Categorizing your website

If you are like me, you'd want any website of yours to be popular and get many hits. Unless it is something personal and private, I guess most people would want to share it everyone else on the internet. And what better way to do it than using a web directory?

At first, I thought web directories were some sort of search engines. It's not hard to confuse the two: both have listings of websites. The difference is, web directories categorizes their list of website by category and subcategories, whereas a search engine will display theirs by keyword. It's a minor difference, but this makes all the difference for some websites owners that are looking to increase traffic on their pages.

You probably know all about popular search engines like Google, but I'm sure you've even been on several web directories. Yahoo! Directory is a pretty well known web directory. You can see that they not only have many categories and subcategories. I remember using Yahoo! Directories back in the day - it's very useful when you want to search for websites under a specific category. It's a good tool to be used combined with search engines such as Google.

Another web directory that I only heard of quite recently is called the Open Directory Project. This one is interesting because it is maintained by a group of voluntary editors. At first when I heard of this, I didn't get how Open Directory Project correlated with its URL (dmoz.org). But upon further findings, it seems this comes from directory.mozilla.org, which is it's original domain name.

One type is website that I could think of that will benefit a lot from using web directories are businesses. Since web directories are based on categories and subcategories, this makes it so much easier for consumers to search for things they want to buy. Not only for shopping, but this also applies for businesses websites looking for clients who not necessarily are looking for consumer products.

These days I probably don't use web directories as much, but I can say that when I do need to use it, it's very helpful. You probably already know the category of something you're finding (and maybe even the subcategory), and it's just that easy! So next time when you are in need of something specific, maybe you can try out a new way of searching. Probably some people are not used to searching in web directories since search engines have sort of become the go-to for a lot of folks, but I do say that it's good to try out something new as it is good for our minds!

Red and Pink for February 14th

This coming Sunday February 14th is a day to wear red and pink. There is not one, but two reasons for the donning of the colors red and/or pink.

Valentine's Day falls on February 14th every year.

The first day of the Lunar Year of the Tiger also falls on February 14th this year.

Traditionally, Valentine's Day has long been associated with the colors red and pink. And for Chinese people celebrating the new Lunar Year, red is also traditionally used in clothing and decoration for this festive season.

So, let's all bring out all our red clothing and accessories this coming Sunday!

Blogging: not just a hobby anymore

I'm sure everyone who goes online and surfs the internet on a regular basis knows that blogs are everywhere now. Blogs are not limited to regular people writing about their personal lives - even many companies now keep and update blogs. (On a separate note, I wonder who updates the companies' blogs? Do they hire a blogger? If yes, then I would so love that job!)

When blogs were still in their infant days, they were just a way for people to talk about their everyday lives, perhaps to update their day-to-day happenings to friends far away. But today, blogging has become something entirely different! You can see things like celebrities bloggers, video bloggers (vlogs!), wedding blogs, makeup blogs, and the list just goes on! In fact, the way of blogging has changed so much that we can even get paid to blog!

What started out as a hobby has evolved to a full time job for some, and a way to make some side income for others. Besides, if you do get paid blogging opportunities, you get to choose the subject, writing on what interests you. Basically, you get paid for writing things that mean something to you. You have the knowledge to share, and besides, isn't it awesome to get paid doing something fun like blogging?

I don't really have much experience doing this paid blogging thing - but I have done a few in the past. Blog Advertising is something I found to be quite interesting, and I'd love to really get into the action. I have always wanted to blog consistently, but laziness always takes over, or I'd find something else I want to do. So, what better way of motivation for blogging other than taking up some blog advertising opportunities? Besides, sometimes writer's block does get in the way, and these opportunities just provides you with a subject to write on.

Girls Generation: Oh!

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Girls' Generation, or SNSD, has returned with Oh!, a catchy electronic-pop tune for the title song of their second album of the same name. Although different from previous hits like Gee and 소원을 말해봐 (Genie), the unique melody paired with the catchy Oh, Oh, Oh~ chorus, this song will surely be repeated many times, both on the radio, as well as listener's head. I myself can't get the tune of my head as well.

Another standout song from the album is 별별별 (☆★☆), a sorrowful ballad that shows those girls have great vocals. You can really feel the emotion in their voices. This just goes to show SNSD isn't just a pop group that sings and dances to pop music; maybe this will bring them to the next level of being a group recognized by their vocal abilities.

Asides from the songs, I love the image they are having for this album - like the funky colors, stripes, and knee high socks - most likely this will be a spring fashion trend for girls in Korea!

Here's to wishing SNSD a successful album with Oh!

égérie spring mode by Shu Uemura

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Shu Uemura is one of my favorite makeup brands. Their products are of good quality, and many of the products are favorite's of many makeup artists and users. One of my favorite Shu Uemura products are their eye shadows - great texture and lots of color options to choose from! And not to forget their award winning eyelash curler!

This spring, Shu Uemura has released their 130th spring mode makeup collection, called égérie:

the 130th shu uemura spring mode makeup collection invites you to be an "égérie:" a rebellious and daring spirit who never loses her sense of elegance and sophistication. the collection is inpired by the glamour of rock n roll. flashy, glimmering shine is complemented with delicate satin sheen finishes to transport you under the spotlight of the captivating rock stage.

Looks like this collection is perfect for that sophisticated rebel, a juxtaposition perfectly in line with the image of Shu Uemura's spring mode makeup collection. I can't wait to be checking out the products!

Album of the Year for Taylor Swift

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Country music darling Taylor Swift won four (4) awards at the 52nd Grammy Awards - including the top prize of the night - Album of the Year. I can't believe she's only 20 years old, and has already accomplished so much!

I heard Teardrops on My Guitar back when it was first released, but somehow, I never got into her music then. Later, when Love Story came out, the song just stuck in my head. Maybe it was the melody or the lyrics, maybe it was both - I just couldn't get it out of my head. Then came You Belong With Me, I really started getting into more of her music.

Her album Fearless - for which it won the Album of the Year at the Grammys - is a strong album. I can listen to it from beginning to end, and not have to skip any songs. And that's saying something.

She's just on the rise, this girl, and I can't wait to hear more music from her. Congrats, Taylor!

CNY To-do list

Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) is coming in two weeks. And there's so many things still left for me to do in preparation for this celebration.

1. Spring cleaning - although this is something I should be doing on a regular basis, cleaning up my room before I leave for Chinese New Year is a must.
2. New clothes - I love shopping, but somehow, I can't seem to find any clothes that suit my style this year.
3. New hair - Undecided on what I should do. Cut? Color? Both? Salon in Penang or KL?