The other night I caught a marathon of House Hunters International. HHI follows people to foreign lands, shows them three suitable dwellings, one of which is chosen, and then fast forwards a few months to see how they they are doing.
HHI Mumbai was particularly interesting. It featured a woman from Australia, Sharrel, who vacationed in India, met a short DJ, had a world-wind romance, married the guy, and was moving to Mumbai. Who hasn’t fallen for a DJ while on vacation? Anyway, we followed the couple around the city. DJ Mc-Shortstuff loved the pink and purple interior paint of house number one. Sharrel preferred white, and asked incredulously, “You really like this?” House (or rather, apartment) number two had only one bedroom, but did have an incredible balcony. It looked like something from an Indiana Jones movie, covered in vines, with crumbling buildings nearby. DJ suggested turning the dining room into his studio, and we cut away to see him spinning records on a turn-table. ::: swoon! ::: House number three seemed like the winner with extra bedrooms for guests or DJ’s dream studio. While the couple mulled their decision, they visited Mumai Beach with ten thousand other people cooling off and watching the sun set.
Sharrel and Dj Puff-n-Stuff stopped for a street drink, DJ’s favorite, mixed with real banana, coconut and grit (ok, I made that recipe up). DJ slurped it down while Sharrel took a sip and called it “interesting”. Finally the moment of decision arrived. Sharrel pointed out the advantages of house number 3. DJ called out, “Number Two!” The sun set as the couple stood five feet apart from each other. Moving forward, we saw they really did enjoy that big balcony, and rounded up some rattan chairs to sit on. DJ Dancing-Machine did not turn the dining room into his studio, and lamented that he must visit his friend’s house to practice. Don’t get rusty spinning that vinyl!
No way could that couple still be together, I thought. She moved back home where they have dishwashers, white walls, and toilets that are separate from the shower. She put that little summer fling behind her. Nope! She hasn’t! She has her own blog, Diary of a White Indian Housewife, writes for a living, and is still happily married!
The next episode, HHI Singapore, featured two brothers, Karl and Kris Chong. Karl gave up his day job as a New York banker to move to Singapore and start a shopping website. My kind of guy! His younger brother, Kris, put his college education on hold to help a brother out and party with the ladies. Kris wanted either the downtown apartment (close to the action), or the penthouse suite overlooking the harbor. Karl wanted an inexpensive dump so he could put more money towards their business. They considered their decision in the Singapore Flyer, a giant ferris wheel.
Tick-tock, tick-tock. Karl controlled the purse strings, and I for one was not surprised he picked the dump. Fast forward to see Kris running out to meet with clients, and Karl in his craptacular office from morning to night.
How did they do with their shopping website?
I’d say they did okay. How much do you want to bet they both have penthouse suites now?
• Do you watch House Hunters International?
• Do you ever wonder what happens next in the lives of these hunters?
• Would you ever appear on a reality show?
You can get the iPhone 3GS for $49.00, which I what I recently did. The monthly service plan is actually $20 less than what I was paying on the original iPhone 2G ($40 compared to $60). Upgrades between the 2G and 3G include recording video and texting photos.
What’s the first thing I did when I received my new phone? Started downloading apps!
My Favorite Apps
When I have some down time, I visit Facebook to see what is up with all of my friends. It’s easy to add a photo or a location like I did when I was chowing down at In-N-Out Burger (pre-diet).
Yes, I’m digging being the Mayor of McDonalds. This app allows you to check in to local businesses, become Mayor, and take advantage of special offers. Newbie (first check-in) Specials include $2. off Arby’s Market Fresh sandwich and 20% off at RadioShack. You can opt out of FB/Twitter sharing if you’d like, meaning you don’t have to broadcast your whereabouts.
Hipstamatic really should have a post all to itself. It’s a cool photo filter program that helps you create amazingly fun photos. A few filters come with the app, and additional filters can be purchased.
The top game for me and my entire family would be Angry Birds. All of the versions. Free, upgraded, Seasons, Rio… they are all great. Rio just released an update, and has several updates scheduled. This newest update includes a Beach Volleyball level.
This app notifies you when there’s a sale on airfare. Tell the app which airport you fly out of, and it will send you great deals. Last year we flew to Sacramento for under $40 per person.
Want to know the latest about Arnold & Maria? TMZ is the app for celebrity news. You’ve heard of TMZ. They were the first to report Michael Jackson died, and the first to release photos of Rihanna. They provided pics of Tiger Woods’ smashed SUV. If you can’t pick up an Enquirer, download TMZ.
Hypnotic mind-play. Waiting in the doctor’s office? Play Bejeweled. Hubby watching football? Play Bejeweled. Kids want supervision in the shower? Play Bejeweled.
Kids, yes, I’ve got ’em. Sometimes they need to keep themselves busy like when we’re waiting on food at a restaurant, or waiting for the fireworks to start while camped out across the river from Laughlin. You will need apps for them too.
Kids’ Favorite Apps
Burp, Fart, Relief. Totally disgusting, just what kids like. Many foul burps, farts, sighs and screams from which to choose.
With the addition of the new Charlie character who has tiger’s blood, the pygmies survival rate decreases even more. You are the Pocket God, controlling the fate of the little island pygmies. You can strike them with lightening, have ants attack them, throw them in the volcano, drop them into the ocean and spear them. You can give them fish and coconuts, help them start a fire, show them a double rainbow across the sky. Good or bad, it’s up to you. Err, up to your kids, I mean!
Yes, you’ll want to take the phone away and compete with them on this app too. Jumping from platform to platform, avoiding aliens, grabbing a jet pack, it’s all fun!
Sometimes they just want to be mellow, coloring pictures. This is the app for that. They choose a scene and color it by tapping first a colored pencil and then the area of the screen to fill. Once all the white space is filled, a party horn plays.
Your app store is right on your iPhone, or you can visit the app store on iTunes.
What are your favorite apps?
I have a quick, easy and delicious recipe for you tonight.
Ingredients
• 3 pork tenderloins
• 8 spears asparagus
• 2 red potatoes, cubed
• 1 packet Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Dash of garlic salt
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Rinse asparagus; Snap off the tough ends.
3. Wash then cube the red potatoes.
4. In a large Ziplock bag, add the onion soup mix, olive oil, garlic salt, pork, asparagus and potatoes.
5. Seal the Ziplock bag, and shake to coat the ingedients.
6. Pour entire contents of bag into a large baking dish.
7. Bake at 375 for 40 minutes. Half way through the cooking time, flip the pork over plus stir the potatoes and asparagus.
Serves 2 adults & 2 small children.
We are really hooked on this recipe! The pork is so moist and tender. The asparagus and potatoes have great, crispy roasted flavor & texture.
What are your favorite Lipton Soup Mix recipes?
