Froodee

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Taal Vista Hotel Revisited

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If you want to get away from all the stress and pollution that city life brings, how about taking a trip to Tagaytay? It’s one of the coolest cities in the Philippines with an idyllic environment, perfect for those seeking to relax and rejuvenate themselves.

Much has changed since my first trip to Tagaytay. Spa facilities have popped up through the years, gardens have opened themselves up to the people, and bed and breakfast inns have multiplied. Still, the addition of these establishments wasn’t able to take away the peace and serenity of Tagaytay.


When I was a kid, our family would usually stay at Taal Vista Hotel. Back then, it was always packed with people. From the swimming pool, to the dining room and most especially the viewing site outside where one is guaranteed a magnificent view of the Taal volcano free of charge. As the years went by, the hotel gradually deteriorated. We even got the chance to actually look around while it was deserted. Now, however, Tall Vista Hotel has reopened and regained its former glory. Outsiders are no longer allowed to check out the view site for free so there are less people to compete with when taking pictures. In fact, I must say that it is even better than before.

The rooms all emit a warmth that reminds you of cozy ski lodges in the Alps. The suites, in particular, are all secured spectacular views. Either of the famous volcano or of one of the bountiful gardens surrounding the hotel. Everything you need to keep you comfortable is inside your room. Anything else is easily requested. In fact, you can even arrange special tours at the front desk to ensure maximization of your Taal experience. From a whole day golf tournament to an afternoon of lake tours by the volcano.

Whatever you choose to explore, you’ll be glad to check back in a hotel that exudes nothing but elegance and everything at your service!

For reservations, check out their Web site here.

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Dive In

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Here’s a new year’s resolution you might want to try. We’ve heard it all before. Nothing is impossible. Impossible is nothing. Just do it. No regrets. They sound empowering and life changing but do we really take these adages to heart? Admit it. What usually happens is a one or two-week glow before the old life resumes its ways again. Well, this year I’m going to change all that. I’m going to dive in and enjoy the water. I’m even going to make it a point to enjoy the tides and currents that come with it.

Diving in doesn’t require me to do leaps and bounds. I don’t need to jump through rings of fire or go on wild and wacky adventures. No. I just have to do what I like. In class, I could volunteer more and be more outgoing. There is nothing wrong with wanting to learn. There is, however, something limiting about always being conscious of the way other people perceive you.

In work, I can accept more responsibility. Despite the challenges it would certainly bring, I honestly feel that I can handle them. A lot of people are plagued with the fear of failing even though a little voice inside them is saying they can do it. Someone very dear to me once said, “To be good at something, you must first be willing to be bad at it. That’s how you improve.” Let’s get that notion of first-time perfection out of our heads. Even Neo, who was hailed as the The One in the Matrix, didn’t make that first jump, did he?

Diving in means different things for different people. The water level depends on how far along you are in your life. For someone, diving in could mean actually entering that coffee shop where a longtime crush frequently drinks cafe mocha. Or it could be something bigger like resigning from a boring desk job and jumping into a real passion. Whatever heights we would like to dive from doesn’t matter. What matters is actually making that dive. You might be surprised at the number of wonderful opportunities waiting for you after!

One Last Look at 2007

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With the year 2007 and the wind on our backs, there’s no reason why we can’t weigh anchor and move forward full speed ahead into 2008. However, it’s also not such a bad idea to look back at the year that has just passed. In fact, it might even help us navigate through the waters of 2008. Before you start wondering what my obsession with all this seafarer talk, let me get to the point. Time Magazine has already released a series of the best Top 10 Lists of 2007. It’s a great and perspective-changing look at all the highs and lows of the year 2007.They range from the Top 10 T-Shirt Worthy Slogans to the Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs. Being the spontaneous blogger that I am, I decided to click away at some of them.

Top 10 Quotes
As harmless as this Top 10 may sound, it’s actually filled with a whole lot of underlying messages and possible implications. One of the most memorable quotes that made the list is this comment from the President of Iran regarding gays and lesbians during a visit to a university in the United States.

“In Iran, we don’t have homosexuals, like in your country.”

I remember hearing about this on the news but I can’t recall how the United States reacted to this statement. Personally, I think it can be turned into something positive or negative, depending on which angle the people look at it.

Top 10 Fiction Books
There was only one title in mind as I scanned the contents of this list. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. There is no way anyone would have skipped this book out. Of course, there were other great books included in the list as well. Most, I’m ashamedly unfamiliar with. With no more Harry Potter books to eagerly await, 2008 should promise a whole new reading list for me. Another novel worth checking out is Jim Shepard’s Like You’d Understand Anyway. By the way, I’m currently reading Einstein’s Dreams. It didn’t make the list but it makes for a pretty interesting read if you’re interested in the concept of time.

Top 10 Green Ideas
I think the year 2007 played the green game pretty well. More and more consumers are starting to incorporate green living into their lifestyles, myself included. No more plastic bags! Well, one of the Top 10 Green Ideas last year was the concept of green-collar jobs. Yes, green! The world has created green job opportunities out there despite what coal companies might argue.

This is just a taste of Time Magazine’s Top 10 List Series. If you want to know more, go right to the source. 2008 carries with it promises of new beginnings. However, it is really up to is to make that change. 🙂 Have a prosperous new year everybody!

Green Gift Giving

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All over the world, people are getting ready to celebrate Christmas. For most, one of the most anticipated highlights is the gift giving part. It isn’t only the children who are excited to receive gifts from their loved ones. I, however, sit on the other side of the fence. What excites me most about the month is the fact that I get to go Christmas shopping! Just to put a little twist to this whole gift giving business and to help propagate a cause, here are a few eco-friendly suggestions!

1. If you’re the type of person who loves giving flowers, why not try and give an eco-bouquet? I know it sounds unromantic but you might be surprised! You can choose organically from roses to wreaths at organicbouquet.com Everything from the vase to the paper is 100% recycled!

2. Footwear also comes in green these days. For someone who is a shoe fanatic, having an eco-friendly pair will surely top the collection. These shoes are especially designed to minimize environmental damage. While there are plenty of eco-friendly pairs to go around (some of them are vegan-friendly), you can check some of them out here.

3. Another great idea is to plant a tree in honor of someone’s name. According to a number of different blogs out there, companies are switching to this mode of gift-giving for their clients. Not only does this help the environment, it also shows what values a company or organization holds. That’s a chance to earn few extra points right there!

There are a lot more gift goodies out there but it’s the green ones that truly make a difference. If you want your gift to be memorable, I suggest you start looking for more green ideas!

Jamie Lynn Spears Pregnant!

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Another Spears is making the headlines. Only this time, the target is not Britney Spears but her younger sister Jamie Lynn. For those of you who don’t know, Jamie Lynn stars in a Nickelodeon show called Zoey 101. I still remember the first time she was introduced to the world of acting. My initial thought was that she looked every inch like her sister! They could have been twins except for the obvious height difference.

However, their personalities seemed to be different as well. While Britney was always attracting negative attention to herself, Jamie Lynn was the exact opposite. In Zoey 101, she portrays the role of an opinionated and responsible student at a co-ed school.

Jamie Lynn reportedly met the father of her child, Casey Aldridge, at church. While her publicist was not available for any comments, it seems like the 16-year-old star plans to take full responsibility for her actions. According to reports, she plans to raise the baby in Louisiana where they can all lead a normal life.

How will this affect the family tree?

Mommy Spears was shocked to hear the news because Jamie Lynn had always been such a good girl, not even breaking her curfews. Still, she seems to be supportive of her daughter. However, there has been no news on what older sister Britney is doing to address the situation. At this point, nothing is certain.

Who knows? This might even pave the way for the whole family to become more connected with each other again.

As for her career, Zoey 101 is set to air new episodes next year.