Sunday, October 28, 2007

Awesome Website to Visit Before You Visit Paris

Paris, city of Light.
The epicenter of culture, fashion, style in Europe.
The Cafés! The Eiffel! The fashion week! The food! And the list goes on and on. If I have anywhere I can go in the world, my first place to go is Paris.

There are so many things to do, so many sights to see. Everything you do in Paris is about pleasure of all senses. So it's really easy to splurge (and there's nothing wrong with splurging) when you go such a place like Paris. Sure, you may love to travel like a jetsetter, not caring where you end up, just go wherever your heart desires, but if you're a frugal (and wise) traveler like I am, it's always best to research and find places to go, hotels to book before you make that phone call reserving your plane ticket.

For those who are more like myself, this is the website you need to visit:

http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/France/

This website is awesome for so many reasons. Http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/France/
guarantees you with the LOWEST prices online. It's the only website that provides you with the BEST deal for hotels. From 1 star to 5, complete with description of the hotels, location, and information about their affordable rate, and they also give you a last-minute deal to year-round rate. You can easily navigate their website (it's very user-friendly) and make reservation online, you can either pay upon arrival or pay deposit online and pay the rest after you've finished your visit to Paris. And even if you can't visit Paris now, you can sign up for their e-mail newsletter so that they can notify you during another travel season of the best deal available!

So what are you waiting for?
Click on : http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk/France/

Be a well-informed traveler I promise that you will end up enjoying more of your stay in Paris knowing full well that you save very well!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

All Apology

When you have a rambunctious little boy like Chris, you'll understand why most of my free time is spent catering to his 'every' needs.

I do mean: EVERYTHING.

I will be back blogging as often as I can just because I'm soooo cool and people are actually interested in reading my blog........NOT!! LOL.

Anyhow, I'm going to try to avoid my son (who keeps charging at me right now) and get him to watch "Blues Clues" or something like that.

Tracy

Friday, September 14, 2007

Sorry Sorry I SUCK at This

So I haven't been blogging as I'm supposed to. My status as online writer is threatened, my beloved online ad agency has demoted me too! Oh the sorrow!

Anyway, I must apologize to M for not returning her e-mail promptly as I'm supposed to. I'm assuming she's back in England safely, although her heart may be a little sad due to leaving her fiancee and ::cough:: a sex object. LOL. I'm just going to leave the details out for your sake, M. :)

Nowadays, I've been preoccupied. I will start a new job in October, quite nervous but excited and I've been just amused with Chris. He's becoming more and more adult-like. The other night, he put Elmo to sleep. Yes. He kissed Elmo, talk to it, then cuddle then proceeded to wrap a blanket on Elmo. Then Chris lay down next to him, as I started to speak, suddenly he SHUSHED me.

Yes. He wouldn't let me talk! He put his tiny index finger in front of his mouth. "Shhhhhh." Both Michael and I tried our hardest not to laugh. It's just the cutest thing. Then when Chris thought Elmo was asleep, he climbed off the bed and went to play.

Just like what I do to him when I'm trying to get him to sleep. He's getting better mimicking. Another thing I notice, he's getting taller and taller, he towers over a 3-yrs-old and he almost reaches the height of a 4 yrs-old boy.

And, for a 2 years-old, he's pretty good with his letters and numbers. He remembers them all, and can count up to 50. I'm so proud for drilling those lessons into his tiny head! My mom thinks Chris may be a genius, I told her "Not possible. Sorry about that." Michael thinks that Chris should play soccer like Beckham or enter the NFL later on in life. He keeps saying that Chris is a "specimen." Hmmm...

Oh we'll see. Que sera sera, whatever will be will be!

Love,

Tracy

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

My Son is Picky Eater

I'm musing how Christopher is over 2, how fast he's growing. How fun and darling he is right now, and how attached and loving he is of mom...

Anyway, today, as I was cutting celery for snack (after washing them, of course), I notice him by my side, he said "Bite?" He always said that when he wanted to eat anything I was preparing, I looked at him, and said, "Sure, go ahead. Take it." He threw a little smile my way, and grabbed the celery from the kitchen counter, and went back to the living room while happily munching the green stalk.

My parents often said that I was very picky with my food. I only would eat chicken or beef (anything meat) and nothing else, or maybe with some rice. I would turn my head at the sight of vegetables, in fact, I used to detest vegetables.

I find it amazing that Chris is the same way, but the complete opposite. My son would munch on celery, cucumber and carrot and he'd spit out the beef, pork or chicken. Sometimes he'll eat turkey or fish, but it's SOMETIMES.

I didn't notice, but I have a naturally vegetarian baby (or would-be vegetarian)! He's a healthful eater because he would refuse eating French fries or chicken nuggets (I did offer him those--I'm assuming children love those things), and opt for low-sodium vegetable soup instead. I hope this phase will last a while :)

I also marvel on how tall he is, he almost reaches my hip (height-wise) and he's only 2 years old! (P.S. I'm 5'7) Everyone who sees him thinks that he's at least 3 or 4 years old but with a face of a baby, it's too cute, I sincerely think he kind of looks like Suri Cruise (male version of her, I guess it's because they have the same color skin and hair), but it's just my opinion. I don't understand how Tom Cruise baby seems part- Asian, but I digress.

Anyway, this entry is for my sweet boy, Christopher. Mommy loves you!

Monday, July 30, 2007

Unique Travel Destination IV: Australia

Hello!

It feels that it's been awhile since I've written about Travel destination (outside the glorious Portland Oregon), but since this is still the best time of the year to travel, I'll bite.
Once upon a time (years and years ago), a girl named Tracy (me) decided to travel to Australia with her friends, after much consideration, her parents decided to send her to Perth, Sydney then Melbourne for a 2-week-excursion. Oh what a fun time that was! She, her brother, her cousins and a couple of friends enjoyed lovely hotel accommodation, beautiful culture and places, not to mention great shopping.

Those were the days when money didn't come too much into the equation when traveling. Things are a little different, when you're an adult and responsible for your own finances. And if you've not even visited the Australia, surely you wonder which places you should visit first. I know that this doesn't seem too original, but I can't help it for obvious reason that these cities are just marvelous, I'd suggest: the BIG 3 (3 biggest cities in Lovely Australia):

Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Beautiful Sydney harbors, numerous fun cruises (or you can charter your own boat) and who can ever forget about Sydney's Opera House (magnificent sights!), Sydney provides fun outdoor experience as well as nourish your artistic and cultural needs as a tourist. Simply said: When it comes to which city is Australia’s true global city, there’s no argument. It’s Sydney – with its sense of style, its love of sport and exuberant celebrations! Through the link, you can find and reserve tours, cruises and learn more about this cool place! But if you want to save money, go click this link: http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/Sydney/

Melbourne is the second most populous city in Australia. Located around Port Phillips Bay in the country's south-east, Melbourne is the state capital of Victoria. The city is often referred to as Australia's "sporting and cultural capital" and it is home to many of the nation's most significant cultural and sporting events and institutions. Melbourne is a city with something for everyone. From chic fashion stores to buzzing lane cafés and trendy bars, botanic gardens to sports stadiums, elegant Victorian-era buildings to Manhattan-style skyscrapers, film and food festivals to galleries and opulent theaters, Melbourne has an activity and attraction that will interest you. With so much to experience, I must slip this in, if you want to save some money on your hotel accommodation, check out: http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/Melbourne/

Last but not least, Brisbane. I've not had the fortune to visit Brisbane (third biggest city in Australia) in the past, but I'd recommend it on the basis that I want to go there next and I'll be sure to check out http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/Brisbane/. After all, this time around I'll be paying my way! :)

I digress. Here are some reasons why I want to go: Brisbane has a thriving live music scene, as well as museums and theaters, performing arts and creative arts within the city and suburbs. It is the birthplace of internationally acclaimed singers, music bands, authors, actors, artists, sculptors and fashion designers. And if you like outdoor travel, you'll love Brisbane's South Bank Parklands, the Roma Street Parkland (which has an outdoor amphitheater), the Brisbane City Botanic Garden (founded in 1855) then the Mount Coot-tha state forest that overlooks the city. And being the tourist that I am, I'd LOVE to dock by Portside Wharf, their newest tourist industry addition (reportedly spent 750 million to build!).


After all those daydreaming, let's get back to reality. If you've recently set your eyes on either Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, or all three, the next step is to plan out your trip carefully so that you won't blow your budget. After all, when you're traveling, your priority is the travel. But you still want a good, enjoyable, safe place to spend your nights (or if you're a party-all-nighter, at least: a wonderful resting place) and have more than enough money left over to REALLY TRAVEL Down Under.

This is where very useful website like : http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/ is such a HUGE help(don't forget, after 'Australia,' insert/write the cities you want to visit. For example: http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/Sydney/ , http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/Melbourne/, http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/Brisbane/)

From those links (http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/Sydney/, http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/Melbourne/, http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/Brisbane/ ), there's this convenient (simple) and efficient tool at your fingertips! You can go ahead browse different hotels/hostels/what-have-yous, you can compare prices, make great use of their discounts whether it's seasonal or year-long, check out the location (map out your travel destination from your hotel), you can even BOOK online.

All this service is FREE (thanks to http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/ ), and you'll SAVE MONEY on your hotel accommodation!

How can you go wrong from that? :) More money to enjoy Brisbane's night life, go out kayakking along Sydney Harbor, or sightseeing at beautiful streetscapes of Melbourne while indulging in retail therapy (oh ladies, you know who you are!).

Remember everyone, a well-planned travel will only result in MORE GOOD TIME!

So go ahead and plan ahead, check out: http://www.cheaperthanhotels.com.au/Australia/ get the best out of your money and HAVE FUN always doing so.

Until then,

Tracy

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Our Condo




So, I was browsing craigslist.org today to find out that the property management used our condo as model condo to attract potential buyers and renters!

Isn't that cool? It takes some convincing, but Michael finally agrees when he saw these pics:

The third pic is our living room, of course instead of potted flowers, we put our 27 inch TV there above the fireplace.
And instead of itty bitty loveseat (poor excuse of one), we put both huge sage sofa and loveseat (imagine the coziness).

Next is the kitchen. Nothing's changed much, and believe it or not, the floor actually looks nicer in real life. It's a big kitchen, we fit in a pretty big dining table.

Then the top one: our master bedroom. They actually decorate it better than we've ever done (we don't have the sheer curtain, having a boy who will smear chocolate all over it then pulls it down...just doesn't make sense to have curtains). And no night table because the little one pulled the cabinet off (long story--he's the little destroyer nowadays).

Anyway. Many people have moved out (the renters) because the inconvenience of parking (it's a hassle because people just park anywhere they like!) then upstairs neighbor. Living on the ground floor has its advantage of having a small gated yard, which is very cool because Chris LOVES it, but since it's not such a well-insulated place, we get to experience every noise our upstairs' neighbor makes!

Even worse, if you have someone who is extra noisy at night.

We're browsing around for a new place nowadays, some place we can stay for awhile without moving (we've only lived in our condo for a year), we want to find a place where Chris is going to have buddies and Michael gets to work on his truck (so a garage, storage and yard are necessary) then a nice/safe enough neighborhood that I can do my daily walk and exercise.

So far no luck, but maybe one day... :) Hopefully soon.

Monday, July 16, 2007

My Favorite Things

Currently, these are a few of my favorite things:

1) Trader's Joe's Pomegranate White Tea and Jasmine Green Tea

2) Browsing through really CRAFTY/creative websites such as:

http://designsponge.blogspot.com/
or
http://www.remakeables.com/
or
http://decor8.blogspot.com/
or
http://ohjoy.blogs.com/
or
http://ikeahacker.blogspot.com/
or
http://www.etsy.com/
or
http://cherylthinktank.blogspot.com/
and
etc (I will be back to add more later on!)

Well, it's completely amazing to find communities filled with creative, fun, artsy individuals (not to mention crafty) and their creation actually inspire me to do things in a more personal/individualized way. I suppose I can put it like this: I'm more appreciative toward things that are handmade and original then mass-produced products now.

3) Christopher's growing and getting smarter each day. The boy starts to speak more and more and he's finally starting to get more comfortable in his own room after spending almost all of his life in the same room with mom (yes, I made the mistake of not putting him in another room after birth!)

4) Christopher's freshly decorated room! Michael did it this past weekend, and he also DEEP-cleaned our condo! I'm so happy for not having to do this task!

5) Kettle's (natural) chips, Salt & Vinegar flavor.

6) Chelsea Handler's new daily show "Chelsea Lately." It's crazy good, CRASS, funny, rude but still quite honest and totally cool/fun to watch! It's on pretty late, so it's good because this lady doesn't hold back. I love the "Female happy Ending" segment she had today on the premiere, and when she 'put a cap' on Steve-O's ass.

7) Dreaming of IKEA (they're opening one soon in town! Sure beats driving up to Seattle).

8) Watching "healthy" cooking shows, like: "Healthy Appetite: Ellie Krieger," or "Healthy Decadence," or "A Lyon in the Kitchen," "Sarah Snow: Fresh."

9) Target. Women's clothing department. CHEAP but quite stylish, I know I know, many will say: quality over quantity. My advice is this, sure, INVEST in quality clothing that's timeless, but if you want to indulge in trend/fad, go ahead head on to Target. I LOVE their GO designer lines, the new one being: Libertine.
In the past, I've been so into Isaac Mizrahi's line for Target.
My second choice for CHEAP trendy clothing is Walmart. Look at their "George" line, I usually just buy them on sale. From original price of $30, I often get them for either $3.50 or $3. Really. For those who are green-conscious, believe it or not, Walmart has been pushing green campaign, and they actually have AFFORDABLE (aka cheap) GREEN/environmentally friendly clothing. Crazy good!

Eh, that's it for now. I'm going to update as I find more and more my favorite things. After all, life is all about the lovely small things, silver lining(s) in the cloudy sky.