Happy 5th browsing birthday… Firefox

INTERNET EXPLORER dominated the browsing business since the www invades our online communication and I cant imagine myself without Explorer in my notebook. Few months ago my explorer browser broke down after upgrading to the latest version (V.7) via free upload website. I bought my notebook in 2006 with Explorer V.6 and lately an automated pop-up onscreen reminder to upgrade it for faster and efficient browsing experience.

At first, I was doubting it because of numerous spammers attacking my harddrive, including my virus scan software (VGA). I have legal copies installed in my notebook, however, most of the time, while opening various websites (blogs, youtube, etc.) the spams are activated and reminding to upgrade…blablablah. In other words, I was convinced to upgrade to the new version, but after awhile it was ok, and but then the problem occurred when I had my short holiday in Manila and Bangkok.

I was excited to do my regular blogging while visiting the shopping malls since most of them have wireless connections, including Starbucks and other coffee shops. I dont know but, I could not even connect thru my latest Explorer browser! I was hopeless and disappointed… wished that I did not upgrade it at the first place. So, most of the time, I have to pay visiting internet coffees/shops just to update my blogs and send emails.

AFTER MY HOLIDAY I consulted my colleague at uni on how to resolve this browsing problem. He suggested to try Mozilla/Firefox. Before I decided to change my browser, I visited several sites to find out more about it and other browsers just to be assured that I will not encounter problems in the future. Finally, I decided to install FIREFOX and now it is perfectly working!

WELL, FIVE YEARS AGO (NOVEMBER 9) FIREFOX became instrumental in making the web a better place for blogging thru WORDRESS. According to the wordpress statistics, Firefox shared almost 46% of the browser users, followed by Internet Explorer (39%). For more information, please CLICK HERE.

Welcome to my eWorld…

 

Hello to my eWorld!

Well, this is not my first created blog but whatever journals written here will complement with my existing blogs powered by other free websites. Basically, this site will serve as the mother portal of all my personal accounts for easy management – updating, uploading and sharing.

My existing sites feature my interest in photography, travel, reading and writing or something worth exploring. In relation to photograhy, I included some of the images taken during my travels or just simply interesting places that capture my eyes through my digital camera.

In terms of moving around the globe, I joined several travel sites to share my experiences and provide assistance to other travellers making their future trips memorable and enjoyable, and be able to explore stunning places around the world. I also included my interest in writing reviews with my membership to ciao and dooyoo. Finally, my other accounts from free websites.

For quick links of these pages, just click the subheadings listed or the thumbnails images below:

My World : This section simply focuses on my fascination of Mother Earth – how we could protect and conserve its natural beauty for future generations. This also covers my academic world as an engineer, planner, manager and or an ordinary human being (social and spiritual being).

Travel Blog: Provides a list of my travel journals with images

Trivago: A travel site which I am getting extra income for posting of images, reviews and other travel info

Consumer site: Highlights my membership with dooyoo and ciao where I post reviews of products and services, anything that I want to share with the rest of the consumers worldwide

Atbp: Provides a space for my personal interests and hobbies, something worth exploring

Hope you enjoy reading my blog and please come again and I am happy to receive your comments. Again, click the photo thumbnails below for direct links to the rest of my blog pages. Best REYgards!

Other recommended interesting sites that inspired me to enjoy life and inspired other people to do the same…Watch out for these useful links!

I am also featuring some of my favourite films, musicals and other events…  Im a film and musical fanatic, and Im sure you will be excited to find out more of these fascinating productions. Well, I have dedicated blog links on these categories to explore and be my guest.

 

Heroes is an awesome TV series and I do watch it regularly. I have the complete season’s DVD copies, including magazines relating to this phenominal production. I love the characters, including the actors/actresses that portrayed their roles! I will provide a special blog just for this TV series in the near future. Watch out for this!

Newsbits and Updates

Wow thanks God!… Im up here in cloud 9 at the moment, trying to savour my harwork, perseveranace and optimism after a success defence of my PhD (Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering) thesis. With minor corrections, I will be able to submit my final copy of the thesis by the end of the year, and by then I could officially use the title, PhD after my name or Dr. before my name.

I also came up with own Historical Ovi tweets as part of NOKIA’s sponsorship to the forthcoming Pinoy Expats Blog awards on the 26th October, 2009. If you fancy of finding out who is the lucky historical figure, then CLICK HERE. I will be posting more of these historical tweets in a regular basis. Watch out for this, especially Im featuring David (Michelangelo’s masterpiece who got a modelling contract with Green Explorer (NOKIA’s Green  website)  for promoting Climate Change… David tweeted AL GORE about this!

I was also able to write a journal, entitled Higher Learning and Climate Change  for this year’s Blog Action Day – 15th October. For details, click HERE.  In addition, Efren Penaflorida needs your vote to be recognised as one of the ten CNN Heroes 2009.

 By the way, my attendance during the AIT golden jubilee celebration was a success, CLICK HERE for details.  More stories during my trips to Puerto Galera (Batangas) CLICK HERE, including Ocean Park (Manila) and night shoppings in Metro Manila will be posted very soon!

 My quest for PEBA top Expats/OFWs Blog Award nominee is still exciting despite the latest standing in the voting poll. Thanks alot for those who have already voted for my blog as one of the contenders in the 2009 Pinoy Expats/OFWs Blog Awards. If you havent cast your vote, then CLICK HERE and dont forget to read my entry as my support to this annual event. Your votes make a difference to all Pinoy Expat bloggers!

  

FILM GUIDE : One of my favourite past times (aside from blogging) is watching suspense, thriller, horror, adventure and documentary films. I am a movie fanatic and these movies really entertained me to the max! CLICK HERE if you fancy to join me watching them again. Bring a popcorn with you, please?  I recently watched  the “Final Destnation 3D, Whiteout, the remake of “Fame”, Grudge 3, Frozen Flower, including Filipino films: In My Life (starring Vilma Santos), Manghuhula (Eula Valdez) and two Filipino indie films: The Secret of Antonio and Lovebirds.

BOOK WATCH: If you want to know more about my favourite books and authors, then try a look and maybe we have the same interest. I already finished reading Dan Brown’s Lost Symbol, including Mary Higgins Clark’s novel, I heard that Song Before, including a book written by a Thai writer (Chai Pinit), “Bangkok Boy“.  I have to continue reading, The Time Traveller’s Wife also in cinema houses now. CLICK HERE for more of my book collections.  Finally, watch out for my online reviews on these inspiring novels and stories.

Location, location, location: Another stunning location – the place where our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal learned his fencing skills, SPAIN! Lake Enol  is one of the most fascinating nature reserves in the north of the country and I had the chance to visit this place, including the Picos de Europa (Asturias)  in September 2008. For the previous featured location, Crista de Gallo (Sibuyan Island), CLICK HERE - where the sun, fresh air and the blue ocean meet every day! If you missed the last location which is the home of Michelangelo’s masterpiece (David) – Florence… then CLICK HERE .

SPOTLIGHT: Did you know that I love to cook and taking photos of  the food I cooked? Well, find out more about my specialty menu…Click HERE. Finding more about Spain, then try a look of my recent trip to Madrid and Asturias, Click HERE. Do you want to know more about me, then find out HERE.

L-ovi-D it: Historic Ovi (NOKIA) Tweets Fans live @ ovi.com blog

I L-ovi-D it! Im ovi-r excited looking at these historic sweets featured in Ovi.com today shared by fans, in particular the tweets from PEBA (Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards) nominees like myself. My tweet from David (Michelangelo’s sculpture) to Al-Gore (x-VP of America) is chosen second winner after Cyrano de Bergerac’s tweet to Esmond Rostand of another PEBA nominee, Isla ni Nebz got first place.

So, what do you waiting for, click the LINK HERE and see for yourself! You might have your own historic tweets to share to OviBlog then have a go…

ON THE OTHER HAND, I also created some graphics using the images of my friend’s E71 Nokia handset. I was contemplating to join the NOKIA’s InnOviate Competition but not able to download a photo application from its Store website. I used the existing photo feature of my friend’s E71 unit to capture my ideas about Ovi application!

Since Nokia is the major sponsor of PEBA and being a nominee for such prestigious event and with my full support to the organisation, Im featuring Nokia Ovi in my creative work as shown here and in my personal choice of the OVI-rpowering TOP TEN BLOGSITES  to be shared here very soon! Watch out for this…

Up Close and Personal: My American dream

GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ME! Some of my fav shots during my travels… For instance, my first visit to the US will always be on my top snapshot list, having the Twin Towers as my backdraft while visiting Statue of Liberty in New Jersey/NewYork, including my visit inside the While House (red, blue and green rooms).

Lady Liberty and I...

The twin towers and I...

The White House and I...

Unfortunately, I could not duplicate these images anymore considering that the tallest buildings are gone for good, while the free guided tour for the President Obama’s office is limited to the public. Well, having a pose with Lady Liberty is free, except that you have to buy a ferry ticket to get there and having a short glimpse of the panoramic view of both cities (NY/NJ) from her crown is once again accessible to the public from July 2009.

Thirteen years ago I was fortunate to see and explore the city that “never sleeps” and Im looking forward to be there in 2010! During my short stay, I was able to watch U2 concert and of course Miss Saigon in Broadway (seated 3 rows from the stage).

Photos taken during my US trips in 1996, 1997, 2006 and 2007 are accessible via my FLCKR account…

My 3rd Historic Ovi Tweets from Olympia (Manet)

The image was taken during my visit in one of the fascinating French museums, Musee d’Orsay in September 2008. If you want to explore the historical and magnificent works of  various talented artists like Manet, van Gogh, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir and many more, then you must visit this museum while exploring Paris (France). The museum was a former railway station and it also displays various life size sculptures produced from Asia, Europe, Africa and America.

Other historical OVI tweets posted here include DAVID (Michelangelo) and THE THINKER (Auguste Rodin). For more extra info about Ovi (Nokia) Blog, click the LINK and Nokia’s Green Explorer sustainable lifestyle, click the LINK.

Moving around the globe with my cameras!

GOING PLACES LOCALLY AND ABROAD is always my cup of tea. Having a Sagittarius zodiac sign, I am really destined to explore, conquer the globe and take pleasure (and learn) from it! Of course, taking images of these fascinating places is a must while I am travelling.

WHY (NOT) TRAVEL? If you have the necessary resources (time and money), you are physically and mentally fit, and you have proper supporting documents (i.e. passport, insurance, visa, etc.), what is the reason why you can not pack your bag and go?

In my own personal experience during the past 17 years, I have been to several places, not only in my home beautiful country, but also to other fascinating destinations around the world. My travelling escapade is always driven by work and studying, including my passion in travel photography. Having involved in various development projects that provide solution to environmental problems, it does requires touring around the country or overseas. Also, my desire to further enhance my expertise in the field of my specialisation through postgraduate studies/trainings elsewhere serve as a stepping stone to visit different places. Thus, my numerous travels are the outcomes of the kind of jobs that I am involved with, as well as the rare opportunity to secure financial grants to study abroad.

Being in that particular situation on the right time and location, I will do my best to tour around the place and the neighbouring towns/cities. Honestly, being single and healthy, it is easy to do this, but if I have my own family and getting older, then travelling (abroad in particular) will not be in my top ‘must do’ list. Maybe some people will argue that anyone could still have a wonderful vacation even you have the family (and children), or during your retirement period. Well yes, however, the frequency and the duration will dramatically decrease. And there will be other issues relating to health condition that somewhat crucial in finalising travel plans which also affects the kind of activities you want to do during the travel.

Moreover, most importantly it will also depend on where you are permanently residing or where your travel (point of origin) begins. For example, if I will live permanently in the Philippines, my travel to UK, Europe and the US will substantially diminish, but much more on local travels instead. Why, because my travel will be dependent on the affordability (i.e. mode of transport) and convenience (visa processing) to visit the place. Finally, however security or safety (because of political instability of the destination) is not a big issue to hinder my travel plan, unless there is a government restriction on that particular destination. I am not generalising it, but for British, American or Australian nationals are fortunate to travel without any stress of not having a visa elsewhere. Unlike us coming from developing countries, it is a must to undergo such strict issuances of a visa. Sometimes, I feel it is unfair for people who have the genuine intention of travelling overseas but denied for a visa for the reason of coming from countries that threaten their security/safety.

So, the kind of travelling that I am looking forward to is absolutely different from other people wish to go or what they want to do during their travels.

What motivates me to travel? How about my choices where to go? What factors to be considered in those choices? What activities that I normally do during my escapades or things that fascinates me? And lastly, what souvenirs that I bring after my visits which will always remind me of my wonderful journey and the learning experience?

Motivation to travel. Watching films, reading travel magazines, and my hobby in photography motivate me to visit other places. Being a regular moviegoer, I am fascinated with the cinematography of the film which leads me to wonder where this location where been shoot. I will make sure that I stay in my seat while waiting for the full credits of the film which provide me the information of the location. Travel magazines are also influential to pack my bag and explore the featured scenic attractions in the publication. And most importantly, because of my interest in photography, I always go out and have my vacation just to improve my photography skills by visiting these places featured in the magazines or in the films. To some extent, I am also motivated by the interesting stories from my close friends who were able to visit these places. Overall, I believe that through my travelling, I could experience and learn other cultures, languages, beliefs, history and to meet interesting people which I could not find in textbooks or not being taught inside the classroom.

Choices where to go. The main factor that influences where to visit or spend my holiday is ‘relatives and friends’. It is because having them on these places, it will be easier for me to explore and enjoy my short stay -  a hassle-free and save money. In most cases, my accommodation is ‘free’ and I could do more things considering that my friends are hospitable enough to tour me around at their convenience. Aside from that, if they are not available, they will provide me the best itinerary – where to visit and what to expect from these attractions. Moreover, my choice is also affected by the affordability, accessibility, the mode of transport, and the convenience to get the visa. For example, if I will have to choice between Spain and Italy, I would probably choice Italy. Well both countries offer fascinating attractions, but I would rather choice Italy since it will be easier for me to secure the visa than Spain. Securing a Spanish visa requires a two-stage application: sending a request letter and the personal interview in Manchester. While the Italian visa application is done by posting the required travel documents, including the processing fee which takes 2-3 weeks.

Activities to explore the place. As I said earlier, I want to learn and enjoy from my travel and I can only do this by visiting places that will probably satisfy this desire. Generally, I am interested to visit libraries, museums, castles, shopping malls, churches, historical structures, and of course watch live shows, festivals and musical productions; and visit resorts, casinos and beaches. I do research by visiting universities and check the possibilities of having future research with these institutions. Visiting theme parks that offer adventurous and thrilling rides is also in my list during my travel.

Souvenirs. Aside from shopping for clothes and personal accessories, I make sure that I have extra copies of postcards for each location/attractions that I have visited, which some of them will be sent to my family and friends. Also, I am interested to collect pins, key chains, posters and beer mats. Unfortunately, I don’t bring home some antiques and jewelleries which are subject to airport tax and duties. For some people, antiques and art crafts are their interests, but at the moment I don’t have the obsession to have them. This is because I don’t have a permanent place to store or display these pieces of art. The photographs taken during my trips will ultimately serve as mementos and a truly evidence of my escapades. I forgot to mention, I also buy 1-2 books during my travel.

To be continued…I’m on my way home now!