I got this article/slideshow from www.nydailynews.com.  So to summarize, it just says that one, I don't have to upgrade my MS Office to 2010 edition; two, it's better to buy a netbook or a desktop instead of a laptop... and three, hubby hasn't bought a Playboy magazine since decades ago, so that's ok....   but four, it's difficult for me to avoid pork...

Click here to view the slideshow.  <What not to buy in 2010>

I am fortunate enough to have two housekeepers, both are stay-in and do all-around household chores.  Manang A, who has been with us for more than a year now, has proven herself to be quite capable with her duties.  Then just a few weeks ago, we hired Manang B for the reason that Manang A would have a companion and would not get lonely when she's left in the house.  My specific instruction to both of them:  help one another in whatever they're doing.  Plain and simple.  I suppose they already know what to do since they're both experienced housekeepers and are well over their 40s.

But then I found out that they're not getting along well.  I realized that getting two experienced housekeepers working together are not ideal.  They both have their own way of doing things and in this case, I found out that Manang A, who's a bit older than Manang B tends to be bossy around Manang B.  No, it hasn't reached a point where they were already violent.  It's just they were always crying when I discuss this problem with them.  Menopausal women, I just remembered.

So last night I sat both of them down and did some scolding -  "try to treat each other nicely... learn to adjust with each other.. yada-yada".  I then assigned them their own chores, no more helping one another if they are still quarreling.   I hope this settles the issue.  Let me see in a week if this is going to work.  Gaaad, it's like having 2 more children to tend to.

Another thing that made me happy today -- I was able to embed an online radio playing Love Songs (for the drama queen that I am).

I am posting it here, but the radio is also available at the side bar to your right.  Indeed, happy-happy! Joy-joy!
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I am so happy this morning because I was able to add a music playlist here in my blog.  Yeah, that's how shallow I am, and I'm even writing about it as my entry.  And while I was searching over the net for a cute smiley picture to attach to this post, (the result is what you see on the left), I came across this article.  I thought hmm.. might as well add this to my entry for today.

How to make your husband smile, from ehow.com:

Instructions

1. Step 1 Show enthusiasm in the presence of your husband. Even if you have only a few moments on a busy day to be with him, make sure he knows you cherish those few moments.
   
   
2. Step 2 Don't criticize or nag. Focus on your husband's good qualities. He's not perfect, but neither are you. Look at him with your heart and compliment his good qualities. Remember how you felt when you first fell in love.
   
   
3. Step 3 Listen attentively, even when he talks about things you don't understand or tells jokes that aren't all that funny. If you don't understand what he's talking about such as car parts or the latest football game, ask a few questions. You'll be showing genuine interest and may learn something in the process.
   
   
4. Step 4 Give your husband space. Everyone needs their own personal space at times. This isn't a personal attack toward you. He'll appreciate your patience and understanding.
   
   
5. Step 5 Cook your husband's favorite meal. As they say, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach". This often holds true and seeing you took the time to cook his favorite meal will certainly make him smile.
   
   
6. Step 6 Be loyal and honest. Never give your husband reason to doubt you or your loyalty. Knowing you are his best friend who he can turn to and are always honest, is one of the best gifts you can give him.
   

My take on this?  I think husbands are such spoiled brats, hahaha.  But yeah, I will give some of these steps a try, hubby is so easy to please, anyway.

I love travelling, although I can just afford to travel when I'm assigned on a business trip.  I wish my office has a branch in Paris, one of my dream destinations.  Well we have one in Haarlem, so that's close enough.  Now how to make my boss assign me there, that's my next mission.
Speaking of travel destinations, here's one which I wouldn't dream about.
**

Finally I got to watch Avatar in 3D.  It wasn't really the first time I've seen a video in 3D, first time was way way back in grade school (or was it high school?) when 3D glasses then were actually made up of cut-out cardboard paper with red and blue cellophanes as the 'glasses'.  I forgot what movie was this, perhaps because the 3D effects then were not that impressive.  But now in Avatar, boy oh boy.  Ok, first, the glasses.  They're now hard plastic... very much like the shades we use, so I wasn't that distracted and uncomfortoble while watching the movie.  Then the effects -  I was really awed!  Really awed that in the first minutes of the movie, I could not focus on the story itself as I was internalizing and getting myself really impressed by the true to life images I see on the movie.  Now for the story -  Avatar is more like the Pocahontas / Dances with Wolves story and where the viewers will appreciate the environment better.  But beyond the story, the effects is what really made this a fascinating movie to watch. 

Now I will have to reserve a DVD copy from Sadikh.
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Perhaps one of the most talked about and oldest topics I frequently read in the internet.  Nevertheless, I am still posting this just to check if the video will work.  (Yeah, excuses, excuses!)
**

So I have downloaded a demo version of this software which can recover files from my Sony memory stick.  The downside of the demo version is that I can only recover 1 file per day.  Argh. 

Which means I have to edit this post everyday until the photos are complete.  Again.. argh!
**

Ok, let me listen first to some music while *patiently* waiting for my photos to upload.  <tapping fingers now...>
**

[Verse 1]
Trying to decide Trying to decide
If I really wanna go out tonight
I never used to go out without ya
Not sure I remember how ta

Gonna be late Gonna be late
But, all my girls don't have to wait 'cause
I dont know if I like my outfit
I tried everything in my closet

[Chorus]
Nothin feels right when I'm not with you
Sick of this dress and these Jimmy Choos
Takin them off 'cause I feel a fool
Trying to dress up when I'm missin you

Imma step out of this lingerie
Curl up in a ball with something Hanes
In bed I lay

With nothing but your T-shirt on
With nothing but your T-shirt on

Hey

[Verse 2]
Gotta be strong gotta be strong but I'm
Really hurtin' now that you're gone
I thought maybe I'd do some shopping
But I couldn't get past the door and

Now I don't know, now I don't know If I'm
Ever really gonna let you go
And I couldn't even leave my apartment
I'm stripped down, torn up about it

[Chorus]
Nothin' feels right when I'm not with you
Sick of this dress and these Jimmy Choos
Takin' them off 'cause I feel a fool
Trying to dress up when I'm missin' you

Im'a step out of this lingerie
Curl up in a ball with something Hanes
In bed I lay

With nothing but your T-shirt on
With nothing but your T-shirt on
With nothing but your T-shirt on
('cause I missed you, 'cause I missed you)
With nothing but your T-shirt on
(said I missed you ... baby)

[Repeated On Verse 2]
Now I don't know, now I don't know If I'm
Ever really gonna let you go
And I couldn't even leave my apartment I'm stripped down, torn up about it

[Half Chorus]
Nothing feels right when I'm not with you
Sick of this dress and these Jimmy Choos
Taking them off 'cause I feel a fool
Trying to dress up when I'm missin you

Imma step out of this lingerie
Curl up in a ball with something Hanes
In bed I lay

[Chorus]
Nothing feels right when I'm not with you
Sick of this dress and these Jimmy Choos
Taking them off 'cause I feel a fool
Trying to dress up when I'm missin you

Imma step out of this lingerie
Curl up in a ball with something Hanes
In bed I lay

With nothing but your T-shirt on
With nothing but your T-shirt on
With nothing but your T-shirt on
With nothing but your T-shirt on

[Song Ending]
nothing but your T-shirt on
ooh let me tell you no
nothing but your T-shirt on
ooh let me tell you no
nothing but your T-shirt on

I was supposed to post an entry about hubby's birthday dinner last night at Conti's in Nuvali.  Of course it would not be complete without any pictures so I immediately downloaded our photos from my camera.  When all of a sudden, lo and behold - the pictures miraculously got lost.  Not deleted, because I couldn't find the files in my recycle bin!  I frantically searched the hard drives but they were nowhere to be found.  It's my fault really, because I was again multi-tasking, downloading files and at the same time deleting and organizing Pauline's numerous (I really mean numerous!) pictures scattered all over my hard disks (She's into photography and is crazy over Photoshop these days).  Anyway, I just downloaded a trial recovery program, i'll see if I could recover the files from my camera's memory stick. 

Marion left this afternoon for Davao after a 3 day stay.  Thanks sis for lending a shoulder to cry on.  It's like a huge load was taken off my chest.  I think we're kinda bff now. haha.

Oh!  I almost forgot that the topic should be about the birthday dinner.  Well, food was great.  The air outside Conti's in Nuvali was crisp and cold.  Hmm, will post photos soon.