Make Sure to Backup Before You Upgrade

Have you ever tried upgrading your Wordpress theme with the latest version provided? It's a bit tricky to get started that is why reading the instructions properly is prerequisite to becoming successful in the installation. Wordpress upgrade means debugging your existing older version and if not cautious enough you may end up losing your data and plug-ins on the process.  It is necessary to back up all blog data first on a reliable server before trying to upgrade.

One alternative solution of backing up soft copies is through online storage system using IBackup.  It has a user friendly interface that allows clients, specially small business owners, a faster service and worry free of confidential data loss.  Files are accessible 24 hours a day with IBackup's online storage that has to be allocated on any folder or drive of your PC.  It is possible also to create sub-accounts for other documents one wishes to keep and more.

Thai Catfish Salad (Yam Pla Dook Foo)

I missed eating this food.  Starting this week a new management took over the cafeteria of AIT.  They may be more hygienic but their food looks tasteless to me.  Unlike the old vendors A and C that we were used to. It's a sad reality which leaves me no choice but to cook. Hey, this photo I took was my last take out from vendor C. Please don't ever think I cooked this. Sharing you the secret recipe below.

Ingredients:
1     medium  catfish
2     cups cooking oil
2     tablespoons fish sauce
2     tablespoons brown sugar
8     birds eye chiles, sliced
1/2     cup julienned green mangoes
1/4     cup shallots, finely sliced
3     tablespoons roasted peanut or cashew nut, pound coarsely
      breadcrumbs (optional)
      lettuce leaves (to garnish)
      coriander leaves (to garnish)

Procedure:

>>For the Catfish
   1. Steam or bake catfish till done and let cool.
   2. Remove flesh using fork and crumble into small bite-sized pieces and spread.
   3. (If thick,then inside will not be crispy) Heat oil at medium heat and deep fry the     
      catfish crumbs.
   4. Fry until golden brown, remove and drain oil from crumbs using paper towel.
 
>>Dip/ Sauce with Salad
   1. In a mixing bowl, mix sugar, fish sauce and birdeye chili.
   2. Add mangoes, shallot, groundnut (peanut or cashew) and mix well.
   3. Serve on lettuce and garnish with coriander.

Related link:

Articles on Bella Online 

Battle of My Bulging Belly

One should always have the determination in the process of staying physically fit.  I remember last December, it was really hard for me to exercise or lose weight with all my time consuming activities.  I tend to have irregular meals every night during caroling sessions. So often the host will have a party and invites us to share the spirit of Christmas with them.  It was fun! We always have a sumptuous dinner and gabfest with old and new acquaintances. To the expense of gaining one and a half kilos at the end of the parties. 

I look slim in the outside but bulging underneath my loose blouses. Shocking? Funny for me I guess.

Since then I focus my exercise more on abdominal crunch and sit-ups during body balance. I find it helpful also engaging on constant walking and biking from home to office and vice versa.

Thank heavens my case is not yet alarming. Though  in choosing the right weight loss program, it is better to get faced with several options before jumping into finality. Such concise information are available in weight-loss-diet-help.com.

Tinkering the GIMP

There's a new version of GIMP up for grabs at www.gimp.org now.  The latest is version 2.4.  I'm still using the 2.2 edition at home.  I might as well upgrade to see the difference. 

GIMP is actually a free software for Image Manipulation (free like OpenOffice) which works just like the most famous Photoshop and Corel programs.  It's a built in tool on my Fedora Linux OS, so I didn't bother installing it at all. If you find it hard to install pirated copies of photo editing softwares, better download GIMP to be sure and safe.

Light Filters

The ice must have been melting from the north. That is why it’s freezing cold in here.  I’m back to using blankets when sleeping and waking up late for work.  Is there anything new about it? Let’s tell that to the marines.

This is the best time of the year to stay at home and just think of a window makeover. While summer is the worst time to hang out at home due to intense heat. I was thinking, the roller blinds such as Reminiscent Vinyl Roller Shades might look lovely on our window. The beige color definitely looks perfect on a white background.  I find it so neat and enough to filter the sunlight.

Check out SelectBlinds.com which offers low prices on blinds or house makeover services. Avail of there free shipping and 25% discount on all items. 

Thankful Thursday 2007- 2nd entry

The new year has just began. Looking back, it is befitting to thank to the Lord for a grace filled 2007, as well as the continuous outpouring of blessings this year 2008.

>For strength and happiness- To serve You and others and put purpose in my days.

>For understanding- To make me kind. So I may judge people with my heart and not my mind.

>For patience in the things I do- To be content to trust Your wisdom and follow You.

Old Plastic Laminated Identification Cards

In some countries in South East Asia old plastic laminated Identification Cards (ID's) are still widely used. For example, even the well developed country of Thailand, the driver's license is still printed as plain paper plastic laminated card. Though in some private companies ID cards are already thick plastic with some digital photos.

Printing a more modern thick plastic ID card similar to the banks ATM card or Credit cards require a specialized printer. There are companies like All ID Systems that specifically supplies the machine and the materials needed.

All ID Systems has a wide variety of ID card printers that can be used for many things such as employee ID badges, security cards and more. Security is becoming more and more important and All ID Systems is at the forefront of ID Card Printers and supplies. All plastic card printing support are handled by factory-trained technicians. Providing ID card printers and supplies to different private companies, educational institutions and government offices. A one stop solution to identification card and badging needs.

Time to change those old plastic laminated identification cards with a new plastic ID card. Switching would not be a problem with modern printing technology around.

Back to Gym Again

It feels good to be back to what I've started. After a long rest of exercising in the gym, I am glad to be on the move once again. I have enjoyed the new steps of the Body Jam class earlier. At first I was feeling a mild cramps on my left foot while adjusting to the new gym routine. Glad I made it till the cool down part.

I missed dancing so much. It was a bit surprising to see most of the old timers still around. Dancing keeps my bulging belly in control.

Looking forward for another season of fitness and health blogs. Time to shape up again for the whole year 2008.

Too Busy to Find a Soul Mate

Times have changed, and it's some how difficult to find a soul mate. Singles are growing in numbers as people are getting busy pursuing their career. After a busy day at work there's little energy left to go out. Sometimes there's limited opportunity to meet singles of the same age. These are just a few of the reasons why people are lured to go for online dating.

Matchmaking services are abundant on the net, and it's difficult to make a choice which one suits best. An online resource for single men and women to compare different Internet dating services like Prime Dating Sites is really helpful. It makes choosing easier with a detailed review of every Internet dating services like cost, features, style, requirements, and many more. Truly, everyone would hopefully meet someone of their own type and likes. Finding a partner who doesn't have to take you away from other competing pressing needs or someone that would be ready to lead a lasting relationship. This is a chance of a life time to find a kind of person that you can only dream about.

Blog ni Inday

New Year is the moment to blossom forth new horizons & realize new cherished desires, to rediscover the strength & complete confidence within you, to jubilate in simple pleasures & gear up for new challenges.

Wishing you a truly satisfying 2008!

- Text message ni Inday sa mga kaibigan nya ngayong bagong taon

This message was swiped from Inday's blog site. I'm keeping a copy since she has mentioned the name of my site in her wishes for the coming year 2008.

The once forwarded "nosebleed" sarcasms of Inday on my emails have gained tremendous popularity through finally creating her own domain in blogniinday.com. Her acerbic wit acts like magnet to the readers who could comprehend her sassy ideas. I can't elaborate any further here. Better see it for yourself.

Sports Unlimited

My exercise had come into a halt for three months to give way to my other time consuming activities in our community. October was the month for Holy Rosary.  November came where I got engaged with the Parish Mission in Bangkok and December with AIT's traditional caroling in several houses each night. My only alternative form of healthy regimen was playing tennis. I was able to accomplish a lot of things but not much with tennis. The last time I played was Monday, December 31st.  It makes a record of 1 game per month. Not bad isn't it? Obviously this is not good for the lazy me.  

If you happened to visit AIT, you'll surely know what I mean.  This is the place for unlimited sports including tennis, table tennis, badminton, swimming, soccer, cricket, squash, petanque, golf, basketball, sepak takraw and volleyball, all for free 24/7.

Last December me and my husband went to see a friend in Muang Thong Thani.  Her house was just walking distance from Adidas Factory outlet. Me and hubby waited for her at the shop. Mindless of the time, we entertained ourselves first by window shopping.  Later on we find ourselves choosing some tennis apparel which where all on 50% discount.  Notwithstanding the temptation in red bold texts. The following day, as if not guilty, I went there again with friends  to buy socks, light shirts and small backpack.  To  justify, they were all intended for presents.

Among all other sports, I love tennis the most. It's thrilling to watch the single competition of Federrer and Nadal on TV.  One of the passionate players whom I adore watching is Gaston Gaudio from Argentina. His rank is now 182 in the list of  South African Airways ATP world ranking.  I tried searching for Paradorn Srichapan (Thailand's No. 1 tennis player) on the list but it seems he didn't took tennis seriously this year.

This year's top 20 men's tennis players as of December 31, 2007, swiped from the latest release of ATP Tennis Weekly.
1. Federer, Roger/ SUI-  7180 points
2. Nadal, Rafael/ESP- 5735 points
3. Djokovic, Novak/SRB- 4470 points
4. Davydenko, Nikolay/RUS- 2825 points
5. Ferer, David/ESP- 2750 points
6. Roddick, Andy/USA- 2530 points
7. Gonzalez, Fernando/CHI- 2005 points
8. Gasquet, Richard/FRA- 1930 points
9. Nalbandian, David/ARG- 1775 points
10. Robredo, Tommy/ESP- 1765 points
11. Murray, Andy/GBR- 1755 points
12. Haas, Tommy/GER- 1720 points
13. Blake, James/USA- 1710 points
14. Berdych, Tomas/CZE- 1685 points
15. Canas, Guillermo/ARG- 1653 points
16. Baghdatis, Marcos/ CYP- 1600 points
17. Moya, Carlos/ESP- 1585 points
18. Ljubicic, Ivan/CRO- 1580 points
19. Youzhny, Mikhail/RUS- 1570 points
20. Chela, Juan Ignacio/ARG- 1425 points

Staying fit and enjoying the game is the most important. Specially both me and T. shares the same sports.  This is one way of maintaining a friendly relationship with my spouse. Always remember, health is wealth.

Time to Change Some Ink Cartridges

The new year calls for some action and it includes simple things like replacement of ink, inkjet cartridges, toner, toner cartridges for the printer. At home I think it's time to change the ink cartridge of our Canon Pixma MP160 which was handed down to us. The printer run out of ink and I am not quite sure what ink should be bought.

Searching the net leads me to inkers, a site which specializes on inks etcetera. A list of almost every kind of toner cartridge, inkjet cartridge, solid ink, fax supplies and other printing related items could be found on the left side column. Various prices for the toner, inkjet, and fax cartridge could be examined. Orders could be placed with a minimal number of clicks using either a MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover or PayPal.

It's really easy to purchase a replacement ink with inkers. I am glad there are sites like this to help me out with this techie stuff.