Sink or Swim

From wikipedia – Taal Volcano is a complex volcano on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is situated between the towns of Talisay and San Nicolas in Batangas. It consists of an island in Lake Taal, which is situated within a caldera formed by an earlier, very powerful eruption. It is located about 50 km (31 Miles) from the capital, Manila. It is one of the active volcanoes in the Philippines, all part of the Pacific ring of fire.

The volcano has erupted violently several times, causing loss of life in the populated areas surrounding the lake, the current death toll standing at around 5,000 – 6,000. Because of its proximity to populated areas and eruptive history, the volcano has been designated a Decade Volcano worthy of close study to prevent future natural disasters. It was thought to be named as “a volcano inside a volcano” because many believed that the lake that circles the volcano was once a crater or mouth of a volcano.

 
This probably won’t make any sense but I didn’t have any photos other than this showing a "lock" of my daughter’s hair.

There are certain types of books that I more or less assume all readers read. (Novels, for example.)

But then there are books that only YOU read. Instructional manuals for fly-fishing. How-to books for spinning yarn. How to cook the perfect souffle. Rebuilding car engines in three easy steps. Dog training for dummies. Rewiring your house without electrocuting yourself. Tips on how to build a NASCAR course in your backyard. Stuff like that.

What niche books do YOU read?

Oh, this is easy. I read the following:

1. Photography – we have coffee books, a century worth of portraits, the best news photography, black and white, and a few books on improving your photography skills.

2. Web and graphic design books. Computer software books.

3. Interior Design books. You just can never be too inspired.

4. Travel books – the best places to eat, stay, have a weekend trip, long drives, honeymooners and family oriented vacation homes

5. Architecture. I just love all kinds of buildings and structures

6. “Books” on how to draw anime style. Books on watercolor painting.

7. Atlas. Oh yes. This is very essential to me now as I could easily get lost. Plus we are currently looking to buy a land for our future home so when a broker tells me that there’s an opening somewhere, I go and quickly consult my atlas.

Share yours at Booking Through Thursday!

If you’ve been a frequent visitor of my other blogs, you’d know that my latest project is our dream house. We have found several lot properties already and even though we haven’t made any final offers yet, I’ve been consistently searching for home plans.

I came across HDA, Inc. (houseplansandmore.com) while doing my research. I had no idea there are so many pre-made plans that you can purchase online. From luxury home plans to cottage home plans, you can be sure that your dream home is just within reach. I like how you can customize the plans from the comforts of your own home. Modifications include changing foundation type, adding square footage, re-designing baths and bedrooms and many more. The best part is that as soon as you’re done customizing, you can receive a full quote in a matter of two days.

HDA Inc. offers Signature Series Home Plans that includes the general floor plan information and a list of materials needed to build the house of your choice. At first all I could see were four to six-bedroom types but after a few minutes of browsing, their plans range from houses with apartments inside to energy-efficient homes to atrium ranches with sunroom to apartment garages with office space. Which means no matter how much your budget for your future property is, you can find what you need with HDA, Inc.

These advertisements are just plain amazing. Can you do better?

013 Netvision – Extremely fast internet

Nikon S60 Camera – Detects up to 12 faces

Dash Courier – The Carolinas’ most reliable same day delivery service

Wonderbra – You have 918915 friend requests

For complete list, check out the 60+ Creative and Clever Advertisements here.

One of the things that I’d like to do on my birthday is to have one or two full-fledge adult vacations. Either it’s just me and my husband or a two-day weekend getaway – girls only! In fact, my friend and I often visit the Superclubs Breezes resort website so we can plan our dream vacation, Sex in the City style. As for the exact date, that is the main question. I’m happy to note however that there are so many affordable Caribbean hotels that you can choose from the Breezes site. Of course, I’m checking availabilities a year from now so I guess the rates are really much cheaper.

I really wish I can do something like this soon. If not with my girlfriends, I could "settle" for a third honeymoon with my dear husband. Did I mention that it’s already an all inclusive Bahamas vacation package? All inclusive means everything is included in the package like transfers, meals and snacks, unlimited drinks (cocktails anyone?), premium liquor, wine and champagne, entertainment, land and water sports not mentioning taxes and gratuities. So you’re not only having the vacation of your dreams but you can bet it’s going to be non-stressful as well. Just pay one time and everything will be taken care of.

A photo of my brother-in-law with his new friend. I’m not crazy about them but this one was charming. And no, he didn’t get one as a pet. It was just a photo taken from the zoo.

Ever wondered how the masters work? See here for the full list and some of my favorites below:

www.spoongraphics.co.uk

webdesignledger.com

This one is so cool – www.bartelme.at

www.css-tricks.com

www.cssbeauty.com

Most of the workstations from the list look just like your average designer’s workstation. But this one above, from the creators of cssbeauty.com is my top favorite. I just love everything about it = lamps, brick walls industrial/contemporary look.

Did you notice the one thing that they have in common? Yeah, they all have iMacs. I will show you my workstation but I’m afraid you’ll find it too boring.

My first entry. A photo taken by my husband on our way to Subic, Pampanga.

I got this from twitter and thought I’d share here three of my favorite from the list. These website designs are different in such a way that they use hand-drawn elements. Just looking at them today made me want to re-do my portfolio site all over again.

Still, nothing beats my all time favorite designer – Drew Europeo of Grafikas. The sample below is just one of her amazing illustrations.

“This can be a quick one. Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.”

Not exactly 15 but these are all that I can think of off the top of my head. They are titles that I will read over and over again.

Time Traveler’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger

Griffin and Sabine – Nick Bantock

Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger

Veronika Decides to Die – Paolo Coelho

Einstein’s Dreams – Alan Lightman

The Alchemist – Paolo Coelho

Can You Keep a Secret – Sophie Kinsella

Good in Bed – Jennifer Weiner

Harry Potter – Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter – Order of the Phoenix

Paradise – Judith Mcnaught

Virgin Suicides – Jeffrey Eugenides

Twilight, book 1 – Stephenie Meyer

Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair – Pablo Neruda

Photo taken by my dear friend Zer at Atimonan, Quezon Province, Philippines.

Imagine you’re packing a picnic lunch. What would be in your basket?
Several cheeses, wine, pasta, fried chicken and salad Yum! I would love to have a picnic this week except it has been raining for days.

If your life were a weather vane, which direction would it be pointing right now?
It would be pointing on all directions. That’s how crazy my life is right now.

What’s something that people do in traffic that really annoys you?
Texting, honking nonstop, overtaking. 

OMG, I can’t wait. Did you notice how different the quality is from Twilight?

1. Man, Edward is hotter than ever.

2. Love that scene where Jasper tried to attack Bela.

3. May I just say that Taylor definitely looks like Jacob now.

4. Thank God Bela now looks like she is passionately in love, not scared.