Nokia N95 8GB

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Computers & Electronics
Product Type:	Cell-phones
Manufacturer:	Nokia

My cellphone provider called a few weeks ago to notify me that I qualified for a free phone, and the lovely operator gave me a list to choose from: the Nokia N95 8GB, the Nokia E90 and a new Sony Ericsson (I couldn't remember the model number). I chose the new N95. I told my husband about the offer, and he was excited for me (techie that he is). I then started poring over whatever I could find: official reviews and user opinions alike.

The phone was delivered yesterday... and I was floored.

First, the feel in the hand is one that is rich... not at all plasticky or flimsy. However, taking the battery out when I need to is a little difficult... I need an actual tool to remove it.

Now, turning it on.

The phone itself is very responsive. My previous Nokia was an N73, and I found that to be sluggish and slow at every turn, so I lent that to my mother who really didn't need any of the fancy features. Worked for her just fine, but not for me.

The best part of the phone for me is its Mac syncability. It syncs beautifully with iSync (I now use iCal and Address Book because of this) and -- thanks to Nokia Multimedia Transfer -- I can also sync photos and music directly from iTunes and iPhoto. Suhweet!

One last great application I found is a beta program called Conversation. As a former Treo user I really liked threaded SMS messages (or chats), and Conversation allows me to organize my text messages into threads that make my SMS chats easy to follow. Awesome!!!

My other complaint has to do with the built-in media player (slide the phone down instead of up, and you expose special buttons to play your multimedia content). The screen orientation goes from portrait to landscape, but once you slide the phone back into neutral, the orientation doesn't change. Hopefully Nokia will find a way to fix it, but it's a really minor thing compared to the great things I get out of the phone.

I... love... this... phone. Everything I want in a relatively light device. Let's see how long it'll take before I run it into the ground.

Back to Black

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Music
Genre:	R&B
Artist:	Amy Winehouse

I approached this album with apprehension (I mean, she's been on the news for matters that have nothing to do with music), and OH MY GOD!!! Her album is absolutely fantastic! She brings us back to the days of Motown with her sound as well as that beehive and painted eyeliner. Her voice is steeped in the 1960s. Sometimes it's as if I'm listening to Martha and the Vandellas.

She deserved every single Grammy she got, her detractors be damned. If you haven't yet, get yourself a copy.

No, I'm not glorifying her lifestyle... only her music, which is excellent. Fantastic, fantastic music.

Black Saturday in the city

Since we spent the entirety of Good Friday at home, we were a little stircrazy, but looking forward to the day.  We had an invitation to lunch at our friend Yvette's home, along with other friends Lisa and Berck (who are expecting their first child in a few months) and Stevie and Ana (who toted their beautiful ones Agustin and Felicia).  Yvette and Lisa attended Columbia University together... Yvette was actually my Matron of Honor, and we are a pair that have seen each other through a lot in our lifetimes in New York.  She's seen me through a few breakups (and I've seen her through a few as well)... when I was still single and on the few times that I didn't want to be by myself in my apartment, I'd head to her place, even if I ended up staying awake the whole night.  There were very few friends I was comfortable enough to do this with... she was one of them.

First we headed to Greenbelt 3 to check out of the Macbook Air, something Rob has been eyeing lustfully for a while now... unfortunately they were out of stock at the PowerMac Center.  He was thwarted... for right now... it's something he has his sights set on, so we'll just have to wait a while.  After that, it was off to lunch at Yvette's.

Lunch was delicious, and taken really slowly... beef, lasagna, chapchae, salad with a honey vinaigrette dressing, plus rum cake, ube halayan, sans rival and ice cream for dessert.  It ended with a delicious cup of coffee, and plenty of laughter and conversation.  Lunch started at around 12:30 and ended close to 4:00, most of it spent chatting over the latest goings-on in Manila.  Of course all good things must come to an end, so after lots of hugs and kisses goodbye, we were off to Power Plant.

Of course we paid a visit to PowerMac and then walked around for a bit... got some crayons and paper for Nic... a few items at the grocery store... a few escalator rides as well for the little one, and it was off to Alabang.  We stopped first at Alabang Town Center for Rob to check on something before we went home.

It was a fun Saturday spent with friends and family. 

More pictures...

I thought to post these too... the first group is of her just hanging out in our bedroom, and the other is of her in her cheerleader outfit. Daddy graduated from SC. Now if only Ateneo made an outfit like this...

Love means never having to say you're sorry... sometimes.

I woke up with Ali McGraw's face in my mind as she uttered those words to Ryan O'Neal in Love Story.  Kinda made me stop and think...

I've found myself on the offensive and defensive sides of arguments in the course of my lifetime... some arguments and disagreements never finding resolution... and without even the slightest trace of an apology.  Either by me or by my nemesis-of-the-moment. 

With one best friend, all it took was for time to fix things... we picked up where we left off (well, from the most recent pleasantness preceding the less pleasant moments).  We no longer talk about what it was that caused our most recent strife (since it really wasn't one of us that started the mess in the first place).  For another... I go off into a binge of overthinking and waffling back and forth over whether to ask for an apology since my feelings and my pride were injured.

At the end, I decided, "nah".  We love each other anyway... to the death.  Forgiveness comes always.  Always. 

In both cases, we've become more than just friends... we've become family.  And sometimes, there are things that don't even have to be said for the sake of finding peace and balance. 

Sometimes, all it takes is time... the forgiveness will always come.  As will the love.  For sure that will never leave.

Nic Pics

These were taken at Abu's house, and then at home in her brand new hula outfit... which is still a little bit big for her.

Logan, the Sky Angel Cowboy

I just thought to post this here, including the description off of the YouTube page that contains this video...

I chanced upon it (thanks, Gigi), and it made me cry... God is truly amazing, and works in wonderful ways. Far more powerful than a million homilies... it's a great reminder of God's infinite love for us.

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(A FrankLozano.com Production) Little did I know when I was given the audio to this phone call that it would become SO HUGE. When I produced this video, I knew it was special to ME, but never would I have guessed when typing the text and editing the music that it would literally touch MILLIONS. I am proud to have put this video together for the world to see and hear. We have had a lot of requests to replay the phone call that Pastor Mike shared during our church service on Sunday, Nov. 11th, 2007.

Here you'll find the video clip that I created just for you. After our church service I placed the video on YouTube so that you can watch it and share with family and friends.

Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX. Logan called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf . His words have wisdom beyond his years.

Since airing the audio of the phone call and now the making of the video clip, it has taken on a life of its own. People are forwarding it all over the world. We encourage you to share the love of Christ with anyone you can.

(**Sky Angel is a family safe broadcasting service that is offered on satellite. KSBJ is a local Houston Christian music radio station. Video clip produced with love by me, www.FrankLozano.com. Hear the entire message at www.ValenciaHills.com.)