Gadgets and Senior Citizens

Technology is something which scares and intimidates me.  I do not own any of the products created by Steve Jobs and I cannot relate on the impact he introduced to people's lives.  And while I own a hand-me-down Blackberry, I do not maximize its full potential.  I do not even know how BBM works and I am not willing to pay extra for its subscription, such a cheapskate! Haha!

My case is different with my sisters and my hubby.  They own iPods, iPhones, and iPads and they feel somethings missing when they do not have their gadgets with them.  And while I thought my parents could relate to me, I was mistaken!

My dad couldn't live without the net and his gadgets are his prized possessions! Haha! Here are my dad's gadgets --

Dad's netbook, iPad, and iPhone

Dad's netbook, iPad, and iPhone

Dad uses his gadgets to check the news (which saves us subscription on newspapers), his Facebook, and Yahoo Mail.  He also Googles whatever interests him.  After all, these gadgets and technology continuously educate and entertain him.  No, he is not a tech-savvy but unlike me, he is not afraid of trying and he has a daughter who patiently helps him download Apps and teaches him with everything he needs.  And unlike me, he has the money to burn for his gadgets. Haha!

And, dad does not own a simple iPhone -- it is an iPhone 4S --

 I just hope he could maximize its full potential.  One of these days, I wouldn't be surprised when I see and hear my dad talking to a female sounding call center agent who would be acting as his secretary or companion since his iPhone 4S is equipped with Siri, a witty assistant! I heard my sister commanding Siri -- "Let's talk dirty!" and Siri answered -- "Oh, gravel" and "The carpet needs some vacuuming"!

iPad and iPhone 4S

Let's just leave the gadgets to my family.  After all, I do not feel yet their importance in my life, save for checking my mails and my Facebook, which I could easily do with whatever gadget is available and not in use.  Plus, my bag is already heavy with too much stuff which I cannot leave behind.

Don't say I am just sourgraping. Haha! :)

Who wears it better?

Hubby got a new pair of Adidas shoes which he intends to use for biking.  When we got home, K1 tried it.  Now, the question is WHO WEARS IT BETTER? 

K1?

Or hubby?

K1 claims he wears them better! Teehee! :)

Kindle Fire vs. iPad 2

My sister DM and I are contemplating on getting the Kindle Fire.  Since it is not available in the market yet, we are patiently waiting for reviews to come out before we order ours.

Today is my sister DM's birthday and she woke up to this --

It seems that you will not be needing the Kindle Fire anymore.  Great gift from your hubby and kiddos!  Happy birthday, DM!

Sharing Bag with the Hubby

When I thought I graduated from Coach, I again fell in love with its leather goods after I visited the Men's Outlet, instead of the usual Women's Outlet, near my sister's work.  I was able to get a blue leather messenger bag from the men's section, which I intend to use as my second bag/document bag for work, and a bi-fold wallet, also from men's section, both for myself.

However, a week before I left the US, I saw another big leather bag, now from Michael Kors in Nordstrom, with shoulder strap and handles which is more feminine.  I bought it and decided to return the Coach bag I bought.

When I got back to the Philippines, I regretted returning the bag and blamed myself for it.  The bag must have been very useful for work.  Plus the bag being from the men's section, my hubby could borrow it.  Since I cannot do anything anymore, I just asked my sister MC to check, if she gets the time, and to call me if there are business bags on sale (outlet price less additional discount).

About three weeks ago, I received a call from my sister that she saw a Gray Leather Commuter Bag from the men's section.  MC being a bag-addict, I trusted her judgment and asked her to decide for me.  She send me pictures and I got really excited!

Last weekend, my relatives from the US arrived with my bag!  I opened the package and saw this Men's Coach Pebbled Leather Commuter Gray Bag in Dark Gray --

Front

It is such a classic and useful piece.  Plus the size is perfect for my documents, the size being 16" x 12" x 3".  So much space and lots of pockets!

Back

When my hubby got home, he saw the bag and he is claiming rights over it.  He said it's a man-bag and is too big for me. Tsk tsk! So much to discourage me from using it! I know your tactics.  I see a hidden agenda.

Well, I see the first ever bag we would be sharing. Let's have one week each and  lets decide on who will use it first! Haha! :)

Inutak Local Delicacy

When you see the word "Inutak" in a food bazaar, you will surely look back and wonder if  what you've read is right.  "Inutak", I believe, is from the root word "utak", or brain in English language.  So what is it doing in a food bazaar?  I myself thought of that.

 

I had the chance to meet the people behind "Inutak Local Delicacy", a food booth at Mercato Centrale in The Fort.  "Inutak", according to them, is a local delicacy from Taguig which is a simple rice cake made of glutinous rice, coconut milk, and a bit of sugar.  

This is how they package their product --

They use a  cardboard box with a violet satin ribbon.

And here is the product --

The inside cover of the box has a heating instruction and contact numbers --

 

I was able to finally taste "Inutak" and I find it good with coffee or tea.  I think it was named "Inutak" because of its consistency which is a bit loose compared to other rice cakes or kakanins which are a bit thick, if I describe it right.  I am not a food critique! 

Anyway, the "Inutak" Local  delicacy is not too sweet and is the perfect kakanin to have for the holidays, instead of the usual fruit and rhum cakes.

"Inutak" can be bought at Mercato Centrale and soon in other food bazaars."

BonChon Chicken

I met up my girl friends DC and LA for brunch.  Most of the restaurants along Tomas Morato are closed for All Saints Day and we ended eating at BonChon-Il Terrazo.


It was my first time to try BonChon.  It has a fastfood set-up where you order at the counter but you wait for your food to be served at your table.  We ordered the soy-garlic and hot and spicy chicken and chops plus fries and iced tea!  We then had cake and coffee at the other open resto in the same building, Banapple.  We had a good chat and we ended up not noticing the time.  I forgot that I offered to buy lunch for hubby.

I got home at 3:00 P.M. bringing these for my hubby--

I got him Mixed Chicken Wings, Chapchae, and Iced Tea, the latter, I think, is neither Lipton nor Nestea! :)

Hubby liked its soy-garlic and spicy glaze flavors.  It is good that it remained crisp even after I got home. The downside is while the wings were nicely coated, the insides are a bit bland.  The small size of wings are also a bit-bitin because while there were six pieces, they actually split the wings into two so there were only three pieces of wings. 

The Chapchae or Korean noodles is good but he liked his recipe better, the one with beef sirloin strips in his special sauce.  There were not much toppings for this Chapchae, just plain veggies and a few strips of egg.  I told you, hubby is a wanna-be-chef!

While hubby was enjoying his food, there was a point that he wanted to sip his iced tea.  But it was already with K1.  This is K1 sipping some iced tea! "It has caffeine Kuya, you'll end up being hyper!"

Over-all, despite the some comments from my hubby, we consider BonChon another comfort food.  The chickens are something to nibble while having a nice conversation with family and friends.