Halloween 2011

31st October is calendar mark for Halloween day. We didn't buy pumpkin to decorate this year. I am lazy for pumpkin carving and Robert also lost his mood for Halloween. Halloween is basically fun just for kids. Kids with variety costumes get a lot and lots of candies when they visiting neighbourhood. They will knock the door and say “Trick or Treat!". We just got some candies and chocs to enjoy for ourselves in Halloween night and also for them (kids) too!!

More candies

We stopped by at the store to see pumpkin the other day. 

We really enjoyed eating our candies while watching scary movies tonight.

Happy Halloween!!

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Debit Card Issue

Debit card is really convenient for making purchases at the store, online shopping, booking flight, paying at gas station and restaurants. No worry if no cash in wallet. No bulky wallet with dollar bills and coins and also save time from driving to ATM to withdraw money. 

Unlike credit card, debit card deducts money electronically from your bank account. Seriously debit card replacing cash or representing electronic money. How comfort it is when you just bring the plastic card everywhere, swipe and pin?

I

I was at self-checkout machine (auto cashier) at the local store

Recently the Bank of America (BOA) planned to charge $5/month for using debit cards for purchases early next year.

from ABC.com

This news really shocking the customers including me. I am BOA account holder more than 4 years and the charging monthly fees completely disappointed me and hurting thousands customers. Besides BOA, the other largest banks like Wells Fargo, Chase and SunTrust also plan for the same thing. Obviously nobody wants to pay the fees. Supposely banks save our money and not spending our money to cover their profit.

People pissed off with this news and reacting to change it. Few things happened:

1) Bank Transfer Day will be launching on Nov 5th

2) One of the customers launched a petition at Change.org website for opposing debit card fees. Personally I support that petition and already signed it up.

from change.org website

President Barak Obama also has signed up the petition.

3) Chase and Well Fargo announced cancelling the debit card fees when the customers start closing their accounts.

from CNN website

Switching to other bank and ditching BOA account are part of my plan since I heard that bad news. 

I started looking and research the other banks such as online banks (Ally, ING etc) and credit union which offer good rates and without ridiculous fees for sure. Finally I managed to open new bank account on Thursday this week (Oct 27). Local credit union bank is my choice. Soon I will close the BOA if this fee happens.  Screw BOA!

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Watermelon picnic

My mood towards food changed since fall arrival few weeks ago. I always craving something warm and hot absolutely. People say "comfort food".  There was a watermelon in the fridge and we've been storing it since we picked up the other day. I love watermelon. 

Certainly the taste would be nasty if you serve hot or warm watermelon. Also we can't let it rotten in the refrigerator for sure. So we had watermelon picnic at the backyard over the chilly weekend. Eating cold watermelon with surrounding of cold temperature. Was that sound fun?

I tasted sweet and juicy but I just can't eat it all of it. Maybe the color didn't tempt me completely. I had two to three slices of it and the rest I gave to Babe, our dog.

This year watermelon didn't turn out bright red like we used to have last year. 

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Driver License Story in NC

Time flies so fast and sometimes I can't believe or I feel funny when recall something I did in the past. Taking driver license was all about. Driver license is important here (US) to show proof identity beside passport or birth certificate when you're above 15. Honestly I prefer Robert drives all the time. I am so lazy to drive. But I should have it since the driver license here is treated like an ID (IC) card. My driver license has a history behind it.

As usual in any country, you must pass both written and road test to get a driver license. Speaking of written test, DMV (Dept. motor vehicle) give me a free handbook to read the rules and regulations. The handbook has 116 pages obviously it was like reading a law book. You can't get wrong more than 5 from 25 questions to pass the written test.

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Ankle Wrap Espadrille

I went hunting for wedges shoes since I got HSN gift card few months ago and I found this espadrille wedges. It arrived on Thursday last week. I am totally love the concept of ankle wraps and black color. They look so cute and sexy, comfortable,

but ..but sadly I saw the fabric of the heels tore a little bit apart today.  

I just wore once when I walked around at the store the other day! 

I have to send it back tomorrow via UPS and luckily it's free shipping. I am thinking to get replacement or refund.

  Bye bye shoes...

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Easy Apple Turnover

I attracted one of the Hungry Girl recipes since I watched that show at Food Network channel. It is called Awesome Apple Pie-lets (Recipe) but I think I could say apple turnover. So I made it on last Saturday. The main ingredients are egg roll wrappers and apples. No flour. That was super easy and quick. It was my first attempt to wrap the apple fillings. So it's kinda weird look.

After baking for 12 minutes in the oven.

The egg roll wrappers

I ate them for breakfast. Have fun trying!!

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Hot Air Brush

I used to blow dry my hair with a round brush and a hair dryer. Seriously I've had a hard time or get tired working on both hands at the same time. But not anymore after I found this hair styling tool here. It's called "hot air brush". I could say this is part of innovation of hair styling when it's a combination of round hair brush and a blow dryer. 

The hot air flow through the centre of brush barrel, drying and styling at the same time. My hot air brush is on the picture below.

I've read tons of reviews for different hot air products before buying it. Finally I bought it at Ulta store in Jacksonville. Below is the clear picture how the kit looks like, it has 2 styling barrel brushes attachment and 1 concentrator, with power 1200 watt includes ionization technology which creates smoother and shinier on hair.

Pic from amazon

I really love this stuff since I've had it last year because it's lightweight, save my time, helps to straighten my hair and lay smooth with no frizz. So far I am so happy at the end of results every time I'm using it.  But one thing it's really loud.

Overall I like the concept of this hair tool and I may purchase a new version in the future.

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Card in the mail

I should update this two months ago after I wrote this post. I completely forgot about it. This post is just for reminding me when I received my US residence card in Aug 22nd. Two weeks after the interview.

It is known informally as a green card because it has green color on top of the card.

I didn't show the entire card due to security purposes. Secretly, I am so thankful when this immigration process done. I think I am part of USA now.

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Weekend Recap

Today, US celebrated Columbus Day which is on the second Monday of October. It is celebrations for honouring Christopher Columbus's first voyage to America in 1492. Columbus Day is a public holiday in most of states but not for California and Nevada. No celebrations here but most government offices and schools are generally close. Here are some photos from last weekend

We did some grocery shop 

Many people got on the boat and went fishing. It was little bit chilly but nice day. Picture was taken from the bridge

Cute and new rubber flip flop. The cheapest I've ever had..only $1.98

Craving for pepper jack  cheese

The one and only survivor in the fall. we picked it up yesterday.

Wild deer at the park

Have a good day ahead!

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Blue for Fall

Fall or autumn has always been referred with crisp, chill and I am thinking blue or dark nail polish shade is fun color for this season. I love blue color and there are various blue nail polish shades like navy blue, dark blue, bright blue etc. that you can find at the store. Certainly I'm not sure which kind of blue shade work with my skin tone. Not too vivid and not too pale for sure. I tried this blue shade called "blue lagoon".

 

This shade is almost same color with this plant. I applied it on my fingers and toes. It is kind of light and metallic blue color.

Some say it was a major trend for spring but I think the color is suits for fall. Check out some celebrities who are fans of blue nail polish.

pic from squidoo

Personally I feel blue is edgy, great hue, and this vibrant color sometimes intensify my mood. 

I might try other kind of blue.

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Fried shells

I cooked pasta in every 2 or 3 times a week alternately with rice and other meals. There are many different kind of pasta like spaghetti, angel hair, elbows, fettuccine, rotini, farfalle etc. 

pictures from barillaus.com

 

But the one I love most is pasta shells. I fell in love with its shape. It's been happening lately and I cooked it a lot.

Honestly I am not really good at cooking authentic Italian dishes. Italian has a lot of recipes for pastas and the staples of Italian cuisine are basically conjunction with 'tomato paste, sauce, olive oils, vegetables, variety of herbs and cheese'. I get bored with those ingredients. I've had enough! Done! 

I've innovated them. I fried them like fried kueh teow or fried noodles. Sautéed with onions, soy sauce and chilli sauce, mix them with eggs and vegetables. It was all set!!

That picture was taken while it was still hot. I might put shrimps and brussels sprout next time. Have you tried to cook like that before? Maybe you already did!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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Autumn has begun

Autumn (Fall) is here. We're having chilly, breezy and sunny weather. Not too warm and not too cold. I love the beginning of autumn. Soon it would be..

... time for pumpkin picking for Halloween activities or making pumpkin pies

from ehow.com

And it's time to get cozy with sweater, knit dresses, knee high socks and boots

It's time to enjoy sightseeing of colourful leaves of the trees which transform from green to bright yellow, red and orange.

 

Looking forward for arrival of colder days!!

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What's Babe loves?

Babe, our dog is almost 8 years old by now. If he was a human, Babe would be 55 years old which is based on dog age calculator. Pretty old huh! Robert owns him since he was a puppy and I met him when he was 3 years old, young, naughty and aggressive. Babe is like a part of family member. This interesting creature brings companionship and joy to us.

Babe loves riding in the car or truck ...

I learned a lot about dog since I have been in the US. I observed all dogs have owners around here. No stray dogs. I observed sometimes people treat their dogs better than human like putting clothes on, shoes or over-groomed and some people will try talk to me when I have Babe with me in public. Some say "Hi,you have a pretty dog!" or "Does he bite?" or "Can I touch him" or "What kind of dog it is?" That's really annoying me when they just attracted to your dog, being nice with you just want to see the dog and don't care who really you are. That's weird.

I guess same thing with baby too, People will talk to you about your baby "He/she is so cute!" or "She is so adorable!"or "You have a pretty baby". The fact is "All babies are cute or pretty right?" Is there any ugly baby out there?

Babe loves chasing go kart.

Babe loves running with bicycle

Maybe you've heard about dogs have been known as man's best friend. But not every dog is friendly by nature. They need training. No bad dogs, it just uneducated owners who humanizing them or mistreating them. Owning a dog requires commitment. Seriously I am educating myself about the dog when I live with him. I devote some of my time for daily walks to release his mental and physical energy. I feel I have some kind of human-animal bonded relationship after these years.

Babe loves snow. He loves cold temperature.

Babe loves food. Fruits, bread, cake, ice cream ... you name it and he is not a picky eater.

In dog world, dogs are pack animal that have an instinct to live with order and rules. They have a leader among them. Human become their pack when they live with human. That's the reason a dog follow what your command if human behave as a leader. In fact the dogs can sense human emotions such as fear, sad or happy, angry or upset

He knows me if I feel upset or sad but he won't know the reason. Dog's love is unconditional, once a dog decided to be your friend, he/she will be your friend forever. No matter if you are poor, sick or ugly.

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