NEVER BUY A4TECH EARPHONES!

Cutie, right?

Amazing packaging!

Freebies!

But then, it turned into a dissssasssssterrrrrr!!!

NEVER BUY A4Tech earphones until they can make better ones! Even if they come in PINK!

....At least not yet.

MagSafe Power Adapter Gallery (For Gadzooki Readers etc.)

The Gadzooki Post can be found on this Link:

The Amazing MagSafe Power Adapter

PayPal Love, Xoom Hatred

I recently posted on how Xoom seemed to have run away with my $77.50. Today, I got refunded BY PAYPAL, because I had escalated my "dispute" into a "claim".

If not for PayPal's pressure, I doubt Xoom would have refunded me, because it had been around 3 weeks or so since they canceled my transaction for vague reasons. Worse, they had actually let me hang on the balance when their CSRs (who seemed to have Indian names) would give me vague replies. The nerve.

Thus, after all my verbal abuse, I got tired of dealing with Xoom, and instead escalated my claim to PayPal's Claims and Disputes department.

And today, I got my $77.50 back, all intact.

Suh-weet!


I *heart* PayPal. :) *silly lovestruck grin*

Songs I Featured on Froodee

Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie

Da Da Da Da
The smell of your skin lingers on me now
You're probably on your flight back to your home town
I need some shelter of my own protection baby
To be with myself and center, clarity
Peace, Serenity

[CHORUS:]
I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry

The path that I'm walking
I must go alone
I must take the baby steps 'til I'm full grown, full grown
Fairytales don't always have a happy ending, do they?
And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay

[CHORUS]

Like the little school mate in the school yard
We'll play jacks and uno cards
I'll be your best friend and you'll be my Valentine
Yes you can hold my hand if you want to
'Cause I want to hold yours too
We'll be playmates and lovers and share our secret worlds
But it's time for me to go home
It's getting late, dark outside
I need to be with myself and center, clarity
Peace, Serenity

[CHORUS]

La Da Da Da Da Da

Glamorous by Fergie

(Are You Ready)

If you ain't got no money take yo'broke ass home
You say: If you ain't got no money take yo'broke ass home
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S, yeah G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

[B-Section:]
We flyin' first class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' my life
In the fast lane
And I wont change
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[chorus:]
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[chorus:]
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[Verse:]
Wear them gold and diamonds rings
All them things don't mean a thing
Chaperons and limousines
Shopping for expensive things
I be on the movie screens
Magazines and boogie scenes
I'm not clean, I'm not pristine
I'm no queen, I'm no machine
I still go to Taco Bell
Drive through, raw as hell
I don't care, I'm still real
No matter how many records I sell
After the show or after the Grammies
I like to go cool out with the family
Sippin', reminiscing on days when I had a Mustang

And now I'm in...

[B-Section:]
first class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' my life
In the fast lane
And I won't change
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[chorus:]
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[chorus:]
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous

By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[Ludacris:]
I'm talking Champagne wishes, caviar dreams
You deserve nothing but all the finer things
Now this whole world has no clue what to do with us
I've got enough money in the bank for the two of us
Brother gotta keep enough lettuce
To support your shoe fetish
Lifestyles so rich and famous
Robin Leach will get jealous
Half a million for the stones
Taking trips from here to Rome
So If you ain't got no money take yo'broke ass home
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S, yeah G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

[B-Section:]
We flyin' first class
Up in the sky
Poppin' champagne
Livin' the life
In the fast lane
And I wont change
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[chorus:]
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[chorus:]
The glamorous,
The glamorous, glamorous
By the Glamorous, oh the flossy flossy

[Verse:]
I got problems up to here
I've got people in my ear
Telling me these crazy things
That I don't want to know
I've got money in the bank
And I'd really like to thank
All the fans, I'd like to thank
Thank you really though
Cause I remember yesterday
When I dreamt about the days
When I'd rock on MTV, that be really dope
Damn, It's been a long road
And the industry is cold
I'm glad my daddy tell me so
he let his daughter know.


(If you ain't got no money, take your broke ass home)
My daddy told me so
(I said, If you ain't got no money, take your broke ass home)
He let his daughter know
(If you ain't got no money, take your broke ass home)
My daddy told me so
(If you ain't got no money, take your broke ass home)
He let his daughter know


Pearl by Paula Cole

Humility on Bleecker Street
Exposed my faults until I'm left defeated
It's been three years into this relationship
This is longer than I could ever commit

But I feel I'm near
But I feel my fear

I'm standing at the edge of another precipice in life
Gotta face my Steppenwolf
Gotta drag you through the mud
When I get there I will see myself
I will look for strength within
I will be a better woman
Hang in there baby, I'm the grain of sand
Becoming the pearl

There are no role models in rock 'n' roll
No women who could have it all
The long career, the man, the happy family
And her I stand and God I do demand it

But I feel I'm near
But I feel my fear

I'm standing at the edge of another precipice in life
Gotta face my Steppenwolf
Gotta drag you through the mud
When I get there I will see myself
I will look for strength within
I will be a better woman
Hang in there baby, I'm the grain of sand
Becoming the pearl

It's dark in here--Don't know who I am
Memories come--I'm wading through the mood
Evil side--Wants to drag me down
Will power--God please give me some
(I'm hanging onto hope now)

I'm standing at the edge of another precipice in life
Baggage from my family
Going back to therapy
I will kneel, be humble, tow the weight
I will look for strength within
I will be a better woman
Hang in there baby, I'm the grain of sand
Becoming the pearl

Adelaide and Brisbane: Traveler's Delight!

When it comes to finding a top travel destination, Australia, by far, is one of the best. From food to wine, to natural sights and sounds, flora and fauna, Australia is teeming with things to do for the enthusiastic tourist. One of the best places to visit in exotic Australia is serene Adelaide. But Adelaide is beyond serenity. Adelaide has different facets. It’s not just a serene community, it’s also a cosmopolitan city in all its glory. This beautiful balance of serenity and verve would be enough to compel a serial traveler to pack his or her bags to Adelaide, Australia.

Adelaide is best known not only for its beautiful nature sceneries, but also for its wine and food.

For the wine enthusiast, you will come to the right place in Adelaide, as it is South Australia’s wine central. Key places to visit for everything about delectable Australian wine are the National Wine Centre and the Penfolds Magill Estate.

When it comes to food, Adelaide is just amazing in that there are entire streets devoted to dining in Adelaide!

Savor a perfect mix of Asian cuisine from Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and China on Gouger Street. Asian fusion is also served, along with Argentine and French cuisine. On Rundle Street, in East End Adelaide, there are places perfect for lunch or night dining. Coffee, wine, and pizza abound here. For fine wine, Hindley Street, O'Connell Street and Melbourne Street have restaurants that cater specifically to patrons who want to dine is style. Glenelg and Henley Beach, on the other hand, are known for outdoor dining, and catching a romantic sunset while having a meal would be perfect here.

If you’re psyched about visiting Adelaide, you need not worry, because Adelaide Hotels abound. Hotels in Adelaide are absolutely affordable, and you won’t regret taking advantage of these special offers.


If you’re done with the best Adelaide has to offer, you can hop on over to Brisbane, Australia, where ancient architectural wonders abound. Not only does Brisbane offer visual architectural delights, it also offers such adventurous/romantic activities such as the “Fly Me to the Moon” hot air balloon breakfasts. You and your partner, or whomever else, are treated to a daybreak flight on a hot air balloon, then to a breakfast right after, at the 5-star Sofitel Brisbane Hotel (formerly Sheraton). Aside from this romantic/adventurous activity, other extreme sports and adventures await you in Brisbane. Just make sure you have affordable and comfortable Brisbane Accommodations reserved for you beforehand.

Knowing these, I am excited to visit Australia soon. I know adventure awaits me there, whether gustatory, nature-oriented, and even those that involve flying. I’m so excited!


Photo credits courtesy of:
http://www.adelaide.edu.au
http://www.flymetothemoon.com.au/

Xoom.com Refund

I know I have to work. And soon. But I cannot concentrate, because Xoom.com had botched up my money transfer to my Internet provider. I am hanging on a balance here, and hating Xoom.com royally. I hate them, and I wish they would go out of business.

Buy Me A Laptop... Puhleeze!

If you saw a new button up there, it's your chance to help me buy a laptop for myself and my work. For every $1 donated, you will receive a complimentary 400-word custom article. And when you donate for the first time, you will get a copy of my e-book on my (mis)adventures in Metro Manila. Just donate, then email me at lorie.hates.spam@gmail.com, and I will get back to you with the e-book and the time and date when I can complete the article. To make things faster for you and me, do fill out this form, or copy-paste the following, and then email it to me, AFTER you make your donation. Heheh. I will check my PayPal email for donations, so I will know who sent what and how much, heheh.

Again, here is my deal:

• A 400-word custom article for every $1 donated.

• An e-book for every first donation.

It's a great deal, if you ask me, because, if you check at GetAFreelancer.com, the minimum rate for most people is at $2 per article. Not just that, you get to have an e-book too!

The offer expires on the 31st of December 2007. So hurry up, $1 custom articles have never been offered before, and this just may be your last chance to take advantage of that!

Here is the text of the form you have to email to me for your articles, right after you donate to my self-centered, but geared-for-productivity cause.

Deadline (time and date):
Number of Words/Pages:
Margins and Spacing:
Article Topic:
Keywords:


Article Specifics:

The downloadable forms are available on the following links. Right click then select "Download Link Target" for Mozilla Firefox or Camino users, and anything else that says "Download" in other browsers. :p

Fill up this form, then e-mail to me at lorie.hates.spam@gmail.com.

This is a sample order form with the specifications, for reference.

I'm pretty serious about this, though this seems to be a crazy idea. Remember, this is a great deal, folks, take advantage of this now! $1 per 400 words! Till December 31, 2007 only!

Israel

I always had an instinctive affinity towards Israel. I guess ever since I was a kid, God had planted that love for His people in my heart. Even if the Jews I've encountered were the sinful, prideful, lustful ones (what do you expecto on IRC/yahoo chat eh?!), still, I always knew I should respect Israel. I am glad I am not a Jew, because I don't know if I would be able to cope with everything they went through. But I have a deep respect and admiration for what they have been through and survived. Loving Israel is not an option. As a Christian, we are called to that. I am glad that God planted that instinct inside me even before, so it's not hard to shift paradigms now.

That is the exact reason why I could not understand why some Christians are against Israel, seeing them as "the enemy". I guess they are blind. I guess they only see how Israel seemingly inconveniences the rest of the world. If they only knew..

Below is a sermon on why keeping Israel in our prayer priorities is a must...

I had the opportunity to listen to a sermon while I was visiting a friend in one of the countries in South East Asia. The pastor has graciously giving me a copy his sermon notes and I thought I'd share it here:

Why Stand With Israel Today?



Israel is a land about which God says—uniquely, prophetically, redemptively, and repeatedly in the Bible—“This is Mine.” God refers to Israel as He does to no other land on Earth. Israel was raised up to be a light to the Gentiles.

The Church at its inception was virtually entirely Jewish, and it remained so until the Gospel began to spread. Ultimately the Gospel spread to Antioch—where the first Gentile congregation began—the base from which the Gospel spread into all the world.

In the book of Romans, chapters 9 through 11, the Apostle Paul deals with the question of the Jews in God’s providence and purpose. These three chapters virtually stand alone, within the whole of the Bible, as an elaboration of the theology of God’s dealing with Jews. The Jews were the “firstfruit”…the “first people” (through Abraham) to understand a covenant God. They then relayed the riches of that truth to the world, and through their agency, the Messiah came into the world. The Word of God calls Jews the “root” and Gentiles the “branches.” We’re reminded that while “because of unbelief, some of them were broken off and you stand by faith,” we are not to become haughty but to fear: “For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.” When the fullness of the Gentiles is completed, “all Israel will be saved.” (v. 11:16-27)



WHY STAND WITH ISRAEL TODAY?



We are living in a sobering moment in history that calls us, as believers in Jesus Christ, to take a stand with Israel. We could be people of the last hour. We are not to be passive in the face of prophecy; we are called to pray with passion, to intercede, and to minister according to the words of the Savior who said it is not our task to speculate when the end will be. It is our responsibility to do Kingdom business until He comes (Luke 19:13).

This is not about politics, this is about the Word of God…but the political ramifications are extremely dramatic. Scripture declares there will come a time when all the nations of the world will turn against Israel. It is so highly conceivable this could happen in our time that it is critical to outline: why we should stand with Israel today.





EIGHT REASONS FOR STANDING WITH ISRAEL



1) Every believer is charged to make the Jews a priority in their value system and to render thanksgiving from their hearts for God’s work via them as a people.



Understanding the basis of the attention that we give to the Jews has to do with understanding God’s divine order and things that God said. It involves a people and a land.

Every believer is charged to make Jews a priority in their value system because God has. The Lord selected a people…He began by selecting a man named Abraham. The Lord said that through the seed of Abraham (in relation with his wife, Sarah, giving birth to the promised child, Isaac) all the nations of the Earth will be blessed…every human being having access to the divine blessing of Almighty God.

In Genesis 12:3, the Lord says in the covenant He makes with Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” ­ This relates not only to a people (the Jews), but it also relates to a land (Israel). ­ God will judge nations and deal with them for their decisions, just as He does individuals.

The Lord chose them for purposes: “…who are the Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.” (Romans 9:4)

­ The Adoption: God’s divine choice of the seed of Abraham as a people.

­ The Glory: the manifest presence of God revealing Himself.

­ The Covenants: commitments that God makes:



The Abrahamic Covenant…God says, “I will give you a people and a land, and through this seed the nations of the Earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 17)

The Mosaic Covenant…the revelation of the law, given as a teaching means to lead us to Christ: redemption through the blood of the Lamb.

The New Covenant…In Jeremiah and Ezekiel, God says in words almost parallel: “For the time will come that I will take My law and I will make a new covenant with you, and I will put My Spirit within you.”

­ The Greatest Gift: the wonder of the gift of Jesus to mankind. God so loved that He gave His only begotten Son…He gave Him through the Jews, and He came as a Jew. Jesus Himself, speaking to the woman of Samaria, said, “Salvation is of the Jews.”



So Scripture speaks to us very clearly: we’re dealing with the roots of everything that has to do with the revelation of God to humankind. The proof of this is in the very existence of the Jews as a people and the fact that they’ve been recovered as a nation. Today the struggle is over Jerusalem, over Israel, and over the presence of Jews and their right to have a land. There are few nations willing to make an abiding commitment to stand by the Jews and Israel, but the Bible says God will honor those who do.



2) Our place in God’s present order inextricably links us with the Jews as a people and thereby the land of Israel according to the Word.



When we put our faith in the Redeemer who came through the Jews, we enter into a line of those who have trusted God according to His revealed grace and redemptive purpose.



Scripture declares that, spiritually speaking, when you receive the Lord, you become a Jew (Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:26-29).

If you are a believer, you cannot be consistent with the whole of Scripture and take a position that is passive toward the Jews and Israel.



3) God has made unique declarations regarding the land of Israel which have never been rescinded:



Leviticus 25:23 — The land is the Lord’s land, and it is His to assign and dispose of: “The land shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine…”

Deuteronomy 32:43 — “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people…He will provide atonement for His land and His people.”

2 Chronicles 7:20 — God says if the people violate Me “…I will uproot them from My land which I have given them…”

Psalm 85:1-2 — “Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.

You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin.”

Isaiah 8:8 — This land belongs to Father God and it is the land of His Messiah: “…and the stretching out of his wings will fill the breadth of Your land, O Immanuel.”

Jeremiah 2:7 — The Lord tells the people why there will come the loss, the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. “I brought you into a bountiful country…but when you entered, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination.”

Ezekiel 38:16 — God is speaking to people in the end times who rise up against Israel. God is speaking of a confrontation that will take place in His land. “You will come up against My people Israel…I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you…”

Joel 1:6, 2:18, 3:2 — Three times in this book, the land is referred to as belonging to the Lord. “For a nation has come up against My land…” (1:6) “Then the Lord will be zealous for His land…” (2:18) “I will gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land.” (3:2)

Hosea 9:3 — This refers to the scattering of Israel: “They shall not dwell in the Lord’s land, but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and shall eat unclean things in Assyria.”

Zechariah 9:16 — “The Lord their God will save them in that day, as the flock of His people, for they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land…”

When we talk about Israel, we are dealing with: 1) a piece of property that God has made pronouncements about and 2) God’s people to whom He’s given the land. It is a major issue with the Creator of all things, and it is non-negotiable. Things that God has said, uniquely, about Israel have never been rescinded.

Not only does the land belong to God, but also God has committed the land to Abraham and his offspring via Isaac forever. (Genesis 17:7-8)

“With a little wrath I hid My face from you…but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed…” (Isaiah 54:8-10)

The loss of governance by Israel through sin and dispersion has not altered God’s announced commitment to make it theirs forever. (Read Ezekiel 37:1-28).



4) Israel’s present conflict is neither by their initiative nor perpetuated by expansionism or racism on their part.



The general attitude of the world today regards the Palestinians as the underdog, but Israel is defending the land covenanted to them in 1917 and established by the United Nations Assembly in 1948. The Palestinian goal is not to secure a homeland but to drive Israel out altogether. For the sake of mounting public opinion against Israel, surrounding, well-resourced Arab nations have never offered refuge to the Palestinians. The majority of the world doesn’t know this, and nobody is bothering to tell them because sympathies are so overridden by other forces.



5) To stand with Israel is not to oppose Arab peoples as an entity or to oppose the rights of Arabs living in Israel to a peaceful, politically secure, and prosperous life.



God has no disposition against any human being, certainly not Arabs who are the offspring of, Ishmael, the other son of His chosen leader Abraham. Standing for Israel doesn’t require an anti-Arab stance and doesn’t require us to be loveless toward other peoples.



6) The relentless animosities of sectors of the Arab world are not merely political causes but are driven by spiritual powers that will not be satisfied until Israel ceases to exist.



The forces opposed to Israel are not simply those of people who don’t like Jews. We are caught in the stream of spiritual forces greater than humanity, forces that cannot be overthrown politically or by the power of persuasion. These forces can only be broken by intercessory prayer where principalities and powers are cast down.



7) The same spirit driving these animosities is equally opposed to Christians as to Jews and in time will eventually bring persecution to both.



Just as Scripture states there are two witnesses that will be put to death in Jerusalem at the very end of time (Revelation 11), there have been two witnesses that have stood for God throughout history—the Jews and the Christians.

The hostilities and animosities are just as leveled at believers as they are at Israel, because there is a spirit in the world that is against all that is called God and everything about Him.

God as Creator—to Whom we owe our worship.

God as Judge—to Whom we owe our accountability.

God as Redeemer—Who has shown Himself through His Son, Jesus.

God as the moral Lawgiver of all humanity—to Whom we owe a responsibility in terms of our behavior.



8) A biblical assignment and a divine promise summon our stand in faith, our intercession with expectancy, and our support with promise.



We are called to stand with Israel today because we could be people of the last hour. The Lord has called us to be people with moral and biblical conviction, walking wisely and knowing His Word. He will honor those who make an abiding commitment to stand with the land He’s called uniquely His. (Psalm 122:6).



ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO “STAND UP FOR ISRAEL”



1) Equip yourself with reliable information, avoiding bigotry and disallowing “blind spots.” Recognize the disposition of the popular press. Assess reports cautiously but not with paranoia. Become familiar with the basics of history in the Middle East, and understand the past century.



2) Accept with continuing faithfulness the Bible’s call to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 22:6), and pray that our Nation will govern in the light of Genesis 12:1-3 … “I will bless those who bless you…”



3) Prayerfully consider visiting Israel as a point of practical support (One of Israel’s income is from tourism)



4) Show friendship toward Jewish friends. Affirm that you, as a believer, stand with Israel as a point of your Bible-based commitment to God.



5) While acknowledging the terrorist habits of radical Muslims, be gracious to others.



Take action because it’s such a pivotally important time. Today, the showdown that we face is so close to being the nations of the earth against Israel and whoever is left that stands with them. The Lord has called us to be a people who will touch people and will stand with moral and biblical convictions for critical issues.