switched from TypePad to WordPress

Posted onSeptember 13, 2008 
Filed under Uncategorized | Comments Off

This blog used to be powered by TypePad, but just got an email from the admin people that the blogs been changed over to a “new blogging platform.” Here’s a portion of that email announcement:

We’d like to introduce you to your new blog on Friendster! We’ve been very busy building out Friendster Blogs 2.0 and your blog has been moved to the new blogging platform. It’s ready for you to customize, edit, and add even more content to it!

Some things you should know about your new blog:

  • Your blog has been moved to the new platform.
  • It is likely that your blog layout or colors may not appear exactly as they were on your old blog, you can edit or add new customizations to your blog by clicking the ‘Design’ tab or ‘Change Theme’ button when you access your blog from your home page.
  • All of the photos you’ve uploaded to your old blog will soon be moved to your new blog. When they are moved, they will be in your Blogs Media Library (Manage –> Media Library). Don’t worry, we’ll move all your photos for you! We plan to have this complete by September 17th.
  • If you experience any inconsistencies with your blog during the next few weeks, please bear with us and please do let us know what you find so we can build a better product!

That new blogging platform has a name, people; it’s WordPress! I’m all for change, but I sure wish they would have given recognition to WordPress by name…

best time to buy things for less

Posted onSeptember 10, 2008 
Filed under Uncategorized | Comments Off

Best time of year to shop for stuff

I’m not the most savvy shopper. Not into checking Consumer Reports, doing comparison shopping, going from store to store to browse. I do use Froogle or shopping search engines occasionally. But usually not frugal about coupons and sales and deals. Some people are really good at that. I tend to buy stuff when I need to.

I remember once going to a department store when it happened to be a big clearance sale of some kind, and I got decent dress shirts and pants for more than 50% off. And it wasn’t just on the rack in the corner that’s been picked over by hundreds of people. And it wasn’t at Ross or Marshalls; it was a normal department store. Can’t remember what time of year it was. But maybe these tips below is right on:

from holidays.about.com/od/gadgetgifts/a/aaafterxmasa.htm

This is my favorite bargain-sale category. Here is the “scoop”. Every January, the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is held in Las Vegas in which all the consumer electronics manufacturers from around the World unveil their products for the coming year. These products start to hit shelves in February and continue into the Spring and Summer. Needless to say, buyers from the big consumer electronics retail chains to small regional and home town independents flock to this show in order to place orders for new products. However, in order to beat the competition in placing these products on store shelves, the retailers must clear out current products targeted for replacement from their warehouses and stores as quickly as possible. This is where the consumer can benefit.

Now I did not know that, like “most consumers” — from seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/254069_onthemoney31.html

Most consumers know, for example, that retailers typically put their linens and cookware on sale in January, just as their post-holiday business starts to flag. But there are other seasonal shopping bargains to be had by careful consumers, such as spring fashion markdowns in April, back-to-school promotions in July and August, and pre-winter sales of coats, gloves and scarves in October.

SEASONAL SHOPPING CALENDAR

The National Retail Federation, a trade group based in Washington, D.C., offers this calendar to help consumers look for retail promotions and bargains:

* January End-of-season fall merchandise, home goods from linens to cookware and furniture.
* February Valentine’s Day, with promotions of jewelry, fragrances and other gifts.
* March Summer merchandise arrives, brides begin registering for summer weddings.
* April Spring fashion markdowns begin.
* May Mother’s Day promotions, sales of athletic apparel and athletic shoes.
* June and July Father’s Day promotions, summer clearance sales.
* August Back-to-school bargains.
* September and October Discounts on coats, gloves and scarves.
* November Pre-Thanksgiving markdowns ahead of the Thanksgiving weekend rush.
* December Holiday discounts on apparel and appliances.

A more detailed run down on what usually goes on sale during which month at: www.myboot.com/articles/2816-shopping-101–whens-the-right-time-to-purchase-a-product.html

New book published for Asian American Youth Ministry

Posted onJune 8, 2006 
Filed under Books | Leave a Comment

A first-of-its-kind book, Asian American Youth MinistryAsian American Youth Ministry,
is now published, providing a much needed resource for those who serve
in this distinct context among one of the fastest-growing minority
groups in America.

This book compiles the practical insights
from 12 accomplished youthworkers, who collectively have over 100 years
of experience in Asian American youth ministry. The contributors share
their perspectives and insights about the intergenerational church,
student leadership, and vital outreach.

Asian American Youth Ministry
emerged out of a desire to address the distinct issues and challenges
of Christian ministry in an Asian American context. This book is
designed to be a valuable resource for both professional youth
ministers and also adult volunteers and parents too.

The book is the first book published by L2 Foundation, and is edited by DJ Chuang, its Executive Director. The book is available for purchase online at www.lulu.com/content/287040

Preview the book’s introduction
at the online store, read the endorsements from Dave Gibbons and Ken
Fong, and help spread the word! Your feedback will be most valuable to
inform what we can do next!

best time to shop for deals

Posted onFebruary 21, 2006 
Filed under Web/Tech | Leave a Comment

I’m not the most savvy shopper. Not into checking Consumer Reports,
doing comparison shopping, going from store to store to browse. I do
use Froogle or shopping search engines occasionally. But usually not
frugal about coupons and sales and deals. Some people are really good
at that. I tend to buy stuff when I need to.

I remember once going to a department store when it happened to be a
big clearance sale of some kind, and I got decent dress shirts and
pants for more than 50% off. And it wasn’t just on the rack in the
corner that’s been picked over by hundreds of people. And it wasn’t at
Ross or Marshalls; it was a normal department store. Can’t remember
what time of year it was. But these tips will help - read more >>

djchuang.com

Posted onMay 11, 2005 
Filed under Weblogs | Leave a Comment

This is a Typepad-driven blog that friendster is beginning to beta test. I’m glad to try out Typepad, and I’m here to reserve my little spot here, and to advise you to go to my real blog, ad-free, at www.djchuang.com where you can read my latest thoughts & feelings.