Could You Still Remember Your First Date?

Could you still remember your first date? Could you please share your experience with us?



Tags: First Date, Puppy Love, First Kiss, First Love, Infatuation, JS Prom, Movies, Tandem Bikes, Fishing, Bowling, Tennis, Gigs, Holding Hands, Infatuation, Admiration, Tongue Tied, Heart's Palpitation, Sleepless Nights, Diary, Love Letters, Theme Song, Crying, Tears, Miss So Much, Hugs, Togetherness, Traces of Love, Memories

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Viewpoint/Opinion

Sports Betting Advices

Sports’ betting is the activity of predicting sports results by making a wager on the outcome of a sporting event. While in the United States it is illegal to operate a scheme except for in a few states, in many European countries the bookmaking (which is the profession of accepting sports wagers) is regulated but not criminalized. Proponents of legalized sports betting generally regard it as a hobby for sports fans that increases their interest in particular sporting events, thus benefiting the leagues, teams and players they bet on through higher attendances and television audiences. Opponents fear that, over and above the general ramifications of gambling, it threatens the integrity of amateur and professional sport, the history of which includes numerous attempts by sports gamblers to fix matches, although proponents underlined that legitimate bookmakers will invariably fight corruption just as fiercely as governing bodies and law enforcement do.

There are many people who want to place money on sport bets, in order to gain some extra money and to make the matches more exciting. However, these people generally don't fully understand how sports betting works, wanting to know more about sports betting, so that they can make only smart choices. There's plenty of information out there on the Internet, some of its good, some bad, in the end being difficult to find out the most trustable source.

At the end of the day, all you have to do is to find the site which is suitable to your needs, a site from where you can pick up valuable information such as betting news, team stats, betting odds, best bonuses, win predictions, or other tips and tricks.

Wine Gifts for a Special Occasion

If you are looking for a gift to give on any occasion, you can always go for wine kits to delight your friends. You can choose from a range of wine making supplies and equipment. Wine making equipment gift is sure to delight and surprise your special one, representing a gift that will be cherished and remembered for years.

Since gift-giving means also expressing emotions like love, affection, happiness and/or forgiveness, it is good to offer wine making kits instead of wine bottles. Today, wine gifts have become very popular and there are a variety of kits available in the market. Giving such gifts became also a passion and these days whether it’s a birthday party, wedding, or corporate event commemorating wine and gift is a part of the celebration. Wine gifts are distributed as a token of thanks to the guest and are considered as a gesture of appreciation, making also the event memorable. The significance and importance of the event is increased with wine gifts as they will remind them of the celebrations and the beautiful experience.

Wine making is a very easy and exciting process, all you need is little creativity and imagination. But, if you do not have an inventive bent then what you can do is learn how to make wine at home from the instructions available with the wine kits mentioned above, kits that allow you to make varieties such as: Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay or even Cabernet.

Do You Have A Memorable Junior And Senior Prom Experience?

Do you have a memorable Junior and Senior Prom experience? Could you share it with us?





Tags: JS Prom, School, Dancing, Crushes, First Love, Dating, Campus Figure, Teachers, Classmates, Best Friend, School Clown, School Bully, School Gigolo, School Beauty Queen, King and Queen of The Night, First Kiss, First Dance, Romance, Sports Heroes, Dancing Queen, Star of The Night, High School Memories, Final Exam, Summer Vacation


Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Viewpoint/Opinion

Myths about Credit Cards

A credit card can be an asset to your lifestyle, but if not handled carefully it can become a liability, especially if you find it so convenient and easy to use it, losing control of your spending. If the credit cards are good or bad for an individual user in particular, or for the economy in general, is something debatable. But there are a lot of myths floating around about credit cards. With the examples presented below, I’m just trying to separate, as much as I can, the facts from the fiction.

A credit card with no-limit allows you to buy whatever you want. Even though it seems to be one of the many advantages of credit cards, this statement is false most of them having credit limits established. While some cards are advertised as having no spending limits preset, this is more marketing hype than reality. These cards have also limits that are typically set up based on the incomes of the borrower and the spending patterns.

Credit cards are available only if you have great credit. This is definitely false, the credit cards being accessible to people with solid credit histories and, also, to the ones who have either average credit, bad debts or no credit history at all. If you happen to be in one of these situations, you can consider as an alternative a prepaid debit card. This card can be used anywhere as a credit card and if you pay consistently your balance each month, you will end up by improving your credit score.

You can close your credit card account by simply cutting it up. In reality, if you want to close your credit card account, use your phone and not your scissors. It is a simple procedure; speak with a customer service representative from your credit card issuing company who can help you close the respective account.

By using the credit card you save money. This is not entirely true, since if you don't pay off your monthly bills, you will have to pay extra money in order to cover the interest charges. And if you just make the minimum payment every month, it will take more than 10 years in order to pay off the entire credit limit.

Make Sushi at Home

Sushi is a food that is eaten worldwide in both casual and formal settings. If you don’t have the ability or experience to eat sushi in a high class or formal experience you can make your own sushi at home and it can taste just as good as when the chef made it.

But first of all, you must understand exactly what sushi is: a roll of fish or other sea food wrapped up with rice. These ingredients are placed inside of seaweed, also known as nori. There are two different types of sushi: simpler (contains only one type of filling which can be fish, seafood, or just a simple vegetable) and futomaki, also known as fat maki (contains two or more fillings for a fuller type of sushi).

Sushi can be rolled or folded in different ways. Hand made sushi, known also as nigri sushi, is the most common type and includes pressed rice along with some toppings. Another type is known as maki sushi which is rolled up, the seaweed being wrapped around rice and a filling.

In order to make sushi a few basic ingredients are required: seaweed, short grained rice, seasonings (i.e. ginger root, wasabi, or soy sauce), raw fish or vegetables like avocado, cucumber, carrots, or asparagus. If you want to include seafood shrimps, eel, or salmon will be a good idea.

Now that you have the ingredients, the actual process of making the sushi follows: place the seaweed on a bamboo mat in order to be filled and after that spread a very thin layer of rice on top of the seaweed. At this time, any ingredients you wish to be placed inside the sushi are now placed in the middle of the nori. Now it is time to roll the sushi. Hold the bamboo mat edge and roll it. Be sure that the roll is tight but not tight enough that the fillings seep out of the edges. After the roll is complete the bamboo can be separated and the roll is left intact. The entire sushi is now ready to be sliced into sections. Depending upon the size you want each roll to be, cut it into sections.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different ingredients and combinations. You never know with what kind of creation you will come up.

Sources: 1

What Was The Most Memorable And Exciting Vacation Spot/s You Have Been Through?

What was the most memorable and exciting vacation spot/s you have been through? Could you share it with us?



Tags: Disneyland, Niagara Falls, Mt. Everest, Taj Mahal, Yellowstone National Park, Hollywood, Grand Canyon, The Sphinx and Pyramids of Egypt, Phuket of Thailand, Boracay of The Philippines, Bali of Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, Monaco, French Riviera, Florida-USA, Las Vegas-USA, Paris-France, Venice-Italy, Greece, Alaska-USA, Hawaii-USA

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Viewpoint/Opinion

Things you Should Never Say on a First Date

The way you communicate on a first date is very important; it lets your date know about you and vice versa, and it shows you if that essential spark is there. But there are some subjects that should never be touched on during those first tentative weeks, especially not on a first date. This post is, especially, for the guys dating UK. In other words, I am going to give some tips on how to land a good catch. More specifically, all I will give below are a bunch of things that shouldn’t be said on a first date. So, here they are:

-> I could tell you were hot by the way your mom looked.

-> You remind me of my mom.

-> You remind me of my ex.

-> That's when I thought, how young is 16 really?

-> Mind if we stop at CVS on the way? The condom in my wallet is pretty old.

-> So are you like, one of those feminists?

-> How about we skip dinner and go back to my place? And by my place I mean my dad's basement.

-> What do you think our kids would look like?

-> You know what? My ex was a real witch!

-> Have you heard of this game called World of Warcraft?

Nerves sometimes get the better of us all on a first date, and we say things we regret as soon as we leave the restaurant. Conversation on a date is key, but saying some of the above things will have you relegated to the ‘never see again’ pile.

Investing in Gold

Of all the precious metals, gold is the most popular as an investment. Investors generally buy gold as a hedge or safe haven against any economic, political, social or currency-based crises. These crises include investment market declines, currency failure, inflation, war and social unrest. Investors also buy gold early in a bull market and aim to sell it before a bear market begins, in an attempt to gain financially.

There is an increasingly wide range of methods available to investors interested in buying gold, or gain exposure to gold price movements. From gold coins to complex structured financial products, the most appropriate way will depend on the requirements and outlook of the individual investor. The distinction between the purchase of physical gold and gaining an exposure to movements in the gold price is not always clear, especially since it has always been possible to invest in bullion without actually taking physical delivery.

If you are thinking about investing gold, it is worth giving the same consideration to your purchase as you would to any other investment. First thing to do is to find out a company that will assist you doing this investment. For example, Goldline International has assisted investors and collectors by offering a full range of precious metals products since 1960. Offering internationally recognized gold and coming to meet the needs of all customers, this company has both a storage program and direct insured delivery of all precious metals.

Sponsored Post by GoldLine International

Bathing in Greek and Roman Times

Some of the earliest descriptions of western bathing practices came from Greece. The Greeks began bathing regimens that formed the foundation for modern spa procedures. These Aegean people utilized small bathtubs, wash basins, and foot baths for personal cleanliness. The earliest such findings are the baths in the palace complex at Knossos, Crete, and the luxurious alabaster bathtubs excavated in Akrotiri, Santorini; both date from the mid-2nd millennium BC. They established public baths and showers within their gymnasium complexes for relaxation and personal hygiene. Greek mythology specified that certain natural springs or tidal pools were blessed by the gods to cure disease. Around these sacred pools, Greeks established bathing facilities for those desiring healing. Supplicants left offerings to the gods for healing at these sites and bathed themselves in hopes of a cure. The Spartans developed a primitive vapor bath. At Serangeum, an early Greek balneum (wich can be translated as bathhouse), bathing chambers were cut into the hillside from which the hot springs issued. A series of niches cut into the rock above the chambers held bathers' clothing. One of the bathing chambers had a decorative mosaic floor depicting a driver and chariot pulled by four horses, a woman followed by two dogs, and a dolphin below. Thus, the early Greeks used the natural features, but expanded them and added their own amenities, such as decorations and shelves. During later Greek civilization, bathhouses were often built in conjunction with athletic fields.

The Romans emulated many of the Greek bathing practices. Romans surpassed the Greeks in the size and complexity of their baths. This came about by many factors: the larger size and population of Roman cities, the availability of running water following the building of aqueducts, and the invention of cement, which made building large edifices easier, safer, and cheaper. As in Greece, the Roman bath became a focal center for social and recreational activity. As the Roman Empire expanded, the idea of the public bath spread to all parts of the Mediterranean and into regions of Europe and North Africa. With the construction of the aqueducts, the Romans had enough water not only for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses, but also for their leisurely pursuits. The aqueducts provided water that was later heated for use in the baths. Today, the extent of the Roman bath is revealed at ruins and in archaeological excavations in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Sources: 1

Eco Mattress Store

Mattresses are the most important purchase for a bedroom and, unfortunately, one of the most expensive. As you all know, although a mattress may feel comfortable, it might be harmful to your health and to the environment. As previously stated on my posts, I am in the process of refurbishing my house. And since I intend to buy new bedroom furniture, I’m thinking also to spend some money on an eco friendly mattress for a good night's sleep.

But, why are Eco Friendly Mattresses so important? Let’s see: most mattresses are made primarily from polyurethane foam. This is a petroleum product with various added chemicals which turn it into foam. Other chemicals are then added to prevent the foam from igniting and burning, because after all it is petroleum. Further, most waterproofed mattresses are made waterproof by using a vinyl surface on the mattress. But vinyl off gasses phthalates which is a known toxic substance. In conclusion, even though they do not necessarily solve all problems, Organic Mattresses remove these (and other) potentially harmful chemicals.

After a little search work on the Internet, I found this online store offering high quality products at unbeatable prices. Being in this business for over 25 years and on the Internet since 1998, I hope they will help me create a cozy sanctuary and eliminate exposure to unhealthy synthetic chemicals found in conventional mattresses and bedding. Because after all, we spend a third of our lives in bed…

French Specialties by Season

French cuisine varies according to the season. In summer, salads and fruit dishes are popular because they are refreshing and produce is inexpensive and abundant. Greengrocers prefer to sell their fruit and vegetables at lower prices if needed, rather than see them rot in the heat. At the end of summer, mushrooms become plentiful and appear in stews throughout France. The hunting season begins in September and runs through February. Game of all kinds is eaten, often in elaborate dishes that celebrate the success of the hunt. Shellfish are at their peak when winter turns to spring, and oysters appear in restaurants in large quantities.

With the advent of deep-freeze and the air-conditioned hypermarché, these seasonal variations are less marked than hitherto, but they are still observed, in some cases due to legal restrictions. Crayfish, for example, have a short season and it is illegal to catch them out of season. Moreover, they do not freeze well.

Staying in Touch While Traveling

Staying in touch with the friends and family back home, while traveling, is very important. Nowadays e-mail and social networks like Facebook or MySpace make it really easier, but sometimes you just want to see someone’s face or hear their voices. For that, I will recommend Skype. Skype is an Internet based phone service that lets you call people around the world for free. It allows users talk to other users using VOIP. The service also allows you to call land lines or mobile numbers for a small fee depending on the respective country. The only problem is that you needed a computer and a reasonably fast internet connection otherwise the calls get dropped. Another problem is that most people do not use or know about the service though that keeps changing everyday as the word gets out.

Another way to show your beloved ones that they are continuously on your mind is to send them colour postcards. In this way, they will know where you have been and, at the same time, getting a little taste of the places you visited.

Not at least, cell phones are the best way for keeping in touch. These days, cell phones are cheap to buy. If you get a global cell phone, all you need to do is change the SIM card when you travel to a new country. Buying a cell phone is also a way of getting help in emergencies. Most backpackers now are carrying cell phones since SIM cards are affordable and it makes arranging meetings with other travelers very convenient.

Types of Spa

The term spa is associated with water treatment. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer thermal or mineral water for drinking and bathing. They also offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are especially widespread in Europe and Japan. Below I will present the most known types of spa.

Club spa. A facility whose primary purpose is fitness and which offers a variety of professionally administered spa services on a day-use basis.
Cruise ship spa. A spa aboard a cruise ship providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.
Day spa. A spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-use basis.
Dental spa. A facility which is under the supervision of a licensed dentist that combines traditional dental treatment with the services of a regular spa.
Destination spa. A destination spa is a facility with the primary purpose of guiding individual spa-goers to develop healthy habits. Historically a seven-day stay, this lifestyle transformation can be accomplished by providing a comprehensive program that includes spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education, healthful cuisine and special interest programming.
Medical spa. A facility that operates under the full-time, on-site supervision of a licensed health care professional whose primary purpose is to provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment that integrates spa services, as well as traditional, complimentary and/or alternative therapies and treatments. The facility operates within the scope of practice of its staff, which can include both aesthetic/cosmetic and prevention/wellness procedures and services.
Mineral springs spa. A spa offering an on-site source of natural mineral, thermal or seawater used in hydrotherapy treatments.
Resort/hotel spa. A spa owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices. Mobile spa. A spa which provides services at home, hotels, or wherever you are.

Low Cost Quality Eyeglasses

I am sure that you’ve asked yourself many times if it is possible to find quality eyeglasses at a low cost. And the answer is yes. There is a place with cheap eyeglasses, a specialized website called Zenni Optical having prices that will amaze you. Why? Because there are sold full prescription eyeglasses on prices starting from just $8 per pair.

But let me tell you something more about Zenni Optical: using the latest in modern materials and manufacturing the products are brought to the customers directly from the factories. With no additional costs (referring to retail spaces, advertising), there is no need to keep up the prices or to sell questionable quality frames. Their own manufactured eyeglasses (the brand itself is called ZENNI), are produced at a lab in China. And if you think that due to this fact shipping will cost you a lot, then you will be again surprised to find that it costs only $4.95, no matter how many eyeglasses you buy.

Since eyeglasses are definitely a personal fashion item, Zenni Optical strives to provide fashionable and stylish products. Moreover, due to the fact that prescription eyeglasses are also a health item, the company focuses on bringing high quality products of great durability, safety and comfort at reasonable and affordable prices.

In order to find out other reviews for Zenni Optical, read this article located here and written on Examiner.com by Eric Hammer, a satisfied customer.

Wine Tasting Tours

What do you think about a grape escape in Spain? Whether you are a beginner or a wine true connoisseur, you will discover a great pleasure if you choose touring in Spain’s wine producing regions.

An organized tasting tour opens winery doors that are normally closed to the public, introduces you to the winery owners and winemakers, and generally ensures that you see, smell and taste what you want. And if you are not sure what that is, you will find an advice no matter you are a beginner or the absolute collector.

You have also the option to choose for a tailor made itinerary. And here I am talking about visits to Rioja, Ribera de Duero, Navarra, Conca de Barberà, Penedès, Priorat and Terra Alta regions. Enjoy!

What Was Your Most Memorable And Happiest Birthday Experience?

What was your most memorable and happiest birthday experience? Could you share it with us?



Tags: Birthday Experience, Most Memorable, Happiest, Birthday Celebration, Party, Gifts, Food, Guests, Friends, Loved Ones, Joy, Happiness, Singing, Dancing, Games, Childhood Memories

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Viewpoint/Opinion

Wikio Shopping Launched in UK

Wikio, the European information portal that offers news from press sites and blogs, has recently launched the innovative service called Wikio Shopping also in UK. Being a place where users can search for products details, reviews or photos, this site offers also the possibility of price comparison before buying the desired products. Currently Wikio Shopping is operating in 5 European countries as well as in the United States.

This online shopping platform can be used to find the best deals on a wide range of product categories including electronics & computers, gifts, clothing, books, fitness equipment, house accessories, health & beauty products, cars, finance or hotels. For example if you are looking for an affordable vacation, all you have to do is to click on cheap holidays menu from travel category and to pick one from the hundreds of results. Or you can simply filter your request by type of holiday, destination, and type of accommodation or price. So, in order to make a little exercise I’ve started to personalize my vacation: the destination I want to go, the period when I want to start my vacation, the number of rooms needed, the departure place etc. After I hit the search button, a variety of choices were revealed to me. And to be honest, a trip to Barcelona for just 217 pounds sounds really great.

And if you are still asking yourself why I should use Wikio Shopping, let me give you another reason: because you are provided with a dashboard view of the product you are searching for. All information about the respective product being gathered from all over the web and centralized in one location, it is a convenient alternative to current methods of researching a product.

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Massage in Ancient and Medieval Times

Massage is the manipulation of superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance the function and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle" or from Latin massa meaning "mass, dough". In distinction the ancient Greek word for massage was anatripsis, and the Latin was frictio. Massage involves acting on and manipulating the body with pressure, tension, motion or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, and feet. There are over eighty different recognized massage modalities. The most cited reasons for introducing massage as therapy have been client demand and perceived clinical effectiveness.

Writings on massage have been found in many ancient civilizations including Rome, Greece, India, Japan, China, Egypt and Mesopotamia. A biblical reference from year 493 BC documents daily massage with olive oil and myrrh as a part of the beauty regimen of the wives of Xerxes (Esther, 2:9-12). Hippocrates wrote in 460 BC that "the physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing". The Ancient Chinese book called Huangdi Neijing by the Yellow Emperor recommended "massage of skin and flesh". The technique of massage abortion, involving the application of pressure to the pregnant abdomen, has been practiced in Southeast Asia for centuries. One of the bas-reliefs decorating the temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, dated aprox. 1150, depicts a demon performing such an abortion upon a woman who has been sent to the underworld. This is believed to be the oldest known visual representation of abortion. In Romania some illnesses were treated by a massage in which the client was trodden on by a tame bear.

Network Your Content with SmallRivers

I know there are a lot of social media networks, and that it seems not necessary to develop new ones. If I start naming some of them like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Hi5, Bebo, LinkedIn, I will end by having a huge list. But let me speak to you about SmallRivers and explain a little how it works.

And to do that I will start from the blogrolls present on a lot of blogs. As you all know, the blogrolls are lists of blogs recommended by the blogger. Basically, you place a link to another blog on your blogroll and, in exchange, you gain a link back to your site. With SmallRivers we speak about the same thing (one-to-one link connections), only it is done automatically.

More specifically, SmallRivers is a tool for bloggers to network content and audiences, a way to create networks of related content and interested people. Not to mention that not only extracts of content and links are shared, but also comments, videos, tweets and more. In order to get a clear picture, I will add below the widget for the blogging network with over 1,100 connected sites. The widget can be placed anywhere on your blog and just by clicking it all the content from the respective network will be available.



In conclusion, by using the mentioned widget not only will that make your blog posts visible on other destinations, but you will show your readers, right on your blog, detailed extracts of related posts or latest comments on the subject. Also, you can discover other interested people on Twitter, Facebook, whether they are bloggers or just commenters. So, in order to try this free tool, just add the widget to your own site.

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Horseback Riding Vacations

You might be tempted to try a riding holiday abroad, combining the pleasure of endless riding time with the thrill of visiting new and exotic places. The options being almost endless, either you can galloping along the beaches of sunny Calfornia with a spot of window shopping in LA, or you can throw yourself into the life on a ranch where you get to be a cattle chasing cowboy. If you'd like to get up close and personal with zebras and elephants, you can take into consideration an African safari. But the feeling of a real tourist comes only when you're traveling with a group of sun burnt Europeans in places where tourists are a curiosity. This way, you can end sipping tea with the head man of a remote village in Rajasthan or drink ouzo with a Greek fisherman in an isolated Aegean village.

A riding vacation is a great idea for anyone who likes nothing better then getting away from it all. It's the ultimate de-stressor, spending days doing what you love best, with no other pressures or demands on your time. You'll be amazed at what's out there; a search through the adverts online will open up endless possibilities, from lessons at a dressage clinic to a breathtaking wilderness safari in Africa. There's pretty much no limit depending on your riding ability and of course, your bank balance. To start with, you'll need to think carefully about your fitness, how good a rider you are and how much you want to pay. Like anybody planning a holiday, you'll also want to make the most of your precious free time to do what you want, whether it's a stress free escape with a few friends or a family holiday. If you can take the time to plan carefully and do a lot of research into what's out there, the chances are you'll come up with something that suits best. Start by asking yourself what you'd really like to do, but don't be afraid to try new things, of course staying within your own limits.

Discovering San Francisco

San Francisco is a city with attractions that appeal to travelers of all ages, and maybe one of the best ways to see many of San Francisco’s famous sights is with a guided tour, because tours come in every form in this city: with walking tours, cruises and even kayaking adventures on the Bay. The sights in San Francisco are almost too numerous to count. With places like Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, Golden Gate Park, Lombard Street, Haight-Ashbury, beautiful Pacific Heights and more to see, San Francisco is unique.

Even if you are visiting San Francisco for the first time, you have seen some of its most famous landmarks and attractions. Images of it can be seen everywhere such as in movies or on television. The Bay Area is undoubtedly, like no other place on earth, thanks to many things such as its steep rolling hills, its breathtaking mix of Victorian and modern architecture or the famous cable cars. San Francisco is the fourth most populous city in California and one of the truly international cities in the United States.

Some of the places not to be missed, when in San Francisco are: Nob Hill with its elegant hotels and what a city view from them, Telegraph Hill and its Coit Tower, or the highly aristocratic Russian Hill. North Beach is another worthy place to be visited. More specifically, it is the place where the Italian community resides, but also the artistic area of the city. If you want to get relaxed, Golden Gate Park it’s the ideal spot for that. Sausalito and Tiburon, are the perfect locations when you are looking for Mediterranean like resorts with yacht harbors and bistros. Also, an interesting visit would be to Alcatraz, the ex-penitentiary which once housed Al Capone.

This is why I consider San Francisco to be such a unique place, due to its numerous attractions and beautiful places worth not just to be seen but to spend your entire life there. San Francisco homes for sale are gorgeous in neighborhoods like Cole Valley, Sea Cliff or Russian Hill. It is almost a dream to live in these areas.

Chateau de Pray

In an idyllic place where reign the beauty of places and the passion of cooking, lies the Castle of Pray (or Chateau de Pray) which conjugates the past and the present. This place is perfect for a moment of relaxation in the woods, in the gardens, or at the edge of the swimming pool. Serving the dinner on the terrace, contemplating the sunset, is a privileged moment where the intimacy is very touching.

Chateau de Pray lies in the heart of the prestigious Loire Chateaux Region. A mile west of the town center, this château from 1224 resembles a tower-flanked castle on the Rhine. Inside, you'll find antlers, hunting trophies, and a paneled drawing room with a fireplace and a collection of antique oils.

With 19 conservative and comfortable rooms at your disposal, renovated in 1998, you’ll certainly appreciate the excellent taste. Leisure is well known in the chateau region, also the wine tasting or the possibilities to visit the medieval buildings. For the nature lovers, the Aquarium de Touraine with typical Loire river fish and the Chinon, Bourgueil and Vouvray vineyards and cellars, are at their disposal. Golf, horse riding, tennis and cycling are other activities available in the area of the castle.

Sources: 1

Finding the Right Apartment for Rent

Having in mind the tough economic times, rental living has become the normal life for a more and more people. Whether it is by choice or circumstance, apartment living has its own challenges and before you make the move here are some things to consider and tips to ensure that the move is as smooth possible.

First of all, when you look for homes for rent start with a list of what and where you want to rent (here you must have in mind: location, schools, transport etc.). What are your minimum requirements for the apartment it is also very important. For example you have to make up your mind if you are looking for a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment, furnished or not. In the end come the most important things: how much you can afford to pay monthly for and how long you want to rent for.

Once you have these key factors, start your search on popular rental sites like Move.com or others. If you live in a smaller city, look in your local newspaper to see what is available, though the trend is for most rental ads to be advertised only online. Make sure you save your searches and request daily or weekly emails for your specified search results.

Once you have narrowed down the choices pay a visit to the apartment complex to get a sense of community first. Also, see if similar apartments nearby are available and how much they are going for. A simple call to the renting agent will get this figure for you. This gives you a baseline as to whether you are getting a good deal for your place or not.

Give your self time to find the right apartment. It can take time to find the right place at the right price. Usually it can take up to 3 months to find a place, so make sure you take also the time into consideration when planning. Now that you have chosen a place, the key thing is to ensure you get what you are paying for. Most people spend all their energy on finding an apartment, but not enough on actually making sure the place they are going to live in for the next year or so, is up to scratch. It is much easier to get things fixed before you move in, as opposed to afterwards.

Don’t rush through your inspection of your potential new apartment. If possible try and inspect it at different times of the day to get a sense of noise, community and safety. After all, it will be your home for at least the next year, so make sure you choose a place that you know you’ll be happy with.

Where to Eat in Venice?

Venice, although a very beautiful city, isn’t known for its good places to eat. In fact, Venice is more known for the exact opposite: it is one of those cities that most tourists complain about high prices and mediocre food. But since not all the places to eat in Venice serve bad food, below I’ve listed some restaurants that worth to be mentioned when it comes to good places to eat in Venice.

Osteria ai Promessi Sposi [location: Cannaregio 4367 on Calle dell’Oca]. Here you will find excellent selection of typical Venetian plates.

Do Mori [location: San Polo 429 on Calle dei do Mori, near Rialto Market]. It is said to be Venice’s oldest bar, serving typical Venetian food.

Osteria “Alla Botte” Cicchetteria [location: San Marco 5482 on Calle della Bissa]. It is another place where you can eat typical plates.

Osteria da Alberto [location: Cannaregio 5401 on Calle Giacinto Gallina].

Antica Osteria Ruga Rialto [location: San Polo 692 on Calle del Sturion]. It is mostly a bar, but you can serve also some typical Venetian food.

Osteria al Portego [location: Castello 6015 on Calle della Malvasia]. Here you can eat typical Venetian tapas, but also regular plates.

Enoteca al Volto [location: San Marco 4081 on Calle Cavalli, closed on Sundays].

Vino Vino [location: San Marco 2007 on Ponte delle Veste near La Fenice]. It is a very small place, but with good prices on both first and second courses.

Trattoria da Bepi [location: Cannaregio 337 on Ponte delle Guglie]. It is a family restaurant, offering the possibility to seat outside near the canal. Attention: it is closed on Mondays.

Devil’s Forest Pub [location: San Marco 5185 on Calle dei Stagneri off Campo San Bartolomeo]. Here you will find a British pub atmosphere with English & Irish beer on tap.

How to Find the Best Online Casino

Locating the best online casinos to play may be a little stressful up to a certain level: you need to exercise certain caution and analyze your requirements of an online casino to arrive at a top online casino. Normally, online casinos are of two types: web-based and download casinos, the last of them being more popular. In order to use them, you have to download specific software and then start playing games.

Before choosing any particular online casino, it is essential to ensure the specific casino has the requisite license for operation. Top online casinos use third-party gaming software like Microgaming or PlayTech, such software requiring casinos to sign long-term contracts. Also, the top casinos should assure you of the utmost security of your financial transactions. Normally, the best gambling sites use 128-bit SSL encryption as it offers total security without any possibility of hacking. An online casino should offer customer support on all seven days of the week and twenty-four hours of the day. You should be able to contact support personnel of online casinos through telephone, e-mail, live chat, or fax. Another prerequisite of best online casinos is their loyalty points, bonuses, and other incentives.

The Best online casinos can be found also on this specialized gambling portal listing only the most trustworthy online casinos. Here you can read reviews of USA online casinos, big bonus casinos or online slot casinos. It also features a selection of multi-language casinos, ranging from French, Spanish, and Italian. All of casinos on the site offer 24 hour support, excellent welcome bonuses, and secure software.

A Re-Post From Abie Sy

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I hope my readers will help disseminate the advocacy of this blog by reposting this in their sites so that the Franciscan Quartet may raise the necessary funds to finance their trip to Hollywood, California, USA to compete in the WCOPA worldwide singing contest. The boys are our official representatives to that prestigious singing contest. Your help in any form, either through dissemination of this information or financial help to their parents, will be highly appreciated. Thank you so much. God bless us all always

Mel Avila Alarilla

Sunday, March 7, 2010

100th? (Blog Giveaway :))

oh my! am i counting it right? this is my 100th post! yay to that! and my blogaversary is near! 0_0

err... what should i do now? :)

a. go back to bed and get some more sleep?
b. treat an orphan to lunch?
c. visit a salon and get a nice soothing massage?
d. write and write and write more til i reach another hundredth?
e. any creative suggestion?
0_0???

aaaaw! how time flies... i was MIA for weeks, i guess... that's due to our busy sched with sponsor hunting for the Quartet's WCOPA Hollywood trip. one of my friends suggested that i should use the power of the internet and blogging to help ourselves get what we need. which i really don't think would work since most of my readers are from other countries. but she said, it wouldn't hurt if i'd try. maybe, somewhere or somehow, a fellow Filipino blogger or reader will help us get the help we need. please help us by spreading the word through your blogs, Facebook Walls, or whatever form and rest assured that everything will be appreciated. i'm kinda losing hope... until now everything is ZERO! ugh! but i'll keep holding on for my ADJ1, it's his dream and i'm trying to help him make it true (oh, what mothers would do!)... as they say, believe and all things are possible... ;)

well, here's an old video of the Franciscan Quartet singing "When you believe" by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. (i love listening to this! it keeps me up somehow :))



if you want to see more, please follow this link:
buneng6
============================

SO... if you are reading this, answer the question above (be creative!) by leaving a comment below, share the video up there (or you can choose from their vids, just visit the links posted) and get the chance to WIN these:
A BAG OF CUTE STUFFS THAT I BOUGHT FROM PAPEMELROTI!!! To see more of their cuteness, visit their site here. Why Papemelroti? Simply because i'm a huge fan of their shop, their story and all the things that they sell. (And I'm loving them since my High School days! How many times do I have to say that?)


What's in the bag?



1. a reusable paperbag made of recycled materials
2. a bag holder (not from Papemelroti)
3. a pack of scrapbook materials
4. a pocket daily planner (very handy!)
5. a small scrapbook (cute!)
6. a bag charm (not from Papemelroti)
7. bookmark
8. stickers


you like it? 0_0 you know what to do!

AND these too:






ok, these are 2 "wow!" items from our shop! the first one is a cuff with a ring and the other one is a choker. the choker is my personal favorite! :) both of them are made by US! (i mean me and my freakish friend, remember her? ^_^)

HERE'S HOW TO JOIN:
1. GIVE ME A GOOD ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSTED ABOVE. (means you have to leave me a comment)
2. SHARE THE VIDEO ABOVE OR YOU CAN CHOOSE FROM OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL (link posted above, too.)
3. MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADD AND THE LINK TO YOUR POST OR WHERE YOU HAVE POSTED THIS GIVEAWAY. (this means that you'll have to repost this giveaway with the video on your blog, twitter, Facebook, etc. just send me a valid link, ok?)
4. THIS GIVEAWAY WILL END ON MARCH 31, 2010, SO THAT MEANS YOU'LL HAVE TO KEEP ON CHECKING US BACK. WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED THROUGH E-MAIL. WE WILL VISIT YOUR BLOG TOO, TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE WON.
~TWO WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN. THE MOST CREATIVE ANSWER AND REPOST-ER WILL GET THE PAPEMELROTI BAG OF GOODIES AND THE SECOND BEST WILL GET THE CHOKER AND CUFF SET.~

see? easy-peasy! :)

and oh, BTW! THIS IS NOT A PAPEMELROTI SPONSORED CONTEST. all of these stuffs are purchased by ME and sponsored by our shop. my blog is a year older and i'm soo happy about it! it's just my way of saying thanks to everyone who came and gone here and to the frequent visitors who shared a comment or two. everyone and every word means a lot to me! i'm looking forward to more years of blogging experience and gaining friends around the globe! :)

i'll see you around, pals!
================================

oh by the way, if you want to win more stuffs, join my sister's giveaway! yay! visit Every Thought Counts. you'll like it too! :)

You might also like:

too good to be true... but yes! it's true!

i really want to win this!

The Franciscan Quartet and the Climb

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Getting an Auto Transport Quote

If you want to have your vehicle transported immediately you have to settle on the vehicle mover as soon as possible because auto shipping companies usually need some time to arrange the time of shipment your vehicle in order to deliver your vehicle on the stated date without extreme delays.

But one of the main things you would like to know before choosing this or that auto mover is how much does automobile transportation cost. You can easily find out this information on the Internet, after just filling out the online forms and getting back all needed information about the Auto Transport Quote for the stated location. You can also get in touch with the transporter via email. All you have to do is sending them the question about the quotes and details you want to find out and you will get a response within a couple of hours.

City Break Tips

City breaks, or even longer holidays in cities, can be highly if planned carefully. In order to enjoy attractions like museums, monuments and parks, I will present some tips that worth bearing in mind when you plan a city break.

Getting there. Consider the train if you're visiting Paris, Brussels, or even Bruges and you live in London or Kent. Eurostar is both faster and significantly friendlier.

From the airport. Generally public transport is fast, reliable and inexpensive in European capitals and getting to your accommodation centre should be very easy. Many European cities offer a multi-day transportation pass which can prove highly cost effective.

Where to stay. Most European cities are compact, and many of them have extensive pedestrian’s street sections. And, at weekends, hotel prices can be reasonable. It's worth finding accommodation as close to the centre as possible.

Hotels or apartments. Choose carefully between staying in hotel and apartments. Hotels often have a range of facilities that you would not necessarily find with self catering accommodation. Swimming pools, for example, are a great way to finish off a day of sightseeing or make up for rain. By contrast, self catering is often less expensive, apartments are becoming increasingly hotel-like with similar facilities, and you're likely to have both a kitchen and living area.

Itinerary. Jam packed city breaks can be exhausting for everyone. Limit your plans to a couple of attractions a day and combine a morning in a museum with an afternoon in a park.

A good compromise. Consider combining a few days in a city with others visiting or staying at a theme park. Barcelona and Universal Mediterranea, Paris and Disneyland or even a weekend in Copenhagen with an afternoon spent at Tivoli are good examples.

Learn what's going on. Invariably a wide variety of events are likely to be taking place in the city you have chosen to visit. It's worth investing the time and energy to find out what's going on and when.

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