By Month:

November 2008

This winter, something new will be happening in Times Square (other than, of course, New Years). As you may have heard, Times Square will be getting its very first environmentally friendly billboard, powered 100% by wind and sun.

As you likely already know, Times Square is a one of many world famous New York landmarks featured [...]

Kanye West, please shut up.
Okay, I don’t mean that completely, Kanye West’s music isn’t so bad. Actually, I suppose a lot of people like his stuff considering the number of Grammys he’s won.
But if it’s not about music, Kanye, stay quiet or try saying something somewhatly intelligent.
Kanye West, just yesterday, said he’s the “voice of [...]

I am happy.
I am ready for change in America.
And I am hoping that people will stop making unfunny jokes about Obama getting assassinated.
Here’s a funny picture, of people from “Obama, Japan.” Apparently, Obama means “Little Beach” in Japanese. What a coincidence, a Japanese town and the American president-to-be having the same name.
The election hype that [...]

Note: This post was written at 7:21pm ET
The wait is over, and election day is here.
I personally support Obama, but in general I love watching political elections and analyses on TV. While some are saying that the race will be called early, I think it’ll go until midnight at least. If it weren’t for a [...]

October 2008

Have you ever thought about how many products you wear on you every day? How many of them have scents? What, really, is the point of something having a scent if it’s just going to be thrown into the mix anyway?
Earlier today I passed by one of those warehouse sales, and having a little spare [...]

My Starbucks coupon for “free oatmeal” is going to expire in a matter of days.
Since I’m pretty sure that Starbucks only offers their breakfast oatmeal during breakfast hours which is naturally during the morning, and I never have time in the mornings to go there, I decided to snatch an opportunity yesterday. Everyone knows that [...]

I should have been studying last night, but I really do love being a part of election hype (and thus, I will be spending more study-time watching the Obama-McCain debate tonight) so I decided to go to the results party of my riding’s (Liberal) Member of Parliament, Maurizio Bevilacqua .
While he did win, Harper gained [...]

I was doing even more StumbleUpon-ing and found this. By Andrew Moore . Taken in Bosnia.
It love it. I love how intense and bright the colors are. It’s just so real, yet pretty, yet unfortunate.

I was StumbleUpon-ing earlier today and I came by this site dedicated to stopping Walmart and other big box stores from checking receipts at the exit . I haven’t been to a Walmart in who knows how long, but I do go to Costco regularly and they have a similar practice.
I’ve always found it [...]

After my previous post about my dislike for the big, baggy Roots sweatpants I consistently see girls (and guys) wearing to class, I decided to make a whole post about the clothing choices that I see around school.
1. The big, baggy sweatpants. See the link above. I don’t mind normal sweatpants, but don’t get the [...]

September 2008

The title says it all.
But I will elaborate.
[I am not trying to be the fashion police here. I don't own a huge closet. I hardly even shop. Please read to the end of the post]
At my high school, many girls like to wear sweatpants. I’m actually okay with that, perfectly okay. I’m okay with pretty [...]

I’ll admit I’m not the best goal setter. I get new long term goals all the time. Way too often. I wouldn’t say I "forget" about them. I just don’t exactly make it a priority.
Well, here’s my latest one, and I really hope it lasts. Because it doesn’t sound too hard.
Rent and watch a movie [...]

On a nature walk this weekend, I couldn’t help but think about all my mosquito bites: The ones I had prior to my three-hour adventure, the freshly bitten ones, and the ones I knew I would get from the mosquitoes presently buzzing around me. (Note to self: Bring bug spray next time)
I earned myself no [...]

August 2008

I have, most recently at the Chicago Board of Trade.

It was on a recent weekend visit to Chicago (right after my trip to Yellowstone). My first time there, I thought I’d go check out the Chicago Board of Trade, or CBOT, where agricultural commodities are traded everyday. As a child, I had watched my dad trade these. I didn’t understand what futures were or how they worked, but I understood he was losing money. Childhood memories really stick with you, eh.

I was extremely excited to see the trading floor, and see with my own eyes all the fascinating hand signals (practically a sign language!) that they use to communicate. It’s almost like how you see it on popular culture, for example this year’s comedy “What Happens in Vegas.”

Here’s the embarrassing part. Everybody…

Last week, I had the pleasure of spending a few days in Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming. It was the first national park in the world, as explorers in the 1860s saw this place and decided they wanted it to be protected. Now I understand why.

The park has a long list of attractions. Hiking trails. Biking trails. Fishing spots. Mountains. Waterfalls. Wildlife. And then there are the geothermal features, including geyers, hot springs, fumaroles and mud pots.

(It’s okay if you have no idea what a fumarole is.)

Yellowstone is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, and not only because it’s beauty is all the work of nature. Here are some photos I took - unedited - from my point-and-shoot camera.

July 2008

Are you one of those people that really want to garden and/or create a garden, but don’t really have much space to do so? Do you hate how little space your back yard, front yard, apartment balcony, and/or terrace has? Well, that’s okay, because a little space can go a long way when you know how to use it properly.

Here are some tips to making it work:

Grow vertically.

Many people overlook the space above the ground. Even if you’re working with the smallest backyard, a garden with height can give the illusion that it’s bigger than it actually is…

It was so hot yesterday, I was willing to spend even more time under the sun walking to my local Starbucks to cool down with a nice and cold frappuccino. Only to find:

“Temporarily Closed. Please enjoy your favorite beverage at another one of our locations.”

WHAT? I walk all the way in that grueling heat for a closed sign? I peeked through the window and it looked like they’re getting renovations done…

It’s hard to write every day, but when you do, it’s benefits are enormous. It’s not easy squeezing in that time to write. There’s also the question of what to write about, because inspiration does not strike us every day. However, ideas and thoughts do pass through the mind every day and with practice, you’ll learn to use them to inspire you - every day.

Here are seven reasons to write every day, for you, for me, for everybody.

1. It makes you a better thinker. They say you should “write, not think” but when you’re writing, you are thinking at the same time. You’re thinking about what to write, when to write it, how to write it.

2. It makes you more organized. Every day, feelings, opinions, ideas, and other things pass through your mind. When you’re writing them down, you’re organizing these ideas in your mind into words on paper.

3. It improves your communication skills. Elaborating on the idea above, thoughts in your head don’t always

It’s hot, it’s sunny, it’s summer. If you’re like me, spending summer in the neighborhood this year, then you’ll need to know what’s going on in your neighborhood… or else you won’t be able to take good advantage of this time of year’s weather. You don’t want the summer to pass you by, do you?

So this summer - check out your city’s website for local neighborhood concerts. I did, so I got to spend my Canada Day at a FREE neighborhood park concert featuring Jully Black.

The great thing about these type of concerts is that you can go with old friends, new friends, kids, your partner, the whole family… pretty much anybody. Bring a lawn chair or a towel to sit on, some food (or you can buy it), a soccer ball or something for the kids, and everybody has fun! You may even meet new people.

For me, thanks to the flyers in the mail, I found out that there would be a Canada Day concert at a Mackenzie Glen District Park in Maple (it’s okay if you don’t know where that is) about a 10 minute drive from my house. And unlike previous neighborhood concerts, there would be no tributes to the ’80s.

By Category:

Daily Musings

It’s hot, it’s sunny, it’s summer. If you’re like me, spending summer in the neighborhood this year, then you’ll need to know what’s going on in your neighborhood… or else you won’t be able to take good advantage of this time of year’s weather. You don’t want the summer to pass you by, do you?

So this summer - check out your city’s website for local neighborhood concerts. I did, so I got to spend my Canada Day at a FREE neighborhood park concert featuring Jully Black.

The great thing about these type of concerts is that you can go with old friends, new friends, kids, your partner, the whole family… pretty much anybody. Bring a lawn chair or a towel to sit on, some food (or you can buy it), a soccer ball or something for the kids, and everybody has fun! You may even meet new people.

For me, thanks to the flyers in the mail, I found out that there would be a Canada Day concert at a Mackenzie Glen District Park in Maple (it’s okay if you don’t know where that is) about a 10 minute drive from my house. And unlike previous neighborhood concerts, there would be no tributes to the ’80s.

It’s hard to write every day, but when you do, it’s benefits are enormous. It’s not easy squeezing in that time to write. There’s also the question of what to write about, because inspiration does not strike us every day. However, ideas and thoughts do pass through the mind every day and with practice, you’ll learn to use them to inspire you - every day.

Here are seven reasons to write every day, for you, for me, for everybody.

1. It makes you a better thinker. They say you should “write, not think” but when you’re writing, you are thinking at the same time. You’re thinking about what to write, when to write it, how to write it.

2. It makes you more organized. Every day, feelings, opinions, ideas, and other things pass through your mind. When you’re writing them down, you’re organizing these ideas in your mind into words on paper.

3. It improves your communication skills. Elaborating on the idea above, thoughts in your head don’t always

It was so hot yesterday, I was willing to spend even more time under the sun walking to my local Starbucks to cool down with a nice and cold frappuccino. Only to find:

“Temporarily Closed. Please enjoy your favorite beverage at another one of our locations.”

WHAT? I walk all the way in that grueling heat for a closed sign? I peeked through the window and it looked like they’re getting renovations done…

I have, most recently at the Chicago Board of Trade.

It was on a recent weekend visit to Chicago (right after my trip to Yellowstone). My first time there, I thought I’d go check out the Chicago Board of Trade, or CBOT, where agricultural commodities are traded everyday. As a child, I had watched my dad trade these. I didn’t understand what futures were or how they worked, but I understood he was losing money. Childhood memories really stick with you, eh.

I was extremely excited to see the trading floor, and see with my own eyes all the fascinating hand signals (practically a sign language!) that they use to communicate. It’s almost like how you see it on popular culture, for example this year’s comedy “What Happens in Vegas.”

Here’s the embarrassing part. Everybody…

On a nature walk this weekend, I couldn’t help but think about all my mosquito bites: The ones I had prior to my three-hour adventure, the freshly bitten ones, and the ones I knew I would get from the mosquitoes presently buzzing around me. (Note to self: Bring bug spray next time)
I earned myself no [...]

I’ll admit I’m not the best goal setter. I get new long term goals all the time. Way too often. I wouldn’t say I "forget" about them. I just don’t exactly make it a priority.
Well, here’s my latest one, and I really hope it lasts. Because it doesn’t sound too hard.
Rent and watch a movie [...]

I was StumbleUpon-ing earlier today and I came by this site dedicated to stopping Walmart and other big box stores from checking receipts at the exit . I haven’t been to a Walmart in who knows how long, but I do go to Costco regularly and they have a similar practice.
I’ve always found it [...]

My Starbucks coupon for “free oatmeal” is going to expire in a matter of days.
Since I’m pretty sure that Starbucks only offers their breakfast oatmeal during breakfast hours which is naturally during the morning, and I never have time in the mornings to go there, I decided to snatch an opportunity yesterday. Everyone knows that [...]

Have you ever thought about how many products you wear on you every day? How many of them have scents? What, really, is the point of something having a scent if it’s just going to be thrown into the mix anyway?
Earlier today I passed by one of those warehouse sales, and having a little spare [...]

Note: This post was written at 7:21pm ET
The wait is over, and election day is here.
I personally support Obama, but in general I love watching political elections and analyses on TV. While some are saying that the race will be called early, I think it’ll go until midnight at least. If it weren’t for a [...]

This winter, something new will be happening in Times Square (other than, of course, New Years). As you may have heard, Times Square will be getting its very first environmentally friendly billboard, powered 100% by wind and sun.

As you likely already know, Times Square is a one of many world famous New York landmarks featured [...]

Events

It’s hot, it’s sunny, it’s summer. If you’re like me, spending summer in the neighborhood this year, then you’ll need to know what’s going on in your neighborhood… or else you won’t be able to take good advantage of this time of year’s weather. You don’t want the summer to pass you by, do you?

So this summer - check out your city’s website for local neighborhood concerts. I did, so I got to spend my Canada Day at a FREE neighborhood park concert featuring Jully Black.

The great thing about these type of concerts is that you can go with old friends, new friends, kids, your partner, the whole family… pretty much anybody. Bring a lawn chair or a towel to sit on, some food (or you can buy it), a soccer ball or something for the kids, and everybody has fun! You may even meet new people.

For me, thanks to the flyers in the mail, I found out that there would be a Canada Day concert at a Mackenzie Glen District Park in Maple (it’s okay if you don’t know where that is) about a 10 minute drive from my house. And unlike previous neighborhood concerts, there would be no tributes to the ’80s.

I should have been studying last night, but I really do love being a part of election hype (and thus, I will be spending more study-time watching the Obama-McCain debate tonight) so I decided to go to the results party of my riding’s (Liberal) Member of Parliament, Maurizio Bevilacqua .
While he did win, Harper gained [...]

Note: This post was written at 7:21pm ET
The wait is over, and election day is here.
I personally support Obama, but in general I love watching political elections and analyses on TV. While some are saying that the race will be called early, I think it’ll go until midnight at least. If it weren’t for a [...]

Fashion & Beauty

The title says it all.
But I will elaborate.
[I am not trying to be the fashion police here. I don't own a huge closet. I hardly even shop. Please read to the end of the post]
At my high school, many girls like to wear sweatpants. I’m actually okay with that, perfectly okay. I’m okay with pretty [...]

After my previous post about my dislike for the big, baggy Roots sweatpants I consistently see girls (and guys) wearing to class, I decided to make a whole post about the clothing choices that I see around school.
1. The big, baggy sweatpants. See the link above. I don’t mind normal sweatpants, but don’t get the [...]

Have you ever thought about how many products you wear on you every day? How many of them have scents? What, really, is the point of something having a scent if it’s just going to be thrown into the mix anyway?
Earlier today I passed by one of those warehouse sales, and having a little spare [...]

How to...

Are you one of those people that really want to garden and/or create a garden, but don’t really have much space to do so? Do you hate how little space your back yard, front yard, apartment balcony, and/or terrace has? Well, that’s okay, because a little space can go a long way when you know how to use it properly.

Here are some tips to making it work:

Grow vertically.

Many people overlook the space above the ground. Even if you’re working with the smallest backyard, a garden with height can give the illusion that it’s bigger than it actually is…

News, etc.

This winter, something new will be happening in Times Square (other than, of course, New Years). As you may have heard, Times Square will be getting its very first environmentally friendly billboard, powered 100% by wind and sun.

As you likely already know, Times Square is a one of many world famous New York landmarks featured [...]

Nifty Internet Finds

I was StumbleUpon-ing earlier today and I came by this site dedicated to stopping Walmart and other big box stores from checking receipts at the exit . I haven’t been to a Walmart in who knows how long, but I do go to Costco regularly and they have a similar practice.
I’ve always found it [...]

I was doing even more StumbleUpon-ing and found this. By Andrew Moore . Taken in Bosnia.
It love it. I love how intense and bright the colors are. It’s just so real, yet pretty, yet unfortunate.

I am happy.
I am ready for change in America.
And I am hoping that people will stop making unfunny jokes about Obama getting assassinated.
Here’s a funny picture, of people from “Obama, Japan.” Apparently, Obama means “Little Beach” in Japanese. What a coincidence, a Japanese town and the American president-to-be having the same name.
The election hype that [...]

Opinion

After my previous post about my dislike for the big, baggy Roots sweatpants I consistently see girls (and guys) wearing to class, I decided to make a whole post about the clothing choices that I see around school.
1. The big, baggy sweatpants. See the link above. I don’t mind normal sweatpants, but don’t get the [...]

I was StumbleUpon-ing earlier today and I came by this site dedicated to stopping Walmart and other big box stores from checking receipts at the exit . I haven’t been to a Walmart in who knows how long, but I do go to Costco regularly and they have a similar practice.
I’ve always found it [...]

Kanye West, please shut up.
Okay, I don’t mean that completely, Kanye West’s music isn’t so bad. Actually, I suppose a lot of people like his stuff considering the number of Grammys he’s won.
But if it’s not about music, Kanye, stay quiet or try saying something somewhatly intelligent.
Kanye West, just yesterday, said he’s the “voice of [...]

Photo Finds

I was doing even more StumbleUpon-ing and found this. By Andrew Moore . Taken in Bosnia.
It love it. I love how intense and bright the colors are. It’s just so real, yet pretty, yet unfortunate.

I am happy.
I am ready for change in America.
And I am hoping that people will stop making unfunny jokes about Obama getting assassinated.
Here’s a funny picture, of people from “Obama, Japan.” Apparently, Obama means “Little Beach” in Japanese. What a coincidence, a Japanese town and the American president-to-be having the same name.
The election hype that [...]

Places

Last week, I had the pleasure of spending a few days in Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming. It was the first national park in the world, as explorers in the 1860s saw this place and decided they wanted it to be protected. Now I understand why.

The park has a long list of attractions. Hiking trails. Biking trails. Fishing spots. Mountains. Waterfalls. Wildlife. And then there are the geothermal features, including geyers, hot springs, fumaroles and mud pots.

(It’s okay if you have no idea what a fumarole is.)

Yellowstone is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, and not only because it’s beauty is all the work of nature. Here are some photos I took - unedited - from my point-and-shoot camera.

I have, most recently at the Chicago Board of Trade.

It was on a recent weekend visit to Chicago (right after my trip to Yellowstone). My first time there, I thought I’d go check out the Chicago Board of Trade, or CBOT, where agricultural commodities are traded everyday. As a child, I had watched my dad trade these. I didn’t understand what futures were or how they worked, but I understood he was losing money. Childhood memories really stick with you, eh.

I was extremely excited to see the trading floor, and see with my own eyes all the fascinating hand signals (practically a sign language!) that they use to communicate. It’s almost like how you see it on popular culture, for example this year’s comedy “What Happens in Vegas.”

Here’s the embarrassing part. Everybody…

Politics

I should have been studying last night, but I really do love being a part of election hype (and thus, I will be spending more study-time watching the Obama-McCain debate tonight) so I decided to go to the results party of my riding’s (Liberal) Member of Parliament, Maurizio Bevilacqua .
While he did win, Harper gained [...]

Note: This post was written at 7:21pm ET
The wait is over, and election day is here.
I personally support Obama, but in general I love watching political elections and analyses on TV. While some are saying that the race will be called early, I think it’ll go until midnight at least. If it weren’t for a [...]

I am happy.
I am ready for change in America.
And I am hoping that people will stop making unfunny jokes about Obama getting assassinated.
Here’s a funny picture, of people from “Obama, Japan.” Apparently, Obama means “Little Beach” in Japanese. What a coincidence, a Japanese town and the American president-to-be having the same name.
The election hype that [...]