Starbucks Japan – Tumblers, Mugs, Cards & Magnet
In the first 7 days of October, my sister and I visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in Japan. As part of any of my trips, I usually visit Starbucks stores in search of items for my collector relatives and friends. Just in time for my trip was the release of the 15th Anniversary items. As my cousin was able to view the items beforehand, she asked me to purchase it on the day of arrival to ensure that there are stocks still available.
15th Anniversary Merchandise
To celebrate their 15 years in Japan, 15th anniversary thank you mugs, tumblers and magnets were released on October 1, 2011. A set of 5 magnets (photo on upper right) with the new logo, pastry, frappuccino, mug and a pike place roast coffee bean bag were sold for JPY 1,600. They were sold out so fast that by 4th of October, I wasn’t able to buy additional magnets any longer.
Getting A Gym Membership… Or Not?
If you’ve been following my posts lately, I seem to be obsessed with losing weight and exercising. I never knew that keeping a healthy lifestyle is a discipline and something to reinforce on yourself. As winter is right around the corner, I fear that I might be doomed to exercise failure as I can’t take advantage any longer the outdoor activities to keep oneself healthy. Thus, I’m contemplating if I should get a gym membership or not. So, what’s keeping me from jumping the gun?
Price
Getting a gym membership means it will cost money. In Beijing, gym membership averages at RMB 2500-3500 (PHP 17500-24500) a year for a low to mid-end gym. This includes unlimited gym use, attend classes that they have, sauna, locker rooms and shower.
If you join a gym membership in a hotel, it will go up to twice or thrice for a year’s membership. If I do join with a low to mid-end gym, I should be diligent enough to go there at least 3 times a week to make the most out of what I pay.
Cooking Chicken Breast in a Toaster Oven
When I went back to Manila for my sister’s wedding, my mom and dad introduced me to the benefits of having a toaster oven at home. Since the microwave oven at home got busted, it became hard to reheat leftover stuff. Moreover, I was contemplating of baking pastries and roasting chicken.
During the June holidays, I bought myself online a toaster oven. The first thing I did was re-heat the leftover lasagna. It was heavenly! Over the past couple of months, I’ve been roasting chicken wings. Recently though, I ventured towards boneless and skinless chicken breasts. I’ve searched online for recipes and I love the outcome of this recipe from www.familyoven.com
Herbed Chicken Breast
Ingredients
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2-3 Boneless and skinless Chicken Breast
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1/3 cup olive oil
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1 tsp Oregano
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1 tsp Thyme
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1 tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper
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1 tsp Salt
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1 tsp ground Italian seasoning mix (optional)
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2-3 thin slices of lemon (optional)
Getting Into Shape
After neglecting my health in the past couple of years, I’m seeing the effects on my body particularly in my belly. I can’t wear sexy outfits anymore without my tummy and belly protruding in front like a malnourished child. So, to get rid of it, I had to have the mental discipline and start exercising.
Weights
In the first quarter of the year, I bought myself a pair of 2 lb weights. Since doing cardio exercise will just burn fats and not do anything to sculpt your muscles, weight training is needed to supplement it.
After getting tips from a friend who regularly works out, I’m slowly building up my weights training every other day. I didn’t realize there are too many muscles on my arms alone that need their own set. When I reach 10 sets of the 5 different motions I’m currently doing, I will upgrade my 2 lb to a 2.5 or 3 lb. My goal is not to be superwoman. (Hehehehe!)
Next Stop: Japan
I am way over my travel budget for this year. I was in Harbin in January, Shandong in February, Manila in May, and Europe in end June to early July. I haven’t even finish writing my travels in Europe when my sister asked what my plans are for the week-long October holidays. I told her, none yet at that time and she asked if I wanted to go to Paris. I told her I’ll check the tickets and see. After looking at the cost for this week-long trip, I told her if we can go to Japan instead.
I went to Japan last year but didn’t enjoy it much as it was raining most of the time. I wasn’t able to get a good view of Mt. Fuji as it was behind the clouds. When I go back to Japan, I am hoping for good weather so that I can appreciate the beauty of the place especially Kyoto. Moreover, I’d like to go to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea. I would also like to explore Shibuya more and shop at the stores there.
It seems like we’re almost going already. My sister got her visa already but needs to extend her passport. As for me, I need to get a visa and the JR pass still. I’m not worried with the visa so I guess I’ll be in Tokyo for my birthday this year.
Don’t worry.. I haven’t forgotten my Europe posts yet. It’s hard to maintain two blogs and battle the “lazy” complex. Hahahaha!!
日本でお会いしましょう！(That’s google translate for “See you in Japan!)
Picture from www.veryicon.com
Hotel Review: Best Western Stieglbrau – Salzburg
So, I made a rash decision booking the 2-star hotel in Munich. For our stay in Salzburg, we opted for the familiar. The familiar is a member of the Best Western hotel chain. Of the 3 hotels in the city center, we chose the cheapest. What’s the difference? Read on.
Location
The hotel is located in the new part of Salzburg, a few mins walk away from Mirabell Palace, train station and Salzburg Congress. From the airport, it will take 40 minutes by bus (Bus#2, Congress House stop). From the train station, it’s about 10 mins walk from the exit to your left or 1 stop from the bus stop in front of the station.
Best Western Stieglbrau is the older Best Western hotel sharing the same building as the Best Western Imlauer. Both hotels are 4-star hotels but Stieglbrau is cheaper.
In the vicinity of the hotel, there’s a grocery, bakery, Chinese restaurant with good food and the tour operators area. The hotel is roughly 25 to 30 mins walk to the old part of town.