Nice little surprise at the drive-thru

I remember this certain incident that happened when we were in Michigan last, last weekend. On our way to Cedar Point, we decided to grab something to eat at the McDonald's drive thru. We were hoping to still catch the breakfast menu that time. I was craving for the breakfast burito, while Nel and Brian were craving for some McGriddle sandwiches, (I forgot what Mabby wanted). But Erwin put our breakfast meal cravings to a halt when he pointed out that is was already 10:41 am, past the McDonald's breakfast time na raw.

"Darn!", we said. Anyways, we stared at the menu and tried to choose something else. I settled for the Chicken McGrill sandwich while the others decided on........ I forgot what, since I was too hungry that time to remember anything else.

So at the next window we ordered using the meal numbers we memorized. "2 number 3's, one number 8, .......".

When we got our orders in the last window, we were surprised to see hash browns. Hash browns???? They ran out of fries for the regular menu?

Nyak...... it was still breakfast! We ordered from the breakfast menu! Since we used numbers, we have no idea what breakfast meal we actually got.

To our amazement, we got 2 McGriddle sandwhiches, 1 breakfast burito meal, and another McMuffin meal. Those were the things we wanted in the first place! Amazing! We ended up getting what we have been really craving for. Now isn't that a nice surprise? God heard our little wishes and gave us our favorite meals. :)

Our Michigan-Ohio Weekend

Last Friday night Nel, Mabby, Brian, and I took a long drive to Erwin's place in Michigan. Well, we knew what long drive means, but we didn't expect the usual 4-5 hour drive to Michigan to turn into an 8 hour drive! We got caught in traffic because of a rerouting (we never knew why they closed a huge part of the freeway/I-94). We left Chicago at around 8 pm (Central time) and reached Michigan at 4 am (Eastern time)!

A few winks after, we had to wake-up and prepare for a whole day of rollercoaster riding. Yeah!

Rizsa, Julie, and her boyfriend, Clint, drove to Erwin's place and then off to Cedar Point, Ohio we went. Woohoo!





Our first ride, the "Raptor". "An inverted roller coaster, Raptor has seats similar to ski lift chairs, suspended below its inverted track. Riders see nothing but the sky and track above them, and nothing but their dangling feet below -just a few feet above the ground! Raptor passengers also tumble head over heels six times!" (taken from the Cedar Point Website).



And for the ultimate drop, Millenneum Force. I'm a drop and speed junkie, so this was one of the best for me. A vertical drop of 300 feet at an 80 degree angle, and with the speed of approximately 93 mph...... awesome! :)


Just look at that drop! :)



And the best of them all........ The 420-foot-tall, 120-mph Top Thrill Dragster "Strata-coaster"!

This ride was just...... Wow! Imagine being launched at a speed of 120mph in less than 4 seconds, then climbing 420 feet at a 90 degree angle, and before you can even give out another scream, you drop 400 feet at a 90 degree angle at the speed of 120 mph...... and best of all, you drop face down! Whew! It was definitely exhilirating. :)

Oh no! I AM a shopaholic!

I am currently reading "Confessions of a Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella. It felt like reading a biography of myself! I am Becky Bloomwood!


I'm not saying "I am a shopaholic" beaming with pride as if I'm telling the world I have been crowned a beauty queen. No. I'm saying "I am a shopaholic" with fear and worry --- shopaholic, as in a disorder of some sorts. Some people wear "shopaholic" on their shirts as if it were a badge of valor or something. Ok, I was/am one of those people. I really like to shop. But upon reading this book..... and seeing how silly Becky Bloomwood can be with all her ridiculous spendings ---- it was like frowning upon my own self!

I run to a store with huge sale banners plastered on their display window. The attraction is like that of a moth to a flame. I go crazy on sales. I say, "it's on sale.... so that means I am practically saving money!". Yeah, that's how Becky Bloomwood would put it too. Then last night I was thinking, if I buy things on sale, why does it feel like I am not saving money at all? In fact, I feel more "broke" more than ever.

Duh! It's because I am still spending. If I really want to save, I should stop spending period. Put all shopping sprees to a screeching halt. Stay away from the stores..... sales most especially. Sales. That does the most damage. We tend to buy things we don't "actually NEED" during a sale.

The thing is, there is a fine line that seperates a need from a want. It's not that hard to "confuse" a want from a need.... specially for a shopaholic.

Excerpt from the book:
"Frugality. Simplicity. These are my new watchwords. A new, uncluttered, Zen-like life, in which I spend nothing. I mean when you think about it, how much money do we all waste everyday? No wonder I'm in a little bit of a debt. And really, it's not my fault. I've merely been succumbing to the Western drag of materialism --- which you have to have the strength of elephants to resist. At least, that's what it says in my new book........"

Like in my lastest spending spree, Brian's mom and sister were going to this Outlet Mall in Huntley. Since I wanted to go back to that outlet to get those denim shorts I should've gotten the last time, I decided to tag along.

One measely denim shorts from Gap. That's all I'm buying. It was on sale at 40% off the last time, so that means it'll be around $12. $12 that's it, I kept on telling my self on our way to the Outlet.

When we got there, the shorts was still on sale but for 30% off only. I decided to get it anyway since it's still cheaper than the other denim shorts I see at the malls. But then there was this 50% off sale on these cute little Smocked Tunics. I got that too though I promised myself not to get another top since I have so many summery tops already! Dang, I just could not resist the sale.


In short, I ended up spening a little more than $40 that day. I got 2 books from the Borders Outlet, and these cute bedroom slippers from Aeropostale. Great, and I promised myself a $12 budget for that day!


See what I mean???? It's a silly addiction already! I spend till I squeez 'em wallets dry. It's not something I should be proud of, I know. Sigh...... Usually, after feeling guilty for the all the spending I've done, I suddenly cram and get into a money-saving program I device for myself. But that lasts for a short while because when I see I have already saved quite a sum, I go spending again. It's like 1 step forward and 2 steps back.

Well.... I guess it all boils down to self-control. Discipline. Sacrifice. And as a last resort..... I could just ask someone to hand cuff me to a pole to stop me from going to the mall. :)

Spike :)

"Yes hello, Animal Control? Uhm, I would like to report a cat that has been occupying my bed......"

"..... Yes, he refuses to move, and he's just there sprawled over the bed..."


"Gasp! Animal Control!!!!"

"Oh well, it'll take them a few minutes to get here.... That'll give me time to sleep some more...."


"Don't dare touch me kid! I'm bigger.....errr... heavier than you!"


Awwwww.....Look at Brian and Spike sharing a bed. Guess who got more space? :)