Turkey Day!!!

It's again Thanksgiving weekend! woohooo!
When I first came to US, I was never aware of this holiday. I even went to the office one day before the thanksgiving day (which is the Thursday of the week) and just found myself alone in the whole building. It turned out, people in my client usually take vacation leave the whole week of Thanksgiving. From then on, I've promised myself that I will celebrate this holiday just like what other Americans do... what the heck, hindi naman ako nakakapagcelebrate ng Philippine Independence Day so why not join them in their festivity!

So last 2007 we just went shopping @ midnight. 2008 - my husband and I just had a nice dinner and went shopping early morning the next day. For this year, we'll be having dinner/videoke/movie night with friends at home. We were supposed to travel again on this holiday since it's 4 days of vacation...but then plans changed and just decided to stay intact in Chicago and save our travel mojos in December. I didn't go to Boston for this week because of the expected overflow of travellers in the airports. I don't want to get stuck in the middle of the holiday...oh my gas!

For everyone's curiosity, here's the origin of Thanksgiving holiday. Thanks wiki!

Of course, Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without the Shopping. This is the holiday where people are going gaga with the crazy deals of almost all stores (online and in-store). After the weekend, there's also what they call "Cyber Monday" where online stores also put their stocks on sale (on top of the sale percentages that they gave on Black Friday). I actually started my shopping last weekend because I already found good deals that would only last that whole weekend. But then for today and Friday, I've been seeing more and more deals. So, here are the shops that we plan to visit:
- Frys (not for the sale items...but I just need a new memory card reader)
- Banana Republic Factory Store (everything is 50% off! Last weekend, I was able to save 45% for a coat. All outerwear were 30% off and I got this personal day sale coupon for 15%.)
- Saks 5th (up to 60% off on top of already "on sale" items)
- Ann Taylor (up to 60% - however for this one, there's only one particular branch I plan to visit. All other branches in my opinion don't have enough good stocks.)
- Walmart/Target (haha! Looking for cheap gift finds!)

(All of the above are clothing stores, you might be wondering. It's because I'm still looking for my "pamasko". This is one thing that I will never ever outgrow. I don't want to forget the feeling of excitement whenever I wear new clothes (kahit galing lang sa palengke ng Binan) on Christmas day.)

Here are some shopping online links that you might want to consider, too:
http://www.blackfriday.info
http://bfads.net

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here are the things I'm very much thankful to God for:
- Keeping me and my husband together despite the trials that came our way this year
- Keeping our families and loved ones back in Pinas safe and healthy, despite the catastrophes that Philippines have suffered
- For all my friends who are there for us
- For all the blessings, the food, the travels, and all our necessities despite the economic downturn and all its effects
- For my job which has become stable all the years (This year, I'm everyday thankful for this.)
- and lastly, for the trials that tested my faith and made me stronger

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, everyone!!!
(I woke up late, I wasn't able to witness the start of the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade...this has been a tradition for me and Randy. Haayyy)

Back on track

And so.... I'm back to blogging!

I hibernated for quite a long time. I've been busy with keeping up with the requirements of my assignment at work (which started early January of this year). Also, I was busy with my recently accomplished certification and I was too lazy to even compose a blog entry. And now, as the year slowly ends, I want to end this year with little blog entries here and there (para naman may mailagay sa 2009 roll, hehe).

So, what has been keeping me busy? And the list goes...
(1) I'm reviewing for another certification. Actually, I'm losing the determination to finish this one. If not because my company paid for this, I would probably just cancel this exam. I'm now on the 2nd to the last chapter of the reviewer. But I still have 1 book to cover and a CD. OMG.

(2) Halloween is fast approaching! I still can't decide what costume to wear or even if I should wear one. Last year, I was "Kat Von D" of L.A. Ink (or Miami Ink, formerly).

(3) I still have lots of backlogs in terms of organizing/posting my pictures. Haay... I have lots in my list: Glencoe beach, Boston trip, Niagara Falls trip, Washington DC/Virginia trip, South Dakota trip. Hmmm...what else?

(4) Christmas is also near! And so, I need to spend time shopping for gifts for family and friends. Maybe I can start this on Saturday.

So, that's it for catching up! See you around, friends! :)

A Fall Engagement & Wedding (Aim & Acy)

As the leaves start to fall and so is the temperature…

I was asked last week by Acy (a former co-worker from PwC) to help her with their STD* by taking some good pictures of her and Aim – “Kailangan lang namin ng matinong pictures…” – that’s how she worded it, hehe. To take advantage of the remaining days of Fall season and before the snow starts pouring, we scheduled it in the weekend after.

We were so glad that we were able to pull this off despite the changing forecast of that day’s (October 24, 2009) weather. It was raining in the morning and then it stopped late afternoon (thankfully!). It was a bit cold but sunny…so overall, the temp was manageable (which by the way, is something you should really be thankful for if you are in Chicago).

So, here are some of the pictures we were able to produce that day. Just like any other couple, Aim (the Groom) was a bit apprehensive about his smile (“Is my smile corny?” – this made us laugh!) and was reserved in the early part of the shoot, but later on was able to show his amusing behavior. Acy (the Bride) on the other hand was very willing to strike a pose whenever, wherever. By the way, we were also thankful of Aim’s ability to understand a little bit of Tagalog and sign language… hahaha!

*For those unfamiliar with the wedding preparation terms, STD stands for “Save the Date” cards that are distributed to the prospective guests months before the actual wedding.

Aim & Acy
October 15, 2010
Caleruega

Mt. Rushmore National Park

IMG_3038-Edit-Edit, originally uploaded by randy+lei.

Union Oyster House

Union Oyster House, originally uploaded by randy+lei.

The Union Oyster House is the oldest restaurant in Boston and the oldest restaurant in continuous service in the U.S. — the doors have always been open to diners since 1826.

Times Square

Times Square, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Ellis Island Immigration Museum, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Ellis Island Immigration Museum
New York
May 10, 2009

Opened on January 1, 1892, Ellis Island became the nation's premier federal immigration station. In operation until 1954, the station processed over 12 million immigrant steamship passengers. The main building was restored after 30 years of abandonment and opened as a museum on September 10, 1990.

Today, over 40 percent of America's population can trace their ancestry through Ellis Island.

Liberty

Liberty, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Times Square

Times Square, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Times Square, the most bustling square of New York is known for its many Broadway theatres, cinemas and supersigns. It is one of those places that make New York a city that never sleeps.

Top of the Rock

Top of the Rock, originally uploaded by irobot773.

View of Manhattan from the Top of the Rock

Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn Bridge, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Manhattan skyline

Manhattan skyline, originally uploaded by irobot773.

View from Liberty Island
Taken on May 10, 2009
New York City

Downtown Manhattan

Downtown Manhattan, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Going back to Staten Island Ferry terminal
New York City

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Taken on May 10, 2009
Liberty Island, New York City

The Cove Atlantis, Paradise Island - Bahamas

The Cove Atlantis, Paradise Island - Bahamas, originally uploaded by irobot773.

This was taken during a windy weather with scattered rainshowers in Bahamas - The Cove Atlantis, Paradise Island. While I was hiding in one of the sunbathing beds to prevent the raindrops from touching down my body (while my friends were playing beach volleyball), I spotted the trees swaying in the direction of the wind. And geared with just my underwater camera, there I was, moving inch by inch to where I was sitting just to capture this shot. Not bad. Not bad. :)

Bahamas Old House

Bahamas Old House, originally uploaded by irobot773.

This is an old house that we spotted when we visited The Islands of the Bahamas. It's old and .... very calming in my eyes.

"Marilla says that a large family was raised in that old house long ago, and that it was a real pretty place, with a lovely garden and roses climbing all over it. It was full of little children and laughter and songs; and now it is empty, and nothing ever wanders through it but the wind. How lonely and sorrowful it must feel! Perhaps they all come back on moonlit nights. . .the ghosts of the little children of long ago and the roses and the songs. . .and for a little while the old house can dream it is young and joyous again." Excerpt from "Anne of Avonlea" by Lucy Maud Montgomery

View from Empire State

View from Empire State, originally uploaded by irobot773.

New York City
View from Empire State
May 9, 2009

When we first went to Empire State, there was a huge mass of fog above the tower so we decided to just come back later that day to let the fog subside. Good thing we decided doing that...here's the proof! :p

Downtown Nassau

Downtown Nassau, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Nassau, Bahamas

Atlantis Hotel

Atlantis Hotel, originally uploaded by irobot773.

This is the ceiling of Atlantis Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas.

This is the moment!

This is the moment!, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Compass Point before sundown

Compass Point Restaurant/Hotel
Nassau, Bahamas
July 4, 2009

How to format HDD in MAC OS X

So, I've been having problems in transferring files from my home laptop (Mac) and work laptop (Windows).  Since these two systems are running in different OS, you will have problems in transferring files to and from different formats. 

The solution to the problem is to format your HDD in mac and download a MacDrive for your Windows laptop.  And here's how to format your HDD in Mac:

Step1

Open the system drive, usually titled "Macintosh HD." Open Applications, then Utilities and double click the "Disk Utility" program to open it. A window will open giving a list of all the drives currently mounted on thecomputer.

Step2

Select the disk that needs to be formatted on the left. It is not possible to format the startup disk unless the system has booted from the Install Disk. It is important to note that formatting the startup disk will permanently erase the data stored on the disk. If you are planning on erasing the startup disk, back up all important files and applications.

Step3

Click on the "Erase" tab to the right of the list of drives. The window will now display the options for erasing the hard drive and formatting it to work on the Macintosh computer.

Step4

Select the Volume Format from the pop-up list. In most cases it's best to leave it at "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" as this is the default. This setting is the best option for running Mac OS X. If there are other requirements for the disk, then select the format that best suits your needs. If you have questions about the formats, refer to the Apple user's manual.

Step5

Name the hard drive. Type a name for the disk in the field where it asks for the name. This name will always appear when the disk is mounted on a Macintosh computer.

Step6

Click the erase button. A window will open asking to verify the erase procedure. Click the erase button in this window to start the process of erasing the disk. Once the process is complete, the drive will appear with the name it was given on the left side of the window with the list of drives and on the desktop of the Macintosh computer.

Source:  http://www.ehow.com

MAC 101: Printscreen in Mac (Part 2)

Few months (or years...) ago, I posted a guide here which I made regarding on how to do printscreen using macbook.  And here's another set of procedures that I found out whenever you need to screenprint a *specific* area/section of your screen:

This is an excerpt from MAC Daily News:

From Mac Daily News...

With Mac OS X v10.2, you now have yet another option for capturing screenshots. This method is so often ignored that it may as well be a secret. We're here to let the secret out. The first two options were available in previous versions of Mac OS X (note: Command = Apple key):

1. Press Command-Shift-3 all at once to take a screenshot of your entire screen.
2. Press Command-Shift-4 all at once and Mac OS X presents you with crosshairs you can use to select whatever portion of your display you'd like to capture in a screenshot. Just select your desired area, let up on the mouse and whatever you've highlighted will be captured.

The new third option in Jag is very cool:
3. Type Command-Shift-4 and then press the spacebar once. The crosshairs will change into a camera icon. Hover the camera over any element on the screen you wish to capture, for example, the Dock, the menu bar, the desktop, or any open window. Then just click the mouse button to "snap" a screen shot. Or hit Command-. (Command-period) to cancel. With this option, you can entirely eliminate the desktop when you capture a screen shot of an individual window and get a clean outline without having to crop your screenshot in another application.

Enjoy your technology! :)

Publicized!

IMG_1571, originally uploaded by irobot773.

I realized that I haven't kept my promise (to those asking) to blog about this. The picture was posted in my flickr account last August 2008 and I got the advice from Schmap Chicago Guide 2 months ago (January 2009).

"Caption posted in Flickr in January 2009: This photo was published in the 6th Edition of Chicago Schmap Guide: www.schmap.com/guidewidgets/p=56406645N00/c=SJ20151692

www.schmap.com/chicago/events_outandabout/p=12386/i=12386...

www.schmap.com/?m=iphone#uid=chicago&sid=events_outan...

I'm not really fond of sending photos as entry to any organization or any kind of publication...but suddenly I got a notice that my photo was seen and selected from Flickr 3 weeks ago (I read the email probably 2 weeks after it was sent :lol. Then I received the confirmation @ 3am today that my photo was selected to be published for the 6th Edition of Schmap Chicago Guide so....so !"

Laugh is contagious

_MG_4812_Randy and Lhey 3_584.jpg, originally uploaded by irobot773.

I was going down memory lane and I spotted this photo...
I couldn't help but smile...

Space warp

Space warp, originally uploaded by irobot773.

...when boredom strikes, crazy mind works.

This was just a wine glass placed on top of one of our place mats. Lens was put inside the glass, focused, and I pressed the shutter.

2009 Chicago Auto Show

Stingray, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Last February 21st, we went to the 2009 Chicago Auto Show held at McCormick Place in downtown Chicago. There was too much crowd in the event that really...it was very hard to take a good shot. Without my wide-angle lens, I know, I will end up empty-handed... plus with my height, goodluck!

Rest of the photos can be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/irobot773/sets/72157614919847786/

...and let there be light.

...and let there be light., originally uploaded by irobot773.

This was taken in December 2008 when we had our short visit to my uncle in LA. We went to LA Zoo. And since I'm not really fond of shooting animals ("in cages"...let me clear that), I ended up hunting for other scenes. And this was one of the few things I caught on camera!

"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light? "

2nd anniv gift

2nd anniv gift, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Just to somehow wake up my account from its hibernation, this is my post for today. I haven't answered my friends' questions re: hubby's gift on our 2nd anniv last Jan.20. This is it -- "Get positively beautiful by Carmindy"

I'm very fond of watching TLC's "What Not To Wear" ("very fond" means I watch it over and over again...even the reruns! Sometimes, I watch it from the moment I wake up up until night time, hihi!). And there's a portion in the show where the participant will have a style make over in terms of hair/make-up to be done by Nico Rojo (Hair) and Carmindy (Make-up). Over the months that I've been watching the show, I've been trying to gain tips from Carmindy with regard to choosing the best colors in terms of beautifying one's self (although, I cannot say that I've been successful, haha!). And I was surprised by husband that he went home one day holding this in front of my face. I was so delighted.

Disclaimer: Up to now, I haven't read the book fully. I've been pre-occupied with so many other stuff! But I try to peep through the pages once in a while. And the contents are sooooo useful, even if you read it "just when you need it". I recommend this book for all the ladies who want to look and feel gorgeous! :)

When I finally clicked "Submit order"

IMG_4841, originally uploaded by irobot773.

I bought my Canon 400D 2 years ago. I never planned on buying a new camera...not now since everyone's dreading about this recession thing. And that's until we (together with my husband) spotted this Canon 50D in Circuit City - Gurnee Mills. The moment I pressed the shutter, a sudden urge to buy the camera came upon me. I was so, so, so hesitant to buy the camera. But after I laid my hands on it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. And my husband supported my hunger.... I finally clicked "Submit order". And yes, I'm happy I did! :)

This camera comes with Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 USM IS Lens. Bought it from my suki - "Amazon.com". :)

As to what happened with my Canon 400D -- he's in good hands (with Metrobank???- Nope...with the "delighted" husband - no wonder he encouraged me to buy this 50D!)

Glory of Love

Glory of Love, originally uploaded by irobot773.

This is a late post for Hearts' Day.
I got this necklace from Banana Rep without any intention of wearing it on Valentine's day. But with the "knight" symbol on the heart, I think this suits the symbol of love between me and my husband. Our theme song is Glory of Love, by the way.

Tonight it's very clear
As we're both lying here
There's so many things I want to say
I will always love you
I would never leave you alone

Sometimes I just forget
Say things I might regret
It breaks my heart to see you crying
I don't wanna lose you
I could never make it alone

I am a man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
We'll live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love

You'll keep me standing tall
You'll help me through it all
I'm always strong when you're beside me
I have always needed you
I could never make it alone

I am a man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you've been dreaming of
We'll live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love

Just like a knight in shining armor
From a long time ago
Just in time I will save the day
Take you to my castle far away

I am a man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
We're gonna live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love

We'll live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love

We did it all for love
We did it all for love
We did it all for love
We did it all for love

Turning back in time

Turning back in time, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Frozen Michigan Lake

Frozen Michigan Lake, originally uploaded by irobot773.

2nd for the day

Las Vegas... only, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Mini-new york

Mini-new york, originally uploaded by irobot773.

Do you live or have lived in Chicago?

I just want to share an email forwarded by my previous client, Joe.

This made me laugh! All of them are true... :)

This is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Chicago...

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you live in Chicago.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Chicago.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Chicago .

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you live in Chicago.

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of I-80 for the
weekend, you live in Chicago.

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Chicago.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again, you live in Chicago.

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Chicago.

If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you live in Chicago.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a
snowsuit, you live in Chicago.

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and everybody is passing you, you live in Chicago.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are
filled with snow, you live in Chicago.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter
and road construction, you live in Chicago.

If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in Chicago.

If you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly', you live in Chicago.

If you actually understand these jokes, and forward them to all your Chicago friends & others, you live, or have lived, in Chicago.

Prison break is ending? Oh no!

That's it. No more "Friday Movie Nights" for me and my husband. Prison break is moving its telecast on Fridays. Actually, despite that Friday is a movie night for me and my husband (and a friend), there are still some advantages:

(1) We can save money, of course! hahaha..."no more movie nights" only means $20-less expenses! (Oh, we can still watch movies on Saturdays, right?!? Oh well, let's just dump the idea!)

(2) Since my next project will just be 3-day out of state assignment (Tue-Thurs), I can watch PB with my husband which I really want to happen. Before, when it was still being shown on Monday nights, for every commercial, I need to call my husband and we discuss the happenings, exchange views, blah blah then hung up again once the show comes back.

Let me just repost my entry in Friendster bulletin:

Ri-freaking-diculous. First we get the announcement that Prison Break will be returning on April 17th, then we get the annoucement that it's moving to Fridays. Everyone will tell you that Friday nights are the kiss of death for TV shows, so I'm kind of pissed that Fox can't even let the show remain on Mondays for the remainder of its run.

Oh yeah, and we have received official confirmation that Prison Break is ending. Don't start crying. We all knew this day was coming. But it's hard.....I know..... Here's what Fox (who I'm not pleased with right now) has to say:

The greatest escape on television comes to an end after four suspenseful seasons when PRISON BREAK returns for the series' final episodes beginning Friday, April 17 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Following a series of double-crosses, the brothers now find themselves racing to retrieve SCYLLA, which unbeknownst to them has landed in the possession of their estranged mother and Company operative Christina (Kathleen Quinlan).

Source: Prisonbreak Fan Profile and FOX

And yes... have I mentioned that PB is soon to end?!? Nice.