Owner: Life, Travel, Passion and more... URL:http://dorischua.blogspot.com Join Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2007 01:07:30 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: A weblog on parenting,travel,life, health,online shopping,internet marketing,blogging,business,lifestyle,web,technology,fitness,product reviews,make money Site statistics:Click here
would you buy furniture online? 2007-07-25 11:31:00 Since I'm on the subject of office furniture, here is an online
store for those who are keen in getting some new bookcases, new desks, computer tables or chairs for your office. Though I don't know if I like to buy furniture online, some may have no problems with that. Personally, I prefer to see the 'real' thing, feel it, touch it, test it before making a purchase. But then, if you can get a better price online, it may be a good decision to shop that way.What about you? Would you buy furniture online?
have you done your part? 2007-07-25 10:49:00 Let's take a few moments to talk about charity. I believe most of us play our part in donating to some good cause every now and then when the need arises. Some charities are closer to our hearts than others, it all depends on our belief system and personal encounters. Like for me, anything to do with children means something to me. Whenever I read about sad stories or saw some devastating photos of suffering children, I will get emotional and feel for these kids.I know about a philanthropist and business owner by the name of Navtej Kohli who started a foundation after witnessing the poverty and unfortunate situations of disabled children and their families in a province in Costa Rica. His personal experience led him to seek help and begin his mission in reaching out to those in urgent need for hope and liberation.For me, I tend to pay special attention to charities geared towards children such as Child Abuse Prevention Center. Personally, it makes me feel sick whenever I read of how c
time to get organized 2007-07-25 08:15:00 It feels like a big stone has been lifted off my shoulders. After 9 months of planning and anticipation, our event has finally ended. It's time to reorganize the home office, clear up some paper clutter and get ready for the next event in October. Though it's not a big one, I am all excited to market a new topic on Image Management.I'm dying to change some home office furniture and been thinking of some of these modern and stylish executive desks for myself. It feels good to have a nice working area since I am spending more time in the home office than anywhere else. This St Paul desk is tempting but I need to convince DH for a splurge like this - $2,340, even at sale price - whoa!
Top 10 Urban Adventures 2007-07-25 08:01:00 Thinking of a holiday in the next few months, here are some ideas of the Top 10: urban adventures for those who fancy the city life and modernity. Slinky nightclubs, historical wonders, cultural oases, dining decadence - the lure of the big city is that you can have it all.See what makes these U.S. cities legendary:1. New York City 2. Las Vegas3. Orlando 4. San Francisco 5. Chicago6. Myrtle Beach 7. San Diego Read more:Urban
, Adventures
coupons, coupons, coupons 2007-07-24 01:13:00 I can't stress enough the fun of using coupons when I do online shopping. The fun comes from savings of course and savings mean the ability to purchase more :) Sometimes, shopping with a specific coupon with a merchant may mean 10% or 15% discount and others may offer free shipping. For instance, Fashion Bug Coupons can save you $10 off any $50 purchase and $15 off any $75 purchase. Fashion Bug is a fun and fashionable store that specializes in apparel and apparel for girls, misses, moms-to-be for all occasions. At keepcash.com you can always find more related merchants for your shopping needs. In other words, you can compare coupon codes and find out who is offering better discounts in their stores. If you haven't shop with coupon codes, try it some time... but let me warn you first - you may get addicted :)
updates on our event 2007-07-23 23:57:00 The day started out early and it felt great to expect another big event
. This year, we are expecting about 260 pax and I can't wait to hear what our speaker, Jay Levinson has to impart to our participants.As usual, the ballroom was freezing cold and at 9am, the room was 85% filled with another 15% streaming in at 'rubber time'. I was enjoying Jay's teaching and wouldn't want to step out of the room. It was insightful. Jay was a great teacher with lots of stories and illustrations to share.With all events, we would be making sure that all participants are happy and comfortable in the learning environment. I am writing this while the seminar is still going on. Very soon, we will be having our afternoon break and then, the seminar will come to an end.It's another spectacular event of the year - and we are so grateful. Read more:updates
enjoying good times with friends 2007-07-28 18:07:00 What does a non-drinker like to do when hanging out with some good friends in a cosy bar or lounge? For me, it's a fun thing watching how those skillful and witty bar tenders experiment with their mixed drinks and attract bar goers with their mixing techniques and styles.I do enjoy savouring those exotic and unique ones every now and then, it is a nice drink to have when the company is enjoyable. I always wonder how do these creative bar tenders design their mixed drink recipes, they are like cocktail chefs to me, tossing, shaking and concocting those colourful mixtures. I mean, there are so many various types of cocktails and you don't have to be an alcohol drinker to enjoy one. Many of these cocktails use fruit juices as bases which can be refreshing and enjoyable. Sometimes, another fun thing to do is to watch groups having fun with drinking games while the music plays. After all, it's the company that makes all the difference when it comes with enjoying good times with friends.
thoughts on blog advertising 2007-07-28 12:14:00 A few of my internet marketing friends have been asking to interview me on the topic of blog advertising but I have turned them down. The reason why I refuse is because I don't even know how long this trend will last so not sure if it's even good to promote heavily about it. Perhaps the recent slowdown at PPP has also affected my decision. This month, I didn't even reached my desired target and for whatever reasons, a lot of the opps last week have been targeting US bloggers. Why is that so, I wonder? Have this advertiser who is releasing these opps think that only US bloggers can write quality content?Tell me about it. Read more:thoughts
a fruitful day with Jill Lowe 2007-07-28 11:31:00 I had the privilege to sit in a close door workshop on Color and Style, conducted by Jill Lowe, a well-known image consultant cum coach today. The workshop was attended by a group of 18 top management corporate men and the session was simply amazing.Though I have been a designer for years, I never know that all of us have a color season linked to us. In other words, the workshop taught that each of us could be a spring, summer, autumn or winter person and once we know that, there is a set of colours that either 'make' or 'break' our first impression and image significantly. This colour matching system is an eye opener for me as I have never thought that our business style and lifestyle patterns can be influence by the colour of our attire.Jill has taught people from all walks of life from high flyers to front liners, from the simple real estate broker to the CEO of a MNC. It is also nice getting to know Jill since I'll be organizing a workshop for her in October. This has been a f
all about hockey 2007-07-28 11:05:00 One of my design research mentors in an active hockey
player and even at the age of mid 50s, he was playing the game twice a week so you could imagine how fit he was. Somehow, hockey is not the favourite sports game among ladies but somehow, I do enjoy ice hockey.But if you are a hockey fan, you can now read your 2007 nhl draft on this niche hockey site plus lots of related information including NHL rankings, hockey news and the top NHL prospects. The forum is also a fun place to exchange information with hockey fans and players where you can discuss other topics of similar interests. So here you go, another niche site for hockey players and individuals!
moving guide 2007-07-27 11:55:00 Making a decision to move out of your parents' house can be a big decision for some. Why? Moving out to live a life of your own means doing your own laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, tidying, cleaning, washing and many DIY experiences. I move into an apartment many years ago with a class mate during my design college years. As much as it was fun to be independent, I was getting bored with too much housework after a few months. And the truth was I had no experience with moving to an apartment and spent alot of time finding the right place, getting organized and doing things right.If you are planning on moving to an apartment, take heart! Here is a site that provides all the resources, tips and pointers on everything that involves moving into a new place. Whether it's hunting for an apartment, finding the right roommates or getting in the right mover, you can read about how all these things are done while planning for your move. At least, you will be more well prepared and even end u
business or hobby? 2007-07-27 10:34:00 There seems to be an increase of opps at PayPerPost this week but I guess the timing is just not right for me as this week is also the busiest and most crucial for our seminar business. Well, now that I have some time in my hands, I am working on my travel blog (to be revealed soon :)) and getting back to my blogging business... notice I use the word 'business'. I have been advised many times by DH to treat paid blogging as a business. Honestly, I haven't given it much thoughts until recently. I guess it's because I still have a business to run so I have never thought of treating blog advertising as a business. But it's about time I should.There are some plans in the pipeline as I consult and speak to some internet marketing friends. Seriously, I don't even know how long this whole paid blogging thing is going to last but while it's still hot, I gotta get a serious.What about you? Do you treat this as a 'business' or just a 'hobby'?
interracial dating 2007-07-26 21:13:00 My hubby and myself are surrounded by many close friends who ended up in interracial marriages. Elynn and Xen are now living in Australia who started their interracial dating years ago in the gym. Je and Richard were both interracial singles who met in a CD store and since, courtship began and they are now together for more than 5 years. I just came across a dating site designed specially for interracial men and women who like to expand their circle of friends. This is probably a place to meet individuals who share the common interests of knowing someone of another race. Members can upload their photos and profiles while getting to know others whom they are attracted to. Perhaps the forum may be a good place to get started while finding friends who share common interests or hobbies.
short trip to Singapore 2007-07-26 19:34:00 I'll be making another short trip to Singapore
again, this time, alone with Clayton. I know he's all excited to see grandma, take coach, gai gai and have fun. For me, it's a full day workshop with Jill Lowe tomorrow and a little shopping here and there. The nice thing is I'm still wired up in Singapore, unlike the previous trips where I had to run to the library for an internet connection. It is great to have my MacBook traveling with me, though my luggage will be heavier than usual. Til then, more updates on the way this weekend.
jay and jeannie 2007-07-26 19:20:00 Our event with Father of Guerrilla Marketing had finally happened on 24 July. Jay and Jeannie flew to Manila for another event after ours. It was a good event and like I said earlier in my previous post, we are thankful to make a profit when we almost thought we were only breaking even. Jay and Jeannie had a great time and we were happy to know them. Here are some smiley moments...
golf and my DH 2007-07-31 12:49:00 Sometimes, I am actually quite amazed at my husband's interests in the topic of golfing. Though he had stopped golfing for years, he still watch PGA tour programs and read about golf news updates. He can discuss golf related topics with his male friends, even to the point of suggesting where to buy golf cart parts to some of his golfing friends. He told me that he used to not only play golf but eat and sleep with golf previously. Interestingly, his love for golf took a change when he was playing under the scorching sun one day and since, he gave up golfing... that was it. Funny right?
let's get detailed with curtain poles 2007-07-31 12:15:00 When it comes to home decoration details, DH thinks I'm fussy. It's hard not to pay attention to details because I'm a designer :) Take for instance, I wanted to choose the curtain poles for the bedroom and he thought it was a waste of time. He told me no one would bother looking at those poles!The thing is curtain poles can make a difference too. It can complement the curtains and bedroom or downplay your splendid curtain designs. So you really need to take time to shop for the right ones. Do you know there are several kinds of curtain poles? There are metal ones, wooden ones, bay window ones, extendable poles and net rails... like to know the difference among these? Check out the description at terrysfabrics.co.uk
a fruitful trip in Singapore - business & leisure 2007-07-31 11:45:00 It's the last day of the month and I just returned from Singapore
. This had been one of the most fruitful trips for me - business and leisure. Business: I attended a fabulous workshop with top image consultant, Jill Lowe; met with my internet marketing buddy, Stuart and my lovely friend, Jacklyn. For leisure: I had a splurge at Tiffany and Marc by Marc Jacobs, and a local designer shop, Womb. (Don't tell me hubby - lol)It was nice catching up with my old friends, yarris and mike too, who babysitted Clayton, along with their wonderful daughters. I only wish I can catch up with few others.
ePerks.com is launched! 2007-07-30 11:41:00 It is here! Announcing the launch of ePerks.com, an online service marketplace that connects homeowners and consumers to real estate agents, home contractors, suppliers and anyone offering professional home services. Those of us who have gone through the experience of finding and building our home know the importance of reliable contacts, useful resources and tips in making our home building or remodelling a smooth one.The first thing that impresses me about ePerks.com is the use of fun and graphic illustrations with lively colours that set it apart from other real estate related resource sites. It presents a friendly and modern look with cute avatars of realtors, contractors, members, agents and dealers. Interesting. You can find the realtors, dealers or contractors in your local area by simply entering your zip code. The forum allows you to ask questions pertaining to home buying, real estate or other home services and from these network channels, you can ask for quotes or conduct yo
on marketing campaigns 2007-07-29 11:41:00 Most of us are well aware that in any marketing and promotion campaign, it is important to target the right audience. To do that, proper research has to be conducted to understand what the product or service is suited for.Nowadays, direct marketing is a popular activity where large mailing lists are bought and used to by companies to promote its products. Research has also proven that effective Mailing Lists will deliver optimum results with proper demographic and geographic segmentation.Martin WorldWide has won a reputation of being the largest and most successful mailing list providers to many small businesses and Fortune 1000 companies. Specializing in customized lists, telemarketing lists or fax lists, the database is well researched and categorized to deliver the best results for its clients. An effective mailing list will mean better conversion rates, more active responders and better profitability for any business.
should I include Kailua Kona? 2007-08-03 01:52:00 I am just thinking if Kailua should be include
d in our itinerary for our Hawaii vacations and if I don't, will we miss something wonderful? If I decide to do too much, we won't be able to take time to explore and discover places. So, I do need to be selective and obey the law of sacrifice. Less is 'More' at times, if you know what I mean.But should I include Kailua Kona into the itinerary, there is no shortage of affordable Kailua ocean front rental available. You can get a nice one bedroom ocean view condo below $300 and if there are 4 persons travelling, the cost per person can even be more reasonable. The good thing with condos is that you get the home away from home feel and it is less congested, more spacious and somehow, less restrictive.Well, after looking at the vacation rentals, I may just changed my mind and include Kailua into my travel list.
my thoughts on PayPerPost recent updates 2007-08-03 01:15:00 For the last few months, there have been new changes and updates
to PayPerPost
paid blogging platform. Some changes are good, others are not. But whether it is good or bad, we don't call the shots, do we? It's like working for an employer, the boss decides what he wants done. If you don't like the idea, just quit or else, just go with the flow.The latest updates may not be good for the Asian and non-US residents as PayPerPost implements a feature that allows advertisers to choose their bloggers based on geographical location. The upside is you are less frustrated since you won't see those fine print in opps that say "for US bloggers only". The negative side means less opps for non-US bloggers.Sometimes, I wonder what's with human beings. Lately, there has been the spark of jealous posties cramping down top earning ones. Some try to act as judges in their own right and take things far. Others just kept whining just because they won't earning so well. I shook my head at the doings Read more:thoughts
a need to recharge and unwind 2007-08-02 11:57:00 They told me that if I visit Kauai, I must visit the Hanalei beach which is known for its white sand and tall waterfalls that flows from the high mountains. It is situated at the northern part of Kauai and Hanalei Bay is known for it’s surfing, walking, swimming, sailing, boating, fishing and a variety of other fun activities. From the Hawaii travel information, the featured accommodaton is the Hanalei bay resort which overlooks beautiful Hanalei Bay on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. This 22 acre tropical paradise features tropical gardens and flowers, waterfalls, cascading pools, and access to one of Hawaii's most beautiful secluded white sand beaches. With a studio room that starts from $175 per night, it looks like this is a good place to relax and unwind. The room has a balcony that overlooks the ocean which makes it a perfect spot to read a book while putting the daily stresses behind you. I think this is the way to recharge and rejuvenate in a vacation.Sometimes, I can be so c
I never heard of Kihei 2007-08-02 11:37:00 Ok dokes.. so I never heard of Kihei but after all my research, I found out that this is a nice town located on the western edge of Maui in Hawaii. In the 60's, Kihei is far from today where you find plenty of accommodations and activities. Development has grown exponentially over the years and the city is buzzing with life today. Apart from the wide selection of Kihei homes, nice hotels and restaurants, Kihei also boasts a number of excellent beaches, ocean swimming, scuba diving and other water activities. Kihei is a 5 to 10 minutes drive from Wailea and a 20 to 30 minutes drive from Lahaina. For those who love marine life, the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is a great place to visit, offering education and information about the humpback and other aquatic wildlife.According to the Hawaii vacation information, the best way to see most of Kihei is to either rent a car, or if you prefer, at least rent a bicycle or Moped. Otherwise, you miss so much. I heard
do you like gold? 2007-08-02 10:15:00 The Mauboussin shop opened up in KLCC last year and being a Melium group member, I receive regular periodicals from the fashion chain. So whenever there is a postcard from Mauboussin announcing the latest collection, I will be tempted to pop by the shop for a look-see. For more than a year, I didn't have the chance til last week, when we had our event in Mandarin Oriental Hotel, next to KLCC.Usually, I'm not a fan of yellow gold but I must say that the ones at Mauboussin are uniquely different.What I really like is the pink gold collection though they look awful on my tanned skin. Whether it's white, yellow or pink gold, the value of this precious metal continues to appreciate over the years. They are symbols of wealth, good fortune and luxury. While today's modern women prefer investing in gold jewelry, the mature folks choose to invest on gold bars or gold coins. With the advent of internet technology, buying gold can be done online at the convenience of your home now. Companies
mauboussin 'moi aimer toi' 2007-08-02 09:37:00 Last week, I sneaked out of Mandarin Oriental hotel to buy a gift for my speaker and his wife. As usual, I would do a quick window browse as I walked towards the gift shop. For a long time, I have wanted to step inside the Mauboussin store in KLCC but just never had the chance but that day, I didn't know what happened but I stopped at the window display and was invited to step in.Well, I told the sales assistant that I only had 5 minutes to browse so she showed me this cute ring with an artistic floral flair. I put it on and honestly, I was tempted to pull out my credit card. But I was also 'sober' enough to give it back to her cos the ring was almost RM8K!! For a white gold ring with a 0.15 carat diamond in the middle, that was luxury shopping! I knew I would be paying for the trusted brand and quality of Mauboussin but still, I couldn't bring myself to make that purchase.I walked out of the shop politely and was so glad I exercised some self control :) Look at the ring - nice or
what kind of holiday do you prefer? 2007-08-02 09:20:00 I know my DH will frown at my proposal of picking a Hawaii beach front property as our base. He always have this impression that beachfront means expensive and extravagant but this is not always true. If you take your time to find and compare, you are likely to end up with a good enough beach front accommodation that fits your budget. Also, you need to find a comprehensive online travel site that provides you with wide range of options. First and foremost, determine your budget per night and from there, you can list down your options and compare the features of the hotel or condo. Be prepared to pay a little more for new properties and luxurious furnishings. For some, location is key and they prefer to be near amenities, dining and shopping. Others may like a little privacy and be tucked away from the crowd and noise.Call me a shopping freak or city girl but I prefer to spend some nights near amenities and a few away from commercialism. At least I get to experience both styles when I H
heavenly sea 2007-08-02 05:36:00 In the Hawaiian language, Lanikai means "royal sea" or "heavenly sea." It can't be wrong when the locals have voted Lanikai for being the best swimming beach. When I read that Lanikai beach is blessed with beautiful sunshine, surrounded by lush tropical plants and turquoise waters, I can imagine how scenic this place can be to sit back and unwind.Understanding from the Hawaiian travel information, Lanikai is situated at the windwide side of Oahu and it is almost a must to kayak to the nearby twin islands to experience the gorgeous seascape and natural bird sanctuaries. Both islands are popular among boaters, surfers, paddlers and kayakers with many coming to the smaller beach for picnics or a nice swim on the weekends. Choose from mountain views, garden views or ocean views, the apartments found in Lanikai are reasonable and affordable with a studio apartment starting from $135 per night. The Banyan Hideaway looks like a charming vacation home that can accommodate up to 5 persons with
planning for our hawaii vacations 2007-08-02 05:24:00 Since the last couple of months, I have been building my travel blog very slowly. I wish I can do more but time is just so scarce these days. With 5 blogs to manage, an upcoming image asset management workshop and a public seminar in Singapore end October, I have so much on my plate. What I really want is to sit down and start planning
for our Hawaii vacations, compare accommodations, decide which are the better properties that wouldn't kill our pockets and read more Hawaiian tourist info on the web.I'm glad to find a blog that focuses on Hawaii where I can read more about the various islands including Maui, the Big Islands, Oahu, Kihei and more. The blog also contains recommendations of things to do for tourists, families or honeymooners. With so many properties found on the travel website, it is easy to find an activity that suits the family including cultural shows, island hopping, helicopter rides, kayaking, surfing....etc.It looks like I have to squeeze time for my planning whe
children loves water play 2007-08-02 02:20:00 Which little kid doesn't enjoy splashes of water
in the pool? For whatever reason, children enjoys water play and water parks, swimming floats and suits. Two weeks ago, we took Clayton to the pool at Mandarin Oriental after our event and he had such a great time. I was sitting by the edge of the pool watching my little boy and couldn't helped but smiled at his innocence. He stood at the water feature, splashing water for half hour.. nothing else. It was that easy to make him happy and contented. He looked so cute in his swimming suit... I knew I had to spend a few more moments adoring him before he took off in the pool in a few years' time!
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