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Potable Water from Air

March 6th, 2013 / 22 Comments »

The social media is all about sharing stories. A lot of times, there’s crap out there, but there are rare gems. There are stories that inspire, and give hope. There are stories that, when told properly, spark a revolution. We choose which stories to share and read. We choose which stories survive.

One story I found on my Facebook timeline today is about this collaboration between a Peru University and an advertising company. They setup a billboard that actually generates potable water out of air. Details are found in this linked article, but I am also embedding a Youtube video of this project below.

Source: techland.time.com via Vera on Pinterest

 

 

We probably thought that water was  an unlimited resource. After all, about 70% of the Earth’s surface is made up of water right?

But not all water is readily usable, much less drinkable. There are areas all over the world where clean, potable water is a life-or-death issue.

The technology they used in this billboard project is something that can be replicated in many parts of the world. Granted, currently the cost of maintaining the setup might be too expensive, but harnessing the power of the sun (solar energy) could make it more affordable, and sustainable.

This is the kind of innovation and innovative-thinking we need to solve the country’s problems.

 

What do you think?

Also I wanted to share this cheap Ibanez Gio 6-string bass guitar find. Maybe someone out there is on the lookout for one. Rock on with a new bass guitar that doesn’t cost too much.

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MARCHing On!

March 5th, 2013 / 23 Comments »

As predicted, Feb was definitely Fab SmileI must admit though that I still wasn’t able to translate it’s fabulousness into blogging. Still need to work on that. Smile

Blessings still keep on coming, so I must remember to be grateful, and to share the love whenever and wherever possible.

Thank You for work that continues to challenge me.

Mostly, I’ve been keeping busy at work. I can’t say that we ended the month with more fabulous scores than January, but we did rally and got to a better standing than where we were at start of month. I can only hope the team Marches on for March.

Thank You for putting sense into my head and getting me on the road to financial maturity and security.

I added to my savings and increased my portfolio in February. Really feel good about that. Signed up for Bo Sanchez’ Truly Rich Club before the month closed. Maybe I’ll get to write a review in a few weeks. For now, I’m still trying to see my way around. The downside is that this month we ate out a lot. We should definitely get back to having lunch at home or at our more affordable eating places, aka Becky’s Place.

Thank You for family time, and short trips. And for opportunities to appreciate the beauty of Your creation.

Five years ago, my parents and I took Esban to Paradizoo. On the same day this year, we went back, but with Amir in tow! It was such a fun, fun day.

We stopped by Rose and Grace Bulalo at Sta. Rosa, Laguna for lunch. Amir didn’t eat much but was happy to try feeding himself. He loved the soup of the bulalo though, he had a lot of it!

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When we (finally) arrived at ParadiZoo, he was raring to go! He walked and ran a lot that afternoon and didn’t seem to get tired. He had all three of us struggling to keep up!

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It took him awhile to warm up on the mini-pony ride, but he definitely loved having to feed the animals. He even walked straight up to a goat, but then backed off when it jumped up to meet his face hehe.

Thank You for good food, with good company.

There was the Pan de Amerikana brunch. A Valentine’s dinner (Eastern Time, because it was actually brunch time of the 15th Manila time) at Banapple. Dinner at the Chocolate Kiss. And a very satisfying lunch at our new favorite, Greeka Kouzina. It was our second time here, and we were not disappointed.

Photo Mar 05, 5 09 57 AM

And the countless fast food drive thru take outs.

Thank You for friendships and the occasions to see them. Oh, and for photobooths too! Smile

February was a month to celebrate many things, friendships included.

Rico and Jallen got married! We finally met Rico’s better half, on their wedding day on 2/23.  It was such a fun reception. Beautiful wedding. While we were all decked out, we went for coffee and movie at Resort’s World after the reception. All but three of us fell asleep while watching Bruce Willis!

ricojallen

The next day, Alfred and I went to my goddaughter Popot’s first birthday. Of course there had to be a picture with all of the original members of the YP-ACSEC core group SmileWe couldn’t fit anymore, not only have we all grown up, but all of them have had kids too. Ako na lang ang wala!

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Alfred and I rarely have photos together. But we love photobooths!

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We even got to connect with Arianne, a good friend from college, after the party. She lives in the area so I asked her out for coffee after the party. We spent a good three hours or so just chit chatting and catching up. Alfred didn’t complain about the time, good boy. Smile

 

Thank You. Thank you, my dear readers for taking the time to visit!

I feel like there is so much more in February, that truly my cup runneth over. There were definitely times when I’d pause and think if this is the life I would have chosen given another chance, but then I realize I am better off than others. That I should be thankful for the life chosen for me. So I MARCH on, I MARCH forward!

What happened to your February?

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What happened to KONY 2012?

March 2nd, 2013 / 12 Comments »

 

kony

Check out their Year in Review.

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Nokia Lumia 920

February 21st, 2013 / 44 Comments »

I love my iOS devices. I suffer from serious Mac-envy. But I am definitely a Windows person. Perhaps I developed a loyalty to the brand due to working for them for over five years, but maybe it’s also because it’s just that easy to use and it’s available. I love Windows 7, and am interested in trying out Windows 8. (Oh, and did I mention that I blog with Windows Live Writer on my PC?)

As for mobile devices, I can no longer imagine a life before Smart phones. Can you? Yet in the early years of the mobile invasion, we were all content with the green screens and brick phones. My first few phones were all Nokias. The sturdiest phone I ever owned was the first one I ever got – the Nokia 3210. I remember dropping that phone on the bleachers outside the UP Gym and the resulting scratch was barely noticeable. My last Nokia was from the 82 series, not sure if it was an 8210 or an 8250. I bought it second hand, and with a camera attachment.

nokia 8210

(image source)

But I’ve since moved on from Nokia. Moved on, and never looked back.

The Lumia line, boasting its PureView camera technology, is something worth checking out.

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A smart phone with a great camera, Windows 8, and full version of Microsoft Office? This really sounds good. Send me a red one will you?

Read up on its features on the Lumia 920 product page. I got the iPhone initially because of it’s camera, and Instagram. Had I learned of PureView before falling into the iOS trap, I really probably would have considered getting a Lumia.

If you like what you’re reading so far, you can also head out to an Abenson store near you, and experience the Nokia Lumia 920 for yourself. I hear the Trinoma branch (so does Shangri-la Plaza and The New Glorietta) let’s you test the phone, so I might swing by one of these days and check it out. Shopping for this and other gadgets at Abenson comes with perks too – the store frequently has promotions that give freebies for your purchase, plus all major credit cards have 0% interest installment deals!

Nokia-Abenson 02

So there you have it. If you’re in the market for a new phone, don’t leave Nokia out of the running. The Lumia 920 might just be the phone for you. Smile

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Mont Albo Massage Hut

February 19th, 2013 / 15 Comments »

Alfred and I are trying to establish Mondates – Dates on a Monday. We’re both off on Sundays and Mondays, and after sleeping through the better part of Sunday, it looks more and more like Monday is when we could actually go out and have our date. Not that we don’t always eat out.

Last weekend, Alfred went on a Boracay trip with his colleagues. They were due back on Monday afternoon so I was assured that I would still have plenty of date time available, hehe. When he came home though, I was still in a sleepy stupor (Monday Snooze Fest). But I still suggested a movie date – Safe Haven is showing and it seemed interesting enough. While getting ready, I realized there may be other things I want to do instead.

So off to dinner we went, with plans to see the last full show of Safe Haven at Robinsons Magnolia. We ate at Chocolate Kiss, Roces Avenue branch because I wanted some pesto pasta (it was the fault of Carlos of Kitchen Boss who prepared yummy pasta on his show). During the course of dinner we decide instead to get a massage.

Mom purchased these coupons for discounted services of Mont Albo Massage Hut, so we decided to swing by the house to pick them up en route to the spa.

Photo Feb 19, 6 00 50 PM

We called the Tomas Morato branch and asked if we could avail of their services right then. It was already 850PM when we called so it was nice that they didn’t refuse considering that terms of the coupons include calling in to make an appointment. Well, we did call in, technically, 10 minutes before we arrived Smile

The place isn’t so big. I didn’t notice how many beds they have but we were led to the last two that were adjacent each other. There was a male therapist for Alfred, and a female one for me. We both got the Hilot – traditional head to foot massage. It lasted an hour (or so) and was very soothing. Because I had a nagging headache, I actually wanted more, but it was enough. As with other massage sessions, I told the therapist not to go too hard on my left back side because of my slip disc. All was good though and I don’t feel any negative effects of the massage.

They also placed heated leaves on our backs at the end of the session. I think those are supposed to suck in the cold from our bodies.

The place smelled nice and clean, and the music was calm and soothing. The curtains were thick enough to give us privacy. I didn’t notice though that they had anything for sale (website says so), not even at the front desk. Maybe I was just too sleepy by the time we left to notice anything else.

At the end of the massage they brought in hot teas and hot towels. Nice touch.

Alfred liked the experience and prefers it to our Nuat Thai massage from several months ago. He wants to go back next week, and with the savings that mom’s coupons gave us, we probably will go back. We used the Buy 1 Massage, Take 1 Massage coupon, and there are four of those left. So for this pampering session, we only had to pay P380 pesos.

Mom got the coupons for around P350 from a sales agent that visited her office. It comes with one free Hilot with Bentosa, 5 buy 1 take 1 massage coupons, 5 buy 1 take 1 body scrub stubs, and a 50% off on any body treatment (1 coupon). A lot of good value – as long as you actually use them.

Where do you get your regular massage?

The Mont Albo branch nearest us is located in:

186b Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City.

(02) 416- 41-54 / 0908 863-0252

They have other branches too and you can check them out at their website: www.montalbomassage.com

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