Leisure Special

Being away for a year, gives me a guilty feeling towards my family. I actually left with not so good intentions. However, like the prodigal son, family still accepts my return. Of course I did not bother to stay with them again; instead I live with my fiancee in an apartment.

I am thinking of a family vacation to make up for my rebellious acts. If I can afford all-inclusive resorts in the secluded white-sand beaches on the Mexican Riviera Maya, that would be the best. Speaking of all inclusive, I remember Azul Beach Hotel on a beautiful stretch of the Bahia Pentempich beach in Puerto Moreles. It’s a family-friendly resort that has all the indulgence a family can imagine and experience.

Well, the thought of it is so good. But, I still don’t have the capacity for such luxurious vacation. Local vacation is all I can offer for now.

I feel so good knowing that my friends still recognize me as their friend. My one year absence decreases my self-confidence. I thought that I have no space in their life anymore. I confined myself in the four corners of my house miles away from here. Of course, my parents accept my return, but I am reprimanded before that.

My mom has a point that it is too early to live a solitude life. I am so young for that and there is so much to learn outside. True enough, I feel that my friends achieve a lot and I am left behind. But, I finally came back to my senses. I have the urge to work again and be with people rather than staying at home the whole day.

I remember that I have a post that talks about my earring quest. That was two months from now. However, that quest still continues as I was not able to get one until now. I decided to just forget about it first since there are other things more important than that.

But, I am back to that search now as I saw beautiful items at Holsted Jewelers, provider of designer jewelry, gifts and accessories. Their pieces are quite impressive. They adhere to strict quality-assurance guidelines assure every item is created to the highest standards, and then inspected twice before delivering the item. I can’t wait to put a hand to any one of their piece. All I have to do now is to read their shipping policy.

Are we only dreaming, or is this burning an eco-friendly flame? Nope, we’re wide awake! While fireplaces aren’t the most efficient sources of heat, if you want to kick it little house on the prairie-style, stay warm with logs made from sustainable materials such as industrial wood scraps and even coffee.

Here are some benefits. You can have a chart-topping eco-friendliness. Typical, store-bought burning logs contain petroleum by-products and let off higher amounts of toxins (such as carbon monoxide) than java-log fireplace logs or duraflame, and store-bought firewood may not come from a sustainably managed forest. And you can have a less fire tending. Since the eco-options burn longer, you’ll have to throw wood on the fire less often. So, think about it now!

Millions of people are confused about the differences between DSL and cable internet connections. Fewer still understand the advantages and disadvantages of satellite internet access. Potential subscribers who want to enjoy the fastest service for the lowest price are understandably bewildered by their choices. Fortunately, the decision is usually a simple one.

For most people, satellite broadband service will be a less than ideal choice. Below, we’ll explain how the service works and the type of customer most likely to use it. We’ll also explore how it compares to a DSL connection. You’ll likely find that if a conventional broadband alternative is available in your area, it will be a better solution.

Satellite Broadband In A Nutshell

In order to understand how satellite broadband (SB) compares to a digital subscriber line, it is worth reviewing how the technology works. The service does not use phone lines, fiber optics, or a cable infrastructure. Instead, the upload and download data transmission takes place via a dish and an orbiting satellite.

The dish must be installed so that it maintains a clear path skyward. If its “view” is obscured (for example, by trees, clouds, etc.), the data transmission may be slowed or temporarily severed.

One of the limitations of SB service is the rate at which you can upload and download data. You can download at rates up to 1.5 Mpbs and upload at 256 Kbps. While that is markedly faster than a dial-up modem, both throughput rates are significantly slower than those offered by a DSL connection.

Another limitation involves price. Given the slower performance of the technology, you would expect its price to be lower than that of a digital subscriber line. However, that is rarely the case. More often than not, SB service costs as much, if not more, than a conventional broadband connection.

Is A Digital Subscriber Line Better?

Simply put, yes. First, a digital subscriber line is normally less expensive on a monthly basis and it’s easier to install. Second, it will seldom require a long-term contract while an SB provider will push for such a commitment. Third (as noted above), the data transfer rate of DSL is almost always much faster than that offered by satellite internet. By contrast, SB will often carry a higher monthly bill, cost several hundreds of dollars to install, and offer a slower datastream. What’s more, it can be unreliable if the path of the dish is obscured in any way.

The reason SB customers use the service is because their alternatives are usually limited. Subscribers often live in areas that lay outside the territory serviced by DSL Internet Providers. In that case, the technology – as limited as it is – might be considered valuable. However, if you live in an area that is near a DSL provider, they will usually be able to offer the most value (i.e. speed, reliability, etc.) for the price.

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I learned from a friend that one of my super close friends in my previous job gives birth to her first baby. I have been away for more than a year. I missed several things going on here. Well, I am delighted and super excited to give her a visit. I want to buy baby gifts for her kid. I heard it’s a girl.

I went instantly to Babynest. I am sure I can find everything tot-related from sentimental, personalized baby and nursery essentials to unique favors for a stylish baby shower. The problem now is that I don’t know her place and cellphone number. Of course, I can ask my previous colleagues who might know such information.

Cebu City at dusk

Like many Philippine cities, CEBU, nicknamed the “Queen City of the South”, has become something of an urban nightmare in recent decades, with jeepneys taking over the inadequate road network. There’s history and architecture in there somewhere, but you have to look hard for it among the clutter, the exhaust fumes and the malls.

The good news is that it’s not half as bad as Manila. It’s possible to get from one side of the city to the other in less than thirty minutes and the excellent airport and ferry connections might make you want to consider using Cebu as your base. Hotels are cheaper than Manila, taxi drivers are less confrontational, and while gridlock is not unknown, it’s much less common that in the capital. The big annual attraction in Cebu City is the Sinulog Festival, which culminates on the third Sunday of January with a wild mardi gras street parade and an outdoor concert at Fuente Osmeña. The Sinulog Festival, in honour of Cebu’s patron saint the Santo Niño, is almost as popular as Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan and hotels are usually full, particularly for the climax of the festivities during the third weekend of January.

photo credit: gogo159