ringmyBelle Diaries

Dramatic special effects

2013-05-20T23:11:00.002-04:00

In concerts, theater productions, Halloween parties, wedding parties, etc.. you may have seen smoke that was often used for special effect, that smoke is created by special fog machines. It used to create moods, create dramatic special effects that is why a fog machine is a staple of any large concert to make the performance so alive and for the audience to enjoy the show. There's no doubt, spectators or audiences love special effects, we are all fascinated by it.

Orvieto, Italy: The Doumo

2013-05-15T18:51:00.001-04:00

One of the many great sights in Orvieto hilltown is the doumo or cathedral. Though the town is full of historic buildings, none can equal its superb Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. This cathedral was built in 1290 under the patronage of papacy. It is grand. The façade is decorated with statues of scenes from the bible, with mosaics and statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a collection of stone, bronze and mosaic sculptures. Is one of the most beautiful sights imaginable.

Travel Period: November 2012

Canadian Rockies this summer

2013-05-06T20:28:00.000-04:00

Husband and I are so looking forward for our Canada's vacation this coming summer because once again we're going to see my family that I truly miss. My nephews and niece can't wait to see us, been a year since our last visit. Our first visit was in winter. Very cold. This year I suggest to go in summer time- the kids are off from school, my sister can now have her Driver's License, my brother in-law can take a long vacation from his job, and most of all I wanna experience Canada's summer at the Canadian Rockies which is in Banff and Jasper. Sounds like a plan? Yep.

I start to plan this trip already and I have not yet find a place for a family of 8 to stay at Banff area. The rates are very expensive especially in downtown Banff where we will be going to sleep for a couple of days. I have to keep searching and lurking the Internet till I find a great deal.

Meanwhile.. thank goodness, I found a great deal that has many option on car rental package that I am going to get for a long self drive to Rocky Mountain from Edmonton, and vice versa. Road-trip, that is! Because the best way to tour the Canadian Rockies is to drive yourself in a car rental or your own car. My sister said, this way we will enjoy the spectacular scenery and spot wildlife on our own schedule. I can't wait to see the glacier-carved valleys and Lake Louise and Jasper gorgeous lakes, majestic peaks, glaciers, and one of the world's largest icefields.

Orvieto, Italy: Ceramic Decors

2013-05-05T13:48:00.003-04:00

Roaming around Orvieto hilltown, you'll find so many beautiful ceramics stores were displayed at the front door or wall. They are locally handmade, and is pretty much lovely. I found myself mesmerized each time I see the irresistible ceramics display! They are overwhelming. It has otherworldly designs on it. One can totally adore it.

I didn't buy any. I may regret it later. Oh well, I'll go back to Florence next time. That is sure! And I'll make sure not to leaved if I have empty handed.

Travel Period: November 2012

Carrying essential items in your wallet

2013-05-05T13:25:00.001-04:00

Losing our wallet can be a devastating experience. That is why it is so important to limit the amount of personal information that you have in your wallet as much as possible, and never carry your SSN card. I have a mini wallet. This will force me to only carry around the essential items (one debit card and ID). I also have a big wallet. This will holds my credit card, AAA card, insurance cards, in case if my big wallet stolen I still have my very important items with me.

Eclair chocolate

2013-04-23T22:57:00.001-04:00

When I was in Paris last November I had tried various French pastries and that including éclair. I had a caramel, it was the bomb! Those I can never forget.

I was at the Fresh Market the other day for food shopping and saw éclair pastries behind the glass counter cabinet for sale. I bought a piece. Brought it home. And I eat it right away before I put the food grocery away. I was disappointed it taste beyond my expectation. It wasn't that good. It wasn't that taste good. Never again. My first and definitely my last! Buying it from that store.

I wish Paris is just around the corner. I would buy pastries everyday. Sigh.

Berries

2013-04-16T22:51:00.001-04:00

Spring and summer time, that means the berries are in season! I eat berries as I can this time around because it is affordable, plus, it is abundance of vitamins. You can never go wrong as usual by eating fresh nutritious fruits. :)

Orvieto, Italy: A beautiful place

2013-04-11T23:02:00.000-04:00

I've said this before and I say it again.. I feel in love with Orvieto. This tiny-hilly-town is so charming. So laid-back. So quite. So walkable. So beautiful! I truly can live in here. If only I have so many time left before I will fly back to USA I would love to stay here much longer than in Rome. Sigh.

Oh well, this is a reason enough for me to come back here and do what I want. I'll tell you this town has enough restaurants and shops. But you know, there's a throw stones away to the train station to hop to go somewhere for hoarding more stuff.

From the plaza near the funicular station we wander these alleyways following the street signs as guide through the central where the duomo is.

During this time the local people is having a siesta that's why if you have notice the area is look like a ghost town. They are taking a nap. Ha! We came at bad time where stores are closed for a short period of time. But I still have a blast.

Travel Period: November 2012

Microphone

2013-04-11T22:29:00.002-04:00

Microphone is on of the most important things that you need to have for your home studio recording, aside from your laptop, if you are aiming to record some of your songs for a demo or even your own personal album. Because it is very essential in producing high quality sound, you must make sure that you are getting the best one like the sterling audio st69 at guitar center . It is made with Stainless-Steel Body that looks chic and classic. This Sterling Audio ST69 Condenser Microphone features ultrathin 3-micron Mylar diaphragm- less than 1/2 the thickness of traditional ones. It provides an increased response to sharp transients for a more life-like character while capturing all subtle musical nuances.

Orvieto, Italy: The hills view

2013-04-05T22:55:00.000-04:00

One thing I like about Europe is easy to get around by train. It is so convenient to hop a train, and the next thing you know you've arrived the other country. Same thing when you go to any regional city in Italy, it is very easy to reach by train. Orvieto is about an hour from Roma termini station by train. Lies in the southwest of Umbria region.

There is no doubt I love hill town in Italy! One of the reasons I find Italy so appealing is due to its beautiful hilltop towns. Orvieto is so far my favorite. It take my breath away. The place is so dramatic and beautiful. Orvieto has a stunning perch overlooking Umbria's green hillsides.

The walls of the town are built right into the natural rock.

Travel Period: November 2012

Where to Find a New Tattoo Gun

2013-03-30T16:16:00.001-04:00

New tattoo guns are not that hard to find at all. Get tattoo guns and tattoo kits that are quality from http://www.accesstattoo.com and you shouldn't have any problems. It is a very reputable site that many artists depend on. The art of tattooing is an ancient one, and also a very fascinating art form. We don’t know exactly why human beings decided to start basically carving designs into their skin, but it has transformed into a profession that affects many people today. More and more people are getting tattooed for various reasons, and the art is getting much more complicated as well as beautiful. No more simple tribal designs (although they are still around), instead, people are opting for colorful scenery and complicated images that reveal parts of their part. A tattoo is almost like a little secret that you carry around on your body and almost no one else knows the meaning behind it. Some people get only one tattoo, some a few, and some more people get their entire arms and legs covered in them. It is a matter of personal preference, and although it is not too widely accepted yet (especially in the workplace), it is becoming more and more popular. Soon there will be grandparents covered in tattoos! Usually the age that you must be in order to get a tattoo is eighteen, but in some places it can be younger as long as a parent is present and approves. No one knows why tattooing is so fascinating, we just know that it is. It is not for the light hearted though, as tattooing involves usually hours of work where a vibrating needle is being pressed to your skin. It hurts differently depending on where you are getting the tattoo. Some places, especially if there is a lot of fat, may not hurt very much at all, while others such as the chestplate and abdomen may be harder for some who do not have much fat protecting those areas.

Orvieto, Italy: the plazza

2013-03-28T23:07:00.001-04:00

When we reach the hill town via Funicolare there's a bus waiting for passengers right down the door step of the Funicolare station. That bus is free of charge. Anyway, we opted to walk to the plaza nearby for sightseeing first instead going to the hill town center. Glad we did. Saw a colorful falling leaves! It was beautiful. I love Fall.

Travel Period: November 2012

Music Instrument

2013-03-14T19:26:00.001-04:00

When I was younger, I really wanted to play a musical instrument like; guitar, piano, even schilke, but I don't have motivation for me to do it. Then I learn that- music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. Study shown that both listening to music and playing a musical instrument stimulate our brain and can increase our memory. It can even increase IQ! Now this is what I need to keep my memory going.

Orvieto, Italy: Funicolare

2013-03-14T19:03:00.003-04:00

One thing I like about Europe is easy to get around there by train. It is so convenient to hop a train, and the next thing you know you've arrived the other country. Same thing when you go to any regional city in Italy it is very easy to reach by train.

The journey via train takes us about 2hours from Roma termini station to Orvieto. It does make stops at the other city termini stations before arriving Orvieto.

Just across the street of Orvieto station there is a Funicolare station to bring you up the hills town. We purchased our ticket here cost us around 1,00euro p/p one way. The ticket again needs to be validate in one of the machines here, that ticket is also valid to use on a bus ride in the town.

Travel Period: November 2012

Cigars

2013-03-13T22:09:00.001-04:00

My grandmother's brother loves to smoke a cigar. I used to watch him making his own hand rolled cigar from different varieties of tobacco leaf (he purchased at the flea market back home). After that, he lit it and enjoying smokes flavor and aroma from it. He does that everyday. Now that I live here in the USA I've seen many different types of ready-made tobacco displays in the supermarket. I was thinking to buy one that is al capone cigars for grandpa so that he'll stop making his own cigar. I'm sure he would love to have it.

My eats: Dried sausages

2013-03-13T21:44:00.001-04:00

My Italy post brings me back of so many memories from our trip. Still fresh, and yet, I miss it already especially the food! On a whim, I decided to buy dried sausages at Doris Italian Market in our neighborhood just like that. I now a happy camper. :)

Techno

2013-03-12T19:52:00.001-04:00

Electronic music (be it techno, house, ambient, etc.) has gained a lot of popularity among younger people in this day and age, but, who does listen to classical now right? Well, you know, people listen to music for different reasons and at different times. We love to entertain ourselves by listening any music we love to hear. It somewhat helps to eliminate stress and pressure. I do listen any type of genre music. DJing is I think cool. Spinning and mixing songs with the best audio interface instrument is way so much fun, don't you think?

Rome, Italy: Bus stamp machine

2013-03-12T19:30:00.005-04:00

When riding a bus, train or tram in Rome (or anywhere in Italy), you must validate your unused ticket in one of the machines near the doors immediately prior to travel. Hold on to it. Riding without a stamped ticket can result in a hefty fine.

Below photo is a bus stamp machine where you can insert your ticket for validation.

Travel Period: November 2012

Name Plate

2013-03-11T22:05:00.000-04:00

Name plates, name tags or desk name plate are valuable business tools especially for the small business or professional offices (such as doctors). These tools are used to help facilitate communication between employees and customers. Name plates are used for identifying cubicles. Name tags is basically used to remembering names and faces of a sales person for example. You can buy all these customized you want at quicknametags.com online.

Pisa Eats: Ciabatta Bread Sandwich

2013-03-11T21:49:00.001-04:00

After touring the famous sights in Pisa, DH and I stop by at the café to eat near there. We kind a feel like to have a sandwich this time after devouring of so many pizzas and pastas since we arrived in Rome. It's about time for change.

I order there special menu of choices; Ciabatta sandwich (mozzarella, prosciutto, salami, tomato, basil, pesto, olives), while DH got his Ciabatta vegetarian sandwich. Plus, fresh strawberry smoothie for drink to goes with it. The Ciabatta bread is so fresh, chewy and crusty. Taste great, absolutely!

Travel Period: November 2012

Buy Gold

2013-03-11T21:23:00.003-04:00

A gold bullion is a standard of money that uses a specified quantity of gold to determine the value of currency that is convertible in other countries. Basically, if you want to invest gold the most traditional way of investing in it is by buying bullion gold bars. In general speaking, bars carry lower price premiums than gold bullion coins. That's why I would like to buy gold bullion if I have money, this is something I'd love to invest. The value never goes down compare with stocks market value.

Pisa, Italy: Piazza

2013-03-11T21:09:00.001-04:00

This area is around the Leaning Tower, the duomo, and beautiful churches in Pisa. You can find so many restaurant and café around here. You'll enjoy the food while sitting and eating in one of the restaurants but also you'll find yourself enjoying the magnificent view of the church, Duomo, and The Leaning Tower in front of you if you sit outside the terraces.

Great area to hang around after sightseeing.
There are also plenty of souvenir shops in here. Bought some goodies for present at reasonable price.

Travel Period: November 2012

Racks and Stands

2013-03-08T23:27:00.002-05:00

Most likely we spent more time in front of a computer performing one task or another, and playing games. It is obvious the Internet computer takes over our lifestyle. If possible we buy whatever every gadgets in store. So why not buy computer carts or computer stand accessories anyway? If TV has a mount or stand, and so does computer. Standsandmounts.com offer unique and affordable superior quality ultra series racks and stands for all your computer and TV need, as well as selection of audio racks and stereo stands.

Pisa, Italy: The Leaning Tower

2013-03-08T22:49:00.000-05:00

We finally have arrived to the main attraction in Pisa (to see the leaning tower and the duomo) which is the only reason why we come here. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is the piazza's crowning glory. It was designed as a circular bell tower. It is constructed of white marble. The cathedral, or Duomo di Pisa is an impressive example of Romanesque architecture in Italy. Faced in gray-and-white striped marble and bristling with columns and arches. Truly amazing. So beautiful!

Travel Period: November 2012

Natural Product

2013-03-08T21:53:00.002-05:00

I have purchased many products from smallflower.com jojoba oil and dominica bay rum soap are by far my favorite product. I love the scents of Jojoba Oil and that they're so well made, all natural without the additives found in all of the popular brands found at your local market, and the essential oils make taking a shower nice, relaxing experience. All of them smell and look wonderful for my skin. In my opinion, natural, herbal products are truly amazing.