Sunday, January 26, 2014

ESLTalk - Café con leche with Max - Episode 6 - with guest Kat

Aloha everyone!

Here is Episode 6 of Café con leche with Max.

On this episode, we have EOI colleague. +Kat O'Connor, and we discuss various topics, from Spain, food and other random things!

Click Play.  Enjoy.  Like.  Subscribe!

If you have any questions, please feel free to post them in the YouTube comment page! 


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Failure. #epicfail, Failure Club

Failing.  Fail.  Failed.  Failure.

Something that everyone fears.  Not succeeding.  Shame.  Public humiliation.  

  Well, I'd be lying to say I'm not scared of failing, but I don't really see it as a bad thing.  A couple of experiences in my life have sort of made me view success and failure differently.

I love tennis.  I try to watch as many tennis matches as possible, but imagine it from the player's point of view.  Case in point - Stan Wawrinka - who just won the 2014 Australian Open against Rafa Nadal.
Previous records were against Stan, 0-12 against Rafa (everyone was probably betting against him), he had never won a set against Rafa in their previous 12 matches.

But. Here I am congratulating him on his 2014 Australian Open.
His mantra is on his left arm:
"Ever tried.  Ever failed.  No matter.  Try again.  Fail again.  Fail Better."

SOURCE: 20 MIN
This is a plaque which I always have with me wherever I live... 

First: A Mantra
"The Journey of 1,000 miles, begins with one step".

Yup, one step.  That's all you need to start your journey and to be honest, its kinda how I look at things in life.  For example, I've done marathons, and most people wouldn't even think that its possible for them, but that's because they look at the marathon as this unattainable large conquest... but all the participants start the same way... with the first step.

hahaha... I haven't always been slim.  



I am a big fan of the Failure Club. 
What is it?  Well, the Failure Club is basically a group of people who want to do something on their list, which they will probably fail at (from their current perspective).  Most radical ideas are often met with doubt, fear, uncertainty, which perpetuate your own inner demons.

In this group, people go for their ideas.  Whether it is a new business, writing a Christmas song, performing to be a clown, with 100% effort and the support of others within their failure club.  (Seriously, can you imagine telling your friends and family you want to be a clown? They will tell you all the negative things you don't need to hear).  Where as this club will tell you, how can we do this?! How can we get you go this point?  What are the logistics?  Yes, some people fail, and some people succeed...

For me, the most important thing is the liberating part of chasing your dreams.

Failure or success - is just an after thought.

Here is the first video (introduction) from this series.
If video isn't embedded, click on this link...


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Saturday, January 25, 2014

Congratulations - 2014 Australian Open Champion - Li Na

Congratulations to Li Na, who won the Australian Open this morning against 20th seed, Dominika Cibulkova, 7-6 (3), 6-0.

A couple of interesting statistics.  Li Na now has the same number of grand slams as Victoria Azarenka.  Whereas, Azarenka won both of her titles at the Australian Open (2012-13), Li won the French Open (2011) and now the Australian Open (2014).

The rest of this blog post will focus on the impact of Li Na on Women's Tennis (especially in Asia).
Just put it this way.  In the United States, our biggest sporting event is the Super Bowl, where approximately over 111 million people watch it yearly.  In China, over 116 million people tuned in to watch Li Na win the French Open in 2011.

Li Na has become the face, of women's tennis in Asia, an in a larger scope women's sports.  It's quite interesting trying to find an analogy for Li Na in regards to other countries, perhaps here in Spain, the nationalistic support for Nadal (who will be playing in the final against Wawrinka), or perhaps UK and their support for Murray, but neither of these really grasp the magnitude that Li Na has for China, for tennis, for Asia and for women's sports in the region.

Best of luck this season Li Na, but from the looks of it - doesn't look like you really need it.

Source: WTATENNIS
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Thursday, January 23, 2014

ESLTalk - Café con leche with Max - Episode 5 - with guest Philip

The next couple of weeks I will be recording many episodes of Café con leche!

On this episode, recorded quite early this morning, we have our first Australian guest, +Philip Thiel.

We cover a various topics from extreme heat, tennis and random other topics!

Enjoy and if you have any questions or comments, please post them in the comment section of the YouTube video!



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Funniest Cat Video - EVER! (SERIOUSLY!!)

Yes, you can imagine me cackling and LOLing.


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Monday, January 20, 2014

Lupita Nyong'o - Red Carpet Style

While I am not a fashionista in any shape or form (I really love my cardigans), and I love Lupita Nyong'o's style.  Lupita is most known for her supporting role in 12 Years a Slave, which has earned her critical praise and new fans from around the world.  

Unfortunately, the movie is currently not available here in Spain (in A Coruña anyways), but I can't wait to see it!  Her recent red carpet presence shows her cool, classy and chic style.  

Personally, I think I love her more because I love wearing colors as well.  

Which one is your favorite?!

With her new found fame, I am sure we will see more of Lupita Nyong'o (since she is nominated for an Oscar this year for her role in 12 Years a Slave - CLICK here to see trailer)


SOURCE: eonline

Source: Perez Hilton
Source: Gossip Girl
Source: Glamour
Source: Quién
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Saturday, January 18, 2014

The main reason I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

Why did I get a Samsung Galaxy Note 3!?!?!?

It wasn't for the camera... I prefer the camera of the HTC One and the Nokia 1020 
(which Nokias are the best for selfies... btw!)

It wasn't for the size... I use my HTC One when I run (I love RunKeeper)...

I basically got a Note 3 because of the... 
3) removable battery (strike HTC ONE)
2) Expandable storage (strike HTC One) though, I haven't exceeded 32GB.
1) PICTURE COMMENTS.
I love that S Pen!

Just in case you want to use Google Now on your Note 3 instead of S Voice...

I use to have nice abs... O_O
Taken at a bar in A Coruña, Spain
Happy Hour at Hamburger Mary's - Long Beach
Taken right after getting my hair did.
Cottage cheese and oranges - one of my favorite breakfastsssssssssss
My homemade cheesecase and ube ice cream - OMFG... :drool:
baller status... 
heart 1D
Excited for Brit!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Las Vegas Perks...

I love Las Vegas, it is one of my favorite cities of the world.

Win or Lose - I always have a great time.

The cool thing about coming back to Vegas is all the perks.

Free hotels.
Free food.
Free tickets.
Free limousine.

Of course, the more you play and gamble - the more you get.
I normally never have to wait in line... check in lines, restaurants, taxis, etc...

 While I get some perks.. imagine what the top players get...

Well, imagine no more.... 


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Thursday, January 16, 2014

Internet in Spain is SOOO SLOW....

One of the reasons I probably haven't (there are probably other reasons: THERE ARE) made café con leche videos... is that my internet here in Spain is very low.

In fact, I haven't even played any games online this year... Not even Dota 2 (One of my top free game pick)
Which BTW I'm selling my desktop computer (brand new) if you're interested... 

This also explains some of my video quality on YouTube.  If I were to use my HD webcam here in Spain, my internet connection would lag, as requires more data to send/receive simultaneously (while being recorded)... Then having to upload... Sometimes I just leave my computer running overnight to upload a video to YouTube... 

Well that and I just got back from vacation, this week has been quite nice getting back into the groove of things, but my sleeping pattern is so weird.  I'm awake and its 0644 in the morning.

Anywho...time to snack.  =P

LA
Florida
R here in Spain at 0641 in the morning
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Friday, January 10, 2014

Apparently... I LOVE COSMOS...

Update: I had a cosmo here in Spain last night (which may explain why I am still in bed at 2pm), and it was ok. way too sweet, and way too red and overpriced.


Apparently, I love cosmos...

On this past trip, I may have had about 30 cosmos?! No wonder my kidneys hurt...

Let me see... Christmas night - dinner with Sarai - I had probably at least 2.
The next day or the day after... Sarai and I went to three clubs one night.  The first place, I had 2, then at Freezone, at least 6, at Piranha, maybe 3-4 more.
Drinks with Tammy - another 3-4, it was happy hour.
Dinner with my sister - another 2
Drinks with Ty - another 3?!
Dinner with my other sister - 2 more (after drinks with Ty).. 
haha, so what is a cosmo!?

My fascination with Cosmopolitans started with the TV show - Sex in the City.
Yes, you're familiar with the TV Show and yes, they drank a lot... of cosmos (short for Cosmopolitans)...

Finding a good cosmo is quite hard, since most of the ingredients have been substituted with easier to find (and cheaper) ingredients... 

Recipe below.. .there are others, which are good as well, but this one is the best... There's another recipe below that with triple sec which is good as well.

Cosmopolitan**

  • 1½ shots citrus vodka
  • ½ shot Cointreau
  • ¾ shot cranberry juice
  • ½ shot lime juice
  • 2 dashes orange bitters

Cosmopolitan*

1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz triple sec
3/4 oz cranberry juice
1 ozfresh lime juice

*Read more: Cosmo recipe http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink8955.html#ixzz2q1vx1wAE








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MusicTalk - Current Playlist - jan.10.2014

This 1st song came out back in 2012 (lol like it was so long ago), but I'm currently listening to it on repeat again - partly because I do like thrift shops and also part of my new year's resolution not to buy anything new this year... hahaha... NOPE.. this year - secondhands, thiftshops, craigslist and refurbished!

Not to mention the beat!


This is 1 of 2 favorite songs I have from Beyonce's new album - entitled Beyonce.
The first part of the audio is here, but official video nor audio has been released for public consumption (you can listen up to the first 1:30, after that - it didn't made the album).

The song is called Flawless and its just fierce and its a feminist song.



Yuna - I want you back...
I first wrote about Yuna back in 2012 (click here), she is just a cool artists without all the pretentiousness of most modern pop music today.  Chill, cool, relaxing, Yuna rocks.



This song reminds me so much of Hawaii. Just a moment of my life...
You have stolen my heart...



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Thursday, January 09, 2014

2014 - Relationships: Maintenance mode: Activate!

My nomadic lifestyle doesn't make maintaining relationships easy.  Which is probably why I can't have needy friends... hahaha.  On this trip back to the United States, I felt that I really got to know people more, and not just friends, also even my family members.  While I'm open to meeting new friends, I think 2014 will be doing my best to keep in touch with those on my list of friends.

Did you know that on this past trip, it was the first time I had dinner with my older sister alone? (and I eat out A LOT!) hahaha, yeah, I wish I took a picture of us, but Red Table will be a place I'll remember. We grew up together, but I think this was the first time I really got to know a bit about my sister.. and I can't wait to see her soon... hahaha and my niece and nephew as well... soon he'll be able to walk and I won't be scared of him... O_O 

Yummy Deviled Eggs @ Red Table
Also, it was my first time traveling with a friend.  We always had a connection, but it was cool for us to go and travel together. Probably 1 of 6 people I would consider living with... We met in Hawaii, I hosted her via Couchsurfing, we kept and touch now and then, after 8 years later, we were in the same town in St. Petersburg.  Funny thing is, we have the same birthday and a bit of the same nomadic mannerisms.  I think she's moved more in the past 2 years than I have!  HAHAHA

Here she is in her morning pajamas in front of one of 7 swimming pools at Caesars Palace. 

How random is this meeting!  I posted on social media about my hair and my friend +Ty Cullen  noticed it was taken in Westminster and messaged me!  So here we are having drinks!  Ty and I know each other from San Diego, and us catching up and having drinks was just so easy - like years haven't passed!  It was so great to just talk, catch up... and OMG. I am even surprised we're friends... I have a bit of crude humor and when we first met, I made a joke that was just completely brash... to be honest if someone made that joke towards me, I maybe would flip out (then again - I am the emotional one)... but this just goes to show how easy going TyTy is.  hmmmmm... yeah that's his new nickname. HAHAHAHA.

Ty and I at HM in LB... 
Also, spending time with two of my best friends in Florida, just made me realize how super awesome my friends are and what kind of support system that I have.  (I am going to write about failing in another blog... probably soon because there's a chance I won't be able to sleep due to jetlag)... There's a better picture of us somewhere, but I saw this picture of french toast and it looks yummy. HAHA.  Not to mention, they are always up to try new things, whether its ice skating, cooking something new, recording something... or staying up late playing Monopoly... Miss those girls!


On this particular trip, it was also the first time I got to cook for my family.  It was great!  I made a couple of different things (with various level of success), I am now craving coffee cheesecake (my first time making it and with a recipe I kinda made up... hahaha).  

Vegan Vietnamese - Seriously... it does exist (and super tasty too!) Though I'd stay away from all the drinks - oh and they don't serve alcohol.  This is just the type of place that you can find me and my two friends +Putali Kandel and +arb griffin .  We try new restaurants and try new foods, and talk and catch up! After our dinner, keeping my hair straight as well as obtaining my yoga instructor license and cosmetology license... 

Did I mention try new foods? I'm getting hungry and its past 2am. 

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Why I make YouTube videos...

Yes, I know there has been many tech videos on my YouTube page recently... but its for a good reason.

You guys know I'm an online shopaholic, but sometimes things don't work out well - like receiving a fake cell phone... So... I created the video to help others out!  And I'm glad that my little video is helping people out!



Well, I also create videos for sheer stupidity...
Thanks +Poli P for editing and creating this video!


hahhahahahaha....

I even like to teach people how to cook!
I'll be recording my cheesecake video - since peeps be asking for my recipe! woot woot.


More videos coming soon! 

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Monday, January 06, 2014

SingleTalk - Why I am single - #26 - Infants

This year, I am starting a new blog within my blog, called SingleTalk.

I started working on my book entitled:
100 Reasons Why I am Single...

I got to about 20 pages and I'm kinda over it, so I'll just write a blog every week and by the end of the year, I'll have 52 reasons why I am single.

That's probably another reason I am single, but I digress.

So, after hanging out with my sisters this past weekend, #26 (randomly chosen number) Why I am single is...

I am scared of infants.

Yes, me - an Army veteran who has traveled the world, lived on a $1 in a month, roughing it, is scared of babies.

Weird thing is I'm not scared of toddlers, kids, adults.

I think they're cute, but I'd prefer not to hold them, not be too close to them.

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TechTalk - How to get a cheap Dell Alienware Gaming Laptop

Cheap in this case is relative since the normal prices of Dell Alienware Gaming Laptops are $1,099, $1,499 and $2,099 for 14", 17" and 18".

I'm going to list a couple of ways to get the Alienware laptop for a little cheaper - NOTE - if you don't want to purchased a refurbished product - you can stop here... LOL, I don't know of any way to get a cheap one.

I was able to purchase my Alienware 18 

SOURCE: ALIENWARE.COM
1) Go to Dell Outlet
2) Follow Dell Outlet on Twitter (or just check occasionally)
3) Wait for a sale!  I bought mine when it was 30% off all refurbished products!
I got my Dell Alienware M18X R2 for $1439.25!! 

Lucky me - shipping was FREE!

If you're in doubt about the quality of the Dell Refurd products...  Here is a video of my unboxing.  Alienware Refurb looked to be in great condition!

This also comes with the same warranty as the Alienware products - you can also upgrade the warranty as well!



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Wednesday, January 01, 2014

TravelTalk - Las Vegas in Pictures... Dec 2013

This trip to Las Vegas was super awesome.  Not only did I get to spend time with one of my good friends, also got to spend some time with parents and explore a bit of Vegas (which I love).

Oh yeah... Did I mention #britneybitch?!

Britney's Entrance!
 



Liberace costumes

M&M store - all different types!

Concert Tickets!

Hanging out in the Fruitloop area!



@Wynn

In front of hotel

View from Room - Bellagio fountain

1 of 7 pools @ Caesars

Pic of hotel room





























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