The Real Ashitaba

I am going to take down the Ashitaba page because Ms. Nory David, through a Facebook private message informed me that the images of Ashitaba on other sites are different from the one I posted. Upon further research, mostly through Google, I learned that it is indeed different and the image I posted was that of Gynura Procumbens which is also a medicinal herb. The real Ashitaba looks like this:

Image courtesy of nutrachoice.com.my

I'll post more info about Gynura Procumbens and what it is good for later. Sorry for the wrong information about Ashitaba.

Amazing Transgender Performer on Thailand's Got Talent

Above video was the performace of Bell Nuntita or Nuntrita Khampriranon in Thai during the Thailand's Got Talent Season 1 Episode 2 show that was aired Sunday 13th March 2011. I opted to post this english-subtitled version instead of the original video which is in Thai so we can understand what she was saying. It's quite amazing how people anywhere in the world could really really admire talent when they see one no matter who is performing.

Now, in order to truly appreciate how amazing her performance was, just watch the whole video and don't forget to pay attention to the part after her performance when she gave her message to her father. You can cry.

[via boingboing]

Wallpapers for Samsung Corby

I was looking for new wallpapers for my Samsung Corby Wifi the other day and I came across Withss.com's  huge collection. Thought I'd share it here. The wallpapers are great and varied enough that you'll fancy at least one from the collection. Graphics are crisp and very colorful. Celebrities, cars, landscapes, pets, abstracts and many others are all there. Try it. Click the link below.

Wallpapers for Samsung Corby and samsung corby pro

How to unlock a Samsung Corby Wifi

My loving wife gave me a Samsung Corby Wifi the other day. It was network locked to Sun Cellular but I want to use it with my Globe account. So, I googled for information on how to unlock it so that it will accept any sim card.

It was not easy finding information about unlocking the Corby. Most of the search results point to paid unlocking services and I'm not willing to shell out my hard earned cash for this simple information. So I pressed on and it took several more result pages before I finally hit the jackpot.  I found what I was looking for from this forum post in Symbianize. I tried it on my Corby and it worked.

Here are the codes for unlocking your Samsung Corby Wifi to accept any sim card:

To check the phone sim lock status 

*#7465625#

To permanently unlock (sim unlock) the phone

#7465625*638*00000000#

Just enter these codes in your phone dialer. It's so simple that I wonder why some people are asking money for this.

Updates on Ashitaba page

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone bountiful blessings this coming 2011. Anyway, I just finished updating the Ashitaba page. I added it's history, indications and methods of preparation. 

May your ailments be gone and be disease-free this coming year.

Excellent review of Windows Phone 7

I've been reading a lot of reviews of the new Windows Phone 7 and this one by Anandtech is by far the best and most excellent review I have read. It's very detailed and sprinkled with a lot of screenshots of the OS  which helped me visualize what was being discussed. I am excited about this new mobile OS and now I'm thinking of buying one when it becomes available.

The Windows Phone 7 Review

Dancing in the Rain

This one is another gem I got from my email. It's from the Chicken Soup of the Soul newsletter and I'm posting it because the message is very inspirational. Hope you'll like it too.

From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive 

Dancing in the Rain by Jeannie Lancaster

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain. ~Author Unknown

My husband and I had just finished having dinner at a local restaurant and were enjoying strolling through the stores in an adjacent shopping center. We went into a shop that sold handcrafted items in hopes of finding a few last-minute Christmas gifts. The scent of handmade soaps and potpourri teased our noses as we walked through the door.

There was a lot to see. Every shelf and wall was loaded with different crafters' handiwork. As I walked through the store, I noticed a wooden plaque hanging unceremoniously on a wall. I turned to take a second look and remember shaking my head "yes" at the message printed on the plaque. Moving on, I enjoyed looking at other items in the store, but found myself being drawn back to the plaque.

Standing in front of the plaque, I felt a little like a child who, when digging through the sandbox, finds some unexpected treasure — a shiny quarter or a lost toy. Here among the other handmade items, I found a very simple, yet profound treasure hidden in a message. A message I needed.