I have a fickle mind, I really do. I’ve been trying to shop for a new DSLR for the longest time. And everytime I have my eye on something, a better, more expensive model comes out. Last year, I almost bought a Nikon d5000 at Costco. The regular price was then running for around $1200 to $1500 depending on how many lenses you’re going to get. When we were at Costco one weekend, they had a combo box for sale (a body and 2 lenses plus some extras) for $900. I was so tempted but Black Friday was coming up then and I thought I can buy it for a cheaper price. Of course, because no one will take care of Alyssa we did not get a chance to wake up early and fall in line at some store. So I missed whatever good deals they had for Nikon. Then I waited ’til Christmas to get one but ended up spending most of my budget on Christmas gifts.

Now that I am ready to buy, I cannot make up my mind! There’s just a lot of things that I want to get now. I am so in love with the new iPad and been wanting to get one for the past three weehttp://justrosalyn.com/journal/wp-admin/post-new.phpks. My husband tells me to go ahead and treat myself. And when I thought I was ready to purchase, I read about the upcoming HP Slate (that will be available anytime or before the year ends). As I continue to educate myself which one is a better buy before committing, I realized that there is a new category of touchscreens out there that is called UMPC (Ultra Mobile Personal Computing). UMPC is not a sit-on-your-desk computer, nor is it even a sit-on-your-lap computer; rather, it is a hold-in-your-hands computer. It is so small and lightweight that you can hold it in your hands, much like you Read the rest of this entry »

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One of the joys being a landlord is the fact that you own the property. However, there is a lot of work involved dealing with tenants and other property matters. My Mom and Dad are renting three apartments and I know how hard it is to look for the perfect renters. That’s why I think Real Property Management is needed so you don’t have to go through the headache of managing your property. One of the best choice in this field is RPMMidwest. They do tenant placement, background screenings, collections and evictions. Aside from that, they also do regular monthly inspection, maintenance services, accounting and financial reports 24/7. They practically handle everything so property owners need not to worry about anything.

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Well, the holidays are coming up! Thanks Giving is almost here and Christmas too is fast approaching. I seriously should start looking into holiday cards. One that is very elegant and I want is personal because I send cards only to family and close friends. I heard Birchcraft offer high quality cards. They specialize in Wedding Invitations however, they also take pride on their fine Holiday, Announcements and various invitation cards. I also love the fact that you can order promotional products like mugs, cups, pens, and also stamps and forms used in businesses.

Hopefully I can figure out what the style I want before the weekend. I don’t have to wait for two weeks, I want to mail them in now or it will be too late.

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I didn’t know even waste management businesses have their own software too. When I heard of Waste Management Software, I thought it is for something else. I soon realize that it is an intricate program providing latest information relating to the service without the need to hassle the managers with many phone calls wondering when the truck is going to turn up. They even offer GPS Truck Tracking to locate exact locations of the drivers. Amazing how technology has come a long way giving business owners the flexibility not only the services they provide but also to cut on the company cost.

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It is getting really cold here in California and Rolly has to use his thermal pants when he rides the motorcycle heading to OC. Just another day for him at work doing his usual stuff. He did not get enough sleep last night looking at high availability solutions in case daily tape back up fails. I think that’s one of his projects for this month. On Saturday, he might spend the whole day at the office. I will take Alyssa to the bookstore too to do some reading…

I have my usual cold weather allergies. Again. And my face is so dry like crazy. Even expensive and “clinically tested” moisturizer don’t work for my very dry skin. However, just like anything else it will soon pass. And I am used to it. I mean, I grew up in the coldest part of the Philippines which I still consider to be much like San Francisco here in California (terrain wise). So I will manage, I sure can.

Moving on… I would like to share this Rose leaf with droplets of water taken at our backyard. Just to give you an idea of the changing season. Fall is in but we don’t really experience real autumn here. No drama of falling leaves… I sometimes think we skip forward to winter right away. Then again, you don’t see snow unless you go to the mountains too. But seriously, I want to know how it feels to take a walk at the park in the middle of autumn… when the leaves changed their colors and are slowly falling down as the wind blows. Just like in the movies. That would be awesome.

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Ok, I missed yesterday’s Project 360. I am not really good in making promises. However, I will be posting one right now and another this afternoon to make up for it. But before moving on to that, let me tell you about The Proposal. It was out in DVD since the 13th but it was only yesterday that we were able to get a copy of it. I am so in love and just like her other movies The Lakehouse and All About Steve, I am just itching to have my own copy.

Ok, back to the 360 thing. This morning I am sharing you a photo of my Dear Brat taken at the Bally’s in Vegas. She looks really cute and I love the unintentional lighting in the picture.

I will be quiet busy at 1:00 today but will be back this afternoon for another one. ‘Till then!

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I ran into numerous problems with my website lately. Aside from the downtime that happens almost everyday, I am also being charged way too much for bandwidth. I seriously need a new host for my domains that’s why I am currently looking at websites about website hosting to see what providers are the best out there. WebHostingGeeks.com is the best so far as it gives you the rank and the comparisons of each and every host. I actually realize that the one I am using now is only rank 9 with just three and a half stars. InMotion is the best so far… first in rank, with amazing five stars and 98% host rating. Other providers on the top five are: JustHost, WebHostingPad, FatCow and SuperGreen.

WebHostingGeeks blog also offer great journal archives about helpful things you might want to know from SEO tools, basic SQL and other website stuff. It sure is very helpful to me and to other webdesigners or webmasters out there. I seriously advise upcoming website owners to check this site, or even those ones to already have websites because it can save you money upfront. Believe me, you can’t go wrong with it.

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I was on the phone with my Dad and he was telling me about a project he is planning to do and the main material he will be using is called tivar. I am not really sure how these ideas pop on his mind and sometimes I don’t really understand what he is saying. But we are always interested on whatever he does because they always end up to be something great and useful. He is very creative and resourceful. I would like to say I am like him in my own little ways…

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We had so much fun for the past four and a half months with Tatay and Ate Raquel. I just realized how much I am part of the Alcantara’s after we spent endless dinner nights as a family… I am actually sad to see them leave. With Tatay being 82, I still wonder how many more times can he come back in pretty good health… One thing though that I am thankful for is that Rolly’s relationship with Tatay has gone better than the last time.

Rolly is the youngest in the family and felt really abandoned growing up after Nanay and Tatay migrated here back in the late 60′s. When they petitioned Rolly, he was already a teen. And at this age, we all know a lot of filial relationships tend to diminish in time. It didn’t help that Nanay died years after and Tatay got married (with Raquel) the second time. I can feel Rolly’s pain seeing Tatay treat the younger siblings differently. He thinks that his Dad was never really that good with all of them… and at one point was in denial that these kids are even his Dad’s. And I for one find it really absurd that he thinks that way.

But Tatay and Raquel’s vacation changed everything about the way Rolly feels. I now honestly can sense peace in his heart whenever he talks about his Dad. And tonight, I felt his sincere sadness seeing him leave again…

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Today was a good Sunday, I thought. A trip to San Juan Capistrano for the early Latin Mass, my first one and a breakfast at IHop afterwards. But of course, if the day was just that simple, I wouldn’t be blogging right? So something must have happen that landed me here on my laptop typing while Alyssa is sleeping…

Going back to the church as it was the highlight of the day. It was one beautiful old church, and they still do Latin Mass, which I honestly DON’T understand at all! I spend my time browsing thorugh the misalette in hopes of at least catching one single phrase so I can go with the flow of the mass, but of course that didn’t happen. And where’s Alyssa? Rolly had to take her out because she started mumbling and making baby noises that echoes around. So I sat there with Ate Myla. Ate Lynne, TJ, Tatay and Racquel on the other hand were two rows in front of us…

So after sitting there just wondering and looking around since I don’t have any idea at all what the Priest was sermoning about, finally came the offering and I didn’t have a single bill with me. I left Alyssa’s bag and my purse in the car. And of course (again) Rolly missed it too… so that made me feel bad. Then came the Communion so I called Rolly and Alyssa outside to join us. We all all stood and lined up… Rolly and Alyssa, then me and Ate Myla. As we approached the front where the priest was standing, one of the older men that assist parishioners came to me and said to cover up, signaling my blouse and my skirt. I was so embarassed and I just smiled, I actually wanted to frown. Ate Myla looked at me, I know she wanted to laugh. They still gave me the “bread” of course, but I was just smiling. I didn’t think what I was wearing was too revealing… I know this morning when I woke up that I am going to church so there is no mistake that I picked my outfit for the day.

So when the mass was finally over they made fun around what happened, of course to my expense. But I will still go back to the Mission pretty soon. It is a really nice, quiet church… but since it is almost winter time so when the next time I will be there, I will be bundled up for sure.

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