Weight-loss strategy for bride and groom

Two Thousand and Ten is already a part of history. But for those who will be getting married this year, it would be another chapter for them as they make preparations for their upcoming wedding. Be it next month, the month after or before the year ends, it is important that both bride and groom to be healthy and fit (something that my wife and I weren't able to do so XD).

I saw this article from Weddings at Work only to ponder that if I could have discovered it early, I could have looked better in our wedding pictures XD. Anyways, to avoid the same fate that I had, here is the article on how to lose weight for both bride and groom via Inquirer Online.

Weight-loss strategy for bride and groom

By Mitch Felipe; Philippine Daily Inquirer; First Posted 21:27:00 06/01/2009

MANILA, Philippines – It has been a practice of busy women preparing for their wedding to eat less and neglect exercise. If you resort to starvation, you’d regain the weight during honeymoon.

The best weight loss strategy combines regular physical activity and a sustainable eating plan even after the wedding.

Early preparations

Your wellness program should be planned at least four to six months before your wedding.

Set your lifestyle goals. How much weight do you want to lose? If you have 10 pounds to lose, you should target at least two pounds every month. If you have 30 pounds to lose, better start sweating it out as early as now so you can lose an average of five pounds per month. Avoid over-dieting and using weight loss pills.

Set a budget for wellness. Allocate at least five to 10 percent of your budget for your wedding wellness program. Enroll in a health club or buy exercise equipment which costs less than P5,000.

Hire a credible fitness/wellness professional to coach you every week or every two weeks on your six-month eating and exercise program so you can get faster results.

Spend time for exercise. Delegate the wedding tasks to your friends and family or get a wedding coordinator.

Start your weight training program so you can get a toned body, especially your arms and back. Full body weight training can be done 30-45 minutes two to three times a week. Include all exercises for the back, chest, shoulders, arms, core, buttocks and thighs.

Start a journal on your food intake and physical activities. Combine your wedding notebook with the wellness journal so you are always reminded about your commitment to health and fitness.

Two to four months before:

Ask your fiancé to exercise with you at least once a week so you will get the chance to talk more about your lifestyle goals. This fitness bonding is important so both of you will avoid the “after-wedding” weight gain.

Include fitness and wellness items in your wedding registry. This is a good idea for your outdoor getaway like a tent for hiking and camping.

One to two months before:

Shop for clothes in smaller sizes as reward. This will motivate you to continue your wellness program by moving more and eating healthy.

Treat yourself in the spa. Enroll in a yoga class with your fiancé to learn how to breathe properly.

A few days to two weeks before:

Do the easiest and most accessible type of physical activity you can do at home or around your village like walking or jogging.

Avoid saucy and fatty foods. Get enough rest so you can physically and mentally prepare yourself for your most-awaited day.

How to become the (UN)official wedding photographer

As I was doing some rounds of blog-hopping at work XD, I got into one of Dino Lara's post on how to become the (UN)official wedding photographer. Since I have a possible opportunity to attend at least two more weddings this year, why not try his advice and give it my best shot. ^_^

How to become the (UN)official wedding photographer

by Dino Lara Photography on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 6:07am

You may have purchased your first digital SLR and have been shooting almost everything in sight to learn everything about camera. You may have even attended a photography class. You are now attending a friend or relative’s wedding and you feel you want to prove that you can also do what the official photographer can do.

I’m here to give you some tips on how to become an effective (UN)official photographer.

First, I have to remind you that the couple has made a considerable investment in their photographer to capture everything according to their style and budget. Scrambling for position with the official photographer would be a bad idea. The couple also intended you to enjoy their wedding. So, just enjoy the wedding.

Tip no. 1 - Shoot the things or moments that the photographer is not shooting. We can’t be in all places at all times, so you have many choices on what to shoot.

Tip no. 2 - Wait and watch the photographer move and position. That alone is a learning experience. Shoot the photographer while at work. Most couple can’t see how we work and it would be nice to document it.


Tip no. 3 - Shoot at different angle. Different from usual eye-level shot.

We, photographers shoot at low level or we use a chair to get a high level shot.

Tip no. 4 - If the photographer is doing the pictorial with couple, better not shoot there. But if you insist, concentrate more on in-between poses. Those are natural moments most couple would love to see.

Tip no. 5 - Use one fixed lens. A 50mm/1.8 is a very cheap lens and is very good. Your natural instinct is that you may feel you are limited a certain angle. Most photographers use zooms during weddings. No zooms have 1.8 aperture, so you have an advantage already. Work within the limitation of a fixed lens and you’ll discover that it has no limitations after all.

For photo journalistic shots, fixed lens has its advantage. For moments that happens in split seconds, we don’t have the time to zoom and recompose. If we do that, we miss the moment already. Our eyes are trained already in different focal length which means if we feel a moment is about to happen, even if we are not looking at the viewfinder, we know already how to compose. Zooms gives us too many decisions to make which are unnecessary for split seconds moments.

Tip no. 6 - Shoot the people around you. Make fun with the camera with your friends. Do your own pictorial. We are mostly concentrated with the couples and we just do few poses with other guests. All guests prepared a lot for the wedding and they would want more pictures as possible. It would also be nice to put that in facebook!

Tip no. 7 - Shoot a lot of details. Shoot the flowers, decorations, everything you think the couple have spent on. We also shoot that but it would be a nice practice should you become the official photographer in the future.

Tip no. 8 - Invest a lot of time in selecting and post production. This is the hard part but even if you have the best camera and best lens, you still have to push a little to reveal the real impact of your photos.

Tip no. 9 - Print it. We are in the digital world and most pictures are left unprinted. Have it printed at least a few favorite ones.

Tip no. 10 - Seek critique from friends. This is the only way to learn. Seeking critique from professional photographers is a good option but for weddings, it is more valuable to have the opinions of friends and relatives.

Well I hope I get to practice this more. XD

My 2011 horoscope for the Horse

Again, just for fun, I checked my other fortune for this year this time base on the Chinese Horoscope.

2011 horoscope for the Horse

The freedom-loving and passionate Horse in the 2011 year of the white Metal Rabbit will plunge into the ocean of their own passions, and even the most prudent and calm representatives of this sign will experience an overwhelming desire to plunge into all serious ones and go with the flow of love experiences. Do you think Horse will surely fail yielding to emotions? Far from it! It is too strong to give in to circumstances, while emotions and feelings will only fuel his positive desire to create and build. This year will be good for Horses both in the professional and in the love field, though there will still be some difficult situations present there. Horses need to be more prudent and cautious in making decisions: everything that is dictated by emotions and feelings must pass through a cold filter of reason, and then he will not have to make reckless decisions whose consequences will have to be correct for a long time. Since love in the year 2011 of the metal rabbit goes through the life of a Horse like a red thread, he will not rest on one romance, but will leaf through partners like an interesting book, with each page where the story will become more interesting. Well, the strongest is always chosen - and the Horse this year will be as strong as ever - he shines at social events and works for five people having inspired by his hot passion.

2011 horoscope for Horse of fire element

For the Fire Horses, 2011 is simply magnificent in all respects. In your work, you excellently know how to make best use of available opportunities. In your personal life, there will probably not be any change, except that you will only stronger seal already existing relationship with a loved one.

2011 horoscope for Horse of earth element

In 2011 year of the white rabbit, the Earth Horse has every opportunity to achieve or accomplish something truly meaningful. However, to gain success in 2011 will not be easy. In particular, representatives of your sign should not dissipate their energy but focus all attention on what really matters.

2011 horoscope for Horse of metal element

The most important thing is that in 2011 year of the white rabbit, you will not only lose, but gain even more confidence. It is this incomparable state, when you think you can do anything, that will be a key driver that leading you to success in 2011. Moreover, if your heart is free, then in 2011 you have a good chance to encounter an ideal partner on your way.

2011 horoscope for Horse of water element

In 2011, the Water Horse will feel a sharp need for harmony, and moreover, such a need will cover virtually all areas of your life. However, as is often the case, desire and reality are strongly separate. Negative aspects of your character will continue to prevent you in achieve an ideal. The chance of getting rid of such negative aspects in 2011 must surely be present. Everything depends on you. 

So stop horsing around and get yours XD. But remember, YOU still create your 2011

My 2011 Fortune according to my Horoscope.

While waiting for my wife to get herself ready for work, I stumbled upon this website that show's your future this year (2011). I just have to get myself amused since I'm gonna fall asleep any minute now. XD

Here's my 2011 Horoscope according to The Web. Try to find yours and remember, have fun. XD

The 2011 Aquarius horoscope

The year 2011 of the white rabbit (hare, cat) is meant to change Aquarians internally. For too long, Aquarius were closed to new ideas, being a prisoner of their own egoism. 2011 gives Aquarians a chance to find a new path for their development, get rid of bias and sharpness in judgments in respect of those people who do not share their ideas. For some, these fundamental changes are not acceptable, other Aquarians will simply not be ready in 2011 to meet their destiny, waving off proposed changes. However, incredible prospects await those Aquarians that are ready for change. Starting from 2011, Aquarians will be able to actualize previously failed projects, change their marital status, and acquire new knowledge. 

Aquarius love 2011 horoscope

In early 2011, Aquarians will not encounter any obstacles in their interpersonal relations. They will either create or destroy their happiness. In other words, Aquarians will have to make some difficult choices concerning those around them. Love or hate, marry or divorce will be decided by themselves. Such decision will be instrumental in their life for many years.

In spring, situations will be slightly complicated. Now, not only they will determine their emotional and sexual life. Spring is a period of agonizing, resentment and excessive demands from others. The families of some Aquarians against this backdrop may witness painful break ups. However, there will be easy reconciliation.

Aquarians can rest in summer. Although there will still be problems in volatile families. For the rest, love and affection will play a role in their sensual life. Single Aquarians will fall in love and some may even marry. But this requires caution because Aquarians should marry those that are understandable, do not hide anything and has no secret that they cannot or will not tell their beloved.

The end of the year will see Aquarius often not in the best of mood. They should try and take people as they really are instead of criticizing them. 

Aquarius career 2011 horoscope

Business interests of Aquarians will go on well. Unemployed Aquarians can find a good way to realize their professional abilities and receive a reward. All others will be able to improve their job, get a work, which will bring both revenue and moral satisfaction.

In spring, Aquarians will actively be engaged in social communication in a professional environment. Aquarians will learn to respect the chain of command, and understand what to do to be praised. At this time, their intellectual capacity will rise.

In summer, Aquarius will very much want to prove that they are strong in professional terms. They will have everything to make sure this desire is fulfilled. They will make hasty decisions sometimes.

At year-end, Aquarians will reap the fruits of their labor. They will be congratulated and rewarded. But they should note that they will be offered a new position with more authority and duties. 2011 will end in great expectations and with the highest impatience to go further and do more.

Well, its just a guide guys and gals. YOU still have the authority to control your future.

I got a call similar to this yesterday and the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) of our company just called together with his assistant XD. 

However, I'm not that good (probably I don't really know) how to tweak some settings on the display to make your work viewable with multiple monitors. Good thing I was able to ask my colleagues from the US (who were working from home due to bad weather there) and they were able to take the call as I escalate it to them. 

Since I never encountered it, I was totally clueless on how to do it. After the call, I asked the AMER Help Desk Supervisor there and he sent me a link on how to expand your workspace with multiple monitors. 

Thank God there is Microsoft for dummies like me. XD

Expand your workspace with multiple monitors

Published: September 7, 2006

One of the best ways to improve your productivity is to double your desktop workspace by adding a second monitor to your computer. Using multiple monitors makes many computing tasks easier by allowing you to keep more windows visible. If you do any of the following things, you can benefit from multiple monitors:

•	E-mail and instant messaging. Work on one monitor, and keep your e-mail and instant messaging clients open on the other so you don't have to switch between windows when a new message arrives.
•	Research online. Open a Web browser or other research tool on one monitor, and have a Microsoft Office program open on the second monitor for note-taking.
•	Browse and edit digital pictures. Quickly browse your digital images by displaying thumbnails on one monitor and full-sized previews on the other.

The directions for connecting a second monitor vary slightly depending on what type of computer you use. You can connect a second monitor to a desktop computer, or you can connect a second monitor to a laptop or Tablet PC. Once you've connected a second monitor, you'll need to enable Dualview.

Connect a second monitor to your desktop computer

Many desktop computers have built-in support for multiple monitors. Look at the back of your computer to determine if you have an available VGA or DVI port. If you do, you can probably connect a second monitor and enable Dualview to take advantage of it.





If your desktop computer doesn’t have an available VGA or DVI port, you can buy an additional monitor and a second video adapter.

Note: Make sure that the video adapter connector matches the connector on your new monitor.
Monitors use either a VGA or DVI connector (or sometimes both). S-Video connectors are used to connect to a television.





Once your second monitor is connected, you need to enable Dualview. If you're not connecting a second monitor to a laptop or Tablet PC, you can skip the next section and enable Dualview.

Connect a second monitor to your portable computer

If you use a notebook or Tablet PC, your computer probably supports using both an external monitor and the computer's built-in display simultaneously. Simply plug a monitor into the external VGA port of your laptop and enable the Dualview feature of Windows XP.





If you have a docking station for your portable computer, it may support multiple monitors. Look at the back of your docking station to see if you have an available VGA or DVI port. If you do, you can probably connect two external monitors and enable Dualview to take advantage of them.

Note: You may need to close the lid on your laptop to use multiple external monitors.

Alternately, you can add a USB video adapter to your portable computer to support an additional monitor.

When choosing a USB video adapter, make sure that it supports your new monitor's ideal resolution and has a connector that matches your new monitor.

Once you have connected your second monitor, you need to enable Dualview.

Enable Dualview

To turn on Dualview:

1.	Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.
2.	In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.
3.	Click the Display list and select your external monitor. If you do not see multiple monitors listed, your computer hardware may not support Dualview. Contact your computer manufacturer for more information.
4.	Select the Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor check box.
5.	Click Identify. Windows XP displays large numbers to identify your monitors. Drag and drop the monitor icons to match the physical arrangement of your monitors.
6.	Click OK.

With Dualview enabled, you can drag windows between monitors as if the two monitors are connected. When you maximize a window, it will expand to fill the current monitor.