My Qwest for Speed!

The Qwest for speed is back!

Ever since my pretty Pinky laptop died on me last weekend, I am back to using my old PC. Yes it's still working fine and all that but it's just not the same as using the more powerful sleek and speedy Pinky. Of course I am bummed out especially when it comes to dropping EC. I don't know if it's just my PC or it's my sometimes unreliable ISP that's causing me grief but for the past two days, I was unable to drop in my usual speedy efficient manner.

It takes ages to load all blogs, and even my Outlook is acting up; freezing whenever it feels like it; returning to normal only after an extremely long pause. I am unaware of any service disruptions in terms of my Internet connection so I can't really put the entire blame on Screamyx. What I do know is that my connection seems extra sucky tonight and using my older PC does not seem to help the situation much.

I see many of my blogger friends moving to other ISPs and naturally I am enticed. Wouldn't you be too when you hear stories about them being able to drop 1200 ECs easily after the switch? Anyway, I hear Qwest high speed Internet is a preferred choice amongst users. Besides Qwest phone service, which offers you Unlimited Local Phone Calling Plans, the internet package is a steal, starting at only $19.90 a month! This promotional package is however only available for first-time new subscribers.

As a freelance copywriter and blogger working from home, the need for speed is always topmost priority. Every aspect of my freelancing ways and lifestyle requires fast reliable connection, which is why I always place emphasis on speedy internet. No fuss, no muss just super speedy surfing online!

-FC Scoreboard points for my first THREE commenters-

LADY JAVA
DAVID
MONICA

Busy but Lazy!

I was talking to my friend Monica earlier and we both agree that the lazy bug is in the air! We're just feeling so sluggish nowadays. For me, that's really not good since I actually have a lot of work on my plate like the new life insurance quotes job I received yesterday. As usual, my deadline is tight and with the weekend just around the corner, it is taking a lot of effort for me to get started on my work.

When I first started working, I didn't know much about insurance at all. I knew that it was important and one should consider it during major life moments like when you're buying a new home or getting married and having a baby but that was about it. I failed to appreciate the importance of insurance in ensuring our comfort in practically all aspects of our lives.

Over the years, I worked on a lot of insurance products, which helped me understand the product better. And now, insurance plays an important part in my married life. When you're in it for the long-run with your other half, you have to make security and protection a main priority. B and I have several insurance plans and I'm not opposed to upgrading when necessary. It's better to be safe than sorry right?

Anyway, I am feeling so lazy despite having so many things to do! I need a pick-me-up to get me started on my new job. Right now, all I can think of is my warm cosy bed. More coffee perhaps?

-FC Scoreboard points for my first THREE commenters-

MONICA
RIZAL
AYIE

To Buy or Not to Buy?

I really want to sleep right now, but I can't! You see, I am currently on standby for one of my regular clients. And when you do work for a huge established advertising agency, it is hard to say no to them. Being on standby basically means I have to be available just in case my client needs me to do more changes and editing to the very important job they are working on at the moment.

As their copywriter and translator, it is up to me to ensure everything (copy wise) is in order. I am expected to continue making the necessary changes if required, until the job is finalized and sent for printing. Until then, I am on call as and when my client needs me. Sounds harrowing right? Especially when I have not slept for the past 24 hours. I am already used to these standby sessions but still, it doesn't get any easier especially when I am feeling as sleepy as I am right now!

While waiting for my client to revert, I decided to surf the Net of course. I mean, what else is there to do while waiting? So I came across this lovely Anna Sui dress; what do you think? This multicoloured cotton printed bandeau dress is made from 100% cotton. Designed with a boned bodice with pleat and button detailing through the front, this dress is perfect for summer, which is practically every day here in sunny Malaysia. Sporting an empire waistline and a side zip to fasten, it also comes with removable straps.

All this surely sounds good if you're a fan of fashion, specifically Anna Sui. The only thing you have to worry about is remembering to dry clean the dress rather than using the washing machine. Also it is quite pricey if you ask me, but then again it is a designer outfit, so you're also paying for the ultimate luxury of a famous brand name and not just the dress! Would you buy this dress for £348.26?

LADYJAVA'S LOUNGE

Weekend Getaway!

While cleaning up my office early this morning, I stumbled upon an old almost forgotten cheque from one of my regular clients, hidden underneath a pile of discarded mail and junk! I was so happy to see a 4-digit cheque appearing right before my very eyes that I immediately roused B from his deep slumber to show him my find!

I know times are bad and we need to be thrifty and all that but I feel a little self-indulgence is necessary for B and me right now, especially with my lucky find today! We've both been working really hard. He with his TV work and me with my freelance business. Although times are tough and even my home business is affected, I've been compensating for it by keeping busy with my online activities. By now, most of my regular readers are well aware of my current posting frenzy! I am unstoppable apparently but after weeks on nonstop posting, my posting frenzy has taken its toll on me and right now, a weekend getaway for B and me sounds just divine!

It's been ages since B and I took a weekend off to pamper ourselves with a nice short getaway. Away from the kids and their fur balls, just the two of us confined in a beautiful hotel suite for the weekend. Free to be together and do whatever takes our fancy; even make a mess if we wanted too without worrying about cleaning up later!

I am really excited at the thought of our weekend hotel getaway! You know how much I love my spacious hotel rooms with their fancy bathrooms and delicious room-service menu not forgetting the breathtaking view from the top. For me, the most important requirement for any hotel stay, long or short, is a beautiful bathroom with the best facilities and most comforting ambiance. I need my dim lights, my scented soaps and candles and yes, I do need the unnecessary but much welcomed TV or music to pamper my soul as I sit back to enjoy a leisurely sensuous bubble bath! Something like the picture below would be absolute perfection!



Do let me know if you have any good hotel suggestions. I'd love to hear your hotel experience. Hopefully that will help me decide on my weekend getaway destination. Thanks for reading and happy Thursday!

EMILA'S ILLUSTRATED BLOG

Bigger Blog Bucks!

When I first started blogging, I was totally and utterly lost. My main purpose of having a blog was merely to allow my close friends and peers a privileged glimpse into my life with B. Little did I know that blogging would open up a whole new world of opportunities and possibilities for lil' old me! :)

Almost a year passed before I realized the full potential of blogging. Slowly but surely, it dawned upon me that blogging can be very rewarding indeed. I began noticing the numerous opportunities waiting for me and my two blogs out in the blogosphere. I started joining memes, passing on tags and collecting awards. I co-organized several blogging memes and projects with other prominent bloggers and participated more actively in blog communities; taking time and effort to discover other interesting blogs that fall within my niche and interest.

For my sake and for that of my readers, I continued enhancing and beautifying my blogs with makeovers and user-friendly templates in hopes of making them better. Each time I embarked on something new, I'd learn a little bit more about blogging. I slowly understood what HTML meant and through trial and error, I managed to broaden my knowledge on these confusing codes. I still claim no expertise in this area though for HTML is simply not my forte but now, at least I know how to do a little tweaking on my own! :)

It was around this time too that I discovered money-making opportunities in the blog world. I remember being truly amazed to find out that I could actually make money blogging. I thought that was the coolest thing ever! What I love about paid blogging is the fact that you do actually get paid. All I have to do is write for advertisers (which is what I do in real life anyway, as a freelance copywriter), promote their products and services in a manner that sells, wait till the end of the month and voila - I am handsomely rewarded for my effort! Everything happens online too, which makes this task ever so simple.

The latest blogging directory I've joined this year is Paying Post. It looks pretty cool so far, I love the adorable graphics PP uses in their site like this one here. It makes me want to write for them even more!

If you'd like to earn some easy fast cash during this trying economic slowdown we're facing currently, why not give Paying Post a shot? Submit your blog for approval and then proceed to verifying your blog before you can start earning big bucks with the new yet very promising Paying Post! I just did and now I can't wait to see what PP will bring. Do I hear more ka-ching coming my way? ;)