What I Learned Today

I'm Back, Thank You! :)

2011-08-22T01:19:00.000+08:00

Okay, sorry, I know I already bid you guys goodbye the other time however I checked my stats this morning (out of curiosity) and was amazed how this site gets traffic from almost everywhere every single day!

..to think that I am still having a hard time "marketing" my two other blogs. lol :)

So thank you all and for that, I guess it's only fair that I continue posting on this blog since people are still checking and visiting. I owe you that much, my readers so I have decided to be back and well.. try to post whatever I have learned today :)

I've been busy with my two other blogs as I have just been accepted by Amazon to be part of their Amazon Associate program which, by the way, is really awesome. So now you are seeing Amazon ads here and there on this site. Rest assured that whilst I run ads, I will keep them clean and nice, no flashy ads, no annoying ones too :)

So thank you very very much for continued support and I hope you throw my two other blogs some love too :)

I'm moving! :)

2011-08-02T12:40:00.001+08:00

Hello :)

I will no longer be updating this blog but since I may have some info here that you might need in the future I have decided not to delete this blog and just let it be :)

I would like to thank my Blog Catalog family for still checking up on me eventhough my last post was 2 years ago. I have learned a lot about blogging in two years and I believe you guys were part of it. Now, I would like to think that I am ready and that I finally found my true niche :) (as obviously I didn't know the difference when I created this blog)

Proud to say, I now have my own domain, please visit me soon: http://www.popularbookreviews.com/

It is also registered on blog catalog, and was approved just this morning so I'll be working on plugins later today.

Then I have another mommy blog, visit me here too: http://your30somethingmom.blogspot.com/

Not yet registered as it is a very recently opened blog (last week) and I am not really hoping to get it on top as this is more of a personal journal for me but hey, everybody's welcome here :)

Thank you and I hope you guys will follow me again on my never-ending journey :)

Breaking Bad Habits to Weight Loss

2009-06-26T07:11:00.005+08:00

Usually bad habits are the hardest to break. It was said that bad habits come from our own desire thus feed our hearts as well. We all know that the mind and the heart seldom agree with each other and about 80% of the people I know follow their hearts than heed their minds' warnings. These people find it easier to do so even if they know it will lead them to things they will regret soon. But, who could really blame them? Whatever makes a man happy, the does.

Emotional eating, on its own is a bad habit to break. Usually, when we experience something, whether it's bad or good, we seek food to comfort us. When we experience success, we celebrate with food; when we feel down and under, we rely on foods to lift up our spirits. One of the basic necessities known to man is food--when our stomachs are happy, we are happy.

But we know all too well that one bloated stomach, no matter how happy it might be, is never good. After gleeful bonding moments with the food we eat, it will leave us with anxious, guilty feeling that we have gone overboard yet again. Below is a list of bad habits that we must be keeping an eye on. Most probably, we were stuffing ourselves with food without even realizing it.

I’ve already discussed emotional eating; it is the state when we eat to lighten up our day instead of regular hunger pains. This also includes boredom; we eat because we are bored. Eating should be considered as maintaining the body to an optimum level, not satisfying the soul. Snacking is found to be dangerous to someone who is trying to loose weight. This includes activities such as "unconscious" snacking while watching TV or reading a book.
Activities that will require you to an almost immobile, catatonic state should also be eliminated. Watching TV for a long period of time will cause declining heart rate, blood pressure and metabolism rate resulting to lesser caloric burn. When your job demands you to sit for hours on end, take up a daily activity like walking and running just to compensate for the immobile hours you have been spending in the office.
It takes the brain 15-20 minutes before letting you know that your stomach is already full so eating fast is not a good idea; you may be eating a lot more than your stomach really needs. Skipping meals however put you in a state when the brain signals to eat more to make up with what you've missed out. While sleeping less boosts appetite hormone called ghrelin and lowers appetite suppressor leptin at the same time, making you feel hungry.
It would be helpful to once in a while detoxify your body of accumulated waste inside. Use colon flushes to improve systemic health and regulate digestive activity thus protecting you from dangers of overeating. Bad habits are not easily broken but when you have every reason to end this for your own good, then why not?

image from http://creoleindc.typepad.com/

Funny Quotes

2009-06-25T10:17:00.004+08:00

I'm in the habit of posting funny quotes to my Facebook account everyday. Although I see quite a few of them there that are either too deep or too obnoxious, I choose to be light and funny, not too profound but practical--just the way our lives should be, right? so here it is, my compilation of funny quotes, gathered all over the internet. i hope it brightens up your day. happy reading..! =)

"Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before."--Mae West

"A positive attitude will not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort."--Herm Albright.

"A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing."--one pissed off fellow

"It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives."--not mine.

"All those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand. " -goodquotes.com

"Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film!"--photographer with a digicam

"A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory."-Alzheimer's patient

"Some say the glass is half empty, Some say the glass is half full, I say "are you gonna drink that?"--unknown alcoholic

"if barbie is so popular....then why do you have to buy her friends?"--mother of an annoying brat

"The only true love is love at first sight; second sight dispels it."-Israel Zangwill

"Men, chocolate, and coffee are all better rich."-- a twice-divorced lady looking for love

"Those people who tell me that I'm going to hell while they are going to heaven somehow make me very glad that we're going to separate destinations." -Martin Terman

"Don't spend your life as a pretty bitch... God will send you back nice and ugly!" --Fritz

"Love is temporary insanity curable by marriage." - Ambrose Bierce

"Behind every successful man stands a surprised mother-in-law." - Hubert Humphrey

"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment."- Buddha quotes

"You don't get anything clean without getting something else dirty." - Cecil Baxter

well, that's it for now, feel free to send in your favorite quote/quotes and if there's some other time for this kind of post, I'll include yours, links and all! thanks!=)

image from http://www.supersilly.com/~greg/images/

How to Read Labels

2009-03-12T11:07:00.003+08:00

I stumbled upon this commercial while TV surfing yesterday clearly stating that reading food labels are important. It got me thinking since I depend on advertisements alone for new brands to try and I never, not even once, checked labels in grocery stores. I just shove everything else and make a mad dash to the counter so I can get out of there as fast as I can.

Well, because I think if I stayed long in there, the tab will be too horrendous to pay, so I excuse myself gracefully all the time.

After this commercial incident, I browsed in the net for a while, looking for some answers and here is what I’ve learned..

..how to read labels.

There are two kinds of labels for pre-packed and canned products. The nutritional label, which is the larger one, is required by the law. It contains nutritional information such as calories per serving and fat content. If you have specific health concerns, this is something you must read.

The other one is the ingredients label. This is way smaller compared to the nutritional label. Here you can find what substances were used in manufacturing the product, both raw and chemical ingredients so if you are allergic, let say to peanuts, you should check the ingredients label before purchasing the product.

Now, the one in front of the product is NOT regulated in any way so you should not trust this one. This is manufacturer’s “space” where they can write anything to their heart’s desire. Nasty right? I should have known that!

How Smokers Respond to Economic Recession

2009-03-02T22:09:00.003+08:00

with the economic recession, we cut corners. we as consumers face soaring energy cost, high food prices, cruel mortgages or rent, incessant layoffs and what not. but, I learned today..

..how smokers respond to economic recession..

well it seems that smokers, when faced with terrible pressure, they're willing to forgo everything else but their cigarettes. In fact, recession only made smoking rate go higher than ever. The CDC or Centers for Disease and Control announced last March of this year what they feared all along: people are turning to cigarettes to alleviate and ease out some stress of the economic recession--a deadly reaction, indeed. According to the good office, smoking rate has been steadily rising since 1997 and almost doubled in figure by the end of 2008.

Apparently, people are beginning to feel a lot of pressure that it becomes harder for them to quit the smoking habit even if they do know they need to stop.

How Nasty Bedbugs Attack!

2009-03-01T23:55:00.002+08:00

Bedbugs are nasty critters lurking at corners of your bed, waiting for you every single night. it's really interesting how these parasites can hide within your bed forever without you knowing it. it's just crazy! so upon closer look, i found out..

..how nasty bedbugs attack!..

Bedbugs are not fond of sunlight so they hide while the sun is up and activates when it's dark and they like warm blood. they belong to bug family Cimicidae, close relatives of pet fleas and bat bugs, the size of apple seeds. they closely resemble cockroaches only they differ in color. aside from their usual hangout--your bed, they can also hide in furnitures, clothings, walls, and dark crevices.

and that is not all, your bedbug friends work this way: while you are far away in dreamland, they will insert two needle point tubes into the skin, the first one contains its own saliva that will coagulate your blood and anesthetize its drawing point so that you won't feel its sting and won't interfere with your dreaming state while the second one will draw blood and suck off until their bottoms are full. freaky huh? at least the little critter is considerate enough not to wake you up.

for chronic travelers, please beware of these "additional amenities" upon checking in your room. they can ruin your vacation plus they might decide to come home with you, if they happen to like you that much..

Things You Must Do In Melaka, Malaysia

2009-02-26T10:14:00.006+08:00

hi, I know my last post was pretty stale, been busy. had computer problems last night and i need to get someone to fix it for me, thanks to my great friend, she was able to save my day. right now, i have to sit still and wait for my computer to come home.

so while i wait, i blog. that is how you spend your little break right? let's do some traveling since it's my vacation now..

for the last 2 weeks, i was working on this Asian travel site and I was able to know some places that are quite interesting to visit. if only i have time, i will do so.. =( so here it is, i hope you will enjoy reading this one.

things you must do in Melaka, Malaysia

Melaka, Malaysia is quite a small place, painted in red. they are literally painted red, hence the name "red city". everything you need to see is highly concentrated in its small town center and you can actually get from one destination to another on-foot. last July 7, 2008 it was recognized as one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with its cousin Georgetown. also, there is a trail called Melaka heritage trail, that goes around all major stops in one organized trail. I am not sure if they also offer guided tours but that is not entirely impossible. this map, you can get from Malacca tourist information center.

BUT, i'm pretty lost with maps and i prefer walking aimlessly when I am in some place new. so I will leave the map alone for now and will discuss them if i have time.

1. St. Paul Church Ruins. this church is a famous landmark and it is located at the top of St. Paul's Hill and was built in 1521. there is also a statue of St. Francis Xavier overlooking the sea. his body was buried here for some time before it was shipped back to India. check out century-old tombstones in the ruins.

2. Dutch Square. dutch square is an all-in-one package and this is also the heart of Melaka. you can find the oldest protestant church here, Christ Church and Queen Victoria's clocktower. the oldest dutch building Stadthuys can also be found in this area. the picture above is the Christ Church. look up..

3. Christ Church is very interesting too. it was built 255 years ago and ancient tombstones line the church floor. check out the glazed tiles that completes the "Last Supper", it's really neat. and also, those pews are handmade dating back some 200 years ago.

4. Kampung Kling Mosque is a famous tourist spot in Melaka, Malaysia. it is the oldest mosque in Malacca built in 1748. while there, check out its neighbors, Cheng Hoon Teng temple and Sri Poyatha Venayaga Moorthi temple. both temples are non-Muslims but they do coexist peacefully.

5. A'Famosa is the fort, what you see now in Melaka is the fort's surviving gate, Porta de Santiago. everything else were brought down during the war. porta de santiago is located at the foot of St. Paul's hill just beside the Melaka Sultanate Palace. it was then a huge fort built in 1512 by Alfonso Albuquergue. today, porta de santiago stands as a proud landmark for the city of Melaka.

6. visit Melaka museums. there are plenty of them like Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, the Governor's Museum and the Maritime Museum. visit them for a museum overdose!

7. ride a trishaw. I don't know why they are called as such, maybe because it resembles rickshaws from chinese culture only it is a three-wheeled motorcycle, not some poor, thin man pulling carts. it may sound weird but they are really interesting to look at. usually, they are adorned with colorful, paper flowers and they pick up tourist along the way. I am pretty sure they offer tours around Melaka as well.

8. visit Princess Hang Li Poh's well and throw in some pennies. this is a gift for the chinese princess from Sultan Mansur Syah built in 1459, the oldest well in Melaka.

like I said, this place is really small, but you will have lots of fun exploring the city. consider it as your own small playground. so if you are planning to visit Malaysia, do stop by Melaka and send me some postcards will you?.. ;)

What Botox Can Do For You

2009-02-21T23:48:00.003+08:00

I'll make this post real quick and painless so let's start. I was able to pick up some infos about Botox. I am pretty sure, everyone knows what this drug is for but let's have a closer look. I learned today..

..what botox can do for you.

botox is a compound drug used for paralyzing overactive facial muscles. this is used for treatment of uncontrolled eye blinking and strabismus, an eye condition. in skin care clinics however, they are used to smoothen out fine lines and wrinkles. botox should be injected directly into the skin. this procedure is quite painless and very quick, just a few jabs around areas of concern. results are instant and very dramatic.

although Botox yields noticeable results, they are not permanent. within 2-3 months time, lines will begin to show again hence the need to go back for another round of botox treatment. it also has its share of side effects to boot such as droopy eyelids and allergic reactions and it is not recommended for pregnant women, breastfeeding moms and those suffering from neurological conditions.

check engine oil level

2009-02-21T07:44:00.004+08:00

I am doing this first thing in the morning, since I'll probably be paddling up in sea of deadlines later. this is something I learned the day before yesterday but haven't got time to post it so I will be posting another one later about today. i am sure, with all these job orders, i will be able to pick up some tidbits along the way.

ok let's start, shall we? the day before yesterday, i learned to..

check engine oil level..

you really should check your engine oil level from time to time. a perfectly healthy lube line will not drink up your oil but a leaky one would and she drinks pretty fast, mind you. this is also done to check the color of your engine oil (if you are due for an oil change or what) and also, you do this in the morning, when your engine is cool enough to touch so you can get a good reading. keep a rag within your reach since you are going to need one.

1. ok, first you pop-up your hood to expose engine bay. locate your dipstick. this looks like well, a thin stick with handles sticking out of the engine but one dipstick location is different from another so if you are having a hard time locating it, refer to your owner's manual for some enlightened guidance.

2. pull stick back then wipe clean from roots to end with a rag. now you can see two distinct markings there, the high and low level marks. your low level is the mark farthest from your hand and your full level sits near your hand, ok? stick the dipstick back to original position, count 1-2-3-4-5 then pull back again. now you can see your engine oil level.

3. some tips for your oil reading: there are two things you need to take note of when reading your oil, the level and the color. let's take up level first. if your engine oil level is low, refill it with motor oil through the filler cap then drive your car to the nearest auto repair shop to have your lube line checked for leaks. now the color, the normal color should be dark amber but if it's black, you should do an oil change at once. if it's whitish, that is your engine coolant mixing up with your engine oil. this certainly means trouble!

4. don't forget to return the dipstick to its rightful place. do this regularly to avoid engine breakdowns.

that's it. we are done. ;)

be writing tom, ok?.. ;)

2009-02-20T23:38:00.003+08:00

be writing tom morning, I am a little sleepy and my mind has gone to bed deserting my tired body already. I couldn't think of anything right now but the letters Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.. so I'll see you all in the morning and hopefully, would post 2 tom. thanks.. luv yah all! by the way, I have viewed some blogs today, done some "blog hopping" too and they're great so keep it up guys! ;)

How to Do an Oil Change

2009-02-19T07:54:00.004+08:00

yes, I am back to my "mechanic" self. after spending sometime searching the internet and watching youTubes, this is what I learned..

how to do an oil change.

Oil changes are done to ensure your car's optimum performance. motor oils are meant to lubricate your car's engine so that all of its moving parts will not wear each other out. this is done every 3,000 miles or so, considering the car's everyday driving condition. plus, oil change is by far, the cheapest way to prevent engine breakdowns.

oil change is fairly easy and doable in your own garage. you just need an oil filter (naturally, you need to change the oil filter as well everytime you do an oil change), catch basin (to prevent nasty spills) and some 4-5 quarts of motor oil (depending on your car owner's manual). go get some rags and wrenches while you're at it.

1. jack up the front of the car. place jack stands on both sides against the front axle. be sure you are not hitting anything there but the axle. hydraulics are the best but not all of us have those right? so keep pumping!
2. locate your drain plug. it should sit at the bottom most part of your oil pan. your drain plug looks like a big bolt with "butterfly wings", i suppose this is for handling, or removing or putting back, whatever. place a catch basin directly underneath it then remove the drain plug. now, you will see your old oil spilling all over the place. let them.
3. refer to your owner's manual to locate the oil filter since it varies from one car type to another. remove oil filter. if you are having some problem removing it, try to use an oil filter wrench. old oil will drip from here as well so be careful.
4. prep-up your spanking new oil filter by applying a little oil on the rubber ring. you should see that already since this is the only rubber thingy in sight! place the new oil filter to its rightful position and tighten with hand. (read: hand only!!)
5. put back drain plug if "oil dripping" is done. remove oil cap from top of the oil pan, and refill with fresh oil. refer to owner's manual to determine exactly how much oil you should put in there. check oil level via dipstick. put some more if needed. I will assume you know how to read your dipsticks, if not, check me out from time to time, today til tom and I'll write about it next.
6. when your oil level is finally right on spot, put dipstick and oil cap back. tighten oil cap.
7. start the car but do not move it anywhere yet. just keep the engine running so fresh oil inside will circulate thoroughly. 10-15 minutes should be enough.

so, that's it. I hope this will help. if I missed something, just let me know. thanks!

Coffee Is Good For Your Health. Really.

2009-02-16T18:43:00.004+08:00

I swear, I am a coffee lover.

when me and my friends go out, we chat over cups of coffee, fresh and stale ones. when I am home, I drink coffee first thing in the morning to jump start my day. when I am sad, I find comfort over coffee and creams. if liquid coffee is not available, i will gladly settle for coffee candies. did I just say everything with C-O-F-F-E-E written on it?

so, yes I am a coffee addict. it's my way of life, what can I do?..

and yes, I find it annoying when someone picks on me just because I drink coffee so much. hence, I find ways to prove them wrong and drink my coffee with a smug grin! take that..!

and here's what I found out, what I learned today is..

..that coffee is good for your health. really.

roasted coffee beans are powerful antioxidants. it fights free radicals from harming our bodies thus preventing us from cancer and other diseases. this is the best part, drinking coffee also improves cognitive function that makes us alert and active all day. like chocolates, its effect is almost instant. honestly, this is why i love coffee, makes me feel good.. =)

coffee is a natural diuretic, but it is not that strong to worry about, just mild diuretic effect but it will certainly help you avoid the formation of gallstone.

the secret is to get decaf as much as possible since it also has the same amount of antioxidants similar to a regular cup. it is also best to drink moderately to avoid elevation of blood pressure.

Tomato Keeps Cancer Away

2009-02-14T09:55:00.004+08:00

as expected, I woke up late today. every weekends, I do that, usually around 10 am to give my body the luxury of.. well, waking up late. it is also my way of rewarding myself for harassing it with work, studies, motherhood, late nights, and early mornings 5 days a week. not to mention household chores and duties that fell unto me. Dear Lord, I am so blessed with obligations!

well, because of the demands, I need to take care of my body as well, or else, I won't be as effective as I am now. I take supplements. I eat well and after 2 months of "no-show" to my fitness instructor, well, I am back! fortunately, i maintained my weight during those 2 months of hibernation.

I write for a health blog, so it keeps me informed. i would like to share with you what I learned today. that is..

tomato keeps cancer away.

this is the most convenient method to keep safe from cancer, based on my research. you just have to include processed tomatoes such as tomato sauce and ketchups to your usual diet. don't worry, I never heard of "tomato overdose". I don't know if there is such a thing.

if you eat raw tomatoes, you will only get Vitamin C and fiber. but if you consume processed ones, you will get lycopene. it happens with the processing.

Lycopene is a phytochemical found in tomatoes. this makes them red and it can also be found with other red stuff such as watermelon, pink grapefruit, red bell peppers and goji berries. Lycopene is a very powerful antioxidant that greatly benefits the skin, heart, prostate glands, lungs and liver thus preventing it from cancer-causing free radicals.

the recommended daily dose is about 60 mg per day. like I said, no overdose with tomatoes so you can eat and drink to your heart's desire! have one today. =)

Decent Tip For Movers

2009-02-13T08:43:00.003+08:00

My hamstrings are aching today. went to the gym for some leg exercises the other day and it burns like hell now. good thing, i'll be sitting in front of the computer for most of the day and let my fingers do the talking!

I've been doing this moving company blog for about 3 months now, so, it's safe to say that I learned a lot about this topic. but this one, I encountered only yesterday so I decided to pass this information to my visitors.

often times, we forget to give thanks to the hands that helped us move from one place to another. i found out that the shipper assumed that these guys are already covered by their payment to the moving companies. while this statement is true, you must consider that your movers are still service providers, same as your hairstylist, or your favorite waiter. some shippers deliberately "forget", on the other hand, few others just don't know what to do.

so, this post is for the "few others". what I learned today is..

..how much is a decent tip for movers..

if you decided to give them cash as a token of your appreciation, it ranges from $10-$40 depending how good their service are and how much time they have spent accomplishing the task. if you are not comfortable in giving out money, you can buy them lunch and drinks but not alcohol since these guys are still driving back to where they belong. remember the number one rule in driving? don't drink and drive!

so that's it. I hope you will remember this the next time you hire movers.. ;)

Antipsychotic Drugs Affect Weight

2009-02-12T08:52:00.004+08:00

emotional eating is the number one cause of weight gain. it is also identified as binge eating disorder in which you consume large quantities of food over a short period of time and this is done not because of hunger but for emotional fulfillment.

well, it really feels good when we are stuffed right?

emotional eating SHOULD be controllable. but if you feel you could not and you always fall off the wagon, you might want to consider examining the medications you are taking right now because what I learned today is..

that anti-psychotic drug makes you gain weight.

John Hopkins University revealed that there is actually a link to our emotional state and how we eat. there is an enzyme called AMPK or activated protein kinase which boost appetite when stimulated. unfortunately, some antipsychotic drugs stimulate this enzyme making a depressed person go into binging feast. AMPK is a normal occurrence in our body.

Types of Vegetarians

2009-02-11T23:28:00.004+08:00

Today, I worked on blog commenting on different sites and all I can say is.. It's a pain the ass. but it is work and I get paid so I have to do it. it's part of the damn package! maybe tom, I will be able to figure out something to make it easier for me. guys, if you have suggestions, please drop by a note, i desperately need help, now, FAST!!

so what i learned today, aside from this blog commenting issues, is..

there are different kinds of vegetarians.

we all know the concept of vegetarian right? generally they eat only greens, no red meats. vegetarian is a general term and it has different subtypes. i numbered them so it will be easier to read..

1. lactovegetarian is someone who eats greens and milk. that includes cheese and other dairy products.

2. ovo-lactovegetarian is a diet of greens, dairies and eggs.

3. semivegetarian eats everything else except red meat. white meats are allowed such as fish and poultry.

4. pesci-vegetarian eats fish instead of poultry, no red meats but everything else is ok.

5. Vegan is a true-blue, all vegetable diet. they are also called total vegetarians. they only eat plant derived foods and never from an animal source.

in short, you can choose the extent of your veganism, just as long as you don't chew on that roast pork on your mom's table. of course, there are health benefits that come with turning vegan, number one of which is weight loss. I think this reason alone made veganism popular to people with weight problems and a vegan diet is rich in fiber. you know, fiber=clean colon right?

while being a vegan is recommended, it is not too healthy according to health professionals since the body needs protein for energy and nourishment. also vegan diets lack some important nutrients your body needs like calcium. if you decided to give vegan diet a try, it is best to consult your nutritionist so they can guide you on how to do it properly.

and also I think you need to take supplements as well to establish good nutritional intake.

tom i will try to post a good one. i hope you will enjoy reading some info here in my space though.
thanks. ;)

be sleeping now. i'll see you all in the morning..

Dreams: Being Chased

2009-02-11T00:09:00.001+08:00

Hi, I am a little bit sleepy now but I have to make this post before I get chased by it in my dreams! ;)

basically, this is about dream interpretation. What I learned today is..

the meaning of being chased in your dream.

at some point, we experienced this crazy phenomenon where we are being chased by God-knows-what and this is really crazy. personally, I usually have this kind of dream when I am stressed out emotionally and upon research, I found out that I am not alone. there are few thousands of people more that shares this kind of dream so here is what I learned today..

this is an emotional reflection of your current state. if you are running away from something else in your real life, chances are, they will still hound you in your dreams. unless you face up this monster in reality or in your dreams, it will chase you in your every sleeping hours.

you should take note of the character this "monster" assumed and its proximity to you while in the chase sequence. by doing this, you will be able to determine what issue is currently gnawing your subconscious mind and the closer the pursuer, the imminent the issue. from there, try to confront this issue instead of running away from it.

how? I really don't know. I haven't got that far yet.

How to Bleed Brakes

2009-02-09T23:50:00.000+08:00

this is the second installment to the brake repair series, the bleeding of brakes. I wasn't able to find out why is it called bleeding.. hmm.. maybe because the process looks eerily the same when donating blood, the clear plastic tube and the fluid that it sucks out.. eew.

anyway, this is fairly simple, otherwise I will not write about it. ;)

i found out the you should bleed your brakes every two years. you bleed brakes because you need to release air that has been trapped in brake lines. failure to do so will diminish your car's braking power.

1. first you need to go get an assistant. preferably someone who will not demand payment for service rendered but with some experience in car driving and slamming of brakes because you will need that sturdy foot.

2. position your friend inside the car, driver's seat. his role is to pump the brakes, and release it slowly so it is best not to pick someone with a bad case of arthritis. now, fill up the brake fluid reservoir. I would assume you know where it is.

3. then station yourself at the wheel further away from the master cylinder, that means the rear right side. then work your way up closer. you should end with the driver's side of the wheel.

4. loosen lug nuts and jack up the car. remove tires and locate the bleeding screw. replace it with a new one and then put a clear plastic tube on it while the other end of the tube is the catch bottle so you will not mess up the garage, ok?

5. holler up to your friend and tell him to slowly hit the brake pedal until it reaches the floor then quickly open bleeding screw to release fluid. your friend should shout back if he hits the floor already because that is the time you close the valve. now, you can tell your friend to release the pedals slowly. this procedure involves a lot of shouting you know.

6. repeat process until there is no air bubble coming out of the line but be sure to regularly check your fluid level in the reservoir. it should not fall empty during the whole time you are bleeding the brakes. 8-10 times is enough for one side.

7. the process should be applied on all four calipers. I told you, more shouting.

8. when you are finish with all sides, place cap securely on reservoir. end of procedure.

well..? got to get some sleep now, it's late and I have to rest. I will see you all in the morning. mwah, mwah!;)

How to Replace your Brake Pads

2009-02-09T14:36:00.000+08:00

well, this is the first of many brake repairs I have learned today. actually, I was studying it over the week-end so feel free to ask me questions and I will answer back, if I know them, and you can also share your knowledge here, if you have some on the topic. and also, you are allowed to correct me if I am wrong. ;)

ok, here we go..

brake pads are located in the front axle of your car, meaning driver's side and the front passenger's side. the wheel cylinder do the pinching and the brake pads are for, well, padding. together, they pinch the disc brake to make the car stop running when you apply brakes. overtime, these pads get worn-out due to constant friction against the disc brake. it should be replaced every 12 thousand miles or so to avoid damaging other brake parts.

when the brake pads are worn, they will squeal or squeak or grind but you will definitely hear it. sometimes, the brakes will feel low or there will be some side tugging when you apply brakes. once you feel or hear these signs, you should have your brakes inspected at once.

a set of brake pads consist of 4 pieces of pads for left and right sides. there are two brake pads on each wheel and if you replace one side, you should replace the other side as well to make it balanced. enough said? let's get down to business now.

1. loosen lug nuts of one side then jack up the car. be careful though and do not depend on the jack alone because it might fall anytime. take off the wheel. now you can see your cylinder and disc brakes.

2. locate the lower bolt of the cylinder and remove it to free the upper part of the cylinder away from the disc. this should swing up and expose your brake pads. remove brake pads. there are two on each side of the brake disc.

3. replace the old brake pads with the new ones. this should be positioned correctly.

4. lower the upper half of cylinder then fasten the lower bolt. end of procedure.

I hope I got it all right. if I don't pardon me, I am not a mechanic, I just have a curious mind. again, please feel free to correct me, just please, don't be rude, ok? til next post. ;)

me, me, me!=)

2009-02-08T17:13:00.000+08:00

hello everybody, this is my first time with blogspot! i hope you guys will welcome me with open arms..=)

well, I created this blog to share what I learned today. you see, I am a freelance writer and I get job orders of different niches hence, the blog..

I hope this blog will be very useful for everyone visiting my spot. please leave some footprints, thumb marks, anything that will signify your visit. thanks!

love yah all, I'll see you in a while later for right now, I am growing some headache. I just finished some articles and these are about auto repairs specifically brake repairs so stay tuned.

I will go get some rest for a while.. byebye.=)