Merry Christmas To All!

Hope you had received all your wish lists for Christmas and celebrated it on the happiest even simplest of ways.

Nomad Santa Tracker:
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html#utm_campaign=en_US&utm_medium=ha&utm_source=en_US-ha-na-us-sk-gm&utm_term=where%20is%20santa
Christmas Prayers to Share for You:
http://www.prayer-and-prayers.info/christmas-prayers/family-christmas-prayer.htm

Nathan Phillips Square - Downtown, Toronto

Its been late for my posting since we visited Nathan Philips Square last Saturday. The Cavalcade of Lights celebrated its opening here on November 29.

City of Toronto - Nathan Phillips
Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N1‎
View Map/Route

The pool area on the square is transformed into an outdoor ice skating rink every winter. They offer skate rentals if you happen to just drop by and came unprepared. Usually every Saturday they have free concerts and firework displays here which sets the mood to be more magical.

The Old City Hall fronting Nathan Phillips Square.
Watch Serena Ryder's performance at Nathan Phillips Square.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taOx1EVxlfs

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ THIS :
Harbourfront Centre Winter Activities

My first winter storm in Toronto ...

It's really winter season here. Today would be my first winter storm experience here in Toronto ... and to the next to come I'll have no choice but to welcome it every year.

It may have started at around 6:30 to 7am. At noon I take pictures outside and snow must have been around 9cm high on grounds.It's snow and blowing snow outside. It's still a blessing having no work right now, I'm in the confinements of my home and don't need to battle outside. Temperature by now is around -10°C. Weather forecast says it may continue until Saturday to Sunday. It's a major shovelling time for my husband. Happy he didn't share the work for me. If this continues we would be having a white Christmas for this year.

To everyone just be safe and drive carefully!

Minku ... my 3D Virtual Pet

Meet Minku... my 3D virtual pet! I've added this cute app Pokey in Facebook, an application that enables realistic interactive virtual pets rendered in 3D animation to be adopted. You can take care of them by feeding , playing, and petting them everyday. You can earn "bones" to buy food, bed, house, or even environment for your doggy. There are also other things you need to explore so you can earn extra bones. If you cannot afford to maintain a pet to adopt even if you love to, here's the answer.

I've taken this snapshot of her sleeping and playing ball. I bet you will enjoy this application too. Right now I think you can just play it on the social networks Facebook and Myspace. Thanks to Boneheads Lab for this cool application!

Rainforest Cafe - Yorkdale,Toronto

If you're dropping by at Yorkdale finding a place to treat your kids or just looking for a different dining experience visit the Rain Forest Cafe at Yorkdale Shopping Center (1 Yorkdale Road Toronto, ON M6A 3A1, Canada). The restaurant offers a safari dining experience. There's a nice fish tank entrance, waterfalls, and you can dine with elephants and monkeys around. The place would be great for kids.

You can also choose from different menu from appetizers, pasta, salad, seafood, steak , desserts and they also have kid's menu. Servings are big and good for sharing. They have fun drinks that light up ... and there's a sparkling Volcano cake dessert where the staff shouts "Volcano" while being served.

A retail shop is also located outside if you like to buy some kid's stuff , gift items and other souvenirs.

You can check also their other locations at the Rainforest cafe website: http://www.rainforestcafe.com

Tom Cruise in Toronto

(Photos courtesy of HoundsTV.COM)
Tom Cruise rolls into Toronto for a 2 day (Dec 8-9) promotion of his upcoming World War II movie, Valkyrie, showing on Christmas Day. Cruise first stopped for an interview with George Stroumboulopoulos on CBC’s The Hour then was escorted by an entourage of three black SUV’s to Queen street studios of Toronto’s MuchMusic.

Tom Cruise at Queen St., Downtown, Toronto studio of MuchMusic.

For the past years Tom Cruise career came to a fold after his crazy act in Oprah, his debate with "The Today Show" host Matt Lauer , his marriage to Katie Holmes , and his devotion to Scientology.

His last movie "Lions for Lambs"was a flop, and was given a 28% by the tomato meter Movie critics. Maybe this latest movie "Valkyrie" would lift up again his future viability as a bankable star.

Tom Cruise crazy act on Oprah : http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-588377287984092200
Tom Cruise debate with Matt Lauer : http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=tom+cruise+mat+lauer&hl=en&emb=0#hl=en&emb=1&q=tom%20cruise%20matt%20lauer

Related Post:
2009 Anticipated Movies

3 Column Minima Stretch Layout

Thanks to Raymond's Compender blog article for the 3 column minima stretch layout. I've tried other sites but this worked for me. Helped me a lot to maximize space for my blog gadgets.

Compender Three Column Minima Stretch Layout:
http://www.compender.com/2007/12/minima-stretch-to-three-column-template.html

Starbucks vs Tim Horton's

In the Philippines Starbucks is way popular, I also am a fan of Starbucks however mostly Frap's that are caffeine-free. I have tried their coffee and other Frap's but I usually get a buzz in my head just for only a small cup. I can't blame myself sometimes coffee really tastes great.

Here in Toronto , Starbucks and Tim Horton's are the 2 popular coffee shops. However Tim Horton's or Timmy as they call it is more popular and marketable to the public. It's a little bit cheaper but suits your craving for a nice smooth coffee and it doesn't have that high caffeine content. So for now I'm a Timmy one... suits my taste especially in this coming winter season. Status quo or mediocrity , it's what your preference on coffee that counts.

Other Related Blog Sites:

Sharkboy ( Tim Horton's vs Starbucks ) http://sharkboy.ca/?p=165

Neowin Forum http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t443142.html

Corregidor Island, Philippines

If you're planning for a quick getaway outside Manila ( City capital of the Philippines ), you can opt to go in Corregidor. It's almost one hour and a half ferry ride from Roxas Blvd. CCP Complex to the island. You can choose from a day or an overnight tour package. If you have that extra budget I suggest you choose the overnight package. For a difference of a small amount you can have an overnight stay, additional group activities ( swimming at the pool, ghost-hunting, Malinta tunnel night exploration, short hikes) , and a chance to explore the island more. This also include a guided tour around the island, buffet lunch, and the ferry fee. You can visit the Sun Cruises site for accomodations and other promos.