INSIGHT CRIZ

I had spent many month browsing through the web in search for a good HDTV for my living room. All the reviews and recommendations were detailed but I had some problems with the price tags. Some of the best would cost between $3K and $4.5K which was way beyond my budget.

After considering the prices for brands such as Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, Pioneer, Samsung, LG and many others, I finally settled for Samsung HL52A650 which would cost me around $2K or more. Although it is relatively expensive and with a red frame, it has a superb black-level performance; highly accurate color; improved 120Hz de-judder video processing; fine standard-definition processing; broad selection of picture setup options; ability to display weather, news, and stock info onscreen; energy-efficient compared with most like-size LCDs.

Since this model is one of the top selling models in 2008, I better get it fast before it goes out of stock. I should also be looking for new tv lifts as my existing TV cabinet would not be able to fit in this new 52” LCD TV. I guessed I should not have any problems at all as I have already found out where to get the best deal.

It always gets into my nerves when some inconsiderate housemates force unwanted food down the kitchen sink and caused it to clog. Not only will the sink emit unpleasant odor, it will also stall my process of preparing a meal as more and more unwashed dishes get stacked up. I still wonder why some people have that bad habit when the rubbish bin is just a step away. What would you do when you have clogged kitchen sinks or drains in the house? Using harmful chemicals to unclog the kitchen sinks might not be a good idea as that is where we handle all the food we consume, not forgetting the utensils that we wash there daily.

Here are some of the measurements I applied to prevent such happenings. Firstly, I would use a food trapper to trap all the remains from the washing of the dishes and throw the remains into the rubbish bag. With this preventive measurement, I still get some inconsiderate housemates forcing food remains down the pipeline. When will they learn to be more responsible? That’s a big question mark!

Whenever situation like this occur, I would have to think of the next step which is to mix up some non-chemical based solution to flush the food remains down the drain. One of the more commonly used solutions I did was to mix half a cup of baking soda with half a cup of vinegar in a large container and pour fizzing solution quickly down the sink pipeline and left it covered for about 10 minutes. The combined solution will break the fatty acids into soap and glycerine. I would then pour a kettle of boiling water down the pipeline to further flush it down. This method has never failed so far as I have smooth flowing drainage after each application. If you have problems with clogged kitchen sinks or drains, you should try this method out.

I have the problem of getting rid of my acnes ever since I was young. I have tried many products on the market but nothing seemed to help. To visit a skin specialist for treatments would be quite costly. It could cost up to a few hundred dollars per visit and it was beyond my means.

You can say that it was sheer luck that I stumbled upon the authority on acne one day while surfing the internet. The website was so comprehensive that it provided all the available acne related products on one website. Not only did I get to find out more on the safety, efficiency, quality and company background of the products that are suitable for my skin, I get to buy best value products which I can save a lot of money.

One product that caught my attention most is Acnexus. The testimonials that I read was so convincing that I had decided to get one for myself. This All Natural Acne Treatment scrub does not contain any of those mineral oils, alcohols, parabens, harsh soaps or benzoyl peroxide which can be harmful if used long term. The 27 all natural anti-acne ingredients not only cleanse, exfoliate, repair, renew, revitalize, moisturize, supplement and nourish the skin, it comes as an all-in-one product. Can you imagine how much I have saved up by not having to purchase individual steps products as most other companies offered? If you need a solution for acnes but have a tight budget, I would recommend you to try out Acnexus.

I will spend my time hunting for great food within my small island of Penang during most of my weekends and blog about it to share with my readers. Many people inclusive our local Penangites were not aware that some little corners of the island can have some of the best food and atmosphere around that even a 5-star hotel would not be able to provide. In fact, the pricing for the food could well save most of us quite a bomb.

Having too much food and fun outside from home most of the time can be quite unhealthy for my ever increasing weight. Sometimes, I will just dig into some great recipes and get some healthy food prepared for my family during weekends. Firstly, I can save a lot of time and money in driving out with the price increase in fuel. Secondly, I can gather the whole family and friends under one roof to have a mini weekend gathering.

I sure did have lots of fun time to show my culinary skills. Maybe some of you can also plan some of these wonderful experiences by coming out with great food to impress your friends and family.

I have written earlier about “HOW WOULD YOU FACE DEATH?” regarding how I admired Professor Randy Pausch for his courage to face death with a positive attitude. His positive attitude had inspired me to look at life at a different prospect and spent more time with the people closest to me. Life is so unpredictable but death is certain.

Unfortunately, he passed away yesterday at his home in Chesapeake, Va at the age of 47. Although he knew that he was given 3-6 months’ to live after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 15th, 2007, he managed to extend his life further to spent his remaining days with his family. What a brave and committed husband and father. I am touched by his will power to push his life so far.

He once said, “I don’t know how to not have fun,” “I’m dying and I’m having fun. And I’m going to keep having fun every day I have left. Because there’s no other way to play it.” He indeed had fun for almost a year since he received the shocking news about his cancer. On Feb. 15, exactly six months after he was told he had three to six months of healthy living left, Pausch posted a photo of himself to show he was “still alive & healthy.” In May, Pausch spoke at Carnegie Mellon’s commencement ceremonies, telling graduates that what mattered was he could look back and say, “pretty much any time I got a chance to do something cool, I tried to grab for it, and that’s where my solace comes from.” “We don’t beat the reaper by living longer, we beat the reaper by living well and living fully,” he said.

My deepest condolences to Randy’s wife, Jai, his three children, Dylan, Logan and Chloe; his mother, Virginia Pausch of Columbia, Md.; and his sister, Tamara Mason of Lynchburg, Va. Randy had touched not only my heart but the hearts of many from all over the world. May his soul rest in peace.

You can get more information on Randy Pausch in the news here.

It has been said that a person will not stop learning even as he grows old. The statement is so true. No matter how old we are, there will never be any ending to how much knowledge we could gain. It felt as if we have gone back to school and learning to read is the first step in gaining more knowledge. The more you read, the more you know, the more you understand how to apply the skills automatically. By increasing the competency, it will increase the motivation to learn more. When a person sees his own progress, he would want to learn more by reading more books.

There are many types of books around the market ranging from arts, photography, novels, computing, hobbies, motoring, beauty, health, cooking, science fictions, romance, children, parenting, sports, teens to books as basic as textbooks and comics. Which would you choose? As for me, I would choose a bit of everything before deciding which category of books will suit me best.

Cooking books will surely enhance the act of self dependent if ever one were to live independently away from home. Parenting books will surely enlighten you on the basic needs of a child in his process of growing up. Fiction books will eventually develop your imaginative power to be creative in your work. Computing book will let you catch up with the state-of-the art products in the world of technology. Even a comic book will help you relieve your mind after a hard day’s work.

No matter what, reading any books has one thing in common. It improves your skill and strategy use, builds fluency, enlarges vocabulary, and builds your knowledge of the world. There will be no harm in reading more. Any day in your life will be another “back to school” day, regardless how old you are now. Just grab a book now and learn what you might not know. Who knows? It might just change your life forever.

I must admit that not only I am a food gourmet; I am also a travel addict. I love to travel to different places around the world, by land, by air or even by cruises. What I am planning next would be a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands.  I have been checking out the different packages available through the internet and found out some great cruise deals.

Would you believe that I got the best offer for a 7-night cruise aboard the Pride of America? On top of enjoying my life aboard the floating resort with six different international restaurants, I will get to visit the many wonderful islands of Hawaii. Now I have to plan my time carefully as what activities I would like to spend more time on. Should I spend my time lazing around the beaches to enjoy the hospitality of the Hawaiians or I should go for a hike taking photos of the beautiful lush green foliages and waterfalls of the island? Maybe I will try my hands on catching a marlin as I had never had any experiences in getting one so far.

Since my wonderful package deal had already included shipboard accommodations, ocean transportation, fabulous entertainment and daily activities, on-board meals and some beverages, port charges and more, I should spent some on getting some gifts for my family and friends. I would think this is going to be one of my best vacations and I am looking forward to enjoying myself to the fullest. Who wants to join me for a fun-filled cruise vacation to the Hawaii?

I have known many friends in the USA having financial problems in keeping their property during the recent economy crisis. With the steep hike in the gas prices, more and more people would be affected. Thus, it won’t be long before they are going to be homeless. Isn’t it a huge headache to decide whether to use the limited money available to buy gases or to get food for the family?

I have experienced the pinch in my pocket too recently. With the amount of money I had earned through my sleepless fight against time and opportunity to get more income, I ended up spending more on my medical bills which is no longer cheap. The worst thing that ever happened here is that with the increase in gasoline price, the prices of groceries also shot up rocket high. What I bought few months back had gone up almost double. Can you imagine what will happen next if I were to spend without thinking of the actual needs for the items I had always wanted?

Luckily I am more fortunate than most of my friends out there. At least I have a roof over my head and a place to sleep comfortably in now. The best thing that I had done was to pay off my house when I was capable of doing so. Even if I were to be hard hit by the slowdown in my businesses, I can still rely on applying for mortgage loans.

I have heard from my friends that even the financial institutions are forcing many people out of their property in the US at the present moment just to cut loses during this economy crisis. So, who else can they rely on? Well, there are many reputable mortgage lenders in the market who are compassionate enough to assist you in your financial woes. Who knows by considering one of them may just help you save your property for many generations to come.

I have been thinking for a long time whether to get myself the Apple third generation iPod Nano Silver with 4GB of memory for ages. I saw one great deal in one of the online stores a few days back but I was still contemplating. When I have decided to check out the site to purchase the iPod today, the item was out of stock. Haiz! I missed it again! I do not know why I have been in such an indecisive mood all the time after encountering similar problem not once but many times in my life. Why can’t I learn my lesson that time waits for no one?

Sometimes, it is good to survey the online market for best deals but taking your own sweet time in checking and making a decision will not help you to get what you wanted. I am one typical case. If you see a best buy, just go for it. Do not ever waste time in making your decision. See what happened to me now? Instead of saving $90 if I bought the iPod then, now I have to foot out another $90 to buy it from elsewhere. Don’t you think that I am such a time waster? Worst still, I have to pay more on delivery charges now when the previous company has waived off the fees.

What a life! I better buck up from being such a time waster in life. Luckily, that was just an item. What if that was a golden opportunity that would make me rich for my whole life? If I were to sit and wait again, I would forever be in the average income group. If you have the habit of accepting failures without even considering any rectifications, then there would not be a better tomorrow in your whole life. You have to change the mindset to be more positive and stern in making decision. Please remember that an opportunity hardly knocks on you door twice. If you have a decision to make, take a strong stand and decide it fast. Go for it without wasting more time.

It is nice to have some pets around the house to brighten up a person’s life but sometimes having one too many playful kittens around the house could be stressful, especially when they do not know how to stop having fun all the time. Well, what would you expect? If kittens are not playful, they would not come up with the term “as playful as a kitten” right? And I have six in the family, meaning six times more of cleaning up to do.

Would you believe that I had just swept the whole place barely 15 minutes ago and here they are tearing more bits and pieces out of their play boxes. Their hairs are also flying all over the house. It has always been that tiring cleaning up their mischievous acts on top of my heavy workloads. I could hardly have more than few minutes of non stress moments without ever thinking of the cleanliness of the house.

I think it is time that I get myself one of those Sebo vacuums on offer at the nearest departmental store. At least I do not have to use much energy to get the house fully clean up within the shortest period of time. It might just a great idea after all. I will surely get one first thing on Monday morning.