OC Pinay

Orange Sherbet Fortune Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:51:00 +0000

Did you know that there are no fortune cookies in New Zealand? My stepdaughter's wedding is coming up and her wedding's color motif is orange. She wanted to serve fortune cookies to her guests.

My husband, thinking that we were going to get just the normal cookies like the ones served in Chinese restaurants, waited until the last week to figure out where to buy them. While he was searching, I asked him to see if we could have orange fortune cookies. He found a store that offered them, they looked like french macaroons, the cookie itself was a different color. I didn't like their orange shade, plus they looked very thin and easy to break. So I decided to do another search and found Chocolate Fortunes.

I found them on Monday morning, sent an email at 4 AM asking if I could order a few hundred of them to be ready by Saturday. I got a reply at 6:30 AM saying they would be able to get me my order. The person I talked to was immensely helpful and shipped my order to me so that I did not have to drive all the way to North Hollywood to pick them up. I received the package on Thursday as promised.

My husband and I tasted the cookie when we got them and they were delicious! Not only do they look like pretty wedding favors, ordered especially for my stepdaughter's orange-motif wedding - but they were a real treat to the taste buds. And if you order 2-3 weeks before your event, you can even personalize the fortunes in the cookies to have your event's/couple's name on them. You can even order special containers to put them in.

I would definitely recommend Chocolate Fortunes to all my friends. They will be a unique and memorable addition to your next big event - plus their staff will help you with all your questions and make sure your chocolate fortunes get to you in a timely manner. Thank you, Marty!

Swiss Gear: All the Perks Without the Crazy Price Tag

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:04:00 +0000

The last long flight I took was when I came to the US in 2003. Since then I have loaned my old and dependable luggage to my mother-in-law when she flew home to the Philippines and to my husband to haul his massage therapy supplies. About a year ago, the handle of my luggage broke, rendering it unusable for lugging around for travel.

After looking at our small carry-on long weekender bag and thinking about all the things I needed to bring on our trip - I decided I needed a replacement for my medium-sized upright luggage. So I browsed the web and came to the realization that there were a lot of choices within my price range, but not many had the quality I wanted.

I wanted a bag that was light, easy to move and was sturdy enough to withstand a lot of traveling. In short I wanted $500+ quality for around one-fifth of the price. When I searched Target, I found this Swiss Gear Lugano Upright luggage on sale and loved it! I went out to a nearby store that had it and found that it had all my requirements, plus it looks good. I was definitely sold. Sometimes it may not have the right brand, but it has all you need and gives you the freedom of staying on budget.

Now, that's what I call smart shopping! If you're heading off on your next big adventure on a shoe-string budget like I am, check out this luggage line. It definitely has all the perks without the eye-widening, jaw-dropping, budget-busting price tag. Have a great trip - with trusty luggage!

Movie Night: The Help

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:27:00 +0000

I must say that I regret waiting so long to see this movie. The Help had always intrigued me, not only because I came from a society whose middle class could employ helpers - but also because I was intrigued by its racial implications.

I think the best aspect of this movie is that it depicted the good and the bad. There were kind-hearted white families that treated their helpers like family and not all who employed maids were antagonists. Although their society was very different then, there were individuals who knew that people should be treated equally. As we watched I struggled against the unjust dictates of society just as Emma Stone's character did.

Our family was blessed with helpers who made life easier for us. They cleaned our home, did the laundry, washed the dishes - they took care of the chores that gave us more time to study, to enjoy life and to develop our interests. They were my friends - we shared stories and experiences. They took care of me and my sisters. And they even gave me advice on how to take care of my future family.

But unlike the helpers in the movie, we shared a bathroom with them. We ate meals with them. We understood that they were a blessing to us. They are a part of our family.

I was shocked at how badly black women were treated in this movie. It was so ironic how the housewives discriminated against the people they trusted with the lives of their children everyday. How the young girl who hugged her nanny during storms could grow up to be the type of person who discriminated against her. It was a very sad life, but through the power of the pen - the situation of two brave women, two discriminated maids, changed for the better.

They were empowered because the truth had set them free. They had lifted the veil of hypocrisy and spoke of a topic that no one dared speak of at the time - how they felt to be themselves. What begun as a book interview became a crusade, the help found their voice and their courage made them heroes.

The movie made me laugh and cry with each character. It was very inspiring. It's a movie about rising above the bad situations and overcoming obstacles. It's about conquering your fears and winning! I would recommend this movie to all my friends!

As we welcome the Year of the Dragon, may we always remember to be kind to those around us. Remember the golden rule, do unto others what you want others to do unto you. Have a prosperous new year, my friends.

The Antenna: An Alternative to Cable Bills?

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:06:00 +0000

A few months back I was evaluating my budget, trying to find ways to channel more money into my pocket. I found several lifestyle choices that I had to give up like luxury investments I could not really afford and one other option was giving up cable.

I set up a great entertainment system at home to minimize our need to go out and pay for more expensive live entertainment. I bundled up my cable TV with my internet and my home phone.

Most people would probably say, you still have a home phone - why don't you cut that from your budget? I would but I call overseas quite a bit, my family in the Philippines and my husband's family in New Zealand - my home phone allows me to call overseas as much as I want for only $20. I even looked at Vonage, but unfortunately the Philippines is not in their list of countries. I still have to explore the Magic Jack alternative - this maybe a feature for another post in the future.

I use the internet for side work and to promote my husband's business so I actually need that.

And I'm back to my cable TV. I researched and found that there are HDTV ready antennas that can pick up regular channels like the televisions of old. I bought one to test on my mother-in-law's HDTV yesterday (as a kind of feasibility study) and it worked perfectly (after we figured out that you had to re-program the channels to make it work which was not in the installation instructions). The signal is affected by the wind (and Pasadena was still suffering quite a bit from the Santa Anas that day), but the picture quality is just as sharp as cable. My mother-in-law lost a channel she always watched on her cable subscription, but she is going to save almost $70 per month. And because she watches TV so infrequently, I think she can live with one lost channel - plus it will save her money.

For our home, I am still looking for more alternatives. My husband is very attached to his HGTV and I enjoy watching the Food Network - we will lose both stations if I switch to antenna. Hulu Plus may be a solution, but they can only stream up to 720p and that's less than the quality my TV now produces with cable. To get my older TV to stream content from the internet, I need to set it up with a Roku box (or something similar, I still have to do more research on this). Hulu Plus is $7.99/month, Netflix is $7.99/month and Pandora is $3/month, that will be less than $20/month - compare that with around $70/month with cable and this still saves me around $50 per month.

The initial investment for this cable-freedom plan for me includes the antennas (around $40 each x 2 although there are cheaper alternatives) and the roku box for my older TV (around $100) for a grand total of less than $200. Do you think it's worth it? I will save $600/year or more if my cable provider decides to raise their prices.

Food for thought in this tough economy, wouldn't you say?

Tablea-Like Hot Cocoa From Starbucks

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:30:00 +0000

In the Philippines, my dad once brought home a bar of chocolate. But it wasn't a candy bar. It was a bar that he later ground into hot chocolate, my husband calls it tablea - made from pure cocoa. It was delicious!

A few weeks back, we found this Starbucks Hot Cocoa Classic at Costco. It was cold when we woke up Sunday morning so I thought I'd open the can and try it out.

It tasted just like the hot chocolate made from tablea - and my husband loves it too! Pure cocoa, with a little chocolate bitterness and a lot of the luscious flavor of rich chocolate. Just add hot milk and you have the perfect decadent cup of hot chocolate for the cold days ahead.

It is sure to make you feel like it's Christmas. And speaking of the holidays, this pretty tin will make a great gift for friends and family! So sit down, relax, unwind and have a cup of hot cocoa - one of my favorite comfort foods/beverages of all time.

Movie Night: Real Steel

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:46:00 +0000

Yes, ladies, it's a movie about boxing and robots! But don't walk away yet, this movie definitely has a lot of heart and of course there's Hugh Jackman (enough said).

Hugh plays a man whose passion is boxing. But the technology got the better of him and he becomes buried in debt - just unable to keep up! I'm sure we can all relate to that, "My smart phone can also do what?"

Robots replacing boxers means less actual people getting hurt. But then you take a relatively inexpensive sport and supersize the budget you need for one fighter. Physical boxers replaced by gamers who know the controls, but not the strategy. I'm quite torn on this aspect of the movie.

A father getting to know his son - now that's a concept that can never go wrong. A second chance, everyone deserves one - especially you - do not deny yourself another chance to make it right. Parenting is hard, but your child may surprise you. It's not just what money can buy him, sometimes all your child needs is your time, your belief in him, and your support - a shared passion doesn't hurt either!

The kids today, they have technology down pat that sometimes we tend to think they know more than we do. But technology is empty without the human element - the human experience. Our kids still need to learn from the experience of their parents, pass on what you've learned from your life and they will grow to be better individuals.

Real Steel is a great bonding time movie. It's cool enough to get your kids interested plus it has a great life lesson you don't want them to miss either!

Enjoy this trailer, my friends! If you like it, go and see the movie.

Help End Famine: Find Your Voice & Use It!

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:59:00 +0000

I think one of the best things that I got out of watching U2 last June was joining Bono's non-profit foundation ONE. It opens my eyes to so many things I can help with in the world and the foundation does not ask for money. All they need is our voice.

Find your voice and use it! Please sign the petition to help end the famine in the Horn of Africa.

Here is the email that ONE is recommending that you send to friends - demanding world leaders to take urgent action:

Drought is inevitable, but famine is not. The current crisis in the Horn of Africa is the result of a tragic combination of factors that are man-made, including abnormally high food prices, lack of governance and security in Somalia, and a historic lack of investment in long-term agricultural development in the Horn. Over the past few years, we lost the political will and public support necessary to prevent the famine – and its causes. As a consequence, tens of thousands of children have died.

We have also missed the opportunity to help 200 million people from poor farming families lift themselves out of poverty. Communities in Africa can cope with droughts and natural disasters. But we need donors to put resources toward seeds, irrigation and teaching farmers new growing techniques. We need leaders to invest in early warning systems and national social safety net programs.

Congress can help keep our commitment to farmers in developing countries by fully funding Feed the Future— a life-changing USAID initiative that is investing in long-term agricultural development and could help put an end to famine for good.

Please sign our petition to Congress calling on them to fund this vital program:

http://act.one.org/sign/hungry_no_more_us?referring_akid=2656.5438670.Ts1_jL

Thank you!

Recycling Rotisserie Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 18:18:00 +0000

I love Costco rotisserie chicken, I always have a hard time passing by this enormous rotisserie without picking up a whole chicken to take home.

There are only two of us at home, so rotisserie chicken for dinner always means leftovers the next day. But rotisserie chicken comes so deliciously flavored that there are lots of ways to incorporate them to different dishes.

Yesterday, I made chicken salad to put into sandwiches. Take a few pieces of chicken, shred it, put in mayonnaise, some pickle relish and add a little pepper. I skip the salt when I make chicken salad with rotisserie chicken because they are already seasoned.

This morning my husband took out the leftover chicken and put it in arroz caldo, one of my favorite Filipino-style congee. I've put it in chicken macaroni salad and my husband has put it in chicken chow mein. Yesterday, I was very tempted to make hot chicken soup with it, but I had no celery or carrots in my refrigerator.

Leftovers have never been so versatile, don't you think? I love it when you can reincorporate leftover food in next-day dishes because it means less waste and more savings. I try to avoid throwing food away, there are so many people who are hungry in this world and I feel that we have an obligation to be sure to make good use of the food we do have.

The next time you think about throwing out that leftover dish from last night - please make sure you can't re-use or recycle it into your menu for the next day. Waste not, want not. Let us be thankful for the blessing we have and not throw it away!

WOW-ed by the Samsung Epic 4G Touch

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 14:19:00 +0000

When I first joined the Information Technology field, I was not into gadgets. I chose the cheapest and most basic mobile phones available because I knew I would only use it to call or send SMS messages. But my career, the innovations in today's gadgets and their accessibility (a.k.a. all these promotional offers) have conspired against my sensible outlook when it comes to gadgets (let's just say, gadgets are my Coach handbags).

When I let go of my very ergonomic, but very obsolete mobile phone - they had just come out with this Samsung Galaxy S II phone, the Samsung Epic 4G Touch.

When I buy gadgets and invest my hard-earned cash, I don't go for the most popular ones. I go for the one that really WOW-ed me in terms of specifications and features - and, more often than not, my investment pays off. The last time I felt this WOW-ed by a gadget was when I bought my Nikon D90 and to this day I am still enjoying that camera!

I bought and love my Samsung Epic 4G Touch because:

It runs on Android, which I need for testing apps and mobile sites at work plus I would love to explore all these new and exciting apps in the Android Marketplace. Although my all-time favorites: the Kindle, Pandora, Facebook, Accuweather, YouVersion, YouTube and Netflix manages to keep me busy already.
It has an 8 megapixel camera (that's more than what my first D-SLR had!) and shoots videos in 1080p (yes, you can make HD movies with this baby!).
It's a Samsung - I'm very happy with the picture quality of my TV and was amazed by this smart phone's screen - the HD picture quality and even the sound quality is unbelievable. (They did say it was built for entertainment, but you have to really see it to believe how beautiful this screen is!)
It's thin! Although it's screen is bigger than most phones, it fits perfectly into the back pocket of my jeans. It's very lightweight too - which comes in handy because all these apps have me holding this phone constantly!
It's fast. Downloading apps, almost instantly done. Have Pandora internet radio playing, smooth and without buffering especially if you're on the 4G network. Loading Facebook (which used to take ages on my old phone), no sweat! Playing YouTube videos - no waiting at all! The dual-core processor combined with the 4G network has completely taken away the loading lag of older phones.
It has great battery life. I can listen to Pandora for 6 hours and still have 50% of battery when I get home - and that includes reading on Kindle on my lunch break plus connecting to the internet to read my favorite blogs or search for information!
It has 16 Gigabytes of storage already in the phone, and you can add up to 16 Gb of additional storage on it (that's more than some computers had!). With all the multimedia projects you can have on this phone, you'll probably need that storage too.

Yes, I am definitely WOW-ed and definitely happy with my new toy! I would recommend the Samsung Epic 4G Touch to all my friends. If you like doing everything on your phone, the Samsung Epic 4G Touch is definitely the one for you!

I Love My Bank

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:19:00 +0000

We chose our bank based on their no checking fees offer more than seven years ago. And even after we moved 30 miles away, they have made banking very easy for us because of the sheer number of their branches. I'm also very happy with their online and mobile banking applications.

But it is their security that has me very grateful for the choice we made to put our money with them.

Yesterday, my husband called me from the gas station - he said his debit card was being declined. I quickly checked our balance via mobile phone and confirmed that we had money in the bank. We drove to a Chase bank about 2 miles from where I work and talked to Dustin about the block on my husband's debit card.

It turned out that there was a suspicious transaction from Italy on his debit card. Dustin helped us call into the proper office who handles replacement cards, arranged for a temporary ATM card for my husband and even took the time to show me how to redeem reward points I had on my credit card. This was at around 5:20 PM on a Friday. We were all done by 5:40 PM.

What I appreciated the most was the friendly and unhurried service. Dustin took his time to explain everything to us with a smile and is the epitome of customer service. When we left, I was grateful and had my peace of mind back. I felt that our money is in good hands with Chase.

Like that TV ad says, "I love my bank!"

Lookout for Android: Security on Several Levels

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:06:00 +0000

I let go of my obsolete, but very ergonomically designed mobile phone yesterday. And while waiting to see a representative for my handset upgrade, an advertisement for this Android App came on their screen display:

Considering that I had just read that hackers are starting to target mobile phones and tablets because of the number of people using them, I thought that the ad was very timely.

It addresses mobile security on several levels. It is an anti-virus that can protect your device against malware, spyware and even phishing. It secures your data by performing automated regular backups (and unlike my home storage & backup system, it was so easy to install)! And it protects your device physically, activate the location settings and you will be able to find your device by logging in to their website and clicking the locate button. Plus when you've lost your device somewhere and just want to know where it is, you can remotely make it scream (play a siren for 60 seconds) so you can find it (this will definitely come in handy for me). Identity theft and information security on your mind? It has a remote lock and data wipe for those sensitive information that thieves should not be able to obtain from your phone.

And you get all this for $29.99 per year! I'm on the trial version, I heard that the big names in anti-virus have mobile versions as well. If you know of a better mobile security solution, please feel free to leave me a comment below - I would really appreciate it.

Dynamic Views: Thanks, But No Thanks!

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:38:00 +0000

I must admit, I loved Blogger's Dynamic Views when I first saw it a few weeks back. I made a mental note to try it out on my personal blog, but did not get around to it until this weekend. There were three tempt-lates that tempted me the most (...pun definitely intended...).

Magazine:

Timeslide:

Flipcard:

It made my content look amazing! But it didn't let me customize anything on the blog. I couldn't even control the background color!

I enjoyed my widgets, I enjoyed adding my personal touches to my blog. And though my layout is simpler than the dynamic views, I think I will keep my customizations - thank you. Blogger, you almost had me though - I loved how my content looked on your templates. I just don't think I want to give up all control of my blog's design.

If Blogger can find a way to combine dynamic views with widgets and customization - I will probably jump on board in a heartbeat. But for now, I am content with my blog's look and feel - and will look forward to the next version of dynamic views.

The 5-Cent Wine Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:27:00 +0000

My husband has a project. He fell in love with this wooden wine rack that he got on sale in Habitat for Humanity's ReStore and found a place for it in our home. There was only one problem - it had no wines. And having 44 spaces to fill is no easy feat!

So it lay empty for a while, and we filled it one bottle at a time with wines we liked, wines that were on sale and wines that looked interesting.

And then we discovered Bevmo's five-cent wine sale... The moment we walked through the sliding doors, we were met with table after table filled with spirits. Chardonnays, Merlots, Pinot Grigios, Sauvignon Blancs, Cimarrons, Cavas, Rieslings, Zinfandels and much much more, buy one at regular price and get another for only a nickel. It was a great deal!

They even had a wine tasting every Saturday for only $2. They had at least seven selection of wines out for the tasting and a good group of connoisseurs was gathered around exchanging stories. The conversation was interesting, the wine was good and the deals were amazing!

And so my husband's 44 empty spaces are well on its way to being filled. As my friend on Facebook once posted, "I love BevMo!" The holidays are almost here, find a bottle you love and celebrate - while they are still on sale, it's also a great gift idea for friends. Definitely a win-win!

Partying on the Queen Mary

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 16:16:00 +0000

We attended an event at the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach last night. Although the drive to the pier was not exactly scenic with views of shipping containers and the various industrial equipment required to run a pier - there was something oddly romantic about stepping on board the old ship.

The event was held at the Royal Salon, all the way up on the Promenade Deck, which was busier than the other decks with shops and restaurants. It was also well-lighted.

We initially got lost and ended up going to the second floor which felt more like a ship, a slightly haunted ship. The hallway going to the salon there was dark, especially the one going to the restroom, but oddly enough the restroom on this floor was better decorated and well-lighted. But because there were very few people on that deck, it felt a little creepy - as though old passengers would say hi to you at any second. But of course, it might have just been my overactive imagination. Imagine, all dressed up, walking into a dark hallway of a grand old ship with the sea breeze wafting in from the open port holes - doesn't it seem like a scene in a horror movie?

But anyway... Back to my party review, the food they served at the Royal Salon was delicious. We had a simple Caesar Salad with a well-seasoned tangy dressing that everyone at our table enjoyed. They then served filet mignon and salmon with vegetables and mashed potatoes - for the price of the event, everyone agreed we got a great deal. They served high quality filet mignon that was very tender. I didn't get to try the salmon, but my husband was quite satisfied with it. Then we had this delectable tiramisu that was divine - I even enjoyed the side of whipped cream that went with it!

The staff was very accommodating. The salon had great acoustics for the music. Everyone enjoyed the party. I think it's a great venue for an event, especially formal events. It brings you back to a time of ball gowns, smartly dressed gentlemen and the age of romance. I give the Queen Mary - two thumbs up! Plan an amazing night here for your next big event.

Movie Night: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 16:23:00 +0000

I saw first-hand what Alzheimer's disease does to a person. My father-in-law, a brilliant lawyer, had only a mild case of it in the last years of his life. I saw his frustration at the things he forgot how to do. I saw how he tried to deny his confusion and make light of the disease that was destroying his beautiful mind. Would I do what Will Rodman (played by James Franco) did in the movie to cure his ailing father? Yes, I would. I will do everything to give my parents the quality of life they deserve - especially in their final years of life because I love them.

The cure to Alzheimer's had nothing to do with what went wrong in this movie. The root of conflict in this movie comes from the cruelty, greed and fear of the unknown. These are human traits, human failings. It has nothing to do with animal testing or gene therapy - it has everything to do with animal cruelty and lack of respect for others.

Caesar was treated cruelly, he fought back. The degree with which he was able to fight back was enhanced by the ALS 112/113, but even an ordinary animal would fight back when abused. We must learn to treat others like we would want to be treated ourselves. Treat others with respect. Treat others with kindness.

In the movie, it wasn't that Caesar was able to talk that amazed me the most. It was how Buck gave his life to save Caesar's - what an amazing show of loyalty, sacrifice and friendship. It was how Caesar always stopped the other apes from killing human beings. It was how Caesar only became violent to protect Will's dad.

We always seem to point the blame at that new and cutting edge scientific breakthrough with tragic movies like these. But we must not forget, that it is our own failings that determine the ending of the movie! If we weren't so greedy, if we weren't so cruel, if we were better human beings then the world could be a better place than it is now.

Be kind. Respect all creatures and creation. Be better so we can make the world better! I think this is a great movie and I hope that when you see it - you will be able to appreciate the important lessons the movie shares. I think this is a must see - two thumbs up for me!

Chocolate: The Event & The Exhibit at Muzeo

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:19:00 +0000

"Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." - Forrest Gump

At the Muzeo in Anaheim yesterday - we knew exactly what we were gonna get - a Chocolate Event! I have heard about this event for quite some time now, but the $40 price was a little too steep for me. So when I found a coupon on Travelzoo, I jumped at the chance to go.

I paid $20 for admission to the exhibit regularly $13 and 15 ChocoTix - tasting tickets. It was like going back to the time when people shopped using cacao beans, you bought these tickets in the shape of candy bars and if you wanted to sample treats from the vendors, you exchanged tickets for the samples. The vendors were awesome - we had fondue, wine, meatballs in chocolate bbq sauce, chocolate covered strawberries, caramel apples, cupcakes, and handfuls of kisses. It was very fun and very crowded!

I found the chocolate exhibit very educational and very entertaining. From being the Food for the Gods to the modern candy bar of today, chocolate had a very interesting history - and a very promising future. The exhibit is definitely a fun way to spend a hot summer afternoon. A unique experience that opened my eyes to another side of chocolate - the side that is trying to protect the rainforests, bringing awareness to stopping child labor and why it might be a great investment at the stock market. I also realized how man's indulgence in this delectable treat lead to oppression in the early years of its existence. It's hard to imagine how we can treat other human beings so badly just to have chocolate - an addiction it must be - but that's not an excuse!

Hopefully, with all the technology we have today - we are not subjecting others to cruel work conditions for the love of chocolate. So as you enjoy that sweet treat, make up for all the injustices it has caused by sharing it with someone who really needs to smile today! Indulge with a friend - or pass it on as a random act of kindness today.

Make the world a better place - one small treat at a time!

Top 10 Summer Experiences of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:47:00 +0000

I am sorry for being an absentee blogger for quite a while. I have been adjusting to my new job and have been taking advantage of the great California weather on the weekends. But I do miss writing and so here is a short countdown of my summer experiences this year with tips on having the best summer ever!

1. My personal summer favorite is the tremendous amount of outdoor summer concerts featuring great artists. Now my husband and I don't usually agree on the definition of great artists, but on U2 we were definitely on the same page. We had to wait a year to see U2 play at the Angels Stadium, but the show was definitely worth the wait! The production was amazing, Lenny Kravitz opened for them and got the crowd dancing, and because we were at field level - we even got to meet Bono himself! They played from 9 PM to past midnight - it was the most socially relevant concert I have ever experienced.

2. Whether you love playing golf or enjoy a great swimming pool, Welks Resort in San Diego is one of our favorite summer getaways. They have amazing pools, jacuzzis and recreational areas with lots of game tables for the family (foosball is my husband and I's personal favorite). They also have well-equipped cardio and weights rooms on Melody Hill - the adults only facility where you can get away from screaming children if you choose, ideal for spending a quiet afternoon basking in the sun with a good book.

3. My husband and I live about 10 minutes away from Disneyland so we get annual passes and enjoy the attractions several times during the year. Although summer is the most crowded season ever to go, they have a few new attractions that are worth braving the crowds for! Definitely go and see the new Star Tours in 3D - you will not get a jarring experience, the ride is smooth, short, but sweet (get a fast pass!). Love dancing to the beat at the Tron attraction? Check out Laser Man - this guy has some amazing moves! I wasn't too impressed with the new Undersea Adventure attraction, but your little princesses might like it. All this construction at the California Adventure Park is very exciting - I think the Cars area will be a big hit next year. I love this video of Darth Vader going to Disneyland!

4. Are you the theater-going type on a budget? Did you know that there is a group of people promoting classical theater for all at Griffith Park with a series of free plays at the old zoo? My husband and I saw the Merry Wives of Windsor on a Saturday night - I thought it was very funny and a very relaxing summer evening (though quite star-less at the time). Don't you think Shakespeare at the park under the stars is romantic? It is! Just be ready with bug spray and you'll be all set.

5. If the night life is more your thing, have an ice-cold margarita and enjoy a show at the House of Blues in Anaheim. Summer usually brings radio station sponsored shows bringing you great artists at a fraction of the price you would pay for regular concerts. Take advantage of this promotions and go out for dinner and drinks at your local hot spot.

6. Have you ever just sat on the grass with a good meal and a great bottle of wine in one of the most beautiful parks you've ever been in and enjoyed relaxing jazz music? The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens has Member's Summer Evenings two Saturdays in July and two more in August. Put on a nice summer dress, a pretty hat and stroll along the themed gardens, you'll feel right at home!

7. Being with these beautiful animals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Have you ever watched an animal long enough to recognize its personality? This inquisitive bird actually poses for photos and watched us just as much as we watched it!

Just in case you're wondering where the other 3 experiences are - the summer isn't even halfway through yet - we intend to make more memories and experience sunny Southern California thoroughly. Personally, I'm trying to convince my husband to go camping - just something we've always wanted to do, but have never done. I think it's a wonderful way to spend a summer weekend, don't you?

Enjoy your summer, my friends!

Good Water Changed My Life

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 16:02:00 +0000

I snapped this photo of my newest kitchen gadget while getting water to share with my friends today. The Leveluk SD501 is a medical device that produces the good water that Dr Hiromi Shinya, author of The Enzyme Factor, prescribes to his patients.

Dr. Shinya studied the connection between what we eat and our health through hundreds of thousands of endoscopic images of people when they were sick and after drinking his good water. His book is amazing, I recommend it to anyone who loves dairy and meats (guilty over here!) - especially to those who have cancer or any other disease that is making your life miserable. This book and this water can change your life. They definitely changed mine.

Anyone who knew me as a kid growing up knows how bad my immune system is. My pediatrician had run out of medicines to give me for my coughs, colds and fevers - I always had weak lungs. I don't get sick as often now, but when I get infected I'm usually down for the count for at least a week and then I feel very sick for about two or so more weeks after the worst had passed.

The week I started on my job, I noticed that a lot of my co-developers were sneezing and coughing. Uh oh! I thought to myself. I was on the good water for two weeks at this point. But I didn't get sick - I lasted almost a month without getting the virus they were passing around - and that is a record for me because I get infected very easily.

Then we went to this monthly gathering of people who drink the good water and they were sick - and a week later, I succumbed to the illness. I lost my voice, I had respiratory issues and high fever. It felt like the onset of my month-long bout with a virus that is just too strong for my lungs to handle.

That was before I drank several glasses of good water, gargled with strong water and slept most of the day off. When I woke up, my voice had returned. I was not 100% better, but I was well enough to drive down to San Diego with my husband. I enjoyed the jacuzzi, lounged by the pool reading Dr. Shinya's book, barbecued with my husband, watched a great movie and spent Sunday at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park enjoying the beautiful sunny day!

If you've never been a sickly kid... If you've never watched your friends playing in the sun while you stayed indoors coughing away your summer and fighting for every breath... You probably won't understand how this water changed my life. I can live now! I don't have to be an observer, afraid of getting sick. I can participate in this wonderful adventure called life. I now look forward to living a long life because I know I will not be bedridden, I will not be watching from the sidelines. I will be dancing, I will be living!

And that, my friends, is worth more to me than however much this machine costs! Come live your best life - if you want to know how it feels, ask me and I'll share my water with you. This gift of wellness is truly priceless.

The Couch Mouse Delay

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 17:41:00 +0000

Tax season always reminds me that whenever I find a tool that would make my home office life easier, I should go ahead and buy it. Because the money I think I am saving by not doing so will only get collected as taxes come April.

With this mindset and because my old wired mouse that I am using with my one-year-old laptop is starting to give me problems, I bought this Logitech M515 couch mouse.

I read a great review about it in one of my favorite tech blogs. You may be wondering why I chose a "couch" mouse. I like to read and surf the internet on my couch, on my bed and even while sitting on my carpeted floor - and this was what this mouse was supposedly designed for.

I must admit it does work great, after a minute or two. I find that it doesn't respond right away. To get it started I have to grip it with my finger to the sides of it slightly near the front, not in the normal position I would usually hold a mouse, then apply more pressure than I would usually do. Once I activate it, it responds then freezes a bit for a minute or so then it functions as promised without a hitch. I'm not sure if it's because of the way I'm used to just pushing a mouse around instead of really gripping it or if there is a real delay time before the mouse connects completely with the transmitter, but this is one of my pet peeves with this unit.

They do have an "Anywhere" mouse for $10 more, but I don't think that will be much better than the one I have now. Do you own a couch mouse? Do you experience the same delay? Please share your experience in the comments section of this post. Thanks!

New on DVD: How Do You Know?

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:04:00 +0000

My husband actually chose this DVD - aside from Jack Nicholson and Reese Witherspoon being in it, this movie held no initial appeal for me. I felt much better about it after the first few funny scenes however!

The premise of the whole movie can be summed up by the movie's title - "How do you know?" How do you know which Mr. Right Now is the ONE, your Mr. Right? How do you know if you will be good at anything other than what you have been excelling at for a considerable time in your life? This question is actually very timely - not only for people who lost their jobs and are trying to learn a new trade to make a living, but also for those who are ready to move forward to the next big step in their lives like marriage, a family, a new business or retirement. How do you know what is the right thing to do?

It was pretty good - very entertaining - and it made the audience think. What would you do? How would you know? And watch out for the great proposal scene that led to enlightenment!

My husband and I ended up asking ourselves if we were the same way... When you find the one you have been praying for (like the reformed bad boy that I never thought God will actually give me) and you realize that you don't have to change who you are to be the ONE for him (even if you drive him crazy most of the time) then you're fifty percent there! When you figure out that he has been praying for someone like you too and you realize that there's nothing about him you really want to change (even if your parents don't agree with you about that part) - hold on tight and never let go! You have a keeper! So that's how we knew...

And what about the how do you know the right thing to do? Monk (who played the psychiatrist here) had a great piece of advice that I think everyone should at least try once - happiness in life is about finding out what you want and learning how to ask for help to get what you want.

It's a great date night movie! Especially if you want to reflect on "how do you know" with your significant other. *wink, wink* Happy watching, my friends!

Pandora on My Internet TV

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 14:11:00 +0000

What do you do with your TV? I was old enough to remember when Web TV failed miserably before, but with the concept of apps - I must admit I'm enjoying Internet TV very very much today.

One of my least favorite things about renting an apartment is having to be always conscious of my neighbors who I share walls and a floor with. Because of this we've put off getting a home theater system and I've been obsessing over one ever since I listened to it in one of those big box electronic stores.

So when I found out that my favorite brand had a factory store nearby and got $100 off of the unit I loved...

My husband's protests did not stand a chance - and he's enjoying the system even more than I am! Although he's more of a watch TV and movies type of user and I'm a find new apps to make the system do more cool stuff type.

I tried using Pandora once before at work - with my mediocre speaker system - I didn't really enjoy it then. I don't have a stereo at home, so I don't listen to the radio - my music was limited to my very small mp3 collection but I enjoyed it because I got a great speaker dock. Then my boss (who just got an Internet TV herself) asked me if Pandora was available as an app - and since it's prominently displayed on my screen every time I load my Internet TV source, I said yes and admitted to never having tried it before. And because I believe in trying interesting apps at least once - I got it to work this morning.

And my craving for music on my new speaker system just got sated... I think I just fell in love with Pandora! It's so easy to use and set up - I'm discovering new music and artists as I compose this post. I definitely have no buyer's remorse about my entertainment system. It has saved us a lot, because instead of going out, my husband and I are often contented to just stay in with our Internet Apps and TV shows - especially now that everything sounds so good! Plus, I got a system that's just right for my living space - and so far the neighbors have not complained. :)

Garmin Nuvi & Ecoroute For a Happier Marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:40:00 +0000

One of the most frequent causes of conflict in my marriage has been navigation. You see, we didn't buy a GPS until very recently and my husband depended on me to navigate to places we've never been to while I depend on printed directions from Google Maps.

The problem with printed maps, aside from the extensive use of printer ink and paper, is that once you miss a turn - you have to retrace your steps and find a way to make that turn again. It doesn't recalculate and give you a new route! The problem with me as a navigator is I like watching the scenery out the window and talking to my husband - in other words, I don't really pay as close attention to the map and road signs as I should. So if you haven't already guessed, my husband and I are often lost.

Both our phones have GPS. And we tried using that too, but the screen is small and I (the navigator) have bad eyes. So I picked a sufficiently big screen Garmin GPS system, hoping that we can save fuel by not getting lost and especially with the new freelance businesses my husband and I are establishing - it's bad form to be late because you didn't know where you were going to meet a client.

One of the features I particularly like about our new GPS system is ecoroute. I have it set to give us the directions that will save the most fuel and it has definitely taken us to new paths we have not taken before! It's very useful at night when I can't make out the street signs as well - the streets are displayed in big bold letters and you'll know exactly when to turn. Now I can enjoy the scenery and not worry that we'll miss a turn and my marriage is a little more smooth sailing than it was before we bought the GPS.

Which GPS do you use? What feature do you like most about your system? Feel free to share your thoughts by leaving me a comment.

Movie Night: My Name is Khan

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:56:00 +0000

The elements of this movie are amazing! It had family values, sibling rivalry, a look into Asperger's (a form of autism), romance, heart-wrenching loss and grief, bullying, hate crimes, patriotism and the beautiful triumph of humanity. And through it all an almost unbelievable innocence encompassing the film through Khan, it's main character.

It is the story of a simple man, one afflicted by autism - who overcame the obstacles in life and gained happiness. And he did it all without surrendering his principles, his morals and everything his mother taught him. Wow!

Here is a truly good man, Khan, who did not let his illness keep him from living a life of happiness. Persecuted for being a muslim after 9/11 - he suffered the loss of his son and was driven away by his wife to go and tell the president of the United States that he was not a terrorist.

His quest had made him a hero - an inspiration to all Americans. Through the kindness and great love in his heart, he started a revolution of volunteers to help victims of a natural disaster in a small town in Georgia. Though the government tortured him because of a misunderstanding, he held no bitterness towards them and still managed to keep his word - to meet the president and to tell him that he was not a terrorist and neither was his persecuted and now-dead son.

It's definitely a must-see! Two thumbs up! Way up! Happy watching, my friends.

A Nature-Lover's Treat: The Huntington

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:00:00 +0000

We stumbled upon The Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens a few years ago. We got lost and ended up in their parking lot. It was such an intriguing place and I saw so many happy people visiting there that I looked it up online.

The Huntington is a non-profit private institution consisting of a library of rare books and manuscripts, art collections and the awe-inspiring botanical gardens.

I have since brought visiting friends and family here to enjoy the gardens and to look at the old manuscripts. I did not realize that my husband had not accompanied me on these excursions - he saw the gardens for the first time last Saturday when we treated our friend to a day out for his birthday.

We didn't have time to explore all of the gardens, but we signed up for membership and we plan to go back at least once a month this year. My husband came to the same conclusion I did - the beauty of nature, the non-crowded atmosphere and the sheer serenity of the gardens made it a great place to sit, relax, read a book and pray.

It's a one-day escape that never fails to cheer me up - and it had the same effect on our friend who lives in a convalescent home. After visiting the gardens he said he felt a lot better and he seemed happier - such a priceless gift.

I can't wait to go back! And just in case you're wondering - the membership fee is tax-deductible - what a great deal, right? Check it out when you're in the area, it's definitely worth the trip!

Panasonic Viera: Budget Friendly High-Quality TV

noreply@blogger.com (Liza Cordero) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:11:00 +0000

Five or so years ago, we had only been in our place in Orange for a few months and had been TV-less since we moved. We walked into a Best Buy store looking for a nice size TV that did not cost an arm and a leg. Back then flat screen plasma TVs had just come out with HDTV technology - and they were all very expensive.

We stumbled upon this Panasonic Viera TV that was marked as EDTV (enhanced definition). It was displayed right next to an HDTV box and we could not see any difference in the picture quality.

A helpful store clerk said he couldn't see the difference either and was very helpful on giving us tips on how to make the picture on the TV as clear as possible at home. So we got the relatively inexpensive box and five years later (though it has now been relegated to our bedroom), we still enjoy watching TV on it. We were very much impressed with the Panasonic brand.

With the drop in TV prices and the demise of my mother-in-law's old TV, we advised her to buy the more inexpensive Panasonic Viera TV at Costco. It was an old model 720p LCD unit that wasn't as impressive looking next to all the big screen TVs at the warehouse store. But when we got it to her place and fitted in her cable antenna - the picture on the digital channels were amazing! My mother-in-law was very happy with her purchase - and her loving TV installers... wink, wink!

I definitely enjoy Panasonic's audio better than our new Samsung unit. Although our new unit has a lot more bells and whistles than our old Panasonic TV, when it comes to enjoying the audio quality of a good concert on TV - we still go to our old reliable Panasonic Viera. And unlike my mother-in-law's 3-year-old Westinghouse TV that expired too soon, it has definitely lasted the test of time.

So if you're in the market for one of those now inexpensive TVs, be sure to check out both picture and audio quality before you buy. You may be surprised at the brand that suits your preference - the TV manufacturers have become very competitive these days, and the best TV of old has yet to match the new technological advances of its competitors.