Find Local Activities In Your City Through Vimbly.com

Is your city beaming with activities and yet you don't even know? How about visiting a place in the US and you have no clue on what to do when you get there? It is frustrating to plan all the things you want to do but you don't even know where to start. Here is where Vimbly.com comes into the picture to help you maximize your day in a local city and enjoy what that city has to offer.

I didn't know about Vimbly.com until recently. It would have been a fulfilling experience to enjoy Las Vegas last 2009 to the max if we had known where to go aside from the usual walk around The Strip or at least engaged in some local activities there. We were toured by our relatives who reside in San Diego but they were clueless just like us.

Well, it is never too late to enjoy the city you want to visit if you will consult Vimbly.com for great things that you can possibly do, see and experience in that city.

The site offers comprehensive list of attractions, fun activities, entertainment, food scene, water sports, family-friendly activities and attractions, excursions, airborne tours, water tours, cultural tours and special occasion like experience gifts.

The Vimbly.com site is easy to navigate and offers dates of activities, shows and tours you can take and participate in. You can also change the setting of how you want to view the site such as tile view that shows the price and date of availability, preview if you want the description included or calendar view if you want bird's eye view of the week's offers and availability and rates.

This is the calendar view.   Photo credit: vimbly.com

So, why guess when you can plan ahead, prepare your budget and book yourself and your family to the local activities in that area? Vimbly.com offers plenty of information on the things you can do and see while in New York, Chicago, Seattle, Maui, Las Vegas, Orlando and Los Angeles.

I hope they add more US cities and even international cities in the list so we don't have to search around because everything you want to find out in a particular city tours and activities-wise will be in one place  -  only at Vimbly.com.

All Set And Ready To Go

Everything is set. The hotels have been booked. The car rental is confirmed including our special request for bike rack for suvs. We are just waiting to get in the flight. My daughter and I are here in Dubai and my husband and mom-in-law are still in Manila, waiting for a chance to get seats so they can connect to the New York flight here.

Our logistics and coordination in this trip was almost perfect if it wasn't for travelers chancing their minds and traveling on the dates we have already planned few months ago. The seat availability looked very promising few days ago but now it is crazy!

I am thinking positive and praying for miracles that my husband and mom-in-law will be able to get in the next flight to Dubai so they can follow right away. My daughter and I will take our chance in the Dubai-New York flight tomorrow at 02:55 a.m.  I just hope we get in so at least my husband and mom-in-law will have greater chances of getting in the succeeding flights due to lesser competition.

I am really thinking positive and praying that all goes well.

Trip To Miami

Working in one of the most prestigious airlines in the world has so many perks and one of the top benefits is the  opportunity to travel anywhere. Traveling is one of my family's favorite activity. We always make sure that we travel annually to any destination in the world. We can have a repeat visit to a certain place we are fond of or we can go to a new place to discover new things, experience new culture and see more beautiful scenery.

United States of America is one of our favorite counties to visit. We have been there several times and we certainly enjoy every states we have visited in the past. We are just lucky enough to have family and friends scattered all over the USA and because of that, we can save a lot in accommodation. Our family and friends are gracious hosts and are willing to give us free board and lodging during our stay. So why let that offer slip?

We recently went to New York for a very brief weekend getaway. My best friend in Miami saw our pictures from one of the social sites and called me to invite us over her place. We have not been to Florida yet and visiting her and the rest of her family will be a wonderful experience to bond again, catch up on each other's happenings and see the beautiful beaches and places of interest in Florida.

We are planning to visit her in April 2013 during my daughter's spring break. So, I have plenty of time to research about the place, air fares for our connecting flights, Miami airport transfers and shuttles, places to visit, beaches to see and even cruises. My husband really fancy going on a cruise. My best friend and her family will also love the idea of all of us taking a short cruise. There are various ports in Florida and Miami is one of them. I have to make sure that our trip will be covered even if we are taking a cruise. If ever we are short of time because of the cruise, I can rely on the fact that our transfer from the port of Miami shuttle to Miami airport will be covered. I know my friend will help us in our travel plans to make it hassle-free with smooth transfers so as not to inconvenience anyone.

I am already getting excited about this trip. I am not thinking of the cost at the moment because there is still enough time. Our airline is not yet flying to Florida but we can take other routes that will connect us to Miami airport as our entry point. Our company may offer rebated tickets to the nearest destination in Florida and I can purchase then or get other airlines' staff discounted tickets. For now, I am collecting information to make this vacation a truly enjoyable one.

Visiting Relatives in San Diego

I am still thinking whether I will come with my husband to visit our relatives in San Diego this November. My daughter is not really keen about traveling to the US this time because she has been to San Diego and it's hard to keep up with a finicky teenager now. I am considering to stay here because I can't leave my daughter. I will come to a decision by the end of the month. 80% of my decision is leaning towards to "stay" here and just relax.

My husband is already thinking of the gifts he will bring to our relatives there. I told him that there's another special occasion to look forward to in April 2012. His nephew will graduate from high school. It's the right time to consider high school graduation gift ideas since there are still some sale going on after the GITEX 2011 event few days ago. A growing teenager will definitely love gadgets. We already gave him a rock star guitar which you plug on those game consoles last 2009. I think, something funky like the new MPs now or a smart phone. Well, I just let my husband decide.

Insuring Your Home in Texas

The Lone Star State is very vast and exposed to the Gulf Coast and various waterfronts. Given that fact, the residents of this state is exposed to floods and calamities arising from the Gulf Coast region and other water system. On the other hand, it also have desert areas which may expose the residents in the hotter part of the state to fire risk.

Having an insurance is an advantage these days. No one can foretell circumstances which are beyond our control. It is difficult to lose everything you have worked for in an instant. However, this can be averted if you secure your home and future by acquiring an insurance.

Luckily, Texas dwellers have the option to avail Texas home insurance for their properties. It is a wise investment in terms of securing your assets and properties all together.

Even if Texans move around the Lone State and decide to use movers in Dallas or avail of relocation services elsewhere, it is still wise to insure their properties. The coverage does not have to end once the residents move to another area because protection of property must be one of the primary concerns of the citizens. It gives the residents peace of mind and financial protection for something that is valuable and worth a lifetime of saving.

Tough Luck

That's what I am telling myself right now. Well, something terrible happened to my passport and I don't know how it happened and when. Okay, I'll rewind the past events leading to yesterday's revelation.

• Dec. 28 - I placed my passport inside my bag to have it scanned. The day went by without me doing that.
• Dec. 30 - Passport was still in my bag thinking I would find time to scan it. Again, failed!
• Dec. 31 - Went home and forgot about my passport in my bag. I placed my bag on the floor which I do not normally do under any circumstances. I cleaned the house, cooked and slept through 2010. Again, failed to scan my passport.
• Jan. 1 - What passport?
• Jan. 2 - Enjoyed my off!
• Jan. 3 - Extended off! Noticed the bottom of my bag to be damp so I just wiped it off not thinking of checking the contents. How it got wet is beyond my comprehension!
• Jan. 4 - I gave my passport to my hubby to have it scanned. I did not notice it had absorbed so much "beverage" (it smelled a faint sweetness, like a tea or something. I couldn't recall drinking tea during the weekend...) because I held it from the top part. Went to work and was shocked to learn when hubby gave me a ring to ask why my passport was wet! I said "what wet?" I ran straight to their office to check and lo and behold! My passport was soaking wet! The stamped departure and entry details were smeared and bled through the other pages. My personal information had been tainted by the stamp ink. My US visa (my visa of all visas!!!) had a stain in the middle. My residence visa though was the only one not affected at all.
  

So, it's really tough luck for me! I think the Lord is telling me something. I had postponed this US trip twice already. We were supposed to spend a week in San Francisco this coming 15 Jan. but I don't think that is possible at the moment. I just had my passport renewed/replaced with a "machine-readable type" which would take a month to be delivered. I have to check with the US Consulate if they will allow me to use my slightly stained visa. I have been calling their office and all I got were rude responses from some operators! If not, forget it. I think this is where the Lord wants me at the moment. I can always go back if I want to but for now, I will heed the signs.

Tough luck... and I thought Lady Luck was just peeking in the corner! What a way to start my 2010 huh?

Moral of the story: Do NOT procrastinate. Do NOT leave your bags on the floor. And lastly, do NOT ever, ever leave your passport in your bag at all cost! These are lessons I learned the painful way.

Dreaming of a New Home

I have this incorrigible habit of day dreaming when time permits me. Although my dreams take me to places I have never been, they have also served as good motivation to achieve my aspirations.

My husband and I had a bright-idea moment during our vacation to the US last April 2009. We actually liked the place so much that talks of migrating there in the future is in the offing. Since then, my day dreams have become a pivotal point for me to focus and really give it a go while we are young and able.

Moving to a new place entails great sacrifices and that includes jumping out of our comfort zones. Another thing we have to consider is looking for a suitable place to call home. I am sure that when we move, we will not be able to purchase our dream home right away. We are considering any of the Manufactured homes which we can afford when the time comes.

I have done my homework on this one, believe me. We read newspapers' ads and even checked web sites on Manufactured homes for sale. There are so many to choose from. We are keen to have at least a new one so we checked out New manufactured homes for sale too. The price is reasonable. So, if we need to start the ball rolling, we better start saving big time fast!

I am looking forward to establish our new foothold in the US. It has always been my dream. I hope that one day, my day dream will cease because we are living the US dream.

Dazed but Happy

It's been 3 days since we arrived in this hot, sunny place and all of us are still disoriented with the time. We never felt this jet-lag so bad before probably because it was our first trans-Atlantic trip. Hubby went to work last Tuesday only to come home before noon because he could not keep awake! My princess woke up before dawn this morning tinkering on her homework. And I was up and about at 4:30 a.m!

I had a hard time keeping myself alert even after 3 cups of coffee at work. Oh man! This is the worst jet-lag in our family's history...as far as we know it :)

We enjoyed every single moment spent with our families there. We don't get to see them as often as we want because it's not practical and then, we didn't have visas. The warmth of their homes provided solace and comfort to the tired minds and bodies of 3 nomads (hahahaha!!!). I was intently observing how life is in the big US of A and my dream of moving there is slowly being validated. I dreamed of living there ever since I was young and to be actually there and see how life is gave me all the reason to pursue my next goal. Hubby is supportive of the plan but this will take a lot of time and planning before I can put everything in action. This is a major life-changing decision and I must not be impulsive. I am giving myself 2 years to decide whether we will all uproot ourselves here and settle there. We'll wait for recession to end though. Meanwhile, we will just enjoy ourselves first visiting the marvelous US of A. I would appreciate advices from friends living there if you all don't mind. You can leave a comment here. I don't want to rush into a decision yet.

To my blogger pal Cely/Gilbert, sorry I didn't get to call. I left my Filofax at home and had written your number there. I know you sent me email but I had limited time to check my mails. Anyway, there is always a next time.... hugs!!! We will be visiting your country as often as we can now.

Travel Plan Ahead

Is it New York, Houston, San Francisco or Los Angeles? The reason I am asking this is because I am an airline staff and my family get discounted airline tickets with the least priority in check-in. We will be on stand-by status unless the flight is really open which in our case is not. Our company's network go to the above cities and only JFK and IAH (J. F. Kennedy Airport in NYC and Bush International Apt. in Houston - travel lingo!) are open on our preferred day of travel. So, I have a funny feeling that we'll end up buying domestic US tickets to fly from JFK or IAH to LAX.

I have been preoccupied lately with our travel plans to the US this Friday. I cannot stop feeling giddy about it because I have always dreamed of going there ever since I can remember. Hubby and princess are equally excited as I am because we keep drawing the itinerary plans and incessantly add places to visit in the list (which I even doubt if time can really permit). I am very pleased that my hubby is cooperating in the planning of this US trip. He used to give the reins to me before but he is being proactive now and that is good!

So, I will be on a blog leave again for 2 weeks on April (1st week of April until 15 April) to enjoy our vacation and enjoy the scenery (and outlet malls! hahahaha!). I will post photos of the trip once I am back.

Tuh-tah for now!

Early Bird

My body clock went off much early than the alarm clock I set in the room. I was supposed to be up by 9 a.m., instead, woke up at 7:30 a.m.

I am busy as a bee today because I have to do a lot of errands before we leave for our family annual vacation to the US this year. I already listed all the things I need to buy for our families and friends there. I have also planned the routes I will take so I don't burn up a lot of fuel. I will go to the exchange centre as well to pay my bills and exchange my local money to some US notes (which I pray I won't spend to the last dime...).

We are almost ready, just waiting for the travel date on 3 April. Well, I have to go because I want to catch some worms! *wink*

The Visa

Sometimes, I admire my husband's carefree spirit and spontaneity in making decisions. We are completely opposite in many, many ways and yet we click so much because those differences complement both of us. For instance, we have been planning to apply for US VISA for 2 years now and have had put it off to travel to Europe. Last December, out of the blue, he just told me "Ma, set for an appointment for US visa." I gladly obliged! I mean, US visa is the ultimate visa of all! No offense meant to other nations but ever since, I have dreamt of having one stamped on my passport. Last Feb. 3, we went for our interview. After going through the tedious process of waiting from 6:10 a.m. out in the cold up to the point of being called for the interview almost 5 hours later was worth all the hassles and time. We were granted our first US Visas! Yey! Double yey!!! New York and Los Angeles, here we come!

Thank you Lord!!!