Marrakesh Palace

A few minutes walk from Dupont Circle's metro station, you'll step into a very interesting dining experience...

 Marrakesh Palace doesn't look much outside, but don't be deceived.

As a start, you'll get a huge serving of olives and bread.

 You'll marvel at the cushioned seats, lamps, torches and the intricate designs on the wall.

A fountain center piece.

The restaurant's set up and design creates a feeling that you're not in DC anymore.

If you'd like to look at the food photos, please click here.

Homework Help

Brought  to you by your friends at http://www.tutorvista.com/homeowork-help.

With the school year beginning this week, I'm sure a lot of parents and students are overwhelmed with school preparations, schedule management, and keeping students to do their best in school. For some students, school homework or school work in general is a challenge, and some students just need that extra push to get them through tough subjects like Factoring polynomials or Calculus problems. What if I say that online tutoring is now available for K-12 and even college students? I think this is a breakthrough and a wonderful learning tool for students. Students no longer have to worry about physically attending after-class tutoring and worry less about getting bad grades; instead, students can now concentrate on learning and studying online in the comforts of their own home.

TutorVista.com is offering $99.99 a month online tutoring for all subjects, and what's great about this is that students can use their service 24X7. I think this is unbelievable. Also, students can avail to professional tutors 24 hours online. I think students no longer need to stress where to seek Math homework help and free Math help because Tutorvista.com is just a cick away. Online tutoring just made it possible that learning is fun again.

Catching Summer

Brought to you by your friends at http://www.grandeshores.com.

August is nearly over and summer 2010 is nearing its end. So if you still haven't taken a vacation or a holiday, don't forget that Myrtle Beach vacation deals are still hot at http://www.grandeshores.com. You don't need to go far to enjoy sand and beach, great golf location, or immerse in peaceful relaxation because the beauty of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina awaits.

What I really like about Grande Shores Ocean Resort is that apart from their reasonably priced Myrtle Beach hotel rooms, they also offer affordable and spacious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom condominiums, , which perfectly fits family vacations or for those people, like me, who value much their  privacy even during a vacation. Grande Shores makes it possible to enjoy a beach vacation while still having the comforts of home like accommodations and personal privacy.

Another feature I like about Grande Shores is the location. To me, location matters a lot. It is so close to shops, parks, and other attractions. So if you're looking for a relaxing place to spend the last days of summer, Grande Shores Ocean Resort is just waiting for you.

My Ensaimada

Good morning, Thursday :).

This ensaimada has brought me smile and contentment today. I have been craving for this pastry for so long. While dining at the Filipino restaurant last night, I saw a bunch of them at the counter and immediately bought one (How I wish I bought two.). I thought I could bring it to work for breakfast.

For the life of me, I spent the whole night tossing and turning thinking about the pastry. I wanted to devour it right there and then, but since I've already decided to have it for breakfast, I had to be patient.

Anyway, the ensaimada is gone to the last cheese, butter and sugar. I'm wondering when will I have one again.

WISN

Guest post of the week by Val Flores

I love watching WISN news every morning when I'm getting ready for the day. They start at the absolute perfect time of 5am. This is precisely when I'm waking up so I don't have to miss a thing. Living alone makes it difficult to crawl out of bed in the morning because no one is there to keep me awake as I almost sleep through my morning routine. The news anchors on WISN have the perfect southing and complimenting voices to keep me awake but not annoy me. Every morning right after I switch off the alarm I turn on the television. The remote is located right next to my alarm clock just for that reason. Using the satellite tv channel log I got on www.TVByDirect.com I flip to the right station and get my morning news. By the time I get to work I know exactly what had gone on the previous day all around the world and have many conversation starters. I feel well educated knowing about political events and new medical breakthroughs. I also get my fill of the latest gossip. One thing I don't care much about is the sports section but at least the guys at work approve of me because I can usually remember the score if they happened to miss the game.

Tysons Corner Center

While waiting for our dinner reservation at The Palm, we explored the known upscale, largest shopping mall in the state and in the Baltimore-Washington area. The whole set up of the mall is impressive. Unfortunately, most stores there sell stuff I can't afford, so we just stuck to window shopping and taking photos.

 Plenty of space.

 Not crowded for a Sunday afternoon.

 Behind the potted plant is Juicy Couture.

 One of the art/sculpture displays made of Murano glass from Italy.

 Obviously a lot of thinking and design was put into this place.

 The Maserati on display and check out that island of "living room with piano" set up. This is one reason I love this mall because there's plenty of places to seat and relax.

 I love the potted plants on this section.

Happy Wednesday to all!

15 Items or Less

This guest post from Alice Wall

I am a list person and I always keep a running list of items I need at the grocery store. I don't go on a specific day each week but I usually go when there are ten items on my grocery list. I'm not a huge fan of waiting in lines so I like to go to the express lane for fifteen or less items. The reason I wait until there are ten items on the list instead of fifteen is because when I set the limit at ten I still have plenty of wiggle room for impulsive purchases or things that may have slipped my mind. Each week like clockwork I will go through seven frozen pizzas, a case of Coke Zero , and a bottle of coffee creamer. Occasionally I will need some potato chips or ice cream for a snack but I'm hardly at home long enough o need anything besides a frozen pizza and a can of soda. I'm no health nut as I'm sure it is obvious but I know what I like and I am in relatively good shape regardless. I keep the list on a magnetic notepad on the front of the fridge and I keep a pen handy on top to write things down. Every day I count the list and decide if it is time to set the alarm system and head down to the store.

Address Plaques

Brought to you by your friends at www.justaddressplaques.com.

Do you own a home and in need of a nice, quality address plaque? Maybe these stylish whitehall address plaques from justaddressplaques.com would work for you. Simple or stylish address plaques and numbers are a necessity for one's home because it makes your house easier to find for mail and gathering purposes, and it also adds a personality and homey touch to your own home.

Justaddressplaques.com is a great place to shop for residential address plagues, commercial address plaques, address numbers, address posts, specialty plaques or mailboxes. I think that this place has all types and styles of address plaques available in the market. You can also shop by brand and feel free to browse through the site's bestsellers section just to get an idea what's in-demand these days. The site is very well organized and easy to navigate. Also, each product comes with a photo and a full product description, so you really know what you're investing your money into.

Chocolate Love

There are days I just indulge with chocolate.

And with every bite I take, life's troubles seem so faraway.

(Kayni)

 I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process....

It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?

 I never met a chocolate I didn't like.

 (Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) in Star Trek: The Next Generation)

 There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles.

 All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!

(Lucy Van Pelt in Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz)

It's Raining Shoes

Brought to you by your friends at www.infinityshoes.com.

Is it possible to have too many shoes? I think a real shoe fashionista would say no, and although her closet is already brimming with shoes, she'd still find a perfect place for a pair of old gringo ellie. I'm not saying I'm a real shoe fashionista, but I do have a good eye for shoes. Right now, I am so ogling the black miz mooz penny from infinityshoes.com. I think this mid-calf boot is perfect for any fall outfit.

If you're looking for that perfect pair of shoes or hunting for that absolute pair of boots to complete that outfit you've been wanting to wear, I think you'll love what you see at infinityshoes.com. This site offers a wide variety of quality, signature, fashionable women's and men's boots and shoes. Whether you're looking for birkenstock, blundstone, blowfish, or sebago shoes, this site offers so many quality brands. Also, the site is easy to navigate as you can shop by brand, size, color, price, category or heel height. Of course, what I love about shopping at infinityshoes.com is that each product comes with a photo and an in-depth product description.

What are you waiting for? Go check out this site's new arrivals, what's hot and clearance sections. Who knows? You might find your perfect feet companion today.

Le Chat Noir

Dining at Le Chat Noir involved tastey snails, flavor explosion from the Bouillabaisse, and melt in your mouth Creme Brulee and much, much more.

To read more, click here.

Online Tutor

Brought to you by your friends at http://www.tutornext.com.

School season is here, and with brand new bags, notebooks and school supplies, students again face the challenges of schoolwork. Not all of us are gifted with a good brain, some of us need that little push in order to grasp a few topics and equations just like Math, Chemistry or Algebra 1 and 2.  I think this is why Tutornext.com created online tutoring. This site provides high-quality one-on-one tutoring for students from K-12 to college students.

What I really like about this site is that, a student doesn't need to physically attend after class tutoring anymore. I love the idea of tutoring online right in the comfort of my own home. With the help of an online tutor, you no longer second guess yourself if your Geometry, Statistics or Math answers are correct, all you need to do is seek the help of tutornext.com and in just a click, you can connect to a tutor anytime of the day. Having access to an online tutor really takes the stress from schoolwork, so that a student can concentrate more on learning not worrying about homework or assignments. Happy learning!

Friday's Breakfast Duo

I'm still trying to recover from last night's dinner at Le Chat Noir (review coming soon), so for today's breakfast, I opted for a cup of cafe roast and Caribou Coffee's handcrafted oatmeal, "maple brown sugar crunch." This oatmeal is my favorite. I think that since we're doing restaurant week three nights in a row, a light breakfast and lunch would suffice.

How about you? What's your favorite breakfast?

I'm looking forward to tonight's dinner at Marrakesh Palace Pasha Lounge, and I'm glad it's Friday.

Spice Racks

Brought to you by your friends at www.spiceracksource.com.

Who doesn't use spices in their cooking? In my kitchen, I make sure my favorite spices are well stocked. But sometimes, you'll easily lose track where your spices are if you don't have a spice rack - that special place where all spices are organized and stored. Unfortunately, I still don't have a spice rack, and I plan to have a wall spice rack when money and time will allow. I still think my kitchen need a total renovation, but that's for another post.

Anyway, if you're also looking for kitchen spice racks like me, you might want to check out spiceracksource.com. It's a convenient online store where you'll find a variety of quality spice racks and spice rack accessories. The site is well organized and easy to navigate. Here you can find countertop spice racks, wall mount spice racks, in drawer spice racks, all spice racks, salt and pepper shakers, and spice rack accessories. And if you'd like a better idea what people are buying these days, do check out their bestseller and testimonial sections. To make your shopping easier, each product comes with a photo and in-depth description.

Food And Finding Calm

It's DC Restaurant Week and I am looking forward to trying three restaurants this week. PW and I will be dining at:

• Le Chat Noir (French)
• Marrakesh Palace Pasha Lounge (Morrocan)
• The Palm (American Steakhouse)

I will try to post my reviews at my food blog, Edible Hunts, and this is if I won't devour the food before I even get a chance to take some photos.

**********

My family problems, I think, are starting to take care of themselves. Thank you to those who left encouraging messages; I really appreciate all your thoughtful and caring messages.

I am beginning to find peace and calm within - again.

Got Tiles?

Brought to you by your friends at http://glasstilestore.com.

Yesterday, as I was scrubbing the tiles and bathtub in my hallway bathroom, it hit me that I need to replace the bathroom tiles soon. It seems that the grout is starting to peel off, and also the bathroom itself is quite old. I'm thinking that the Loft Super White Frosted 4" x 12" Glass Tiles I saw at glasstilestore.com would look great in my bathroom. This site has a wide variety of tiles available whether you're shopping for your home, kitchen or bathroom.

The website is very organized, and I found it easy to find what I want. You can shop by project, color or collection. What I really like about this site is that each product comes with a photo and an in-depth product description thus making shopping a breeze. So whether you're looking for Subway tiles, Metal tiles, Tiling supplies, Grout or samples, you'll find this website a very convenient place to shop for your tile needs.

Bathroom Tiles are a great way to update your bathroom and make it look brand new again, and if your a newbie like me about home improvement, don't forget to check out this site's Learning Center and Project Gallery, where you'll learn about tile terminology, installation, choosing the right tile for your home, or just get inspiration for home projects. We all know, a house is a never-ending project.

Velletri Wine Festival

More photos found from my photo disc.

My classmates and I decided to attend a wine festival in a town called Velletri (Lazio). From Roma Termini, it was a 45-minute train to Velletri. From noisy Rome, we were whisked to a quiet, mountainous town.

Wine and grapes

The town has an old, quiet and friendly feeling

The town center of Velletri

Decorations everywhere

This fountain is at the center of the town

You pay 1 Euro for an all-day event of tasting wine and eating all sorts of pastries and chocolates.

We spent most of the day wine testing and eating, so when it was time to go home, we were so buzzed that we missed our train; we then decided to take the bus instead. We trudged to the town's bus station, bought our tickets and boarded one of the parked buses. I dozed off after finding an empty seat. The bus was passing through mountains and villages when I woke up. I looked out the window and nothin looked familiar at all.  While one of my classmates started conversing with the bus driver, she just started laughing because we were heading further away from Rome. Unfortunately, we also boarded the wrong bus. All I could do was laugh in my seat while my classmates and I asked the bus driver to drop us at the next stop where we can catch a bus headed to Rome.

After sleepily waiting for an hour (seated on the side of the road), we finally boarded the right bus. At that time, all I wanted to do was sleep, and snooze I did all the way back to Rome.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The Author of this post is Velma Baird

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is my all time favorite Nascar driver. I love to kick back with my friends, turn on the direct tv channel packages, and watch him race. Earnhardt drives number 88 for Hendrick motor sports. He was the 1998 and 1999 Busch series champion. Earnhardt also won the 2004 Daytona 500. I love to watch him race. He started racing at 17 years old in Concord, North Carolina. He began driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 1996. Then he began driving full time for the company in 1998. His father founded the company and knew he had the skills to become one of the best. In 2000 he won the rookie of the year award. His father died in an awful crash in 2001. Earnhardt Jr. continued the season and ended up with nine top five finishes, and ten top ten finishes. He also won a $1 million bonus that year. I love him because he has been through a lot in his life, and no matter what put all of his heart and soul into his racing. He is one of the very best Nascar drivers of all time.

Postcards From Brugge

Funny but I am writing this post from memory and aided with some online research. 2004 seems so long ago, and as I peruse the photos on my photo disc, I remember the experience but not the locations. My time in Belgium was short, but I managed to explore the city of Brussels and also visit Brugge.

As my roommate spent her time at the museums (she was an art history major), I had all the time to explore the city of Brussels and managed to join a tour to Brugge, which is the capital and largest city of West Flanders (Flemish Region). Brugge, also spelled as Bruges, is pronounced as Bruh Ha. Brugge is beautiful and it left me wanting to go back and visit again if given the chance. This city is also known as the "Chocolate City" as there are several chocolate makers in the area and a chocolate museum to boast called "Choco-Story." Unfortunately, I did not take any photos, but I remember buying a few boxes to take home.

Top, L-R: Entering Brugge, Town Hall

Bottom, L-R: Cruising through the canals, The Burg (the town square)

 The Burg

One of the best ways to experience Brugge is by cruising its canals. This photo was taken around November 2004, and the colors of fall really added to the town's beauty. The historic city of Brugge was added to the Unesco's World Heritage List, and as perfectly captured by this description from UNESCO.org:

Brugge is an outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, which has maintained its historic fabric as this has evolved over the centuries, and where original Gothic constructions form part of the town's identity. As one of the commercial and cultural capitals of Europe, Brugge developed cultural links to different parts of the world. It is closely associated with the school of Flemish Primitive painting.

My Baby G Shock

On my 22nd birthday, my dad gave me a pink Baby G Shock. I think my dad finally got tired of me raving about how I love the design and I just thought they're the cutest watch ever.  I love how the watch fit comfortably on my wrist and I adore the pink (I absolutely love pink!) plastic resin case and how the strap really helps in protecting my watch from getting bumps or scratches. I'm now 32 years old, and I still have my Baby G Shock. I wear it from time-to-time, and I still think it's one of the cutest watch ever. I'm still amazed that my Baby G Shock is still alive and ticking but most of all, whenever I look at it, I always remember my dad.

I think watches make great gifts especially if they're quality watches from bluedial.com.  This site offers a great variety of watch brands. So whether you're wishing for the stylish bulova watch or the perfection of a jacques lemans watch, this site has got your covered. The site is well organized and very easy to navigate. Shopping is as easy as clicking the brand or category of the watch you're looking for. As a customer who loves shopping online, I appreciate that each watch comes with a detailed photo accompanied with an in-depth description; this really makes online shopping easier. What are you waiting for? Let's go watch shopping.

Only The Finest For Your Home

I was just changing my bed sheets last night, and it dawned on me how old they are. The sheets I have are still from my college days. I know it's time to get some new replacements since some of them are showing wear and tear. For my next purchase though, I insist on buying only quality bedding. Similar to the luxury bedding, bath accessories and window treatment products that can be found at DonnaKaranHome.com. I couldn't help being impressed with the Donna Karan Home bedding collection. I am so loving the DKNY Soho Garden Bedding Collection. The design is absolutely my taste, and I can imagine just resting on those soft, fluffy bed and pillow sheets.

This website is very organized, and you can't help falling-in-love with their products. Shopping is easy as you can shop by brand or by category such as beddings, bath accessories, window treatments, home accessories, sale, and more. And if you are looking for great home designing ideas, do check out the website's "get inspire" section where you'll learn about color coordination, how to make your home coincide with the season and more. I absolutely love reading this section and hopefully I can apply it to my house.

So for all your home needs or if you're looking to transform your bathroom, bedroom or even your whole house into a luxurious and stylish domain, then head on to Donna Karan Home where - "customer satisfaction is key."

Postcards From Brussels

A couple of nights ago, I was organizing my home office and found an old photo disc in one of the boxes. Glad to say that I found a disc full of travel memories.

Album: Brussels, Belgium (2004)

Photos of buildings taken at The Grand-Place or Grote Mrkt (Dutch)

Left to Right: Rin Tin Tin drawings on the wall, some church building from one of my walks, and another building at the Grote Mrkt

I love the architecture of Brussels.

I had no intention to visit Brussels at that time (I was a poor student.), but my roommate in Rome insisted that I accompany her to Brussels and that she's paying for the trip. Well, who would refuse a free trip? I found out at a later time that my roommate was scared to travel on her own and that she's got some issues about flying. Anyway, the trip was worth it and that I really enjoyed walking around Brussels. It's a small, clean city, and most of all, I really enjoyed eating Belgian waffles and chocolates.

Home Improvement

Guest written by our friend Sergio Chaney

Home Improvement is a great show to watch by yourself or with your family. I always watch it on my satellite television that I got after asking my self how much does cable tv cost per month. Tim is the dad that has his own home improvement show named Tool Time. He has a wife named Jill and three young boys at home. Al is Tim's assistant on the show. The show is really funny. When Tim is working they are trying to show people how to fix cars and houses. Tim always messes that up. He likes to add more man power to every tool or appliance that he gets his hands on. Which usually does not work and something gets destroyed. The staff up at the hospital knows him very well because he is always there with some type of injury. In one episode, Jill lets Tim drive her car to work and the happen to be putting up some steel I beams. Tim ends up pushing the wrong button and dropping the beam right on top of her car. He puts it in the shop and tries to hide it from her. She ends up going to the shop before it is finished and seeing the car crushed. Cast includes Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson, and Richard Karn. This show is hilarious, Tim is always tearing something up or hurting himself in each episode. You will be laughing!

Birth Home

Last night, I received a heartbreaking call from my "birth home" which catapulted me into panic, distress, and depression. I felt my world shattered - again. As far as I remember, my family is always dealing with one crisis from another, so whenever I hear the word "birth home" I am beginning to associate this word to crisis, dilemma and other words that also pertain to suffocation and drowning. (I think anyone who has dealt with familial greed and envy knows how it feels. I associate it to drowning because I have a cousin who, was so envious I could swim/float, tried to drown me.)

In this entry, I would like to make it clear that the place I am referring to is Kalinga, Philippines - my birthplace.  So if you'd ask me how I identify my tribal identity. I am Kalinga by birth and Igorot by blood.

I will always acknowledge the Philippines as my "birth home" and Hawaii "my home." I was 17 when I left the Philippines and much of my life now is here. Being of Filipino descent and of American citizenship has its ups and downs. I am sometimes labeled as too American by my Filipino family and too Filipino by my American family. I sometimes feel caught in-between.

These are photos I took the last time I visited "birth home."

This is Kayni's Tree. My grandpa planted this tree and it was toppled down by a typhoon. It amazes me that it's still alive and thriving to this day.  No matter how many people try to topple me down, I am still here - alive and thriving.

When you sit or lie down on Kayni's Tree, this is the view.

Green gold and sometimes worth dying or killing for.

The house I grew up is surrounded by rice fields.

Rice fields guarded by a lonely scarecrow. Sometimes, "birth home" brings back a lot of lonely memories.

BUT no matter how "birth home" left a bitter distaste in my mouth, it's still worth fighting for.

Multiple Sclerosis Info

Brought to you by your friends at http://allaboutms.com.

Today, I would like to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis. As I have always advocated, knowledge is power. So if you or someone you know is dealing with Multiple Sclerosis, please inform them about allaboutms.com. This site can help widen one's understanding about this disease. It's an informative site catered to helping people understand the issues revolving around Multiple Sclerosis. You can find information such as Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms, Diet & Exercise, Parenting Issues, Living With Multiple Sclerosis and more.

This site is well organized and information is easy to find. I think that this site covers very important topics that one needs in dealing and managing this disease. I like this site's "Latest Articles" section because it keeps readers in-the-know and updated about the latest research or articles regarding Multiple Sclerosis. You can also find helpful information on Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms & Diet Guide and Exercise Guide to help you and your love ones better manage this disease.

And if you're looking for organizations and other websites for support, do check out this site's "Resources" section where you will be directed to organizations and websites that specifically deals with Multiple Sclerosis. Don't let Multiple Sclerosis rule your life. Let's do our own research and use our knowledge to fight and live well.

Lazy Kayni

Summer Of Vegetables

I can't remember if this is the third or fourth harvest. My backyard tomatoes are so generous, and I'm hoping that I'll keep harvesting until the end of summer. Most of these tomatoes were given away to neighbors and coworkers, and I am happy I could share them.

 In the truest sense of sharing, I gave a bag of tomatoes to my neighbor, and she in turn gave me a couple of potatoes, zuchinis, and onions. Apparently, my neighbor's family has a big vegetable farm in the area.

It's a summer of vegetables.

Acne Help

Brought to you by your friends at https://www.acnecomplex.com/.

With summer's heat and humidity still upon us, are you experiencing a surge of acne attacks? Acne started appearing on my face at the age of 30, and I have observed that it gets worse during the summer months. If you are suffering from acne like me, then maybe Murad's Acne Complex might work for you. You can read all about how to take care of your skin and be rid of acne on this website. I find this website very informative and it's also very organized. The website is easy to navigate and you can find out more about the "3 Simple Steps" to clear skin, learn the "Real Stories" of people who got their acne problems under control through Murad, read about the "Murad Difference" and if convinced, you can also join and enjoy the benefits of the "Healthy Skin Club."

How about anti-aging products? Do check out Murad's Resurgence. Anyone who's going through hormonal aging can benefit from this comprehensive skin regimen. Head on to www.resurgence.com to learn about hormonal aging and how Murad's Resurgence can help. Do not forget to check-out the informational video on the website.  Once you've checked out this site's products and decided that any of their products will work for you, take advantage of the site's Murad Coupon Codes. What can I say, shopping is always fun with coupon codes.

Pho For A Rainy Day

Tái, Nạm, Gầu, Gân, Sách
With medium rare steak, flank, fatty flank, tendon and tripe

What can I say, DC Metro is proving to be a transportation of mediocrity these days. It's appalling that they have the audacity to raise fares yet their service is seriously deteriorating. It makes me wonder what I am paying for and where is my money going. Yesterday was another Metro day marred with crowded trains, non-working escalators, stop and go traffic, and train delays. I can't hold back my huge disappointment any longer. DC Metro sucks!

After my long ordeal with the Metro, I reached my last station at 7 PM. It also started pouring again, and I was too tired, too frustrated, and too hungry to drive home and still cook dinner. I decided to check out Pho & Grill (Gaithersburg) instead; I pass it on my drive to 270.  Besides, I really needed a place to just relax and let go of my negative emotions before I go home. I've passed through the place several times but never got the chance to try their food.  I know that the nearby Rockville area boasts of really delicious tasting Pho, so I came in with expectation that Pho & Grill could rival the Pho restaurants in Rockville, I wasn't disappointed.

 Gỏi Cuốn

Summer Rolls

The restaurant is very clean - almost gleaming. It has a very relaxing atmosphere. After placing my order, I chose a table near the entrance where I could watch the rain through the glass walls. My order arrived in a few minutes and the manager even served my food. Noticing that I was taking my time eating and watching the rain, the manager even asked me if I wanted my peanut sauce warmed up for my summer rolls. The summer rolls were delicious and the sauce sweet and not too peanuty.

On a rainy and frustrating day, life feels good again; my smile revived by the wonderful customer service, a warm bowl of delicious Pho, and a nice view of the pouring rain. I'm so glad it's Friday; I won't ride the Metro for at least two days.

Caribou Inspires

DC Metro was delayed again yesterday (this happens twice (or more) a week and this is in addition to the broken escalators and elevators - very disappointing transportation system!), so instead of fighting my way through a packed crowd, I decided to have a cup of coffee at Caribou Coffee and wait it out.

I've always liked Caribou Coffee especially that they have nicer, friendlier staff (Metro Center location) and really delicious dark chocolate drinks. I also love their breakfast selections and that I am a fan of their maple brown sugar crunch oatmeal. Anyway, while drinking my cup of iced mocha and scribbling my Metro frustrations on my journal, I noticed that there were quotes/messages on the napkins and my drinking cup. On a bad day like this, these inspirational quotes were just what I needed. Caribou did a great job on this. I spent my time at the cafe reading and writing them down on my journal.

Today, I'd like to share them with you. The ones in blue are my favorite quotes. Read through them and tell me your fave quote or quotes.

Stay awake for -

Maxing out your passport

ghost stories around the campfire

Adopting a four-legged friend

Playing an instrument
Break dancing

Luscious, oh-so-delicious chocolate

• don't wait for new year's to make a resolution
• spin the globe then pack your bags
• have a favorite charity
• sing out loud!
• be the first to apologize
• pour yourself a cup full of karma
• dance in the rain
• learn to say thank you in ten languages
• step 1: rake leaves; step 2: jump
• only look back if it makes you smile
• be the ruler of your own life
• indulge in chocolate therapy
• you'll only be your current age
• savor every sip
• dare to adventure
• be the first to enter and the last to leave the dance floor
• lighten up
• marshmallows have no nutritional value and that's ok
• life is too short, stay awake for it

Mailboxes

Brought to you by your friends at http://www.mailboxandbeyond.com/.

It's that time of year to get busy with some home repairs, perk up that summer garden and even update your mailboxes. If your project involves the latter, drop by mailboxandbeyond.com to shop for quality address plaques or residential mailboxes. I am loving their custom painted mailboxes and I would love to have mine in pink with sunflowers as accent. I think that would bring a smile to my face every time I pick up my mail or even just look at it.

The website is very well organized and you can shop by categories. Whether you're shopping for either Home and Garden Decor, Door Bells, Painted Mailboxes, or Sundials, this website has got you covered. What I really like about this website is that each product comes with a photo and an in-depth product description; this really makes online shopping a breeze. So maybe it's time to

Summer Fun

Brought to you by your friends at http://avistaresort.com.

Hurry, experience the beauty and tranquility of the beach before the summer ends. You can make your plans and reservations at http://avistaresort.com. Whether you're looking for a spa getaway or a girlfriend getaway, Avista Resort got you covered and all your vacation needs just a click away. I am considering their spa getaway since I'm in dire need to get some relaxation and nothing beats getting a massage at an oceanfront resort.

If you're looking at spending some quality time with your love ones or just time for yourself like me, you can't go wrong by looking at the resorts in Myrtle Beach. Avista Resort's site is a one stop shop for your Myrtle Beach hotel needs. I really like that the resort offers condo floor plans. I think this is a great choice for those who want to go on vacation and still get the feeling of privacy and the comfort of home. In addition, shops, restaurants, and nature parks are easily accessible from the resort.

And how about those golf fans? Avista Resort offers great golf packages. I'm not good at golf, but I might just pick up one of their customized golf packages and work on improving my back swing. How about you? What's your ideal summer vacation?

A Peek: Home Office

Finally, my home office is ready to face the world. The project to renovate this room started about a couple of weeks ago, but due to the heat wave, we had to postpone working on the second floor due to the unbearable heat. Anyway, thank you to PW for spending the whole Saturday adding all the finishing touches, while I went out with R for some shopping and eating. Here are the before and after photos.

BEFORE:

I didn't like the brown wall and the thick, heavy curtain so we took those off. I think this was formerly a kid's room due to the stickers on the wall.

The brown wall and curtain really made the room dark.

When the brown covering came off, this is what we have to deal with - ugly. This wall required so much spackling and sanding.

AFTER:

With newly painted walls...

All new - bookcase, curtain added.

I thought the paint and the softer curtain brightened the room.

Welcome to my home office :)