Posts from — November 2008

We all know that Thanksgiving this year is going to be different, especially with the economic recession staring right at our face. The first thing that’s you’re going to be thinking about is, what am I going to buy this Black Friday? What gifts will I give my kids or relatives this Christmas? Most of us don’t want to spend money and we’re all facing this dilemma. But you know what, Thanksgiving and the days after Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be about spending money. Take a step back this Black Friday and think about the personal ways of saying “Thank You” and giving gifts to the people you love. Giving gifts don’t always have to be materialistic. Think about the gift of hugs, kisses, the gift of friendship where materialism is not attached.

I love it when I hear stories about couples making coupons for each other with ‘A Kiss’ or ‘A Hug’ written on them. This small thing could be fun and bring that feeling of togetherness in a new way. You could also think about handcrafts and carve little things for your loved ones, all by yourself. Even if the end product is not perfect, the effort you put in will not go unrewarded. Give it a try. This Thanksgiving tug at your heart than at your purse. Holla back and let me know what personalized Christmas gifts you’re thinking of doing yourself. Happy Thanksgiving!

The best thing about ecards is that you can keep in touch with friends and family across the world at the speed of light! This Thanksgiving, I’ve picked out the best ecards from our collection for you to use. If you still don’t like these, go ahead and check out our Thanksgiving section and see which ones would suit you best. And don’t forget to have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Send this Ecard!	Send this Ecard!
Send this Ecard!	Send this Ecard!
Send this Ecard!	Send this Ecard!
Send this Ecard!	Send this Ecard!
Send this Ecard!	Send this Ecard!

This Veterans Day, I want to focus on one veteran that our country is fortunate to have — that’s John McCain. I know a lot of you guys are Obama supporters but John McCain has done a lot for this country too. A lot of men and women who are serving the military in Iraq and Afghanistan have sacrificed a lot. And in times like these when we know that there are people defending us, people out there fighting real wars, people out there trying to keep us secure, days like Veterans Day have a special meaning. That’s why I thought of McCain.

I was watching both the Obama victory speech and McCain’s speech to concede, they both fought the good fight. The elections were the most exciting I’ve ever seen. We had record breaking voter turn out. Obama said in his speech: “[John McCain] fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.” To which I completely agree. I mean do you know that his whole family served in the Navy? His grandfather, his father and then him. During the Vietnam War, he was a prisoner of war for nearly six years, and two of those years he was in solitary confinement. He was tortured in prison, the effects of which he suffers to this day — he cannot raise his arms above his head. He can’t be on the computer or use a cell phone with ease either. The small things most of us take for granted. While he was a POW, McCain was also offered to be released early but he refused. After all this, he still wanted to serve his country so he became a Senator, then ran for President. That’s more than anyone can ask from a man, any country for that matter. Selfless sacrifice, that is the true veteran spirit that I identify in the men and women serving this country.

We have nearly 5,000 dead in these recent wars in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 43,000 were wounded and injured. Close to 300,000 have filed a disability claim. These numbers are staggering folks. And their families are suffering. They have sacrificed a lot for this country. The meaning of that sacrifice few of us will ever know. So I want to take this moment to thank them, thank them for keeping me safe. I can enjoy the small luxuries that I have because of the men and women in the military. In closing, I want to leave you with a quote from John McCain, he said, “War is wretched beyond description, and only a fool or a fraud could sentimentalize its cruel reality.” There’s no glory in all this, that’s the hard fact. Holla me back with your stories.

It’s an exciting Election Day folks! I’ve been watching the news and you know there are people who wait for over four and half hours just to cast their vote? If that’s not dedication to exercising your right, I don’t know what is. After all, some of us can wait in line even overnight just to get a first look at iPhones and all sorts of gadgetry. Ya you know who you are!

I put a status message on my Facebook profile on who you’re going to vote for and I was really surprised at the response that you guys gave! What was more surprising is that the number of folks who would vote Republican and Democrat is almost the same. I guess whether you’re a red or blue at heart, you all read Editor Bob’s newsletter right? Ok, that was me giving myself props. But seriously folks, if you haven’t voted, you should go out there and vote! Today’s the last day to have your say. After this we’re stuck for four years with whoever that would be in the White House.

This is a crucial and historic day, we’re either putting the first black President or the first woman Vice-President in the White House. I have friends like Rick who are McCain supporters, and friends like Fred and Irina who are getting the votes out for Obama. Whoever you support, you should vote because that’s a privilege that not a lot of people in this world have. Besides, this chance only comes once every four years, and as we all know, a lot can happen over the course of four years, so get out there and get everyone you know who is over 18 to GET OUT YOUR VOTE! I know I did.

Do you realize that Halloween is the only event where we accept candy from strangers? Our little ghouls and goblins go from door to door Trick and Treating and this is the time of the year that we meet our neighbors. I hope you had a safe and fun one. We had a great Halloween party at my place. Both the kids and the grown ups really enjoyed it!

We decorated my apartment with the help of Adrian and Berka, the witch from the far East to spook all our guests, and neighborhood Trick n’ Treating little ghosts. Megan got apples and organized apple bobbing for the kids. Needless to say, the big kids got involved later on too! We put Rick in charge of the bar where he concocted a greenish non-alcoholic punch for the little goblins. For the “grown up” ghouls, he made very colorful alcoholic drinks that look like they came out of Dr. Frankenstein’s lab! We had test tube shot glasses, and other special glassware. We had lots of snacks like deviled eggs and sausages etc. Mrs. Bradley brought spooky cookies decorated with spiders on top.

Speaking of goblins, I know all of you are wondering if I wore a costume or not. Well, I did. Since it was a last minute thing, I put on a suit and some makeup and dressed up as Joker in honor of Heath Ledger. We had a blast and the grown up party didn’t end until two o’clock or so. After some minor clean up, I got online for a bit and went to sleep. I didn’t get out of bed until late afternoon on Saturday! Good thing Halloween was on a Friday, that’s how all Halloweens should be.