquette usually demands the brushing of one's teeth before and/or after intimacy, which, by itself, would help promote better oral hygiene.

A healthier prostate: Some urologists believe they see a relationship between infrequency of ejaculation and cancer of the prostate. The causal argument goes like this: To produce seminal fluid, the prostate and the seminal vesicles take such substances from the blood as zinc, citric acid and potassium, then concentrate them up to 600 times. Any carcinogens present in the blood likewise would be concentrated. Rather than have concentrated carcinogens hanging around causing trouble, it's better to evict them. Regular old sex could do the job. But if the flushing of the prostate were your only objective, masturbation might be a better way to go, especially for the non-monogamous male. Having sex with multiple partners can, all by itself, raise a man's risk of cancer by up to 40%. That's because he runs an increased risk of contracting sexual infections. So, if you want the all the purported benefits of flushing with none of the attendant risk, go digital. A study recently published by the British Journal of Urology International asserts that men in their 20s can reduce by a third their chance of getting prostate cancer by ejaculating more than five times a week.

Want to know more about health and news topics such as these check it out from the source at:
Forbes.com

Now here is video news report from CNN on the same topic - Enjoy ;)

Tech Special: Gateway EC Series - Ultra light yet Powerful

2010-02-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

Gateway has been producing great new models for the past couple of months ever since the revolution of the netbooks started. Now with the power of the new CULV chips in the market they have come up with a series that is both beautiful and bold without the heavy feeling one gets in their pockets when they purchase it.

The newly launched EC series of Gateway gives their consumers the power to choose between the 11.6" models to 13.3" models that they boast can last well over 8+ hours with heavy computing and a video card from Intel that promises to deliver High Performance 3D graphics.

Here are the things that the EC Series 11.6" models have to offer:

Easy-Carry All-Day

Want the freedom of all-day computing combined with an easy-carry size? Then the 11.6" Gateway® EC Series Notebook is made for you. Boasting Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 and energy-saving Intel® Core™2 Solo ultra-low voltage processing, our cherry red EC1801i laptop puts power in your pocketbook: 2GB memory, a 320GB hard drive, a media card reader, multiple ports including HDMI™, and a wealth of connectivity thanks to Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11a/b/g/draft-n wireless and Bluetooth® 2.1. And this EC weighs only 1.35kg. Connect, create and compute when you want, where you want, with the 11.6" Gateway® EC1801i Notebook.

Specifications

Processor:	Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology Intel® Core™2 Solo Processor SU3500 (1.4GHz, 3MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
Operating System:	Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium SP1 32-bit
Display:	11.6" HD Ultrabright™ LED-backlit TFT LCD 1366 x 768 resolution; high-brightness (200-nit); 16:9 aspect ratio
Chipset:	Mobile Intel® GS45 Express
Memory:	2GB 667MHz DDR2 dual-channel support (1 × 2GB) Expandable to 4GB (2 DDR2 slots total, 1 DDR2 slots available)
Hard Drive:	320GB 5400rpm SATA
Color:	Cherry Red
Media Reader:	Multi-in-1 media card reader, supporting:Secure Digital™ (SD), MultiMediaCard™ (MMC), Memory Stick™ (MS), Memory Stick Pro™ (MS Pro), xD-Picture Card™ (xD)
Video:	Integrated 3D graphics, featuring Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD (Intel® GMA 4500MHD) with up to 1759MB of Intel® Dynamic Video Memory Technology 5.0 (64MB of dedicated video memory, up to 1695MB of shared system memory), supporting Microsoft® DirectX® 104
Audio:	Optimized 2nd-generation Dolby® Sound Room® audio enhancement, featuring Dolby® Headphone, Dolby® Natural Bass, Dolby® Sound Space Expander High-definition audio support Sony/Philips Digital Interface (S/PDIF) support for digital speakers MS Sound compatible Built-in microphone
Network:	10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN, Wake-on-LAN ready Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 5100 (dual-band quad-mode 802.11a/b/g/draft-n) Wi-Fi Certified™ network connection, featuring MIMO technology Bluetooth® 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)
Pointing Device:	Multi-gesture touchpad supporting: - Circular-motion scrolling - Pinch-action zoom - Page flip
Webcam:	Integrated 0.3 megapixel webcam
Ports/Other:	3 USB 2.0 1 HDMI™ port with HDCP support 1 VGA 1 headphone/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support 1 microphone-in jack 1 RJ-45 LAN 1 AC adapter connector
Dimensions:	22.1-30mm H x 285mm W x 204mm D
Weight:	1.35kg with 6-cell battery
Battery:	62.16W 5600mAh 6-cell lithium-ion battery pack
Warranty:	1-year parts and labor limited warranty
Software:	Gateway Recovery Management Microsoft® Windows Live™ Essentials Wave 3 Microsoft® Works Microsoft® Office Home and Student 2007 (60-day trial) Norton Internet Security™ 2009 (60-day trial)

Based on my research this laptop has been pegged with a starting price of P 35,892.00 both from Villman and Asianic.

Where to Buy:

Find this Gateway product in a retail store near you

View Retailers

This will definitely be a good competition for the other CULV laptops that have been released by other more known brands. With ACER as their main partner along with eMachines, one can definitely learn to trust Gateway.

Music Monday: Usher - Hey Daddy

2010-02-01T07:34:00.000-08:00

Usher is back with a new single that is rocking the airwaves and is giving the rhythm and beat that we have missed for so long.

Here is Usher with his single: Hey Daddy

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.

PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Food Friday: Devil's Food Cake

2010-01-29T07:21:00.000-08:00

I was asked in the office by Joan G. to see if I can find an easy Devil's Food Cake recipe. I told her I would try as this isn't something I have tried cooking myself and that if ever I would be learning as I go along. So for today I let my fingers do the walking and I have found the best link that can teach us how to actually make the tasty pastry that I am sure will satisfy the people that we love this coming Valentine's Day.

Luckily enough I found a blog that has this recipe and from the looks of things it seems quite easy to make. Check it out at: Epicurious - Devil's Food Cake Recipe

In the meantime here are the things you need to ensure that you have in your grocery list:

Baking/Nuts/Spices

all purpose flour 1 and 1/2 cups
baking soda 1 and 1/4 teaspoons
powdered sugar 2 cups
sugar 1 and 1/4 cups
unsweetened chocolate 2 ounces
unsweetened cocoa powder 3/4 cup
unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoons (approx)
vanilla 1 tablespoon

Oils and Vinegars

vegetable oil 2/3 cup
Dairy
buttermilk 1 cup
eggs 2
sour cream 2/3 cup
unsalted butter 1 stick

Now if you are like me, where I need a visual tutor at times to learn how to make things I found this cool youtube video by the myanonymousblog.com that is both entertaining and easy to follow.

Hopefully we all learned a lot from these sources as I know I have. Will update you on my personal blog at Metz's Secret Garden if I was successful at this attempt :) Till then, Happy Weekend everyone. :) xoxo

Tech Special: Steve Jobs Unveils Apple iPad starting price $499

2010-01-28T07:13:00.000-08:00

I was watching the news yesterday and finally the one news that I was waiting for was featured. Steve Jobs, recovering from his operation has shown is flair and energy as always and seemingly even more now as he unveiled the new Mac Gadget that is sure to be selling like hotcakes one released. He finally gave a name to the rumored tablet PC that they were developing and he called the iPad.

If you want to check out the specs simply click on the following link: Apple iPad
In the meantime here is the news that rocked the tech world yesterday:

iPad Overview

Travel Thursday: Palawan

2010-01-28T06:37:00.000-08:00

Known as the Philippines' last frontier, Palawan has managed to preserve its fascinatingly natural habitat through the years. Situated in the North of Mindoro and north of Malaysia's Sabah Islands, Palawan is the country's largest province spanning 1.5 million hectares. An ideal breeding ground for tropical flora and fauna, Palawan has more than a thousand islands and islets where monkeys, squirrels, bear cats, and zebras thrive with wild tropical plants and corals.

Palawan's population follows the same pattern. The province has attracted people of all backgrounds and it is said that today's Palawenos are a fusion of 81 different cultural groups. Foreigners, too, have grown to love this quiet province.

Palawan consists of about 1,769 islands: The Calamian group to the north, The Cuyo Islands to the northwest, and the Balabac-Bugsuk group to the southwest. For the laid back trip, Honda Bay is an ideal destination. From there, you can take your pick of your own little hideaway from Cowrie Island and Pandan, to La Isla Bonita and Isla de Nagusuan.

Wildlife. Calauit Island is 3, 700 hectare game preserve and a wildlife sanctuary alive with indigenous species and African wildlife like giraffes, zebras, and gazelles. Sea turtles, sea cows, and a variety of marine life nestle on its shores.

Underground River. Beneath the St. Paul Mountain lies a quiet underground river which snakes for about eight kilometers before opening up into a clear lagoon flowing into the South China Sea. The Park also features the exciting Monkey Trail with its series of wooden paths to the forest.

Tabon Caves. The oldest known habitation site in the Southeast Asia, the Tabon Caves, unearthed a skull that dates back to 22,000 years ago.

Beacher. Visit the Balsahan or Tagbarung Swimming Resorts, Kalis Point, or better yet, get a taste of El Nido. El Nido features black marble caves, tabletop corals, fantastic marine life, and the requisite white sand beach. Named after the swallow's nest which proliferates in its mountain caves. El Nido also features one of the most delicious samplings of the freshest seafood in the land.

Archaeological Hunts. Go down Cuyo Islands and visit the Cuyo Spanish Church Fort with its massive ten meter high and wide walls. The Archeologists have also unearthed stone age tools, Chinese burial jars, and ancient ornaments in Palawan's numerous caves.

Here is more of the beautiful province of Palawan:

This is just one of the reasons as to why the Philippines has been tagged as one of the top adventure places to go to by National Geographic. More to come to do keep coming back :)

Wellness Wed: Cough Remedies that work and is light on cost

2010-01-27T07:14:00.000-08:00

I was hosting a wedding today and nothing really bothers me more than an itchy and irritating throat. I did my best to keep from coughing while concentrating on the program and keeping guests entertained. I had tried using conventional medicine from the hotel's clinic but unfortunately it did nothing to soothe my dilemma. So I tried the old fashion remedy that my mom taught me. Drink warm water with Honey and Chamomile tea. It worked like a charm and for the entire 3 hours straight I wasn't bothered by my itchy throat and thus helped cease the coughing symptom till the program ended.

This is one of the reasons as to why I really prefer home made remedies over the synthetic medications. Don't get me wrong though, I do take regular medication from time to time, but using home made remedies along with regular medication does help increase the healing rate. Regular herbal therapy is also the best way to prevent certain diseases from happening.

Now with the cough issue, it was truly helpful to use honey and tea for my predicament but that isn't the only option one has for helping heal the common cough. From GrannyMed.com I found other herbs that are as easily accessible at home and still prove to be effective in helping relieve and heal the common cough.

Here are the things that they recommended:

Licorice for cough
Garlic and honey for cough
Chocolate for cough (I really liked this one)
Aloe and honey for cough
Ginger Cayenne Tea for Cough

As you can see from this list, all of these ingredients can be found in the local grocery store if not in your refrigerator. We all use these in our cooking from time to time and continued use of these can also guarantee a lesser chance of getting a bad case of the flu and of course the cough.

eHow from Youtube also has a cool advise for home remedies with regards to healing the irritating itchy feeling one gets during a bad cough and more.

Tech Tuesday: Atlantica Online - Best MMORPG for 2009

2010-01-26T07:16:00.000-08:00

I got hooked by an online game last week and I guess will be hooked on it every weekend from this point on. The game that I can't seem to stop playing is the Online MMORPG made by Ndoors called Atlantica Online. I got so addicted to it for several reasons:

Graphics is amazing. The moment I got to log in and got to see the layout of the game environment, I was pleasantly surprised as to how detailed it is from your character to the scenery.
Huge Gaming Potential. I was blown away at the way the entire game is set up. One look at the map and you will realize how big Atlantica Online really is. The possibilities are enormous. You can be from level 1 to 120 and yet there will still be challenges to face.
Friendly Community. The game play system is an environment that induces camaraderie and friendship. I noticed that the moment I logged in, people have been helping me through the system, guiding me and mentoring me as I learn the ropes. The quests and challenges make it in a way that once inside the game you will find that friendship and social networking is the most important skill a player has to have to survive.
User Friendly interface and game controls. That is more ways says it all. I myself do not like game play that is filled with so many keys to remember. In Atlantica Online, the quests, community, and system layout is so easy to understand as everything is set up to teach you step by step. There is even AUTOPILOT for those like me who are so bad with directions in real life and worse in the CGI environment (this is actually my favorite since when a quest is to be conducted I simply click on AutoPilot and it moves to the location of where one should be completing the task, allowing me to sit back and enjoy the scenery as my character moves across the computer generated field.) There is even the City of Manila in the game in the South East Asia Region. That is just one region and a clue to how big the game is, cause Atlantica Online's Map is based on the World Map :)
System Requirements isnt that high so people with a Windows Experience Index of a 3.0 can play the game without much of a hickup (of course graphics settings should be set to a low).
Character Customization is endless. I found that I could dress up my characters and finding the money to do so is quite easy as long as you learn how to craft items :). Yup there is an online Marketing Business to help you get through the Atlantica Online gaming world. :) I really wish I could get all the gold I have out and turn it into real money hahaha.
Lots of conversation. I have gained so many new friends in the game and chatting with them is a breeze. The game is Turn Based so you have time to literally chat with your opponent or allies during battles. It literally taught me how to multitask to a level that I never thought I could :).
Lots of friendly competitions and fun inter player challenges to choose from. Like I said, it is endless game time in Atlantica Online.

Most of the people that I have chatted with in Atlantica Online are people just like me, adults that are looking for a quick and fun get away from reality where we can fulfill our fantasies of being beyond ordinary. I really like the game and best of all, it is free. The server am on is Thebes and that is just one of the many servers that Atlantica Online is using. Last time I played Thebes had over 100,000 players so you can imagine how many people like Atlantica Online. All you need is a nice comfortable place to play, good internet, and a laptop or desktop that has a decent graphics driver and you should be good to go.

Here is a trailer of Atlantica Online - Hope to see you guys there (am using my real name so do say hi when you see me ;))

PS. Did I mention that you can even get to own a city :) wickedly cool game and you wont really fully comprehend what I am saying till you get to try it out yourself. :)

Music Monday: Hottest New Band of the year - The Script

2010-01-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

Today am featuring an upcoming band that is proving to be highly promising. Their single called Breakeven hitting the airwaves and catching on quickly is a definite sign of their rising popularity.

Here is a little more about the pop rock band:

The Script is an Irish pop rock band from Dublin, Ireland. Currently based in London after signing to RCA Label Group imprint Phonogenic, the band released their debut album of the same name in August 2008.

Members:
* Danny O'Donoghue - lead vocals, keyboards
* Mark Sheehan - lead guitar, backing vocals
* Glen Power - drums, backing vocals (rhythm guitar on recordings)

Now come and watch the single known as Breakeven:

Wellness Wed: Flu Prevention

2010-01-20T05:23:00.000-08:00

Today's wellness article is something I should have written about before I got hit by the flu last week. Had I done so, I may have been able to prevent myself from contracting it and would have hopefully saved me from the inconveniences of having to buy tissue paper for my runny nose and cough medication for a cough that sounds like I just shot a .45. I have also noticed that this month of January a lot of my colleagues have also started showing since of the cold. With that I guess we will see another season of flu spreading its ugly head around the block affecting unsuspecting victims along the way.

So to help prevent that from happening here are some things that you can do to help prevent it from spreading even further.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Stay home if you are sick until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100°F or 37.8°C) or signs of a fever (without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®). Read detailed information about how long to stay away from others.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

And to help you even more I found this rather informative video from our trusty online video source Youtube that talks and teaches us more about the flu (including those nasty and scary ones that we have heard spread in the news):

Here is what the CDC Recommends

One thing that I have learned along the way is that washing of hands regularly is one of the best and most recommended practices in preventing most kinds of infectious diseases which includes the flu. I do hope that this article has helped you out and please spread the word on how to prevent the flu rather than spreading the virus. :)

Tech Tuesday: Google Android Nexus One Launched

2010-01-19T04:33:00.000-08:00

Google has now proven to be very aggressive in invading different areas of the IT industry. Now they have kept their word and with their new phone touch screen software Google Android leading the way, one can only guess what they have up their sleeve in the months to come. To launch their Google Android is the phone called Nexus One, which is said to be the ultimate iPhone Rival of the year. From the reviews, many positive things have been said about this new mobile phone and of course the technology that Google has placed in it.

Here is the link to the specs of the Google Android phone Nexus One: Nexus One

To further tease you and I can say it is a definite want to have for a lot of the technophiles out there, simply watch this video and see just how Nexus One promises to deliver:

Tech Tuesday: Cheapest 12 Inch Notebook But Powerful enough for HD Graphics

2010-01-19T04:14:00.000-08:00

MSI has done it again. Just recently here in the Philippines we got to see the new Wind U200 series hitting the market and is selling like hot cakes. Two reasons why: Very affordable price and Excellent Specs.

In terms of pricing the U200 series comes in a price range of Php18000 ($391) to Php22000($478). This is due to the Dual Core Processors that run on Low Voltage and of course Low cost. However, unlike the old netbooks that we have seen in the past, these 12 inch laptops are quite capable of handling what a normal laptop would with a Windows Experience Index Score of 3.2. Battery life runs at 4 - 6 hours and is equipped with Windows 7. It doesn't have a DVD or CD Drive which is also why the netbooks in the past have also been able to be priced quite low but in the modern age of wireless fidelity who really needs it.

Here are the current specs out in the market right now based on MSI's Website:

• Intel® Core™2 Duo processor, with Intel® wireless technology
• Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
(MSI recommends upgrade to Genuine Windows Vista® Business)
• 12.1" 16:9 Glittering Crystal Frameless Screen
• 1366*768 HD Ready Display for clearer and sharper images
• 1.3kg ultra lightweight and ultraportable design
• 6.5 hrs* extended battery life
• HDMI Output
• LED power-saving backlight technology
• Brand new msi Ergonomic De-stress Keyboard

And if you still aren't sold on the idea of getting one here is a video review to help you get a clearer picture of what to expect and I have to say you had better make a decision fast since this one is about to be sold out before the month of January even ends:

Music Monday: Mariah Carey's I Want to Know What Love is (Remix)

2010-01-18T03:48:00.000-08:00

Mariah is back and is making one hit after another. Now with her new single - reviving the old song with I Want To Know What Love is. Here on Empty Streets 1027 we not only give you the song but we have featured here for you the dance remix version to perk things up for you a bit this Monday. So here is the pumped up version of Mariah's Single: I Want To Know What Love Is.

Empty Streets Special: New Look for the New Year

2010-01-16T07:23:00.000-08:00

I guess the new layout was long over due and I was trying to figure out how to the things that I wanted to do and finally was able to get things done the way I wanted it to be. Hoping that you all like the new layout and that it is something that you will find easy to use.

In the mean time here is a cool video of the single from Beyonce Video Phone:

Food Special: Malaysian Laksa Recipe

2010-01-15T21:07:00.000-08:00

I just featured Malaysia for our Travel Special for this week and I got curious as to what could be Malaysia's best known food or delicacy. So I fired up my AIM and started asking around. I finally found a friend of mine has been staying in Malaysia for the past 6 months and says that he thinks Seafood Laksa is the most popular dish here since he sees it in almost every corner he goes to and he seems to like it quite a bit. I also asked if he knows how to cook it and luckily enough he gave me a recipe he got from the nanny of the house he was staying in.

here is what he sent me:
Ingredients

*3 medium-hot fresh red chilies, seeded
*4-5 garlic cloves
*5ml/1 tsp mild paprika
*10ml/2 tsp shrimp paste
*25ml/1 1/22 tbsp chopped fresh root ginger
*250g/9oz small red shallots
*25g/1 oz fresh coriander (cilantro)
*45ml/3 tbsp groundnut (peanut) oil
*5ml/1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
*2 fennel bulbs, cut into thin wedges
*600ml/2 1/2 cups fish stock
*450ml/scant 2 cups coconut milk
*juice of 1 -2 limes
*30-45ml/2-3 tbsp fish sauce
*450g/1lb firm white fish fillet, cut into chunks
*20 large raw prawns (shrimp), shelled and deveined small bunch of basil
*300g/11oz thin vermicelli rice noodles, cooked
*2 spring onions (scallions), sliced

Serves 4-5

Method:

1.Process the chilies, garlic, paprika, shrimp paste, ginger and two shallots to a paste in a food processor. Set aside the coriander leaves. Add the stems to the paste with 15ml/1 tbsp oil and process again until fairly smooth.
2.Cook the remaining shallots. the fennel seeds and fennel wedges in the remaining oil in a large pan. When lightly browned, add 45ml/3 tbsp of the paste and stir-fry for about 2 minutes.
3.Pour in the fish stock and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Add the coconut milk. the juice of 1 lime and 30ml/2 tbsp of the fish sauce. Bring to a simmer and adjust the flavoring.
4.Add the fish into chunks. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the prawns and cook until they turn pink Chop most of the basil and add to the pan with chopped coriander leaves.
5.Divide the noodles among 4-5 wide bowls. then ladle in the stew. Sprinkle with spring onions and whole basil leaves. Serve.

I have to say that cooking this dish takes a lot of patience and practice. I found it a bit difficult to do on my own until I found an alternative recipe from a youtube video which I think you might like as well.

Travel Special: Travel Malaysia

2010-01-15T20:43:00.000-08:00

This is a catch up article since I missed out on the Thursday slot for Thursday Travel on Empty Streets 1027. Today am featuring a beautiful next door neighbor country to the Philippines - Malaysia. Malaysia is truly a place of beauty and one filled with enough mystery and adventure that is sure to fill up your itinerary.

To get you started though I found a cool site that talks about the top ten places to visit when you go to Malaysia: Top Ten Places in Malaysia

Now to further entice you - here is a video playlist of what to expect in the place that is known best as Truly Asia:

Well Wed: Blood Bank Can Save your Life

2010-01-12T15:13:00.001-08:00

It is the start of the year and I was thinking of taking steps in making a difference in other people's lives. One of those is a commitment to donate blood. I guess this is my way of saving a life, cause somewhere out there someone is in need of blood and it might be my blood that they shall be using to help this person survive. I think everyone has a chance to do this. If saving a life isn't what will motivate you, then how about checking the benefits of giving blood: Health Benefits of Donating Blood.

Here is a playlist of more reasons as to why you should donate blood more often:

I guess in the end the moral of today's health topic is that when you give blood you save 2 lives. The life of the person who needs it and yours.

Empty Streets Special: Hubspot

2010-01-12T05:11:00.000-08:00

I have gotten a lot of emails from readers that are interested in starting their own blog so they can earn extra income on the side. I normally say that all it takes are the following:

Self evaluation of interests (necessary if targeting your own niche)
Perseverance and Passion
Patience
Creativity
Constant Study
Mentorship (finding mentors in this industry is an absolute must)
Love of writing and sharing (this is the basis of why blogs were made in the first place)
Constant Monitoring of Traffic and Readers

Fortunately the first couple of bullets are easy to obtain with a little help from family and friends. But what happens after you have done everything and things are still a little bit in the runt? Then expert help is the best way to go. One such expert that I would like to commend is Hubspot. Hubspot has in more ways than one allowed me to see where my blogs stand in the market and even allows me to view what my competitors have that I need to work on. They have proven to be very helpful in providing marketing tips and tricks that has allowed me to increase my traffic and maintain a constant readership.

Here is more about them based on their website:

HubSpot^® is an inbound marketing system to help your small or medium sized business get found on the Internet by the right prospects and convert more of them into leads and customers for maximum marketing ROI.
HubSpot inbound marketing software helps your company get found by the qualified prospects that are looking for the products or services that you sell in search engines, blogs and the blogosphere, and social media. Once these qualified visitors are on your website, HubSpot helps you convert more of them into leads and paying customers through landing pages, lead intelligence and marketing analytics.

HubSpot is web-based, does not require any IT staff, and is designed to be used by a marketing person, not a techie. Our company, our blog and our products have been featured in the Wall Street Journal Online, MarketingSherpa, PC Magazine, AdAge, and MarketingProfs.

Now Hubspot does not only focus on websites. They have acknowledged and even demonstrated how blogs such as this one and millions of others are reshaping the Marketing Industry. They have even come up with blogging tips that is free for all and is an eye opener for both tenured and newbies alike. Check it out: Hubspot Blogging Kit

With all that said, I guess it is time for you to try it out and start blogging. Over all simply follow what you feel you like to share and talk about. Eventually, the shape of your blog and the people that read it shall follow.

1027 Call Center Life: PowerPoint 2007 Tutorial

2010-01-12T02:47:00.000-08:00

Powerpoint is one of the most powerful presentation tools that is used by many people in the corporate world to relay their messages across. Many of us may know how to manipulate the basics of this particular Microsoft Software but if you really want to get people to listen and and get drawn into what you want them to know and understand then you need to delve a bit further.

Here today in 1027 Call Center Life I have made a playlist of videos that will show you how to use PowerPoint 2007 from the basics to the fundamentals of using it in presentations. I would suggest to grab a notebook, some snacks, and open up powerpoint itself as watch and get to learn from each of these videos.

For more videos on Powerpoint 2007 Tutorial simply visit my video playlist at: PowerPoint 2007

Tech Tuesday: Microsoft Office 2010

2010-01-11T21:39:00.000-08:00

With the release and full integration of the new Windows 7 Operating systems, Microsoft has also been busy with the preparation of the launch of the new Office 2010. Today we are going to have you sit back and watch what Microsoft is promising to give to you this time around with their new developments with their Office Series.

Confirmed features of Office 2010 include:

Refined Ribbon interface and Backstage View across all applications
Background Removal Tool
Letter Styling
New SmartArt templates
New text and image editing effects
Screen Capturing and Clipping tools
Live collaboration functions
Jumplists in Windows 7

So without further delay here is Microsoft to tell you and show you more of what to expect with MSOffice 2010:

Music Monday: Guitar Tutorials for Beginners

2010-01-10T14:39:00.000-08:00

(Click Image to Enlarge)

For today's Music Monday I am featuring something a little different. In the past I have always featured artists and their songs and videos, but for a change I want to show you a series of videos that teaches us how to join in on their song and learn how music is made. I also chose the guitar as this is one of the most popular instruments to play while also being one of the easiest to learn. So to get started here is the Playlist on How to Play the Guitar for Beginners from ExpertVillage: