places where you'll find us

As couples we need more quality time to spend together but we don't yet have that freedom to do so as we have still a toddler who'll be tag along wherever we go. Though he has a nanny, that nanny is good only for 7:00 am-5:00 pm on school days only. How I wish to take a romantic getaway once in a while...but anyway I enjoyed the time we spent as a family in exploring different restaurants- our favorite place where we could eat as a family and talk about our love for each other, our future, our dreams , our prayers and our hopes.

Let me bring you to our favorite places in Hatyai City.

1. Hachiban Ramen Restaurant -We love their delectable Japanese cuisine. Hubby can't get over with its yummy fried rice with Japanese Roasted Pork.

2. Eat-all-you-can steamboat dinner-We surely enjoy cooking our food on the steamboat! Have you tried this? It's fun and just be sure you know how to use the chopsticks or else you'll get your hands numbed afterwards...LOL!

3. Swensens- who can resist their variety of ice cream flavors and ice cream cake especially this HOT season! This is where we usually spent our special occasions.

4. Santa Fe Steakhouse- for only less than $25, you could enjoy pork steak with salad and garlic bread, fried mashed potato with cheddar cheese, pumpkin soup and cream with mushroom soup with your desired beverage.

5. Sizzler- This is where we spent our first Valentine's day as a couple. In here, you’ll see the best features of self-service and service-to-the-customer at their table. (so far based on my experience). I think they have expanded their ‘classic grill’ to include, not only steak and seafood, but also delicious chicken dishes, BBQ ribs, and combination meals. If you’ll order a menu like Rib Eye – tender and juicy steak, seared generously with their signature steak seasoning grilled to perfection and served with your choice of potatoes or rice worth of let’s say 280 baht, you can enjoy their famous endless salad bar of over 50 fresh items for you to enjoy – Sizzler’s new seasonal salads, gourmet soups, hot appetizers, fresh taco bar, just picked fruit, and dessert! You just can’t beat their lettuce, cherry tomato, mixed cheese, red onions, sliced mushrooms, shredded beets, croutons, bacon bits, crumbled bleu cheese, macaroni salad, clam chowder, watermelon, pineapple, honey dew melon, chicken wings, ice cream cones, whew, and much more all-you-can-eat salad bar!

6. Sky Buffet at Lee gardens Hotel- If Sizzler, Hatyai at the 2nd floor of Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel has eat-all-you-can salad bar, you’ll also have “eat-till-you-drop” experience Sky Buffet offered at the 33rd floor of Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel. They have Thai dishes, Thai salad, salad bar, Thai delicacies, fresh fruits, Thai desserts, ice cream, tea, coffee and soup. The price is 149 Baht per person and 99 baht for children and Senior Citizens. Besides the food, we love the place because up there at the 33rd floor we're able to have a spectacular view of the city.

The things I love the most about these restaurant are the atmosphere, the cleanliness, the service and the amazing food .

Another place where we love to go as couples /family are the malls. For me, it's a great way to bond while having fun at the same time. When choosing outfits, I love hubby to be there to offer his opinions. It save time and money, I tell you .

We always go to the following stores/malls:

Diana is just around our corner so we went there everyday especially on evenings. There are restaurants, a ten-pin bowling alley and a cinema in addition to the shops there. Clothes and shoes are the main items, of which there is a good selection. Prices and quality are reasonable. We don't pay much attention to the sales. Everything is discounted every day of the year.

Tops Supermarkets is the number one supermarket chain in Thailand, ... Tops offers a wide range of traditional supermarket items as well as fresh ones. I shop here every other day for our meals.

British-operated Tesco has done well in Thailand operating as Tesco Lotus. This large retailer has used the 'Superstore' format and turned each Tesco Lotus into a one-stop shopping mall. The actual supermarket is huge. The quality of goods is OK but there is nothing really special. The emphasis is on cheap prices.

This is a good place to buy cheap household appliances and a limited number of furniture items. They also sell clothes, toiletries, stationery and children's toys. Buying in bulk is the secret at Tesco. Buying trays of canned drinks, for example, works out a lot cheaper than buying them individually in town.

Carrefour (the Thais pronounce it 'car-foo') is the latest superstore to hit Hat Yai and it will put a dent in the profits of rival Tesco Lotus. It is really a shopping mall rather than a single store.

Apart from the main supermarket there are the usual shops and restaurants outside plus a few new ones. Just inside the entrance are several stalls selling handicrafts from various OTOP (One Tambon One Product) initiatives.

There is also a large 'HomePro' store selling everything for the home from towels, mats, lighting and electrical appliances to complete bathrooms.

an entry for:

Hyzyd 's laugh

I can't resist the charm of my toddler's laughter. We usually play before going to sleep and his laughter is a better cure for my insomnia, it's better than a sleeping pill .

issues on loans

At some point in our life here in Thailand we’ll likely have to borrow money to pay for unexpected bills or financial emergencies. It's really a godsend that our school allow us to have personal loan with no interest at all. We can loan up to 20,000 baht payable for four months granting that three Thai teachers will sign your loan application paper as guarantors. I haven't yet availed this kind of service but at least I know that if ever we face financial crisis, we know where to run to.

Honestly, I avoided any form of loan or credit especially collateral loans. A collateral loan is a loan secured by some asset you own. You promise to hand the asset over to the lender if you cannot repay the loan as agreed. By using a collateral loan, the lender takes less risk, and it may be easier for you to get funding. Just make sure you know the essentials of collateral loans before you use one. I'm also scared to experience bad credit problems because of late or missed payments. I have a friend who couldn't apply for personal loans anymore because of her bad credit history.

I found out that there are lenders who offered bad credit personal loans with collateral. But this kind of loan is far more risky for the borrower. That's because such loans usually require collateral in the form of a home, and come with extremely high interest rates and high monthly payments. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender can sell the house to make up for the loss. If a person's bad credit is directly related to lower income, making steep loan payments on time can be tremendously difficult. With a house on the line, getting too far behind on the loan can come at a very high cost.

What do people use these bad credit loans with collateral for? Most bad credit loan services serve people who want to purchase or refinance a house. Some bad credit lenders offer new and used car loans as well. At the very least, a person with bad credit can receive a personal paycheck advance loan. Leveraged correctly, this money can help a person to turn his or her financial status around. It is extremely important that people who seek out bad credit loans take plenty of time to research all the options and find out exactly what they will need to do to maintain timely payments.

I wonder if there's such thing as bad credit loans with no collateral. I think this is less risky on the borrower's part.

what i really dream on vacation time

It's vacation time! If there's no limitation in financial aspect I dream of doing the following :

1. I love to try playing golf. Golf is a great game and we're just a mile away from a golf course.

2.Try other sporting activities like scuba, snorkeling, water skiing, parasailing, renting jet skis, or whatever. There are a ton of water activities to choose from whether in Songkhla, Krabi or in Phuket.

3. Go shopping! Who doesn't love shopping? I would love to visit local shops here and find souvenirs.

4. Drive around as part of the weekend getaway. But first I need to learn how to drive...LOL!

5. Take a Caribbean Cruise. A lot of cheap caribbean promo codes are available on the net.


The list would be endless if I want to as long as I use my imagination. The next time we'll be on vacation, I want to have some fun and do stuff we don't usually get to do at home. I want to be creative and try new things once in a while.

How about you? Where's your trip this vacation time and what new things are you trying to do? I would love to hear your stories!

apple ipad on the go!

Last night we went to TESCO Lotus, one of the big department stores here in Hatyai City and we passed along arrays of netbooks. I asked my hubby if I could have one in the coming days for my blogging career. He told me if I want a netbook , apple ipad would be an excellent choice. I asked my husband where did he get that idea. I'm familiar with Apple notebooks or Apple iPod touchscreen but not the Apple iPad. He read in the net that the iPad is a tablet computer developed by Apple Inc. Announced on January 27, 2010, it is part of a category between a smartphone and a laptop computer. Similar in functionality to the smaller, less powerful iPhone or iPod touch, it runs a modified version of the same operating system (iPhone OS), with a user interface redesigned to take advantage of the larger screen. The iPad has a 9.7-inch (25 cm) LED backlit multi-touch display, 16 to 64 gigabytes (GB) of flash memory, Bluetooth, and a 30-pin dock connector to sync with iTunes and connect wired accessories. Two models have been announced: one with 802.11n Wi-Fi and one with 802.11n Wi-Fi and 3G (which can connect to HSDPA cellular networks), and Assisted GPS. Both models may be purchased with three different storage capacities. It starts with $499.

I can say that apple ipad would be an excellent choice both for educators like me and hubby and for students. I wonder when this iPad be available in Asia?

experience on web hosting

Last week I decided to buy 2 domains from GoDaddy.com for only $7.49 each (available upon check out) instead of the usual price which is $10. What I then need is a reliable web hosting because I'm going to maintain these blogs to wordpress platform.

You see, last time I purchase domain for my other blog in blogger platform- Her and History it's just very easy. All you need to do is redirect your own registered domain to your blog and voila your blog is ready with its new custom domain. You don't need web hosting provider because blogger platform has its own hosting service. Whereas, now that I've decided to maintain my other two blogs in wordpress platform, I can't just redirect my newly-bought domains to my blogs, I needed web hosting. Web hosting is the space that you buy on a remote computer to store your website files. When you purchase web hosting you are basically renting space on a high-powered server somewhere in the world.

In my search, I found that some companies charge you for both domain names and web hosting accounts, some hosts give you a free domain name with the purchase of web hosting while in my case through a suggestion from a friend, I bought domains and find a cheaper web host provider to cater my blogs. I will inform you later of my two newly-set up blogs as soon as I get them ready for my readers.

scouting for brazilian blowout!

What did you do with your dry and lackluster hair? I always resort to hair rebonding. Rebonding is a chemical hair treatment that makes your hair straight, sleek and shiny. It is a permanent and expensive procedure. Prices for the treatment may vary across salons due to products used, service, your hair type and post treatment care. In malls, it costs 1,500-2,500 baht. I get it only for 700 baht from a church mate. I heard that constant rebonding can cause hair fall so I'm looking for other safer options.

I recently find out that there's an an innovative new hair- smoothing treatment promises to give you the manageable tresses you've always longed for. The Brazilian Blowout is a keratin-enriched process which makes even the frizziest hair smooth and radiantly shiny. It doesn't completely straighten your waves and curls, just makes your hair much softer, and you can blow dry it straight in a fraction of the time it used to take. But it does mean an hour and a half in the salon chair, and it doesn't last more than a few months. It is also on the expensive side. Celebrities and common folk alike are thrilled with the results.

I wonder if Brazilian Blowout treatment is available here in Hatyai. Good for US residents because they could find salons that has this latest innovative smoothing treatments like the Brazilian Blowout Temecula- I mean Brazilian Blowout treatment in Temecula, a city in southwestern Riverside County, California, United States.

I'm curious about this this blowout method because it promises to actually improve the health of your hair. It strengthens your tresses by filling in the damaged cuticles with keratin while bathing it in moisturizing and softening botanical extracts. It is effective on every type of hair, be it dry, straight, thick, fine, brittle or chemically over-processed. You can even apply the formula on top of other relaxers and straighteners. I can't wait to scout for Brazilian Blowout stylist here in Hatyai City.

the ugly barnacle makes Hyzyd laugh!

Have you seen the episode of Spongebob where he got smelly breath? Patrick tries to cheer him up by telling him a story. As he finished the story, watch how Hyzyd give the show a good laugh.

father and son encounter

I enjoyed moments where Hyzyd tries to get his ways and his dad is there to discipline him. What an encounter!

rc helicopter for hyzyd!

Last week as we visited Carrefour - one of the leading department stores here in Hatyai City, I lost my two boys! I mean, I was doing our grocery shopping and I didn't noticed that hubby and Hyzyd were not with me anymore! It took me few minutes to locate them at the toy department surrounded with rc helicopters!

Hyzyd really enjoyed watching a rc helicopter buzzing over him. I remember that it's my brothers' childhood dream to own and fly their own remote control helicopter. I asked the in-charge in there on how much it is. It's only less than $100! I never thought RC Helicopters could be that affordable these days. My husband promised to buy one for Hyzyd when he reaches 2 years old- that would be six months from now. I can't wait to buy one for Hyzyd...maybe it would be fun to try it too!

I'm researching if we could buy RC Helicopters online in an affordable price, I found one at Hbby-Estore.com. They're on sale and we can purchase them on our designated budget! The greatest benefit I noticed when we'll make our purchase at them is that we'll receive full technical support through videos, instructional guides, or through email, as well as parts support for the helicopter we'll purchase from them! That's good enough for me.

I can't wait to tell hubby when he'll wake up today!

Hyzyd at songkhla aquarium episode 2

While waiting for the van to pick us up, Hyzyd entertained us with his dance moves using the music from my mobile phone.

our staycation's list of activities

Here's the list of what we're going to do during our staycation- simple, cheap (I don't have plan of breaking our bank) and yet enjoyable activities that will keep us sane for the whole month's stay-at-home vacation:

1. Check some books in my bookshelves read the afternoon away. I plan to finish reading Season's of Love and My Hearts Desire- two Christian novels by June masters Bachers.
2. Picnic near the PSU's lake.
3. Shoot as many funny and interesting photos as we can.
4. Play Scrabble and text Twist.
5. Read interesting articles online… StumbleUpon, Digg, revenue sharing content site, etc.
6. Go night swimming
7. Stargazing
9. Re-watch a great movie we haven’t seen in years- Richie Rich, Dennis the Menace, Pretty Woman, etc.
10. Drink red wine and share funny stories with hubby.
11. Browse around thrift stores. Maybe it's about time to visit Puer Thai- Hatyai's popular flea market.
12. Take a moonlight stroll holding hands with hubby while he carries Hyzyd.
13. Write poetry- preferably free verse.
14. Download funny movies and host a funny movie marathon.
15. Hit up local carnivals, zoos, museums and weekend festivals.
16. Prepare mango shake or halo-halo and share it with my friends.
17. Massage hubby's feet if he promised to massage mine.
18. Visit Songkhla Beach and skip rocks across the water.
19. Watch the sunrise and sunset.
20. Let hubby learn cool magic tricks online and perform it in front of us.
21. Go bowling on discount bowling night at Diana Mall.
22. Dance with the Hillsong kids.
23. Visit Ice Dome before this month ends.
24. Celebrate my birthday at JB Hotel- an eat-all-you can buffet.
25. Join the Songkhran celebration and experience the water-gun war with water-balloon grenades.
26. Dream an afternoon away in your cozy bed.
27. Learn new jokes online and share them with friends and family.
28. Hit the magazine rack at SEED book store (I just don’t buy any).
29. YouTube
30. Karaoke anyone?
31. Clean the bed sheets, make the bed, and snuggle into the freshness.
32. Relax outdoors on a sunny day.
33. Take a short jog and a long relaxing shower.
34. Stretch.
35. Give hubby and Hyzyd a long hug.
36. Cuddle with dear as long as he can take.
37. Pillow fight!
38. I'll make more list…

Feeding Show at Songkhla Aquarium

Hyzyd enjoys the feeding show during our visit to Songkhla Aquarium.

unforgettable classmates

My friends used to joke around and said that they can't forget those classmates that are on extremes- very intellectual that some of them became insane (is it true?), very dumb that can't even understand the question "What's your name?" (here in Thailand, it's possible but in Philippines, i don't think so), very beautiful- a beauty like an angel, very ugly that even the Best Plastic Surgeon in Hawaii can't beautify him/her (that's rude!) , very kind that can't even kill a mosquito ( huh?) and very bad that everyone scream when they see him/her.

For me, I couldn't forget my classmate in Grade 2. She's maybe 2-3 years older than me and she's a working student of our adviser. One day during our break, she told my classmates that when she grows up she wanted to be a Go-Go dancer! At age 8, I don't have idea on what it is all about so I was shocked when she got up on our desk and dance the twist! I asked her on why did she wants to be a Go-Go dancer. Her reply stunned me- she wanted to entertain crowds at a discotheque and see males screaming for her and throwing money for her while she strips!

What a weird dream! It's been 20 years ago and I don't know where she is now. I just hope that she's in good hands. I don't know why she had that kind of disposition in life.

How about you do you have unforgettable classmates? Care to share?

Hyzyd at songkhla aquarium episode 1

After out tour in Songhkla Aquarium last Saturday, we can't keep Hzyd on one place while waiting for the van to pick us up. While we tried to our best not to be under the heat of the sun (oh boy, the heat of the sun is killing me!) Hyzyd wanted to explore Songkhla Aquarium amidst the HOTNESS! I almost fainted just by running after him! Look at that face, he doesn't want to be stopped!

Have you noticed on the last photo that he placed his hands above his head? He turned around to me and shouted "HOT!"...Good thing that he felt that it's hot and he need to be with us- in the waiting shed.

the sajolan's are on staycation!

Ever heard of staycation? That's we are going to do this year. It's the latest term for stay-at-home vacation. Our budget for vacation is little limited this year and airfare going back to Philippines is out of the question. Moreover, we need to save because we don't have work this month and that means no pay too!

So what are we going to do while staying at home ?

1. I'll make a list first , what I want to do is different with what my hubby will do. We'll also take into consideration how would our little boy enjoy our presence...! Maybe we'll download more spongebob cartoons for Hyzyd to watch while he's on my lap. or rewatch nice movies I haven't seen in years. I'm looking forward to download softwares that convert image and photo files between different formats, add watermarks and text effects or something that produce batch image resizing, thumbnail gallery creation, renaming, and captioning. I hope I could have time with these.

2. Have plenty of snack and easy meals on hand. Plenty of fruit, fish taro, pocky bread sticks, crackers, carrot sticks, raisins, and peanut butter made the perfect healthy snacks, for us and for our boy. I need to watch my diet because it's very tempting during this time to eat more than what's necessary. Good food is great for staycation!

I'll be back with you with my list. I don't plan too much and most of my plans is for the sake of my little boy. I don't want him to be exhausted with my plans because we're not going to have as much fun.

Have you tried staycation? What's your experience? I love to hear from you .

Hyzyd's first visit to Songkhla Aquarium

Last Saturday, my family and my brother's family went out to visit Songkhla Aquarium. The place reminds me of what I used to teach before to my BS Fisheries students- parts of the fish and anything about fish! I'm just a bit disappointed because I don't have the right camera to get a better photo inside the dark aquarium (we're not allowed to use the flash) but anyway what's important is that I have time to visit this wonderful place and had the chance to appreciate the undersea life.

Entrance fee for us is 100 baht per person including my 17 months old toddler but I saw on their banner that foreigner adult's admission fee is 300 baht while children are charged 200 baht. Does this mean we're categorized as "Thai"? Not bad...we enjoyed the discount...Before we roamed around the aquarium we have the chance to watch the feeding show! Hyzyd was soooo excited that we can't stop him from running in front!

Songkhla Aquarium is more than an aquarium! If you have enough budget, you could also savor the relaxing feeling of fish spa which will cost you 200 baht per 25 minutes (I'll feature this one later) . Outside the aquarium, if you want the ultimate sightseeing experience then look no further than renting a GoCar for their speedway or the ATVs off-the-road-single or duo. Enjoy a stunning scenic cruise of Songkhla aquarium Beach aboard the paddle boat, kayak, Jetski or on a banana boat! You can also play volleyball on their beach or have your family camping if you want. There's so many options offered for you at Songkhla Aquarium. Visit www.songkhlaaquarium.com for more information.