Sunday Round-Up

Philippine Week-in Review:

Monday, 2/16 - Arrived in Manila International on time (11:00pm local time). Then took another 3 hour drive to get to the house from Manila to Pamatawan, Zambales. We got in around 3:30 am Tuesday.

Tuesday, 2/17 - Not much sleep! We went into the city (Olongapo City - about an hour drive) to do some shopping. When we got there, the whole city doesn't have any electricity. Electric company was doing some maintenance and the power was out all day. Regardless to say, every store we went in was like a hot spa inside. I was sweating or should I say... perspiring like a pig.

Wednesday, 2/18 - Stayed home to recuperate! I had a home-service massage for 1.5 hour for the cost of measly $3.00... that's not a typo, it's really $3.00!!!

Thursday, 2/19 - It's the local "Market Day"! Niece #1 and I along with my brother went to do some shopping. We bought a lot vegetables, fish, a big sack of rice and other "stuff" that I can't find in the states.

After lunch, we went in the city for some pampering at one of the high-end salon/beauty spa. We had our hair done, facial, manicure, spa pedicure and also had face waxed. We were treated like royalty and service was excellent! Can you guess how much it cost for all this? ... $50.00 ! ! !

Friday & Saturday, 2/20-21 - We left for Baguio City, the Summer Capital of the Philippines for the weekend! Got up really early since it's a 7 hour road trip. We decided to take the bus which is called Victory Liner. The bus itself is very much like Greyhound bus, the seats are comfortable and it's air-conditioned. The scenery was lovely and we stayed in a very nice bed & breakfast type place instead of a hotel. Our excursion was alot of fun!

Sunday, 2/22 - Finally managed to find an Internet cafe close to the house. I was able to chat to DH. Also saw DD online so we chatted a little.

Philippines Part Deux Update

Well, I made to the Internet cafe today! Woohoo! So here's a quick update about my trip.

Day 1
When I left Spokane, it was snowing and I got to the airport around 8:00am, the airport wasn't busy so I was able to check-in fast and was able to get in an earlier flight. As the plane took-off, the passenger beside and I started talking. I had mention that I was on the way to the Philippines, and he asked if I was going thru Tokyo, Japan on flight NW7. I told him that I was, and he then told me... "Well, I will be flying you there!" The guy that I was sitting with was my Pilot! He was wearing a leather jacket so I didn't notice he was wearing a Pilot's uniform.

Flight from Seattle to Tokyo was late. The plane was already out of the gate and was proceeding to the runway when we were told that there was something wrong with the plane and that we had to go back to the gate. I really can't say what time we took-off since I fell asleep waiting. We landed in Tokyo at 5:30pm (Japan time) and my connecting fligth started boarding at 6:05pm for a 7:00pm departure. By the time it was my turn to leave the plane, I didn't have much time to go thru security and find my gate! I was so frantic!!!

Flight from Tokyo was uneventful. Got in MIA on time and my brother, his wife and my nephew was waiting for us. We then had a 3-hour drive from the airport to my sister's house.

Philippines Part Deux - Travel Day

DH and I are off to the airport! My flight leaves at 9:30am and I'll get in SEA-TAC (Seattle/Tacoma) an hour later, then catch my flight to Tokyo, Japan where I will meet with Marty, Niece #1. We will travel together from Japan to the Philippines. We should be arriving in Manila International Monday, Feb. 16th around 11:00pm. Whew!!! This is a very long flight!

Please, pray for travel mercies - safety, smooth boarding and comfort.

I have my new iPod Nano (DH gave it to me for Valentine's), books, travel pillow and Flexeril for my back. So, I think I'm pretty prepared for this long trip.

Bon Voyage!

Philippines Part Deux

It's Saturday midnight... and as usual I left some of my preparation for my trip at the very last minute. But I am all pack and right now DH and I are listening to some music, drinking a bottle of Pinot Grigio while we talk and play on the computer.

I am very excited! The main reason I'm going to the Philippines is so I can get the adoption paperwork started. That's right you read it right... adoption! I have been keeping this a secret, other than our immediate family and 2 or 3 close friends I shared with, very few people know that we are planning to adopt a little girl.

I am not yet ready to share the details about her, other than she is a beautiful and a very smart little girl. I fell in-love with her the first time I met her. But I will share a picture.

@ 18 months

So I covet your prayers, that the adoption process will go smoothly. I was given a name of an attorney, who was well recommended and I plan to use him. I have done my research online and I am bringing the necessary papers with me. I just hope I have everything I need!

Polka Dot...

Not so much! I had to go back to a little more brown.

Wordless Wednesday

A Walk Down "Computer Memory" Lane

Recently, Kelli wrote "how did people live without internet" in her blog. That got me thinking how computers and the Internet is such a big part of my life.


I remember when Paul bought his first computer in 1984, I didn't know at the time it was the beginning of his love affair with computers. He studied electronic engineering in college, but when he bought a Commodore Vic 20 computer he immediately started learning all he can about Basic Programming. Then a year later he upgraded to Commodore 64. And of course, for you "geeks" out there... who can forget the Intel 8086 Microprocessor! The x86 architecture is the foundation of every PC--Windows, Mac, or Linux--produced today.


Right after Commodore 64 Paul started "building" his own computers. He bought his motherboard, and all the other parts and put it together. He also taught himself computer programming from Basic, to Pascal and anything in between. He can troubleshoot anything, I was amazed how fast he learned about computers. It's like teaching a fish to swim!

Back in the old days, if you wanted to get online, you had to connect to your local Bulletin Board Service or commonly known as "BBS". I remember playing chess with someone in my local BBS. I guess I was a gamer even back then! :)

Remember CompuServe?!?!

What about DOS? I'm sure some of you remember or know about DOS. When I started using computer there's no Windows... no mouse... to use for point and click! Everything is so much more user friendly now. I'm spoiled!

My very first personal homepage was in 1998, I remember getting my own ISP and part of the plan was you can create a webpage. I read and learned HTML code so I can publish my own website. Now you can publish your own website with just a few click of your mouse! How easy is that???

Of course I can't forget to mention how I met my Dear Husband. Before MySpace, Facebook, Match.com or any of these social networking sites... there was ICQ! That's where we met... in an ICQ Christian group. How we met is a story for another day. Maybe I'll get around to posting it on our wedding anniversary... but I digress!

If you really think about it... PC's have not been a common sight in American household for that long. Now it's not uncommon to have a desktop and laptop. DH and I both have our own desktop & laptop computers. That's four computers in one household and not including our "smart phone" which we can also use to get online.

Like Kelli, I am thankful for the creation and invention of computers and the Internet. Otherwise, how can we share our stories in this wonderful world we call "blog-o-sphere"!

What about you my fellow blogger and readers? How has the computer revolution affected your life?

Manic Monday #154

What is your favorite candy?
I really don't have a favorite candy, I prefer dark chocolate!

Name one thing that you'd want to receive as a gift for Valentine's day.
Hmmm... more EarthBoxes!!!

Can we truly love someone who loves another?
Of course! There are many kinds of love. I don't see why we can't truly love someone who loves another.

Now if you're talking about a husband loving another woman instead of his wife... well that's a different thing entirely!

Join the Manic Monday Meme here!

As Promised

Dear Husband looking disgusted. I don't think he was happy with me taking a picture of him at 6:00 am.

Pretty spiffy in my new hairstyle!

Tear One's Hair

"tear one's hair, to manifest extreme anxiety, grief, or anger."

That's exactly how I felt when I first walked into the hair salon this afternoon. I wasn't angry but I was sure anxious! I had such a bad experience with so called "hairstylist" in Charleston, WV that I haven't gotten around of finding one here in Liberty Lake.

A few weeks ago, I saw an ad in the local newspaper so I cut it and put it on my fridge. Also, when I ask my massage therapist who cut her hair, it was the same person in the ad. So, last week I took the plunge and called the hairstylist and made an appointment for today. I'm glad I did!!!

She did an awesome job cutting and coloring my hair. I am so happy that I found a stylist to keep. My experience at her salon was great, they are not only very professional but they are very talented as well. The owner Karen is very friendly and funny. I like her right away. Briana, the young lady who works for her is a Paul Mitchell The School grad. Not just your ordinary grad but a Phase 2 graduate. Apparently it's a big thing and great honor to be one. Since they only take 10 grads to continue to Phase 2 and you have to be invited. She's pretty knowledgeable and talented. While Briana was styling my hair at the end, she was telling me all these "how to's". I felt like I was getting a private lesson. Karen from "Karen Does My Hair" Salon is indeed a find and a keeper!

I have some after photos but I still haven't had the chance to install the software for my new Canon camera, so I have to post it another day. I promise, I will! So you can see how cute I look in my new hairstyle!

Update on Dear Husband

Most of you know that DH had an RNY Gastric Bypass done in Sept. 2008. You can read his adventure here.

It's been almost 5 months since his surgery. Almost immediately, he has stopped taking ALL of his prescription meds, no more insulin and best of all his Diabetes is in remission. He is down to 227 lbs. (the heaviest he weighed was 350 a few years ago in Alaska). Lost 15 inches around his waist. He's wearing 44 waist pants now and he told me today that I'm going to need to get him some size 42's pretty soon! And he went from size 20 neck down to 17. I am telling you, he's almost a different person looking at him! He's always been a very handsome man, but he's really looking mighty fine these days! :)

I snapped a picture of him early this morning before he left for work, but I haven't figured out how to really use my new Canon camera. So I'll post a photo of him another day.

He's really doing awesome with his new eating habits and that's good for me as well since I've lost 10 pounds. I can't wait for warm weather when we can take advantage biking/walking the trails & park around the neighborhood. I wonder if I can get him to play golf!!!

New Blogwear!

I was feeling creative last night, so I decided to update and give my blog a new wear. I wanted a fresh "Spring look" without it being too "spring-y" (I know that's not a real word but, I digress). I decided to go with a blue-green/brown color palette. Also, I still need to fix and change my signature... but that's a project for another day.

I like it... I hope you do too!

Sunday Round-Up

This week:
We celebrated Darling Daughter's 24th birthday. DH, me, DD and her Manfriend went to a very nice intimate dinner at Wild Sage Bistro. Food was great, conversation went from politics, economics to family and anything in between. Nice time was had by all and we thoroughly enjoyed each others company. Dinner Highlights: Espresso Martini - sheer decadence fresh espresso, made with Godiva liqueur, grand marnier, Tia Maria and Vodka shaken and served in a chocolate rimmed glass with a whipped cream float. Served with a house-made truffle. It was so yummy and rich!

Dear Husband had "thrown" in his name into a pool for a job in Houston, Texas. The position is for Support Manager at IAH. It's a very long shot... but it was one of the job on his list as he "climbs up the ladder" on the management side of the FAA. So we will see what happens. It would be nice to be back in Houston but just thinking about moving AGAIN when we haven't even totally unpack yet is mind boggling.

Took DH to the emergency room. He was having so much pain in his rib that he almost threw-up. They did some test... didn't find anything wrong. He started having this pain a few weeks ago after shoveling snow in the driveway. The pain comes and go, so I hope it's nothing serious.

DH got me a new Cannon camera to take with me for my trip to the Philippines. Yes! I said Philippines... I'm going again in 2 weeks with Niece# 1. Will post more about it later!

All in all, I had a good week! I hope you did too and enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday!