It's Travel Time!

Symphony Of Lights

2012-01-28T23:38:00.000-08:00

This is one of the famous tourist attractions in Hongkong. The problem is, I do not get why this is famous. Sure, you see photos of the lights splattered all around the Internet. When I finally watched it with my own eyes, I was pretty much disappointed.

The show creates colored lights, laser beams and searchlights performing a stunning, unforgettable spectacle synchronized to music and narration that celebrates the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong.

For one thing, you need to probably stay in a hotel high above and have a long range camera lens with a big aperture to be able to take stunning photos.

If you watch it in the area where the Avenue of Stars is located, tough luck. You probably need a tripod and a portable mini-stair to get a good view. If you do not have a camera with you and decide to just watch the light show, there really is not much lights to look at.

Plus I could even barely hear the commentator with his words because their sound system is probably broken or something.

I had high hopes when I walked to the Avenue of the Stars just to watch the Symphony of Lights. And I ended up being disappointed with the results.

Self Directed IRA

2012-01-24T20:58:00.000-08:00

Here is a little something about a self directed IRA. A Self Directed IRA's ownership of a LLC is a special purpose limited liability company which is either fully or partially owned by an IRA or the Individual Retirement Account.

A self directed IRA does have its benefits.

One of these is for an ICO to allow you to hold real estate or other non traditional investments in an IRA with checkbook control. The fact that very few IRA custodians permit direct ownership of real estate or other non traditional investments in an IRA, indirect investment via the ICO is usually the only choice.

One other benefit is when the ICO sells real estate or other investments, the capital gains are deferred through the IRA. 1031 exchanges are never even necessary because of this.

And since you control and handle all ICO transactions, the custodian for the IRA can be paid an inexpensive flat fee for typically under $200 per year. Not bad, right?

Signtronix And Signage

2012-01-23T18:09:00.000-08:00

Funny thing while looking for a place where I can get a signage, I came across Signtronix's portfolio in (of all places) Flickr. Then again, after reading its porftolio, I think it is a terrific idea that they place all their catalog in Flickr.

After all, Flickr renders images to their absolute quality hence if you want to display your products that would really impress people, Flickr is the best place. Now, with regards to Signtronix, I would say they have a very vast catalog of different designs and layouts.

Signtronix caters to small business owners who seek to draw in more customers with attractive signage. Think about advertising. If you want your client base to take notice, then you have to project something that is eye catching, right? This is what Signtronix specializes in with their signage products.

With hundreds of different graphic design layouts in the catalog spanning over a hundred different types of businesses like auto shops, clothing distributors and floral companies to name a few, clients can meet their signage needs with Signtronix.

Sinulog 2012

2012-01-22T19:12:00.000-08:00

Sinulog 2012 was pretty good. I mean, it did not rain that much although there were a few times where it poured in some raindrops but other than that. It was all good. The weather did shower a few strong raindrops late afternoon when my legs were already so tired from walking too much since morning.

It was also the first time in my life that I attended the Sinulog mass during that day. By the way, the Sinulog Festival in Cebu Philippines always happens on the 3rd Sunday of January and it is an annual festival to commemorate the Cebuano people's acceptance of Roman Catholicism.

(From Wikipedia) The Sinulog celebration lasts for nine days, culminating on the final day with the Sinulog Grand Parade. The day before the parade, the Fluvial Procession is held at dawn with a statue of the Santo Niño carried on a pump boat from Mandaue City to Cebu City, decked with hundreds of flowers and candles.

Usually the Sinulog Grand Parade always rains but luck was with us photographers this time. There was more sun than rain even if the forecasts said that it was supposed to rain hard that day. So thank you very much Senior Sto. Nino for the good weather overall.

Viva! Pit Senyor!

Coffee Tables At Cymax

2012-01-18T21:04:00.000-08:00

People strive to achieve perfection. In the world of online furniture businesses, perfection is what Cymax aims to establish in every product they bring out to the industry.

They take the time to process customers' orders with the utmost care, ensure that their furniture needs are met to their satisfaction. Satisfaction is after all every business' number 1 priority.

From the time one picks up the phone, customers will be greeted by a friendly, fully trained and knowledgeable customer service representative who can help them.

As one of the fastest growing e-tailers with more than 100 specialty online stores, we have one of the largest selections of coffee tables on the web. Bring out the best of your coffee club with great looking furniture to add more appeal and attract more customers.

Cymax only sells brand new merchandise from the top manufacturers in the world and all coffee tables carry the full manufacturer's warranty.

Cobo!

2012-01-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

So many choices. Awesome possibilities. And a big dent in your wallet ;). Kidding. The drinks at Cobo taste good! Really! Literally! And they are freaking cheap as well.

Check out the photo below. This is only half of the menu. I think I forgot to take a photo of the other half. Located within the J Center mall in AS Fortuna, Mandaue City, Philippines, the place looks like a psychedelic joint.

So colorful, so vibrant. Customer service is also good. The staff were pretty accommodating and did not even hesitate to take a photo of us when we asked them to.

I ordered their largest bubble burst drink (colored light freen) at around 95.00 and I loved it! The bubble burst though is a different story. You may like it perhaps, just like my wife. I do not. I do not like eating something that cannot be munched on. The bubble bursts stuffs pops when you start biting on them. Even a soft bite makes them pop. That is how sensitive those bubble burst thingies are.

I forgot the drink that my wife ordered but it was darn cheap, I think at around 90.00. To think she added an extra topping (nata de coco).

Give this place a visit if ever you are in J Center. It is a good place to hang out. The place ain't that very big but I like it here. And the drinks too!

Don Merto's Restaurant

2012-01-16T21:30:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, if it were not for Groupon, I would never have gotten the chance to dine here. I actually bought the voucher around 3 months ago and the deadline was almost up so my wife and I finally decided to chow on Don Merto's specialties.

What are their specialities? I read so many tips in Foursquare about their hamburgers but surprisingly, we decided to skip them and try something else since we had a bunch of amount to spare. Why not try something else and munch on the obvious the next time we go back, right?

The place is pretty neat with strong and fast WIFI connection so all you foursquarers will have no problem checking in to the restaurant and uploading photos of the food that you will order.

The service is good. Well, considering the place was not full. However, I figure service will be bad if the place is packed. Kind of like how Casa Verde used to be with only one cook and very few staff to entertain customers.

The following were what we ordered:

iced tea - 40.00 each
bread + butter - this probably came with the beef belly stew salad that we ordered
beef belly stew - (2nd row, 1st column) slow cooked with tomato sauce, carrots, potatoes and mushrooms @ 178.00
grilled parrot fish - (2nd row, 2nd column) grilled boneless lamon lamon served with a tangy Argentinian chimmichoburri and roasted root vegetable salad toosed in a zesty yogurt and mustard dressing @ 198.00
lomo saltado - (3rd row, 1st column) stir fried U.S. beef, tomatoes, onions and fried potato spuddiels @ 198.00
canalones - (3rd row, 2nd column) tender chicken rolled in homemade egg paste, baked with cheese and bechamel sauce @ 198.00
the french fries and potato came with the food mentioned.

The prices are alright. I must say I was surprised that they are affordable considering from the name of the restaurant itself, I thought firsthand my wallet might be empty once I got the bill ;).

Off To Lemongrass We Went

2012-01-12T22:50:00.000-08:00

Oh well, I am not saying their food sucks. They are actually good. Just overpriced. But it seems to be my friends' favorite restaurant. Of all the places in Ayala Terraces, they wanted to eat there so of we were to Lemongrass Vietnam and Thai Restaurant.

The following were what we ordered:
citrus and herb lemonade - 195.00
bagoong fried rice - 160.00
tom yam goong (soup) - 245.00
kaeng curry theng - 255.00
goi cuon 185.00
pad thai - 195.00
pla piew wan - 290.00

One more thing, just a warning. They servings are pretty small. For me, this restaurant looks more like a fine dining restaurant.

Support Walgreens To Be Part Of The Express Scripts Network

2012-01-11T02:01:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Walgreens used to be part of the Express Scripts network of pharmacies. This year, they are not anymore because their contract expired. While they have been incessantly been trying to renew the contract since last year, they have been unsuccessful.

And now, they need everybody's help.

If Walgreens will not be able to get back in Express Scripts' network, this means a lot of patients will be greatly affected. Why? Many patients under an Express Scripts plan have used Walgreens pharmacies for years and have a personal relationship with their Walgreens pharmacist.

The Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens gives patients a lot of perks and advantages hence why I think Express Scripts should accept Walgreens back into their network.
There is already a trust established between the pharmacist and the patient. Taking this away, patients have to start over and try to establish that trust connection again. And we all know trust takes time to be accepted.

While Walgreens is still negotiating to renew the contract, they have taken steps to minimize disruptions and inconvenience for patients who continue to use Walgreens when possible.

I for one do not like their predicament. Express Scripts should think it over and continue the Walgreens and Express Scripts relationship. If you feel upset about this situation, simply spread the word, contact your local media and voice your displeasure.

Stay updated on the latest news about Walgreens by liking Walgreens on Facebook and following Walgreens on Twitter.

Kusina Uno

2012-01-09T22:58:00.000-08:00

In Cebu, Philippines, when one asks where the best place to eat pochero is, people usually come up with Abuhan. True. But not anymore. There are many restaurants that serve great tasting pochero at affordable prices.

One is located in F. Cabahug just near the Sykes building called Kusina Uno. At 389.00 per set (it was 358.00 last year 2011), it is a fair price that I think can accommodate 4 pax.

The bottom most part of the photo is their Crispy Pata. This one costs around 300.00+ and the serving is not much when you base it on the price. I barely saw any meat in their Crispy Pata so I cannot say if this is a steal considering that I hate fats.

Their pochero though, is another story. One that you must try!

Siam In Cagayan de Oro

2012-01-09T00:11:00.000-08:00

Just what is it with Siam? Even when I went home to my hometown for the Holidays, I still managed to eat there. The only answer is because they serve good food! Literally!

Even my mom and dad like it there.

So there we were last week and it was the first time I tried their pumpkin soup. Yummy indeed! Check out the photo below.

The following were what we ordered: pumpkin soup, slush, kangkong, fish fillet with 5 herbs, fried squid and beef.

There were 4 of us and we only ordered 1 for each and we all had a taste of each of them so I can say that the serving can still accommodate up to 4 pax.

The Food At Gerry's Grill

2012-01-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

According to their official site, Gerry's Grill provides everyone and anyone who loves to eat with fresh food that is cooked, grilled, or prepared to satisfy the most distinguishing of palates.

I would say I have to agree with them. They do serve yummy food and the prices are alright.

When I went home for the Holidays, my family and I dined there and these were what we ordered:

Sisig, bihon, porkchop, kangkong, blue marlin and ... porkchop again! Lol! That time the service was not good though. There should have been one other different food from the group photo above but it never materialized because they plain forgot about it.

I know, I know, the staff cannot be blamed. Nobody is perfect. I understand these circumstances. But if these cases do happen, I do not give tips in return ;).

Still, if you have eaten there before, you cannot deny how good the food is, right?

Missy Bon Bon's Brazo de Mercedes

2012-01-05T01:05:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite desserts and Missy Bon Bon's version is very delicious.

At 158.00, this one is a steal and yes, it is worth it.

If you are wondering how big it is, trust me, it is big.

Unlike other Brazo de Mercedes, they made their version right. I highly recommend this!

Missy Bon Bon's Beer Ice Cream

2012-01-05T00:58:00.000-08:00

Literally, this ice cream has some beer in it. I forgot to ask the staff what beer they mixed this ice cream with though. Correct me if I am wrong, but the sample I tasted had beer like San Miguel.

Not sure but nevertheless, I ain't going to eat one of those even if somebody will treat me.

I do not like the taste of beer, even if mixed with ice cream. But if your curiosity persists, head on to Missy Bon Bon located in the Lim Ket Kai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines.

Rai Rai Ken's Treats

2011-12-25T21:16:00.000-08:00

Seems lately I have been on the plus side of Rai Rai Ken. I used to steer away from that place because you know how it is with Japanese cuisine, they are very expensive.

However, if you share it with someone else, then the price is okay. Still, there are some that I still find expensive. But do not fret. Their food really tastes good.

This time, we ordered the following:

Mabo Tofu @ 145.00 - tofu, mushroom and ground pork in thick sauce.

Seafood Hotpot @ 220.00 - ramen with mixed seafoods, fish cakes, crab sticks, mussels and tofu in sticky soup.

Dr Tass Cosmetic Enhancement

2011-12-12T17:46:00.000-08:00

The Dr Tass cosmetic clinic melbourne, Australia offers a range of non-invasive, non-surgical cosmetic treatments performed by their specialist cosmetic physicians. So you may ask yourself, why them? Surely there are many other cosmetic clinics around Melbourne.

True. So the only way to give you a definite perspective on what they offer and what benefits patient can enjoy is to give you ideas so that what you will know about them can help in your decision making in choosing them or others.

For one thing, it is good to know that cosmetic medicine can be enjoyed by everybody today compared to only a privileged few who can enjoy this luxury back in the days.

Meet Dr Tass…and be non-surgically transformed to a younger, fresher you!

Dr Tasiopoulos or Dr Tass is one of Australia's leading cosmetic physicians. He is a natural down under citizen and practices non-surgical procedures from his cosmetic clinics in Port Melbourne and Elsternwick.

Specializing in non surgical facelifts along with other areas of concern on the face including crow's feet, lip enhancement / augmentation, smoker's lines, acne treatments, excessive sweating and other such conditions, he graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Science with Honours and began in General Practice,then expanded into the field of Cosmetic Medicine.

With a resume such as that as well as his current reputation, you can surely tell he is capable of providing the best cosmetic procedures to patients.

Parker Ingenuity Collection

2011-12-12T14:00:00.001-08:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Parker Pens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

In my case, when the word Parker is mentioned I know right away that it is that Parker pen. Since I was small they have been around and used by many. The word Parker itself is synonymous to class, style and durability. Nobody likes to keep buying on new pens because theirs broke down.

I would not. I like a pen that I can use for a very long time where the only time I need to change is if its ink runs out. How would a Parker pen benefit you? Well, for one thing, it could keep your look as a whole fashionable and on point. Or, let us say you are in a business meeting where you need to present your company in the best light. The Parker Ingenuity could piece everything together.

To find out more about the Parker Ingenuity collection, visit Parker on Facebook and like their page. Also be on the lookout for 2 upcoming Parker Pen Twitter parties. It is a great way to win some amazing prizes like pens that value up to $200.

So tell me, do you want a Parker pen or not? I am sure you do. Let me know what you want to own one? I would love to hear your thoughts.

You should know that Parker Ingenuity was featured on LXTV's 1st Look as the perfect accessory to one's your look. Now, who would not want a pen like this?

Which Korean Ice Cream Do You Like?

2011-12-11T21:31:00.000-08:00

Which Korean ice cream do you like? Man ... I think I would get all of them!

Chicken & Beer

2011-12-11T21:25:00.000-08:00

Last night my wife and I checked out Chicken and Beer, that new food joint in the Skyrise Building 4. I did not expect this to be Korean themed and only got to notice when we started checking out their menu.

I wondered, why some Korean words beside each food name. Then it was all clear when I glanced on their TV and saw K-Pop music videos playing. So the owner is Korean and the food served here caters to their taste.

For starters the following were what we ordered:

Grilled Chicken Bulgabi Set - this set comes with high quality fresh meat barbecued with special grilled chicken sauce for creating a Korean unique taste and a complimentary iced tea drink at 150.00.

This one is weird. Compare the food that will be served to you and the photo in their menu and you will wonder why they look different. This one was not good though. The chicken had lots of fat.

Spicy Noodle - at 115.00. spicy, tasty, yummy. the serving is plentiful and it can accommodate 2 pax.

The place has some nice ambiance and it can be a good hangout to chill out the night with some chicken and beer ... just like the place's name.

Infinite Banking

2011-12-11T21:04:00.000-08:00

What if you could put your money to work in two places at once? What if you could simply, safely and profitably grow your money even when you take out a loan to purchase something or make an investment? These questions are good startup questions to help you decide if infinite banking is a good solution for your finances.

You can Be the Bank and follow what many call the infinite banking concept. The process is simple, safe and profitable. The process itself is simple for anyone to apply and use and they are not just limited to leading financial institutions, major corporations and wealthy individuals who constantly use it everyday for themselves.

In short, it is for everybody.

The process is safe because your money grows every year and guaranteed even if the market declines. Not so with the current financial system where you money is at risk all the time. Those who do not like risks certainly can find this process a very ideal and safer way to use their money.

Italian Style Furniture

2011-12-08T22:13:00.000-08:00

I recently came across a furniture site that impressed me with its articulate details to style and design. Rest/Agio LLC has some beautiful Italian bathroom vanities and Italian style furniture that I am certain every woman will love to have.

The products they sell are of the very best quality and are produced by several talented artisan and manufacturers located in Italy.

From industrial Milano to the village setting of Deruta near Assisi to Chions north of Venice, all the products available have one thing in common, Italy.

This is because history, extraordinary design, high styling and quality manufacture are what all of the companies that make the products have in common. Hard to believe? Visit their official site and just see all the furniture available.

Now, rather than going to stores and looking for furniture, one can easily get them in the comfort of their home, anytime they want to. All of the products are made to order and one can expect delivery within 10 weeks for most items.

See how easy it is? Browse some Italian style furniture, purchase online and wait for your items to be delivered to your place. Rest/Agio simply made an easy way for furniture lovers to get hold of their Italian made products easily.

AJ Rose Carpet Cleaning In Boston

2011-12-08T22:02:00.000-08:00

Using state of the art cleaning technology, AJ Rose Carpets and Flooring cleans with the top of the line heavy duty truck mounted hot water extraction method.

Their specialty carpet cleaning methods provide a deep clean without saturating your carpet and upholstery. The system also uses a powerful deep drying vacuum to extract most of the moisture out of your carpet and upholstery. Hot water extraction is the method most widely used by professional IICRC certified cleaning companies.

Take not. They are IICRC certified, issued by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration. This means that all their cleaning technicians have been through rigorous training on carpet cleaning aspects.

What is more, they are also BBB accredited. If a company has a positive BBB rating then you would know they are the real thing and not just some scam.

While there are many other companies that offer carpet Boston cleaning, they do not use the same sophisticated and advanced cleaning system as AJ Rose does.

Boston residents can expect to experience AJ Rose staff with professionalism, high quality cleaning techniques with the best products in the industry as well as professional installation of flooring and carpet.

They have some corporate cleaning and flooring packages that are pretty attractive.

Infinite Banking. Infinite Possibilities

2011-12-07T18:12:00.000-08:00

Heard about the infinite banking concept? I think not everyone does but it is slowly getting around to everybody. So what is it all about? Let me give you an example. You probably have never been told that you can earn guaranteed interest, plus potential dividends and more, all risk free, right?

Mostly everything entails risks but in the financial world, what if you get an opportunity that does not provide any risks involved? What if you could simply, safely and profitably grow your money even when you take out a loan to purchase something or make an investment?

Through the infinite banking concept, one can. The Be the Bank process is simple, safe and profitable too and this is for everyone, not limited to only large corporations or rich people.

While the concept has to understood and learned, you can find more about it in their online portal. Just click the link of infinite banking.

There is no cost or obligation to learn how this process can work for you. You will be provided with all the tools, coaching and help you will need to learn about something that they dub the financial world's hidden secret.

Crisostomo

2011-12-05T21:20:00.000-08:00

All restaurants in Resorts World in Manila are pricey, Crisostomo included. When we dined there, it was all free so it was all good. A big thanks to my aunts ;).

The restaurant's theme is said to be inspired by turn of the century Filipino dining, Chef Florabel Co's Crisostomo restaurant pays tribute to cultures that have influenced local cuisine: Spanish, American, Japanese and Chinese, plus a touch of Chef Co's innovations. This according to its Facebook page.

Just look at the photos of the food that we ordered.

Although I have forgotten the names of the food, the photo that stood out the most in this post is their seafood platter specialty (bottom-most). Even by just looking at the photo I already am salivating at the thought of gobbling up those delicious morsels.

Anyone who is going to treat you there, you definitely should say YES! The food is delicious I tell you. The price? Well that is another story. If you think you can afford even for just once, go ahead. I definitely recommend Crisostomo!

Trane's High Efficiency Furnace

2011-11-29T23:19:00.000-08:00

When it comes to high efficiency furnace, Trane does things differently. Like how? According to them, they do not just settle, they go beyond. Through many years of researching and developing products to exceed customer expectations, they have created the one true product that lasts longer, works harder and saves you money every month.

This and the fact that their products and components use the most durable materials available. Trane produces high efficiency furnaces, earthwise heat pumps, home energy and air purification.

With the tightest specifications and the highest industry standards, plus repeated tests to ensure strict quality assurance compliance and backed with an iron clad warranty, their products go beyond trust.

Trane furnaces are efficient, precise and intelligent for superior comfort built to provide efficient and superior comfort year after year.