My New Neighborhood

Welcome to Mill Woods, Edmonton, Alberta! This is our new home and we're already making our selves familiar with the place. Just don't ask me how to get to downtown because I only know how to get to the University of Alberta, other than that I really have no idea at all.

So thanks to Google Maps, our lives are made easier since we could easily find directions to the destinations that we want to go to. It really is so convenient. Anyway there's a map of the location near our going-to-be apartment. So the red x mark is The Madison that's where we're going to live hopefully. Our apartment is really nice but we're not going to move in until July 1. Our apartment is a two bedroom apartment with two bathrooms. It has a balcony, a laundry "room", and an underground parking so we don't have to worry about the car not starting up during winter.

Here's a picture that we took of the building:

Here's the picture of the transit center (it's the yellow cross onthe map) and a picture of the inside of the bus:

We're quite lucky to live near a transit center because from here we could go to everywhere in Edmonton that we would want to go to and the ticket is only for $2.10 and you get a transfer pass (which expires 1 and a half hour after you got on the bus) if you want to go back.

Plus life is so convenient because the Mill Woods Town Center (which you can't miss on the map) is there:

The shopping center is the largest one near our area and don't be mislead by it's country charm because this mall is very cool even for a one-level mall. Check out this touch screen interactive mall directory:

With mall directories like these you would never get lost. You can just browse through the stores or enter the store your looking for and the directory tells you where you are and directs you with walking feet display from where you are to the store you want to go to.

But most important of all is that the Tim Hortons where I work in, which is shown in the green line, so I don't have to worry about missing the bus or anything and it's also safer because I live so close and my shift is 3-11 pm.

I think I'm going to adjust here... hopefully.

Missing the Philippines

You know what? I know that I have said that I'm happy that I was able to go away from the Philippines and be able to love in a first world country with plenty of opportunities but the hell with that. Nothing beats home and that's the truth!

I seem to be missing life in the Philippines especially my friends. I also miss the weather! Filipinos complain that it's too hot or whatever but here people stay under the sun but even if they do it's still so cold because of the chilly winds that blows.

Oh well...

Life as a Worker

Ok I was never the perfect worker. I sort of screw things up at the till (cash register) and I still don't know all the products at Tim Hortons. Oh well it was still my second day as a trainee (that was sent straight into the fire with out any manuals or references at all). I sure wished that they gave me a manual so that I could study it.

I feel like I'm always on duty in the hospital because the shift is 8 hours and I have to deal with different kind of people, I'm stressed, and the work is not for the lazy and for the weak at heart at mind (like me hehehe).

But life is made easier with fellow co-workers who help you on the way, customers who are friendly and understanding, and a fellow Filipino that makes you feel in place.

Working sure is difficult but I'll give it my best shot.

Intellectual Rights Dispute hehehe ^_^

I was quite ashamed that a blog owner sent me a comment asking me to host my pictures that I got from other blogs (like his) instead of just grabbing the photo URL and placing it on my blog. Well he did say it in a very polite and calm way that is why I am more ashamed and guilty. Well lesson learned for me there so from now on I don’t use pictures with out hosting them and properly giving credits as to where I got the pictures from.

Case solved. ^_^

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Picture credit to http://web.anglia.ac.uk/virtualvisit/img/main_picture_large.jpg

No Rice

Nope there's no rice shortage here in Canada if you're asking. And if ever there is people here won't really care hehehe. Woah I think I’m moving on with my diet well. I’m eating no rice and all I’m eating are veggies and some meat (the one’s with less fat like chicken). There’s actually lot of food choices over here for a lesser price too (because everything is bought by large quantities and containers and competition means lowering the prices).

I’m also working now and plan to walk to work so I think I’m getting there (hopefully) but if I won’t then it’s fine. The people here don’t care how I look anyway so no problem at all. And did I mention that the people here are nice? Yeah maybe too many times hehehe. I just have to remember to be nice and smile too. I don’t want to give Canadians the idea that Filipinos are unfriendly hehehe. But I’m still uneasy looking at people and smiling… it’s so not me hehehe. But if it gives people the cold shoulder so I’ll defreeze for a while. I won’t lose anything if people don’t smile back.

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Photo credits to http://keetsa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/rice.jpg

Sim Card for $40

Yup a sim card for $40 (Rogers Mobile)! That’s like Php 1680 and to think that’s Canadian dollars people (Canadian dollars are higher compared to US Dollars). I’m kind of not over the converting-to-peso phase because woah I can’t live like this. Good thing thought that earning here is no problem. Got a job already at Tim Hortons and I like what I see (so far).

I kind of want to go back to the Philippines to go shopping. Just wish our baggage capacity is big enough hehehe. I’m being too ambitious. The truth is all may look good over here but if you don’t work hard and watch your budget then being bankruptcy is not that far.

So where ever you are in the world may it be the first world or the third world, working hard and spending thriftily is the key to a life of success. Hey that reminds me, is there a second world? If there is what are these countries? Because all I’m hearing is first world and third world. Weird.

Hollywood Baby!

I don’t know why but the shows flashing on my TV screen are Hollywood gossip shows! Like why am I watching these crap? Uhm am I like absorbing western culture? The glitz and glamour part of it? Maybe. Anyway I really can’t live a life of a celebrity because the paparazzi will eat me alive!

Like having cameras around you and being famous is very difficult. It’s like being in an arena and you are open to everyone’s criticism and scrutiny. Not a very comfortable idea. Geez… good thing I’m a nobody hehehe. ^_^

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Photo credits to http://www.maggieandannie.com/Web/HollywoodSign2.JPG

Got a JOB!

Yup! I am so happy that I was able to get myself a job. I only applied yesterday and then today my brother and I got a call from Cathy, Tim Hortons’ Day Manager, and we signed a contract and we’re ready to work and train tomorrow. I work at 3 pm to 11 pm but it’s really no problem because the last bus is at 12 am. But if I do miss my bus walking is no problem because it’s really near where I live and that the sun would still be up.

My pay is at $9.50 per hour and it will increase if we stay at Tim Hortons longer. My brother’s pay is at $9/hour since he’s only a part timer and that his school starts this September. My school starts next year (hopefully) so working would sound good.

I haven’t got my work schedule yet because I haven’t seen my manager since I work at a different store but my brother works 4 days. And if he works a full month he’ll be earning Php 48,384! He’s earning more than most professionals in the Philippines and he’s just a part time worker! And if I begin working then I’m sure I’ll earn even more.

I’ve actually applied to other stores to like McDonalds, Safeway, Tokyo Express (which I won’t be accepted since most employees are Japanese hehehe, you know that means something). And if ever I’ll see a “we’re hiring” sign near my neighborhood then I’ll probably apply there too hehehe. My Tito had given me an advice that I should remember that I will still have to go to school because working and earning already is addicting and I may want to keep on working.

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Picture credits go to www.biojobblog.com/JobSearchNewspaper.jpg

Exercising for Nothing

I was so thrilled when I burned 20 calories on the treadmill, well that's what the treadmill said anyway.

But I was also a bit frustrated because I was already sweaty and I felt tired so I decided to drink Gatorade so that the electrolytes that I loss will be replenished and that so that I could be rehydrated. But what really surprised me was that the energy drink had 130 calories in it and I was like staring at the bottle thinking why did I sweat on the treadmill for when what I lose was gained when I drank that energy drink?

Moral Lesson? Drink water! It has no calories!

But really I'm trying to lose weight here and take off some inches off my waist because I don't want to look like my father. Just thinking about it makes me want to run around the neighborhood even if it's freezing.

Well some people on the internet had rudely said that I was fat but instead of getting mad about it I'm doing something about it instead. So goodbye carbohydrates! That means goodbye rice! From now on I'm eating only vegetables, fruits, and proteins. No rice for me.

Plus I'm doing sit-ups every day and I've finally watched that $6 dollar abs workout I bought from the internet. Well back to exercising for me then!

Stubborn Father

Ok I know, this is another one of my rantings... well maybe I should change this blog into my rant zone huh? Well if you don't want to hear rantings you may visit my other blog Angel in the Sickroom or you may choose not to read this post any further.

My father is maybe one of the most stubborn people in the world. He doesn't admit that he's wrong and that he blames other people for his short comings. Like the use of the washing machine for example. The washing machines here in Canada are very different from the ones we have at home. You can say that it's sort of hi-techy. In here there are different settings like the choose of either warm, cold, or hot water in washing or rinsing. It's actually quite complicated but if you only read what is written on the knobs then you can work your way around.

But my stubborn father insists on not learning because it's totally different and says that we should be the ones to operate it because he doesn't know how to. Well if you only use your common sense and your eyes instead of your loud mouth cursing and mumbling to yourself I bet one could easily figure its use out. It's not like a total mystery that needs a rocket scientist to figure out.

And there are so many jobs in Canada and he wants to choose a job as a garbage collector. For a person who has a mechanical engineering degree I wonder why he could be so stupid. He reasons that he knows a garbage collector in Canada who has a three story house and three Ford pick-ups. But the thing is that garbage collector may have another source of income like selling the furnitures and other stuff he salvages from the dumps and sell it to the third world countries. Or he could be like my dad who has a wife who has a higher paying job than him and the only one who literally feeds the family and makes it alive.

Yes, my dad is so stubborn that he doesn't want to continue his education to be able to land higher paying job saying that he's not fit for it. Well I kind of agree because he can't even make his own resume for Christ's sake and he always relies on my mom for this. I just wonder how my mom could keep up and tolerate living with a person who does not even contribute to the family but even cause damage to it.

But honestly. I don't expect much from my father because by the way he's going he's not going anywhere (except down) and my mom will have to clean up after his mess like all the time. He's also has a very loud mouth which is also very irritating. As they say it's the loud people who have the less brains and I have to say that it's true.

Nokia beats Sony Ericsson big time!

I had planned a phone with my hard earned money from blogging and the phones that I had in mind were a Nokia N95 and a Nokia N81. Since both Nokia phones were similar in features I opted for the N81 because it was cheaper. But then I found the phone that attracted me the most: the Sony Ericsson W960i! The thing that attracted me most was that it was a touch screen and has handwriting recognition features which was really great. Plus it was part of Sony Ericsson's Walkman Phones which we all know are great. Compared to the N81 it was really superior in all terms especially the 3.2 Megapixels Camera plus it was more stylish than the brick looking N81.

The huge downside which I found was that it couldn't transfer video files to the phone. This may be because of copyright reasons or what but the thing is I found on the net that you could indeed transfer and play videos on the phone if you purchase a Professional Sony Ericsson Media Manager Serial Number. The W960i comes with the Basic Sony Ericsson Media Manager.

What makes me angry is that for a $523 (Php 22,000) phone how come it doesn't include that stupid feature. And I'm not happy with the earphones that come with the phone too. My brother bought the Nokia N81 and he has a better earphones than me and his phone was cheaper. Plus Nokia Nseries phone comes with Phone softwares that does not require any additional purchase to activate the essential features like video transfer and media conversion.

This is why Nokia is trusted by most phone users because of their great innovation and user friendly features. So the next time I'm going to buy a phone, it won't be a Sony Ericsson.

Air Canada Lost My Bags

Yup bad luck for me indeed. Of all the 9 bags that we had checked-in on the airplane only mine got lost and all my clothes are in there. Well not all my clothes but what will I wear now? Will I continue to wear the same set of clothes over and over again? Not to mention that my black leather shoes are in that bag huhuhu...

But at least I can look on the bright side that the airplane company that lost my bag is Air Canada. At least I am assured that they will replace my stuff by paying me in Canadian dollars (sosyal diba? hehehe)! I'm actually not mad at them (yet) but I will be if they don't reimburse me for my lost which I know they will.

Well I don't know how much they will be giving me for my old clothes and shoes but definitely it will be enough to buy me new clothes. Air Canada called yesterday and asked for the brand of the clothes and how many pieces. Well I forgot how many clothes I had because I didn't bother counting them. But I did make sure to let them know that I had W. Brown shoes and Guess jeans. At least they will think that my clothes are expensive hahaha! I was going to say that my laptop was in there but that would already be deceitful and unbelievable. I'm already in Canada so it's time for me to be an honest and law-abiding citizen.

I wonder what would happen if it was Philippine Airlines that lost my bag? Maybe they'll just call promising that they'll do everything to find my bag and never call again...

Oh well, maybe God has a special plan for this and maybe something better would come to me in exchange for the clothes I've lost. You know like a Ying-Yang thing?

UPDATE: Air Canada found my bag at Vancouver and they're sending it to me later. ^_^

Radio Disney Concert Series in Wildwood New Jersey!

Hey guys! Have you heard of the Radio Disney Concert in Wildwood New Jersey?! I've never been to a concert before but I am hoping to go to this one because not only will it have several Radio Disney artists around like Raven-Symone and Mitchel Musso the best part about it is that it's FREE!!!

Yup! The concert is free people so let's hop on that plane and go to Morey's Piers to have that New Jersey vacation that you are dreaming off! I've looked at the place on the internet and it spells fun fun fun!

Here are some of the highlights of the Radio Disney Summer Concert Series:

• July 7th, 14th and 21st - Magic Mondays - FREE Concerts will be held at the Radio Disney stage next to the Giant Ferris Wheel (how can you miss that?). You get to have a glimpse and enjoy the afternoon with artists like Drew Seeley and as I said a while ago Raven-Symone and Mitchel Musso.
  

• July 26, 2008 at the Wildwoods Convention Center Oceanfront Arena - This is the Radio Disney Summer Concert Series finale where you will see Raven-Symone, Martin Lawrence, and Mitchel Musso.
  

• And guess what? July 26th Concert ticket holders may enjoy super savings at Morey’s Piers from the time of purchase through July 27, 2008. Simply show your official July 26 Radio Disney Summer Concert Series finale ticket at Guest Services on Mariner’s Landing and receive $10 off an all-day waterpark ticket for either Raging Waters or Ocean Oasis, or $10 off an amusement pier wristband valid for all three of Morey’s Piers, or $15 off a one-day splash and ride combination ticket. How great is that?!

I'm sure that there will be tons of things to do in Jersey and I bet that it would take you more than a day to fully experience all the events in Wildwood. So I encourage everyone to take out their daily planners and choose those dates where you will go to New Jersey and join in the fun at Wildwood events!

Unstable Future

My gosh! I am really in a fix this time! My future is at risk here people so I'm really anxious right now.

This afternoon we're going to the University of Alberta to have an assessment as to where I stand as a student nurse. I really want to study nursing in Canada so I was willing to go back to first year college and I'm supposed to be a 4th year student back in the Philippines.

I was told by my mom's friend that University requirements are strict here in Canada unlike in the Philippines were education is mainly about business. She told me that I had to have at least three units of English here in Canada or something. So does that mean I have to go back to high school? Maybe in grade 8 (equivalent to 4th year high school in the Philippines)?

Or I was given another option.... which I don't want to take... GO BACK TO THE PHILIPPINES!!! It's not that I don't want to go back but it's because I feel ashamed if I go back because people expect me to be a here in Canada and all of the sudden *poof* I'm right back here. And my batch mates would already be ahead of me and I have to go back where I dropped off, third year nursing during summer.

I should have just stayed here in the Philippines if that's the case. I wanted to stay and finish in the Philippines but my mom didn't allow me because she doesn't want to worry about me. I know that it's sweet and all but it's my future that's in stake here. I had never took my education for granted (well in some occasions I had) and it pains me that I am getting behind in everything.

I hope that we could beat the system! I could just study as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse then go to University of Alberta to take Bachelor of Science in Nursing so that I could be an RN already. Ayayayayay! This is just some of the stress of moving... hope that we could all cope up with this.

For Your Printing Needs

Believe it or not I am into advertising. Just a few months ago I was busy making a website for my Nursing Garage Sale to inform everyone that I am selling my used nursing books and other stuff that I needed to dispose of because I was already on my way here to Canada. I knew that I could have gathered more potential buyers if only I had printed out banners or the like.

And a week after my Tita asked me for help regarding her Duplex Apartment that she wanted to rent out. Of course I was able to place some ads on the internet on some free sites but more people in our local would have known about that apartment for rent if I had printed fliers.

And a few weeks from now I was tasked again to create baby shower invitations because my blabber mouth dad insisted and told everyone that I was good at these stuff. But the truth is that I'm not. I have so many things in my mind that I don't have the time and energy to design baby shower invitations.

Good thing for me VistaPrint was there to save the day! With VistaPrint I could simply choose from several designs and personalize it with pictures or something. It's quick, easy, and hassle free. They are very professional and coordinates with you well to make sure that your needs are met.

Aside from invitations VistaPrints offer other printing services like rubber stamps, magnets, business cards, and other fully customized ad items like pens or what-so-ever. So for your printing needs, you have VistaPrint! How convenient is that?!

My First Impressions of Canada

You can't really blame me if I compare the Philippines from Canada because I came from the Philippines and Canada is a new place and I like what I am seeing. So let me just share some of my thoughts about my first impressions of Canada and how the Philippines differ.

1. Canasa is so WIDE and OPEN! Unlike the Philippines which has a population of 90.5 million people, Canada only has 33.3 Million people and not to mention that Canada is the second largest country and the Philippines is so tiny as compared to the humongous Canada. The whole Philippines could fit into Alberta (the province where Edmonton is located) but Alberta only has 3.4 Million people.
2. In Canada, drivers are very responsible. Unlike the Philippines, drivers from Canada are responsible drivers and they give way and respect other drivers. Honking of horns is not common and considered very rude here in Canada. And pedestrians are given higher importance. So if you see me walking across the road, you have to stop for me hahaha! Even if I want to walk under the moonlight slowly.
   
3. The rights of the people are upheld. This is common knowledge already I guess. If my car brakes down because of some pots in the road then I can sue the government for the damages of my car and the government is liable for the repairs. In the Philippines, the government is corrupt and don't bother seeking for anything from the Philippine government like your fundamental rights. And if I were harassed by anyone let's say if I'm discriminated or some sort I could report this to the police and the culprits could be sanctioned but you know what? Canadians are really nice people so discrimination is not an issue here.
   
4. Government services are first class! You won't see a cheap looking government building here in Canada. When you enter any government owned offices and building, you have a feeling that you're in a five star hotel. The employees are very kind and approachable and they give justice to the term "public servant". Government transactions are quite fast. We got our Social Insurance Number (SIN) immediately on the spot processing. If we did have SIN in the Philippines the process would take months and you would have to bribe the government employees if you want your paperwork to be done faster... tsk tsk.
5. There are no poor people in Canada, just low income groups. By low income I mean families who can provide their family with everything they need they just don't live in luxury like driving a brand new BMW or living in a mansion or something. In the Philippines.... no comment! People who lost their jobs in Canada (because they were removed from their job and it wasn't their fault) are supported by the government with allowances until they get their own jobs.
6. Aside from the fact that Canada has four seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall), did you know that outside would still be bright and dandy even if it is 12 midnight during summer!? And when it's winter, it could already be dark when it's only 4 pm. I still need to get used to this.
7. Contrary to popular belief, Canadians (or people who live in cold places) do take showers in the morning! We do have hot showers here you know and every building and cars have heaters so it's not really cold inside the house.

There are still some more things that I want to share about Canada and I think I'll save that for my later posts.

Canada After Image

Since I'm already in my new home, Canada, I just want to pay homage by making a post related to Canada.

So ladies and gentlemen let me introduce to you the flag of Canada also known as the Maple Leaf! I know that the flag is supposed to be red and white but no I did not make a mistake in posting this picture. I posted this picture because this image is an optical illusion. How? Well just follow these steps and you'll soon find out:

• Stare at the dot in the center of the 11-point maple leaf for 40 seconds.
• Now stare at an empty white space.
• Tada! Amazed? Well you should be.

I'll be writing more about Canada here that's for sure. Until then let me share two more things before I go. Below are the flags of Canada and then the second image is the flag of Alberta, the province where we are staying at:

Credit Cards

At last! My family and I are already starting our new life here in Canada. Canada is everything that I had dreamed of. The lifestyle here is very comfortable and great. One doesn't have to worry much about being able to place food on the table because work here is pretty abundant. In proof of that I have been able to find three "Help Wanted Signs" almost everywhere and I am hoping to land a job in those stores because the pay is great too!

Of course, if one has a high standards of living it is also pretty easy to purchase anything that your heart desires (and partly what you can afford). But with credit cards that is not quite a problem. The use of credit cards here in Canada just like in any first world countries is pretty common and you can even pay for your parking with the use of your credit cards. The use of the wonderful plastic is very handy as you do not have to worry about being short on cash or losing your money because you lost your wallet.

The use of credit cards is already very common but not all users of this wonderful service is not quite informed of the perks and responsibilities that one has if one is a lucky owner of a plastic.

With Credit Cards Club one is provided with very valuable information about credit cards and reviews of different credit cards and banks which is very helpful indeed as this will give you the edge in choosing the bank that is truly worth your money.

Every bank has it's own unique bank rates and services that is why visiting Credit Cards Club for information is not only beneficial but it is a must!

My Cute Cousins

I have noticed that my posts were becoming too negative and that this blog has become my official ranting place so I'd better place some nice and happy entries so that this place won't be that gloomy.
The picture above is taken during our stay in Makati at a relatives condominium building in Makati while we were waiting for our flight to Canada. The girl is Emmalyn, and next to her is my brother Ian, and the two guys in the jacuzzi is me and next to me is the naughty Kelly.

We were at first uncomfortable with each other but as the days passed by the ice started to break and we were already happily playing and talking with each other. We enjoyed taking for a swim on the pool upstairs, playing PC games, surfing the net, and of course going to the malls (we have Three to choose from: Greenbelt, Glorietta, SM and all of these are just a walking distance from our place).

I kind of got a hang of it with the life in Makati and I got so close to my cousins already that is why it's hard to say goodbye. But I know that we'll see each other when we come back to the Philippines for our vacation and I am looking forward to that.

My New Sony Ericsson W960i!

I am glad that I have reaped the fruits of my labor! After spending hours behind a hot computer screen (hehehe, Over...) I have finally bought my dream phone! Well for the moment at least, you know material things they come and go but whatever. ^_^

With my hard-earned money (which is of course subsidized by my generous mom hehehe) I am able to buy a Sony Ericsson W960i! What is it? Well maybe this video will give you an idea of it's features:



What I love about this phone and what prompted me to buy this is of the following reasons:

• It's a music phone capable of playing almost every music file.
• It has a 3.2 Megapixel camera
• It is a touchscreen phone with handwriting recognition so I only write rather than type it in.
• It has a WLAN or WiFi connectivity so I can blog for free in any hotspot.
• It has an 8GB memory size.
• Plus it's cheaper than the Nokia N95 8GB hehehe. Plus I prefer my phone than the Nokia N95.

The Nokia N95 and the Nokia N81 where some of my choices but my brother and mom decided to buy them so I didn't want to have the same phone as they have hehehe. Some may be wondering why we bought phones here when the common notion was that phones are better in Canada but guess again!

The Philippines happens to be the "Texting Capital" of Asia so it's natural that the phones here are more hi-tech or technologically advance and savvy. But only in terms of phones only hehehe.

I'm loving my phone right now so I highly recommend a Sony Ericsson W960i because so far it's the more affordable smart phone in the market with such great features.

Goodbye Philippines!

I don't want to be negative in this blog but some Filipinos really are thoughtless and tactless. Of all the Western culture they could adapt with they decided to adapt the attitude of "I'm better than you you fat pig!". So what if I'm fat? Does that cause the world to crumble?

But don't really care actually. So to my haters out there in the Philippines, I am happy with my life and I know that all doors and opportunities for a better and successful life is just at my grasp in a first world country like Canada.

I am sick of the Filipino crab mentality and how people act and live here in the Philippines. I know that people won't give a damn if I wear designer clothes and how I live my life. People here in the Philippines just love sticking their nose to my business and it irritates me. What do you people care about what I do? I don't give a damn how you people live your lives so don't meddle in mine. It's not my problem if you are insecure and I intimidate you.

So people take care of your own lives before meddling with mine ok?

Canada Here I Come!

At last! Oh Canada here I come! ^_^

I am on a 12 hour flight right now to Canada where I will begin my new life. I don't know what is ahead for me and what I will be facing but I am ready to face the challenges and adapt as a Permanent Resident of Canada.

I know that life would be better there and I will give my all to finish my studies and life a successful life there. I am also looking forward to meeting new friends and all. I will break down my walls around me and I will try to be friendly hahaha!

To my friends in the Philippines, I love you guys and I promise to visit when I can. Always take care guys and you could always reach me here:

• E-mail: me@edgarvincentbautista.com
• Friendster: http://www.friendster.com/grimangel
• Multiply: http://vincentb88.multiply.com
• MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/vincentb88
• YM: vincentb88
  

On Airport Security Measures

This was only the second time that I had ever went to the airport to ride a plane to Manila. The first time was (I remember vaguely) when I went to Manila as a toddler to attend the funeral of my beloved grandmother (mother’s side). That time even when I was a toddler, I could still remember that very tight security measures were not that implemented then.

Presently, well it’s a completely different story. I had to remove my shoes, belt, cellphone, coins, etc and I felt like my privacy was invaded. I understand why the coins and metallic objects are needed to be removed (this is so I could pass the metal detector without any beep) but the shoes? My mom did inform me that checking the shoes was also required as some people place drugs, weapons, and other illegal contrabands in their shoes’s sole. Ok case closed, but why do we have to be checked twice? Before entering the airport lobby and before checking in at the departure area? Mind you the Cagayan de Oro airport is very small so the second detector would be just a few steps away. Why the very tight security anyway? But at least they are trying and giving much effort to secure our safety so I quite understand and leaving my comfort zone for our own good is quite acceptable to me…

Genuine Microsoft XP

I was quite happy with my self that I was able to reap the fruits of my labor (Php 15,000 or $357)! And what do I get my self with some of my money? A Genuine Microsoft XP Operating Software for my lappy!

Some people would look at me in wonder for my decision but it makes sense really. If the Custom Officer notices that my laptop has a counterfeit operating software then they have all the right to confiscate my laptop and boy I sure don't want that to happen!

Anyway I wanted to get a Windows Vista Starter Pack which is only Php 2000 or $47 here in the Philippines but everywhere I go they only had a Windows XP so I've decided to buy a Windows XP Home for Php 4000 or $95. Windows XP may not have the beautiful designs of Vista but at least my lappy will run faster... I should have bought a Vista when I had the chance or I should have waited until we went back to Makati but maybe God has a plan with this all (oh man my defense mechanism: rationalizing!).

Anyway I'm happy with my Windows XP Home and my laptop is running quite fast really. I just wished that Microsoft didn't have to make this ugly sticker to certify that my laptop is installed with a Genuine Microsoft Software:

David Archuleta! You're still my Idol!

I know that this topic is already old and that American Idol has ended and everything but even if David Archuleta did not get the crown as the next American Idol for 2008 he is still a star for me and I am still his fan no matter what!

I will be looking forward for his albums! I really loved his rendition of Chris Brown's "With You". I am not sad that he didn't win because I know that he had already proved that he is a star.

BF Homes Duplex Apartment For Rent

Just yesterday, my Tita, my brother and I went to her other house in BF Homes - Mariposa, Las Piñas to check it out since my Tita is planning to have it rented. We also went there to check up on her employee who was 9 months pregnant and supposedly over due but I'll reserve that for another post.

So I was tasked to take pictures and post ads on the internet for her Apartment. I went to check out the said apartment and I have to say that it is a great looking apartment and the price she set for it was very reasonable.

Here are the descriptions of the said apartment/duplex:

• Location: BF Homes - Mariposa, Las Piñas, Manila
• Type: 2-Storey Duplex Apartment
• It has two bedrooms each with it's own bathroom and each with built-in cabinets
• There is another bathroom at the ground floor (so that's a total of 3 bathrooms)
• The apartment has perimeter walls and gates and the windows have bars
• It has it's own parking space inside the lot.
• It has a terrace with a great view.
• It has a laundry area.

For more info please visit the blog that I've made for it:

http://bfhomesduplexforrent.blogspot.com/

David Vetter - The Boy in the Bubble

This is David Vetter and he is well known as The Boy in the Bubble. You would see here in this picture his innocence and his youth... but all of that is slowly going to fade away...

You see David was born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) meaning he has no immune system. The common cold could kill him and therefore he must continue to live in a sterile germ-free environment, a bubble free of germs.

David was a happy and kind boy but as he matured and grew his emotions became more mature for a young boy. He wasn't a teenager yet but he was already becoming to have these dark moods and he wanted to be alone because he felt that he had no where else to go... he was going to die... there was no need to continue on living...

He was trapped in a cage as he saw his childhood friends and family members growing up and leaving him to explore the world and live their own lives. David was actually built a space suit so that he could explore the world around him. But he was always terrified to leave his bubble because if he was exposed even a tiny bit with a leak in his space suit he could die.

My heart was totally crushed as this young boy faced so much hardship but he remained strong and made it up to the age of 12. But sadly even though his doctors tried to save him, he still died after a bone marrow transplantation. The operation was a success but they weren't able to detect that the bone marrow harbored inactive viruses that caused a tumor which in turn caused massive hemorrhaging in David's intestines...

Seeing David suffer for so long emotionally for so long was heart wrenching... I am thankful that with our technology today 90% of newborns with SCID are successfully treated and doesn't have to live a life in isolation.

When David died, it was the first and last time that his mother was able to touch him...

CD-R King Big Let Down

I had always loved CD-R King because they are the only store who sells CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW/+R/+RW and such for very low prices! They are actually a very popular techno-gadget store since they sell products here in the Philippines for super low prices. The gadgets like keyboards, flash disks, mouse, speakers, bags, etc are priced so low that CD-R King is being imitated by stores like CD-R Queen.

Anyway I have been a very happy patron of CD-R King until I bought a mini-speaker from them for my laptop. You see my Acer Aspire 4310 speaker is not that loud so I decided to buy a CD-R King branded mini-speaker because it only cost Php 350 or $8. But like cheap products there are down sides... and the downside of my purchase was that the mini-speaker had a bad sound and only one speaker plays. I was going to return the merchandise because it was still under the 1 week warranty period when I read the clause that the package must be returned with the box and everything but unfortunately I burned the damn box already.

I really am pissed of because I just threw away my money for some useless piece of junk! Next time I buy anything I am going to make sure to check the following:

• the product is working with no defects (I was going to do this but I was in a hurry then)
• make sure that the product is branded (Branded products come with better warranty and support)
• Never throw away the box and receipt until the warranty expires.
  

Humorisk - Fool Me

I introduce to you my cousin's band, Humorisk! My cousin is the vocalist in this band and her name is Joanne. They are a band waiting to be discovered and become the next best thing! If you would listen to them their songs are original as they compose their own songs and my cousins singing can be compared to Evanescence and Within Temptations.

The song here which by the way is called Fool Me is a song originally composed and sung by my cousin's band Humorisk. As the title goes, this song is about being fooled and taken advantaged of by the one you love and trust the most that is why it's so painful.

Please visit their profiles at:
Friendster.com/humoriskband
MySpace.com/Humorisk

Free Wi-Fi Connection at the Centennial Airport

I was waiting for my flight to Cebu when I decided to boot up my lappy since I saw other users fiddling with their laptops. I thought that there was a free Wi-Fi connection so I booted up as well. Well I did manage to find several Wi-Fi connections but some were free yes but no wonder they are free because the connection was slow and unstable. I had to reconnect every 5 minutes or so and it took several minutes for a page to load. Well my time and effort in booting up my laptop was sure wasted since I couldn’t connect to the internet anyway.

But at least I had the time to write this entry so by the time I arrive home I have more entries that I could post because it would be another several weeks until I am able to connect to the internet when I travel to Canada.

But really, airports should really provide free Wi-Fi connections because we do pay airport fees or whatever aside from the airplane tickets we buy. I swear, that the internet is a valuable utility since it could help you in booking hotels and renting cars because searching the phonebook and calling each establishment one by one is surely a waste of time.

Look of the Year

http://www.lookoftheyear.com

Are you young? Are you beautiful? Do you want to be a model?

Well with Look of the Year you can have the chance to show off your beauty and get the chance to win 10,000 USD and a chance to model in Paris, New York, and Milan! You can also get the chance of being spotted by some modeling agency and continue a career in modeling!

And joining this contest is quite easy! All you have to do is be your beautiful self and snap a picture and send it to Look of the Year!

This is not any beauty contest people! This is the real thing! The contestants are from all over the world and they are all beautiful and glamorous and they have their eyes set on that price so join now and show the world how beautiful you are!

Speed Packing

What is speed packing anyway? Well it's a new word I coined (well I claim it's new but I guess it's not, Lol!) after experiencing (still experiencinAg) the stress and headaches of packing all your life in one medium-sized bag.

I know that we should have packed and sorted all our stuff a few months ago but we were complacent and thought that our departure date is still far away. And after a few days, we then realize that we only have today (since we're leaving tomorrow) as our last packing day and guess what? We're still half-way through!

Oh well, charge it to experience as usual.

The Next Dockers Commercial

I have always been a great fan of Dockers. I just loved how comfortable I am when I wear them and I like the way it makes me look mature and sophisticated. That is why I am so delighted to find out the Dockers contest!

Yup you get to make your very own Dockers commercial and if you're lucky enough you might just win and get your few minutes of fame as your Docker commercial will have it's own airtime at NBC!

Who knows, you might have a future in the advertisement business after all! So get up from that chair and start shooting your Docker's commercial now! Or you might as well check out the competition in the Dockers contest . I have watched the submitted videos and I have to say that some people are really very creative and wacky! I just love the way that this contest is bringing out the talent and creativity out of people!

The video that I really like is called Versatile. Just look for it at the Dockers contest page. You'd be amaze how the videos are. Some are so-so but the others are exceptional!

So check out for yourself what I am babbling about and show off your talent and creativity by joining the contest. No purchases are necessary for the contest. All you need is a camera, a good script, and your computer.

The Flippox Dynasty

SM Pictorials - Flippox Dynasty

Let me introduce to you guys the Flippox Dynasty! These are my crazy weird friends from high school and I am surely going to miss them when I leave for Canada. The pictures you see were taken from SM Cagayan de Oro. What can I say? The people at Flippox Dynasty are very smart, beautiful, handsome, creative, artistic, and perverted (well some members at least) hahaha! That is why that even at a Despedida gathering we can't help but make art through our pictorials. I too was excited at the idea of a pictorial (I'm a frustrated model hahaha) and you can check me out here:
SM Pictorials

So what is the Flippox Dynasty? Well there is already a Flippox Dynasty Bibliography created by the wacky Glenn and it goes like this:

Before I reveal to you this very sacred and important text it is necessary that you observe all proper decorum in an act of respect and devotion to our beloved group and cause. None of the information you are about to read today must leave knowledge of yourself and must be upheld with deep security. Will you now please stand up, raise your right hand properly in the air, and place your left hand on the right side of your chest, and read loudly the following words:

"I (state your full name, vital statistics, and age), properly oblige to the group's foundations and observes sincerely the laws and regulations passed down unto us by our very hot and all-knowing super-founder, the Super Overlord God-Emperor Glenus Paolus Tulos, and the less great and powerful founder, Empress Snow Queen, the queen of the ice cubes. Any violation or revelation of Flip D. secrets to citizens outside the sophistication of this membership, I shall willfully inherit the punishment of castration (for men) and/or death by stoning or mutilation (women)."

After reading the first paragraph, will you now please place your left hand on the top of your head, your right hand on your butt, lift your right leg parallel to your waist and sing the first phrase of the Macarena. After which you then say these words aloud.

"My mama is so fat, when she farted she launched herself into space!"

You now take a brief pause and make a gentlemanly bow. You may now take your seat.

You are now officially granted access to the secrets of the Flip D. at the price of your dignity and intelligence. You may now continue.

HISTORY OF Flip D.
- This text was found in a pink journal of the Super Overlord God-Emperor during the early foundation of the Flip D.

Text No. 1. It said the following:

Flip D., or more "popularly" known as the Flipox Dynasty, is a worldwide organization that was founded in the land of Lumbia, in an open space of the XUHS campus, called the-covered-used-to-be-an-open-space-court. It was a time of chaos and war.

Amidst this, I, the Super Overlord God-Emperor, in an amazing and rare act of super heroics that only super overlord god-emperors like me could ever perform, decided to lead the Flip D. freedom force to overthrow the evil tyrant named the Snow Queen and her army of hypnotized mushu dragon clones. Together with my right-hand general, Major Minor Lieutenant General Captain Peperus Villiarus Peperonicus, then known as the abominable eggnok, made an initial strike to the heart of the Snow Queen's capital, the Loyola fortress.

Our attempt was futile. The Snow Queen's mushu dragon clones proved more powerful and outranked us five trillion to zero point one.

But then, when we thought all hope was lost, came hope (duh!). Kit the mother superior, Abbie the anime fanatic, Edgar the pinya-man, and Eurie the sports girl/guy-who's-also-good-in-her-studies, all came in a resounding clap of thunder. Together they smote the mushu dragons with unbelievable strength!

The battle was bloody! The pinya-man used his razor-sharp pinya leaves that seemed to have mutated on the top of his head and cut off the limbs of the enemy. Kit the mother superior called forth her ability to talk things out and well she talked things out!! Maj. Min. Lt. Gen. Cpt. Peperonicus transformed himself into a tank and drove through enemy defenses easily. Eurie hit everyone in the face, including me. And I, the most powerful of all, used my exotic Korean catfight moves which I learned from the monks of Mt. Kitanglad who happened to be Koreans, who happened to have escaped from the mental institution, who happened to be cold-hearted serial killers, who happened to be just reflections of myself in a mirror due to an impaired mental judgment of reality caused by weeks of extreme dehydration. How I or the mirror got to Mt. Kitanglad is none of your business. NONETHELESS my impressive skills decimated nearly eighty percent of the enemy, rendering the actions of my comrades completely irrelevant and useless.

It was then when the Snow Queen finally emerged from the horizon in her pajamas and in blinding radiance. Our advance was halted immediately! She had emerged from her sleep and her hair looked like crazy! It was then when we realized that the Snow Queen had recruited help as well. Our greatest fear had become reality! Daphne was revived from her "hibernation", and Princes Mimi, the Snow Queen's sister, had begun her transduction, otherwise known as puberty, and thus making her considerably powerful, and not to mention "grown".

ANYWAY! As if our situation wasn't bad enough, the Snow Queen also biologically enhanced five mushu dragon clones she now calls The Elite Mushu Dragon Rangers Squad, otherwise the TEMDRASQUA! Each one has the fighting potential equivalent to seven hundred billion normal mushu dragon clones.

We all paused ourselves in deep silence as somebody blew his fart and also because none know the actual outcome of the battle. Both sides are now equally matched. But then... a glimmer of hope... in a situation of hopelessness and smelly gas, a brave warrior came to our aid...

Optimus Prime had come!

(By the way JM, Yoojin, Kris, and the rest will be appearing later on in the story! So don't complain!! Hehehehe.)

So much for that... here is my version. And I am not Pinya Man, I am Pine Edgar, a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom... Anyway I will now tell you the history of the Flippox Dynasty...

The Flippox Dynasty was originally formed at Xavier University High School during the freshmen years of the founders, me (Edgar aka Pinya Man since I live in Pineapple Country and I had spiky hair then), Glenn aka Confused Dick Overlord (because he is very smart and talented, a writer and artist, a philosopher of Confusedcianism, but a perve), Pepper aka General Egghead (see for yourself, joke) and Kevin aka Pretty Boy (because he left the group to pursue girls hahaha).

I don't know why the three of us banded but maybe this is because of the horror and shock that we had encountered during the War of the Lunch Tables during lunch time. You must be in a group in order to have a proper seat and table during lunch time. I remember that if the lunch bell rings a representative of the group must dash down the stairs to the Open Shed to secure a territory for eating hehehe.

Because the three of us were very powerful since we have our own lunch area, many less fortunate beings came to us for shelter (hehehe). And these beings were Angela aka Snowqueen (since she is as white as snow, a singer, artist, model, host, and she overthrew the three founders and proclaimed herself empress), Kit aka Mother Superior (for her motherly charms), Eureka aka ??? (she doesn't have a nickname except that she is another philosopher and she founded the Shanidarism).

We were a very happy group and we then had new additions to our Dynasty:

• Mimi - the Snowqueen's Sister
• Abi - the Anime Fanatic
• Mik aka Mushu the Dragon (cause he looks like one? not sure hehehe) oh yes, another perve hahaha!
  
• JM aka Abi-Look-a-Like! Hahaha! She's also called Innocent JM because she doesn't want to hear words like panty, boobs, ****, and you get the point. She is the complete opposite of Glenn!
• Eliza the Smily Girl (she's always beaming... and happy!)
• YooJin the Korean (hehehe don't know here that well)
• Manong Eugene - The personal servant of the Snowqueen. Before Pepper was the servant but he quit hehehe
• Actually there are two or more other Flippox Dynasty people but I haven't been around with the Flippox during college because I can't deprive the other people from me hehehe.

But whatever! I'll miss these guys so much! Take care ok? ^_^

SocialSpark is Here!

We all know that the blogosphere is already thriving with so many bloggers and I am happy that our numbers are getting larger and larger!

It's great that there are people out there who are open and willing to share their thoughts, learnings, and knowledge. And some of these bloggers are really really interesting just like mlizcochico who is a WAHM (that's Work At Home Home Mom) and what's great about these mommies is that they can really plan their days taking care of their little ones while they bring order to the house, plus they even get to blog! I just love her recipes and some tips about health, it's really helpful and interesting. Just check out her profile at SocialSpark.

Yup SocialSpark is the hangout of incredible bloggers and this is a great place to show-off your beloved blogs and at the same time earn money through blog sponsorships and sponsored reviews. It's quite easy to get sponsored reviews at SocialSpark too and it's quite easy to move around once you got the hang of it.

Check out my profile too vincentb88! So if you're a blogger and who is into socializing and meeting other people who share the same passion as you, Blogging, then this place is for you! Don't forget to add me as your friend once you sign-up ok? ^_^

Delayed Tag

I've been receiving a lot of messages and I've been so busy these weeks (busy daw hehehe) that's why I may have forgotten to do some tags and I'm sorry for that. Just remembered that I haven't done this tag that RNFreebies has sent me and I thank RNFreebies for this tag and sorry for doing it so late.

You can check out the original tag HERE. I decided to just post part of it since I have done this tag before HERE and this tag is soooo long hehehe. So here it is:

The rules are:

1. Mention the person who tagged you and create a link back to them.
2. Copy-paste the traits for all the twelve months (see below).
3. Pick your month of birth.
4. Highlight the traits that apply to you.
5. Tag 12 people and let them know by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment for them.
6. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve done it!

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

To all those who want to do this tag then by all means just do it hehehe. ^_^