The Exotic Arm Band

One of the things I dread about having kids is finding frogs and a reptile or two in their pocket. We went to buy bird seed and sprays for our budgies/parakeets last weekend and as we were paying for our purchases I had been completely oblivious to the cashier's exotic arm band. Until my husband asked to hold it, the arm band just happened to be a small boa constrictor contentedly wrapped on her arm (which it probably thought was a tree branch of sorts). When the cashier handed the snake to my husband, at first it shied away then it wrapped itself around his arm and settled in.

Apparently the snake was getting too big for its cage and no one wanted to buy it and take it home - understandably so. She went on to say that its diet now consisted of live rats. Snakes and rats!?! Now I know why no one is buying it. My one worry was the fascination in my husband's eyes. He actually wanted me to pet it - me, who skips over the reptile pictures in books because I find them really scary! I stepped away and said no.

My hubby tried to remind me that we did talk about having a pet snake - and I told him that all I remembered agreeing to (ever so reluctantly) was an iguana - and he had to promise to keep it well away from me. The cashier was very amused. My husband loves animals and he had had pet snakes before. Now if you have a dad like that, you're almost guaranteed kids who love pet reptiles, right?

I think that's where I draw the line, get a nice dog - even a big dog - just do not bring home frogs or snakes. I think my husband was more amused by my reaction than by the actual boa constrictor - but he respects me enough to not get one without asking me first. Would you let your kids have pet snakes? Why and why not? Post your opinion in the comments section, please:)

The Palm Pre Emails

Although I work in the tech field and love gadgets, I must admit it takes me a while to figure them out. When I got my Palm Pre on Black Friday, there were only two things I was really interested in learning, how to make a call and how to send sms messages. Some people would probably argue that these were intuitive, but try getting bombarded by sms messages and calls right after you make your profile as the sales rep is trying to set up your phone for you and see if it's intuitive!

I managed to reply to a few sms messages and answer my husband's phone call wondering where I had gone off to, but that's about all I accomplished the first five minutes of owning a smart phone.

To say, it kept me up all night with all the features I tried to discover would be an understatement. With all the features I explored, my battery didn't last very long - and to figure out that the charger came in two parts hehehe... My husband enjoyed going through the features of the phone with me and is actually thinking of getting one for himself - with the price cut, I wouldn't really mind.

A day after I got my phone I received an email from Palm showing me how to do a few things on the Pre. Although I had discovered how to manage the particular features it explained, I appreciate the intent of the email. I love the fact that they know I have a Palm Pre, that they want to help me discover all the phone can do, and they care enough to send an email to show me the Pre's features. Now that's customer service right there - with all the proper branding, personalization and support that even a half-baked techie like me would appreciate.

Great job on these emails! Thank you for the wonderful customer service.

Disney Gifts for Relatives & Me

Finally used up most of my birthday cash card at the Disney Store - bought gifts for my sister and our niece. After the cashier rung up the sale, she offered me this gorgeous tapestry throw. It looked like tapestry, but it actually functions as a throw (aka blanket for when you're sitting or not in bed).

I'm working on my side work early this morning and wrapped it around myself as I typed on my computer. I'm all warm and cozy - best gift I could have gotten for myself as the winter chill creeps up on us. It would be great for warding off the chill at a summer concert too (yup, am thinking U2).

It's a special purchase when you buy $50 worth of merchandise. I used my Disney cash card, which they gave me in May so I didn't feel like I spent any money at all. My husband commented that our Disneyland Annual Pass is really a great deal especially with all the perks and discounts plus the free parking. Definitely a wonderful investment for kids of any age, after all, it is the happiest place on earth!

Succumbing to a Smart Phone

After trying to fight it for so long, I finally succumbed to the call of a smart phone. And this is exactly why I did, to be able to blog remotely. How do I like it you may ask? It takes a little getting used to. Having the qwerty keyboard helps a lot. The websites look exactly the same as in a regular computer browser and I can resize it to whatever size I need it to be. The screen resolution is so good, I can't wait to watch videos on this phone!

I got this phone for a third of its retail price and its definitely worth it. Good night blogging world, it will be cyber Monday soon!

The Elusive Waist Pack

I was chosen to serve in a retreat class this weekend and I am now scrambling to think of everything I will need. One of the hardest things on my list is a waist pack. I was trying to look for a small one, but because of how difficult it is to find - I'd settle for whatever I can find in nearby stores.

It comes in handy because we would be working all weekend and we'd like our hands to be free at all times. But there are things that you need to carry with you like your mobile phone, your rosary, keys and wallet. An actual shoulder bag would be too cumbersome while you are working. I have thought of maybe one of those pockets you strap around your arm when you jog, but that would look too obvious and out of place. A waist pack would be unobtrusive and would carry more items if you needed to.

What do you think? What bag do you usually use to carry things around when you jog, run or sell stuff in a bazaar when you need both hands free? Leave your suggestions in the comments section, please. Have a great weekend, everyone!

The Best Holiday App: UPS Online Tracking

I must admit, one of my favorite group of people are UPS delivery people - especially if they are bringing a shipment I'm really really looking forward to. I think one of the greatest applications ever invented is the online tracking system that lets you monitor the progress of your package and tells you exactly when to expect it. I'm one of those people who once I order something, I keep checking where my package is until it gets to my doorstep. It eases my mind to see that my package is moving along towards me, rather than being in the dark for an unknown duration of time.

My husband just ordered this massage table on eBay and it came at lunch time this morning. It was in great shape, the UPS guy was courteous and dropped the big box off without a single complaint.

I had another package delivered the week before and we weren't there when it came so they just left it on my doorstep. It's a gift for my sister and I got it in plenty of time to ship to the Philippines.

There was one time when I was notified that my tickets were printed in the morning and they were delivered by lunch time. Talk about efficiency! It was such a surprise when I found the tickets waiting for me at home. Delivery people are a blessing. Thank you for getting our orders to us safely! You definitely make the holidays easier on us.

Promises & Presale Codes

My dad always taught me that giving your word is like making a promise. So I don't like saying yes to requests that I'm not sure I can accomplish - especially not to my loved ones.

Last year, I told my husband I would get us tickets to the U2 concert. On the day the tickets went on sale at 10 AM - I had a meeting. Thinking that I would be able to get the tickets when I got back, I didn't worry about it. When I finally had time to buy the tickets, it was all gone - at least all the price points my husband and I were comfortable with were.

When they scheduled a 2010 concert in Anaheim, I knew I had to get tickets for me and my husband. I found a fan site that gave out presale codes to subscribers and obtained one. Five days before the show would be on sale to the general public, starting at 6:55 AM PST I waited patiently in front of my computer for 7 AM when I could order tickets. Not really having that much of a budget for concerts, my husband and I had already discussed the ticket prices we were comfortable with. And I was secretly hoping that that price level would give us access to the field - even if it was standing room only - because that way we could squeeze in as close to the stage as we wanted. At that very reasonable price (cheaper than most Filipino artists' concerts here in the US), I got field access!!!

I consider it a very early Christmas gift to my husband and me. U2 is one of the bands we really wanted to see live - he probably has seen them before, but this will be my first time. So hopefully, if all goes well, we'll see you at the Angel Stadium in June 2010!

Shop for a Cause: Thistle Farms & Magdalene

When I was younger and immersed in the joy of volunteer work - I dreamed of a safe place where abused women can seek refuge and rebuild their lives.

I remember reading of such a place a long time ago in the Philippines - it's called The Haven. It was started by a group of politicians' wives - which probably got me started on my wishing to be a politician's wife back then. Since it had already been established in the Philippines, I didn't think about it anymore.

But as I was reading up on a guest appearing on the TV show I work for, Becca Stevens, I discovered that she was the founder of Magdalene. Magdalene is a residential community where women survivors of violence, prostitution or abuse can live free for two years and rebuild their lives. She is an Episcopal priest in Tennessee and an author - and no, she's not married to a politician as far as I know!

The issue tugged at my heart, a forgotten dream mission for me. So I thought I'd help them out by writing this post. From Magdalene sprung a non-profit enterprise called, Thistle Farms. It is run by women that live in Magdalene and all proceeds go back to the residential program. Thistle Farms makes natural bath and body products, which will make great Christmas gifts (hint, hint). If you're still doing your holiday shopping, please consider their products. It's for a good cause!

Mail in Those Pink Lids!

Have you noticed those pretty pink lids on your Yoplait yogurt containers lately? Yoplait is running their Save Lids, Save Lives program in cooperation with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research. Each pink lid is worth 10 cents. Yoplait has pledged to donate a maximum of $1.5 million to the foundation if people participate in the campaign.

If you love Yoplait yogurt and have made it part of your healthy diet, please save your pink lids and mail them in before December 31, 2009 so that we can do our small part in fighting breast cancer.