Our cable service got cut off last week due to unsettled bills. It was embarrassing because the only reason why it hasn’t been paid is because everyone is too busy to do it. However, it was also a good thing since my husband has been planning to switch to Cablelink for the longest time. Now that Sky Cable cut us off, there’s no other reason why we shouldn’t go for Cablelink.
Now some might think we made a downgrade. Considering the look of their websites and the rates, it’s understandable if people will think that way. After all, the Sky Cable website have so many useful info like channel lineups, promos, payment options, animated graphics, etc. whereas Cablelink has nothing but a simple bordering on unprofessional page containing application, areas covered, short faqs.
But those were just aesthetics. It’s the quality of programming we’re really after. I haven’t really checked all the channels but I know that Cablelink doesn’t have Velvet and Nickelodeon. However, it has documentary channels that are not included in Sky Cable like Biography, History, Travel and Living and more. These channels, including sports programs are one of the reasons why my husband wanted to switch. My mother in law however, didn’t notice anything different as she watched this show on body detox liver cleanse last night. Even the new channel lineup didn’t bother her because she usually just scans all channels until she finds a show that she likes.
The best part is that we now have Disney Playhouse! You have to be a premium member in Sky Cable to have this channel but in Cablelink, it’s free. Disney Playhouse have helped me so much before when our little one needs to be distracted or throwing tantrums. Just a quick peek on Jojo the Clown, Noddy, Barney or Pocoyo and she’d be all smiles again.
So yes, the cable cut off is indeed, a good thing.
My mom’s birthday is coming soon so I’m looking for the perfect gift. She said she wanted an iPod, of all things, but what I really want to give her is this handcrafted jewelry by Wendy Culpepper.
From the website:
This long sterling necklace features the beautifully crafted “jane nugget” amid teardrop beads in Smokey Quartz making it both elegant and trendy. The small accent beads in garnet hang above the teardrop beads adding a splash of color, and because the necklace hits your neckline just so, it is perfect for layering.
So nice huh? And it’s only $160. My mom loves to accessorize so when I saw this, I just knew she’d love it. Besides, I can always ask my brother to be the one to give her an iPod instead. Or I can throw in some refurbished iPod shuffle (only $35, I just checked) and I’ll tell her it’s from her granddaughter.
My husband has conspired with my daughter in convincing me to buy them a Nintendo Wii. I’ve already established before that I’m not crazy about video games and my husband knows this. Hence, the need to use my daughter. He also sent me the URL for Shopwiki.com so I can learn more about this game console. I admit I’m just giving them a hard time but the truth is, I’m really planning to buy one this Christmas. They can get really charming and cooperative with household chores when they need to buy something.
I checked Shopwiki anyway just to see what kind of Wii games would they recommend. There are lots of arcade games that I’m sure my husband will love but what I’m really looking for are Wii Board games. There’s monopoly, newlywed’s (to check how compatible you are with your spouse), High Society, Lost (yes, the TV show), Harry Potter and lots more. Call me what you want but I actually got excited when I saw the 12 in 1 Board Game (chess, checkers, Othello, snakes and ladders, etc). And above all else, I’d really love to try out the Tennis games using a tennis racquet remote. I saw some blog posts about people who have one and can’t help but notice how fun it looks.
So, does it show how excited I am to get one? Just don’t tell me husband or else he’d stop kissing my A_ _. 
Want I want to do and have before I reach 35
Bungee Jump
Sky dive
Learn French and play the violin
Visit Spain, Japan or Korea
Get on one of those Alaska or Caribbean cruises
Have millions of cash in our bank account
A thriving business. Not a dot.com but more of a restaurant or dress shop
String of properties - our own dream house, a vacation home, beach property, a condo unit for lease
Work on my art
Most of my closest friends are asking me the same question for the past three days. Why did I cut my hair? They admit that it looks good but they knew my fear of short hairs. I’ve used my long black hair to my advantage for so long that they were so shocked to see me sporting a short bob so similar to Katie Holmes’ hair. I always answer that I’m tired of my long hair but the truth is I want to feel chic and new so bad. Ever since I started working from home, I’ve forgotten my daily beauty regimen because no one will see me other than my daughter. My skin have gone bad, (well not so bad that I’d need acne treatments) but the pores are just huge, with fine lines surrounding the eye area. Like it’s not bad enough not to have anyone to talk to during work hours. I don’t have the excuse to dress up in fab clothes since I don’t leave the house so I started feeling depressed and downright ugly. With the new haircut however, I just feel so young, fresh and definitely IN. When I wake up everyday, I can’t help but smile and see the new me. 
So my advice whenever you’re feeling old, get a makeover!
Who doesn’t want branded fashion for less, raise your hands or should I say click your mouse? No takers? Of course! Who wouldn’t want to pay less for branded items? Women are just born with passion for sales and good finds so I’m sure you’d love what I’m about to tell you.
Check it out - Brandlet.com. It’s an online fashion retailer that offers top brand names at can you believe this, 90% off retail prices. I know a lot of warehouses selling branded clothes at outlet prices but you have to travel two to three hours to get to them. When you reach the place, you need to comb through mountains of unfolded clothes and almost all the time, play tug of war with other women. This makes Brandlet.com the perfect place for budget conscious women who are on the look out for high quality apparels. You can buy branded clothes from the comforts of your own home at a very low price.
Some of the brand names that the site offers are BCBG, Dolce & Gabanna, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Liz Claiborne and many more. Amazing steals are within reach in a matter of few clicks. You can search items by brand, by size, by price of by color. I always shop by price, filtering items under $25 or $50 so I won’t go over budget. For under $20, I found some Liz Claiborne skinny jeans, a cute black Charmeuse blouse by Style and Co. and a shell sequin halter top from Lotta Stensson which also comes in blue.
The Clearance sale section is famous for $10 tops so if you want to stock on sweaters, turtlenecks and cardigans, that’s a great place to start.
I remember promising my unborn daughter that we’ll visit Disneyland if she will just come out that week. She decided to come out that exact night so I guess I owe her. It has been almost three years now and we’re still not close to seeing any Disney characters soon. I’ve been reading mixed reviews on Hongkong Disney so I want to wait another year when my little girl is easier to manage. By that time, I’m sure she’ll appreciate the attractions and rides much better. By the way, I saw this image from this Orlando vacations site and just had to ask. Is the kid on the far right girl or what? Looks like an entry for Photoshop Disasters to me.
The battery of my Compaq Presario V3000 stopped charging since March this year. I should’ve had it replaced as soon as possible but being a procrastinator that I am; I kept on re-scheduling every week. I think if I don’t have the option to use power, I’d probably be running to the service center as if my ass was on fire.
So after almost three months, I’ve now decided to call the International service center and talked to a certain agent named Raj. He asked a lot of info like serial, product number, etc to check if my laptop is still under warranty. After checking the data, I found out that my warranty expired last April 14, 2008. Nice. But I wasn’t concerned. I figured I can just buy a new battery. I mean, how expensive could it get, right? Since I don’t have my battery with me, the agent gave me a few numbers that I can call so I can order a new laptop battery from them. Before I called the numbers, they were all toll free, I decided to research for a local HP service center. I saw one post ranting about how the HP service center sucks. The poster had the same problem as mine, a dead battery with lapsed warranty. I was shocked when I found out that the HP guys quoted $212 for a battery replacement. Holy cow! And I could’ve gotten one for free if only I reported it earlier. Crap.
I absolutely don’t want to spend $200++ on a laptop battery. Someone better stop me before I kill myself.
I feel great today. Why? I just finished three design templates under two hours. This is a rare occurrence lately as I struggle each day to come up with new designs. My husband asked me last week if I feel like I’m getting tired of my job and I automatically said yes. For the past couple of months, I’ve done nothing but design websites. I was so swamped that I can’t even update my own portfolio site. Plus the clients that I’ve been dealing with somehow fall on the clients from hell category. It’s hard and the work that I fell in love with became just another dead end job.
Thankfully, a week of no design tasks pulled me out of my rut. I just needed a break. Now my creative juices are flowing nonstop that I accepted another two sideline projects. My long time client has also proposed if I want to be a part of his new company. He has been checking out the Nevada LLC Corporation because even though he’s based in Detroit, he plans on putting up a small business in Nevada. He asked if I’m willing to design one hundred websites for him as he begins the first phase of his business planning. I said I’ll have to think about it. My creative juices might be filled at the brim right now, but 100 websites will be the quickest way for it to run dry.
I received another call from my friend today and asked if I’ve already decided to pursue overseas work. I haven’t really thought about it even with so many options to choose from. The company where I telecommute just recently opened up a physical office in Chicago, and asked me if I see myself moving there in a year or so. I honestly don’t know. Aside from the fact that I can’t leave my daughter just yet, I’m still happy where I am that I don’t see any reason why I should move. But we’ll see what happens next year.
Just in case I accept the offer and find that I didn’t like it, there are tons of Chicago Web Site Design companies that I could check out. That’s the good thing in finding a job these days. You can spread your resumes all over the web in just a matter of few clicks. In fact, I’ve been receiving lots of design requests from potential clients who “found me” online. I’m starting to think that I can afford to go solo with all the side design projects landing on my lap. I’m just hesitant because nothing beats having a steady job and paycheck even if you don’t have a lot of projects.
If you need sideline projects, do check out: sitepoint.com,getafreelancer.com, guru.com, and the one that started it all, e-lance.com. I honestly believe you’d never run out of job online if you just know where to look.
