LifeTalk - FriendTalk - Life Options

Life has a funny way of working out.

Earlier this year, I was hanging out with one of my bestest friends and after tons of food, laughter and threading appointment, we were talking about life and her wedding day (renewing vows) is on the same day as the race I signed up for, a 165 mile cycling event from Miami to the Keys.  This is completely weird because I have NOTHING at all planned for the whole year.

Then, the next news, getting the job in Spain.  Getting this job in Spain would mean I would miss out on this event (both actually) as well as my dad's 60th birthday.

I've been thinking about all of the different factors, and I've come to realize Life will go on.

If I head to Spain, all these three events will go on without me, if I stay and choose the wedding or the race, the other will happen without me.

and I guess that is what is starting to sink in.  I have been blessed with so many awesome friends all around the world, awesome sisters, and the best dad anyone could ask for.

When does it stop being about me?

Today, my nephew is having his 4th birthday party.  I realized, I haven't been to any.  While he loves my home made card with tons of pictures of him and me, I realize that I'm missing out.

While Spain is a great opportunity, I am having second doubts on everything else that I am missing.  

I recently had a falling out with one of my bestest friends in the world, well one of three friends who has met my whole family and I realize - life goes on.  I can wonder what happened, but my life is moving forward, being shaped by the people around me.  While it is unfortunate that we no longer talk, I finally have closure.  

Life will continue to go on, and the decisions you make in life, affect you as a person.

To Spain or not to Spain?!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

SaveTalk - Gift Wrap

Wow. Considering I like to save money - I'm surprised I haven't blogged about SaveTalk before.  Well, I have blogged about prepaid cell phone plans, which I categorized under TechTalk, so just to check blog post about saving money, click on the label SaveTalk.

Today, I was going to wrap a birthday present and I realized that I didn't have any gift wrap!

Well, instead of going to the store - check what's around your house!

Here is what I came up with.  I used my old issue of Men's Journal to wrap presents and found ads that have special meaning!  I'm sure you have some old mags laying around the house!

What other stuff have you used for gift wrap?

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

TravelTalk PicTalk - The most important PHOTO you will EVER TAKE!!

When we travel, we take pictures (well, I try to.)... and yes there are some pictures that mean more than others.  Whether it is a random moment or a special occasion, a picture is really worth more than 1000 words.  

So what is "The most important PHOTO you will EVER TAKE!!"

That is none other than your passport photo.  

This is why - See my passport photos!?

Seriously!  I mean - no wonder I always get stopped and searched at the airport.

Passport photos can be rather expensive.  $7-9 for two! (seriously, WTF!?!)

So... I am going to tell you how to take your own!  (SUPER EASY!!)

First: go to the store - buy a big white poster board - you know the $.99 cent ones (WHITE)!

Next, set up your "photo studio" Grab a chair, poster board, tape, and camera stand (or a friend!)

#3 - grab your camera - 8MP and higher is fine, and a SD card with lots of room (we want to get this right!)

#4 - Get your face ready!  

**BEFORE YOU START TAKING PHOTOS 

MAKE SURE YOU ARE FACING GENERALLY FORWARD AND EYES TO THE CAMERA 

YOUR WHOLE FACE AND HAIR MUST BE IN THE CAMERA

HAVE FUN!

This will essentially become a photo shoot!  Don't be afraid to try on different colors, different looks (hairstyles, smiles, angles, lighting), take 100s of photos!  You'll pick your favorite ones anyways! =D

Here is a few pictures I took.

I am still debating which one to use! (HA HAH AHAH !)

**Note - this is a collage of photos - not actual passport photos (SCROLL BELOW!!)**

Upload your photos to your photo management software - like picasa
Crop your own photos (you can select 2 x 2!!)
Then pick create collage with your 6 favorite photos using a 4 x 6 outline!

Viola! Takes more work, but you get the exact photo you want and for what?

$0.99 -white poster board
$0.38 - for photo printing!

TOTAL - $1.37

FINAL PRODUCT:

Well, my camera phone is DOO-DOO.

Passport PHOTO:

If you're going to do this yourself - make sure you check this out:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html
Photo requirements from the government.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

MusicTalk - I don't have time to be in love - Priscilla Ahn

I love this song.

I can't believe I haven't written about it sooner.

<3 this song, and hopefully you will to - go buy it!

"I Don't Have Time To Be In Love"

I don't have time to be in love
Kissing you on the cheek, 200 times a week
I don't have time to be in love
Watching a foreign film, feet on the windowsill
But that's not true when I'm with you

I don't have time to be in love
Way too much candlelight, keeping me warm at night
I don't have time to be in love
Cooking a meal for two, climbing all over you
But that's not true when I'm with you

Cause I used to be there for you when you were so blue
I'd walk with you in the rain
Nothing was better when we did it together
I don't have time for love

I don't have time to be in love
Holding you to my chest, feeling your every breath
I don't have time to be in love
Laughing so hard we cry, sometimes I don't know why
I don't have time to be in love
Maybe this revelry just wasn't meant for me
But that's not true when I'm with you
When I'm with you

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.

SweepsTalk - Gamestop GAMESTOCK!

Gamestop is having a contest - giving away TONS of things.. (of course video game related).

Here is the contest website:  http://www.gamestock2012.com/

You need to buy something to get a code... BUT if you read the fine print, you can get a FREE ENTRY CODE DAILY!!!

By clicking here:  http://amoe.prizelogic.com/Login/73976fc5-7d0e-4f8b-a724-4d77078409ca

The Code will be emailed to you - then you can go back to http://www.gamestock2012.com/

and enter your code.

Since this is DAILY, I'd suggest creating a folder with SWEEPS - so you can do it daily!

More SWEEPS to come!

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

TechTalk - Google Wallet - Why I loathe thee.

I have to admit, I'm a shopaholic.  An online shopaholic.  I've probably purchased an insane amount of things online (you'll see how insane in a moment), so it really pains me to say one of my favorite companies out there (Google), really has a product out there that is really disappointing and honestly - not ready for prime time.

Just a bit of background information.  Google Wallet is now being used for all things Google - including Google Play (Android's App Store - if you will), NFC, etc.  Well, I wanted to buy the Galaxy Nexus, since there is a possibility I'll be moving overseas in the next two months, I figured an unlocked stock phone would be for me - but NOT according to Google - who thinks my account was fraudulent and credit card was fraudulent.

The biggest frustrating part of the whole experience is: a) dealing with Google Wallet customer service and b) the phone is no longer on sale (Click here to read about it!)! 

Needless to say, I shop a lot.  So I was really quite shocked when Google Wallet (who I guess doesn't check my emails to see that I'm a shopaholic - thanks BTW), DENIED my purchase transaction.  NOT only that, I had to complete this form and attach a copy of my ID and STATEMENT (to prove it was me) - something I have NEVER done before and was really APPREHENSIVE - I mean seriously!? I honestly thought this website was one of those phishing site trying to get my information (IT SOUNDS SO BOGUS), but needless to say, I decided to do it, with my Passport and one of my credit cards (I figured the account number had XXXXXXXXXs on it).

Why was this frustrating? 

2 days before I bought an app. 

No problem.  (wasn't an address verification performed then?) 

I get an email from Google Wallet CSR apologizing - with their emails in different COLOR fonts!

The CSR just typed in the first part and everything else was automated... 

(I then asked Mike nicely to change his to "plain-text" so that at least it seems like he wrote the email - even though we know the whole thing was AUTO-POPULATED)

Other than that - my funds on HOLD, and PHONE ISN'T ON SALE ANYMORE.

Let me see (for the month of June - what I purchased online!!

Amazon:

eBay (only those with Feedback - there may be others!)

Ummm... I would post more, but this is starting to become scary.  Ha! maybe my monthly challenge should include no more ONLINE SHOPPING!  Looking through my statements, I have multiple orders for: bluefly (great for clothes!), Express (love how their Photographer pants fit!), BestBuy, drugstore (Free ship >$25 with GNC gold card discount!) - and of course, Living Social and Groupon (Who doesn't want a 1/2 off restaurant tab?)!

Am I frustrated, yes! But this highlights a problem with Google's distribution.  There is NO ONE you can talk to.  Yes, Twitter, Emails, blah blah blah - but seriously!? Every other company has a customer service department!

Am I going to buy a Google Nexus? Still debating about it since I use a lot of Google Products, but now shopping for an unlocked iPhone.

Mahalo for reading. 

Until next time.

MusicTalk - Smile (Originally by Charlie Chaplin)

Ha! I know I haven't posted in quite some time.  I'll be updating hopefully more often this week, just a bit cray cray with finals last week and school starting again this week.  I was eating dinner and I decided to pop on some Hulu and found this show and ran into this song.  I thought it was beautiful and wanted to share it with you...

VIDEO - UPDATED 07/13/2012:

LYRICS:

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though it's breaking.

When there are clouds in the sky

you'll get by.

If you smile through your pain and sorrow

Smile and maybe tomorrow

You'll see the sun come shining through

For you.

Light up your face with gladness,

Hide every trace of sadness.

Although a tear may be ever so near

That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying.

You'll find that life is still worthwhile-If you just smile

Mahalo for reading.

Until next time.