Although I’ve been to Hong Kong several times, I can’t help but be excited about visiting each time. We’re planning on spending the new year there and I can’t wait! I can’t wait to shop, that is What’s on my shopping list?  Well, no bags for one (as I have just purchased one very recently!   I really need to ban myself for the rest of the year).  I really would like to buy a fierce pair of designer shoes, and buy gold designer jewelry.  That’s it!  That doesn’t look like a shopping list, yes, but the amount of $$ involved is already enough to break the bank

That Super Mario costume that my little boy wore to his school’s Halloween celebration last year was too cute for words.  It’s so cute that I am now finding it difficult to top.  Actually, I don’t think I can top it.  Nothing on the online stores has caught my eye yet and I’m afraid I have to settle with something average.  The little boy has chosen a few pieces though — all dinosaur-related

Constructing outdoor fireplaces in the Philippines would be crazy considering our tropical weather, but I  think it would be cool to have one  – only for aesthetic purposes though   If I had a backyard, I would probably consider installing a barbecue/fireplace unit so I could get more use out of it.  I could make it the centerpiece of my own backyard living space and use it as a barbecue grill at the same time.

I should have surrendered my insurance (endowment) policy with Insular Life when my payment period ended a couple of years back.  The amount of coverage was reduced, dividends were not given, and the riders were removed.  Now I am left with a crappy life insurance plan.  I am seriously thinking of giving it up despite the losses that I will incur.  The proceeds, I am thinking of investing in high interest bearing time deposits, gold coins, mutual funds, or another life insurance  product (from another company, of course!).  I really just want out from that no good product.   I deserve a lot more.

> 40% off at kennethcole.com ~ coupon code: R2132 ~ 8/12 to 8/15

> 20% off all denim at piperlime.com ~ coupon code: LOVEJEANS ~ 8/12 only

> extra 30% off on sale items at neimanmarcus.com ~ until 8/12 only

> $100 Tory Burch resin reva flats at toryburch.com

> almost 50% off on Kids’ Superga’s at gilt.com

A few days ago, I was stopped by an MMDA traffic enforcer because he wanted to verify my vehicle registration.  Unfortunately, my LTO registration had already expired and registration was still on process.  I was on the erring side so all I really could do was accept the ticket and pay the fines.

I was glad, at the same time surprised ,  that the MMDA guy didn’t attempt to ask for a bribe or confiscate my driver’s license.   If he did, I would have pulled out this email (that I printed and placed in my glove for reference), and would’ve given him a lecture!

TOOLS AGAINST ABUSIVE MMDA OFFICERS

I just reached my limit last weekend, and decided to take action against the abusive MMDA enforcers. I basically called up the MMDA head office and inquired from the Personnel Officer, Antonio Pagulayan, to clarify their policies. Here is what I got:

If any of these abuses seem familiar to you, Mr. Pagulayan has asked that you call either the MMDA hotline (136) or call the METRO BASE at 09209389861 or 09209389875 and ask for an Inspectorate. They will send inspectors to the place where these MMDA officers are extorting, even while you are arguing out of your apprehension.

1. MMDA officers are not allowed to group together in order to apprehend. They are not even allowed to stand together in groups of 2 or more. The only time they are allowed to work together is for special operations (probably when they apprehend groups of buses for smoke belching)

2. Swerving IS NOT a traffic violation. Moving one lane to the left or right is not swerving, no matter where on the road you do it. And it is even less of a violation when you do it with a signal. Swerving is defined as shifting 2 or more lanes very quickly. So you can argue your way out of this, and call the Metro Base for help.

3. Sadly, using the yellow lane is a traffic violation and will get you a ticket. However, buses are really not allowed to go out of the yellow lane, so if you see selective apprehension of private cars only, you may complain.

4. MMDA has confirmed that your license MAY NOT BE CONFISCATED at a traffic apprehension. The only time they can do so is if you are part of an accident, or it is your third violation and you have not settled your fines yet. They are only allowed to give you a ticket, which you can contest. He recommends actually receiving the ticket in some instances, so that you can report the officer who did it.

5. Also, you are free to ask any of these officers for their “mission order”, which is written by their supervisor. If they apprehend you for a violation that is not in their mission order for the day, you can report them and they will receive disciplinary action.

So go out and fight for your rights if and when the occasion arises!

TIP:  Print and keep a copy of this email in your car for future reference

You know a cartoon is “old” when a gold bar represents wealth.  I remember waking up to some Mickey Mouse cartoons – my son turns on the TV quite early even during weekends- and see that the 50’s to 70’s cartoons were very much different to that of their current counterparts.  These days, wealth is shown through nice cars, bigger houses or cold hard cash.  Makes you wonder how this will effect a viewing toddler in the long-run.  I kind of enjoyed how the old cartoons didn’t make you think too hard: it’s just Mickey versus Pete (for the love of Minnie) or just Donald versus Chip and Dale for a pine tree.  Simple but still worth a lot of laughs.

I don’t even have a F/W 2010 bag yet, and this comes out?!:

Balenciaga S/S 2011 Color Chart
(photo via Tpf)

So what do I think?

• Nuage looks like a very pretty periwinkle shade.  I prefer it in an rh city or rh day.
• Ardoise seems like an interesting shade of gray.  I am curious how it would like with RGGH
• Militaire would look fabulous with RGGH, no doubt
• Not interested with the rest — as of yet

The little boy still has a few brand new and unused shoes in the cabinet, and I know that I should not buy any more, but these shoes are  so hard to resist!

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Rock Rebellion Print

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Dr. Seuss

Puma Light Flight Jr.

Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81

I am so tempted to buy, especially the Onitsukas as my son doesn’t have any of this brand yet.  Oh, and must I mention that Piperlime who sells the above merchandise is offering a 20% discount upon checkout?  Eeeep!

I haven’t heard the word bullion in more than 5 years! I might be in the wrong circle of friends but is this still a word used in common conversation?!?  I know that it’s always mentioned in conjunction with precious metals, but in my honest opinion even precious metals have not been regular topics for discussions – except in the context of competition (gold vs silver vs bronze medals).  Other than the latest world cup gold medal craze, only the internet has been abuzz with gold, silver, etc. searches.  Time to put word back in the map (or the world wide web) – I’m gonna start the trending.