Get a Better Career for a Better Life

Some say that you don't need to study or go to school to get a better job and life but again these are the people who missed great opportunities and good paying jobs because they lack the necessary skills, knowledge, and even attitude to succeed in life.

The reason for training is to help yourself be competitive in any field of job you choose since your not the only one who is looking for employment. Plus in hazardous work environments, an employer would require you to be certified or properly trained as a requirement. One example of jobs that requires one to have training and certification are jobs that require the use of heavy equipment like construction companies, shipping companies, and so forth. And these are the kinds of jobs that really pay well and offer great benefits and compensation to their employees. And you can get these skills, knowledge, and proper certification at an equipment training school.

Proper training and skill assessment are crucial as to prevent any future accidents that would cause damage to the equipment and property of the company and even lead to death and injuries all because you are inexperienced and have no idea of the safety protocols and you lack the skills and knowledge.

So if you are a person who would want to improve your way of life and not be stuck forever working at a fastfood chain earning a modest salary, it’s time to do something to change your life and enrol your self in Associated Training Services (ATS) for education in heavy equipment and construction related machines in order for you to get a better career and a better life.

Getting Comfortable With My Life

This coming June 8 would commemorate the 1st year of our new life here in Canada. I can still remember my feelings and thoughts when I first came here. I was scared and doubtful and I always wondered if we made the right choice of moving here.

So far so good I'm becoming comfortable with our way of life here and I'm getting used to how things operate here. I'm even starting to like my job even if it's a pain in the behind. I used to dream about my job because of the stress but I'm doing quite well.

I just hope that we get to buy our own home this year. And of course I wish that I get to go back to school this September 2009. I'm just hoping that things turn out for the best.

Ineligible

I can't express the great disappointment that I am going through right now because after all the sacrifices (not the mention expenses) that I and my friend Ellen have done to make sure that I am able to submit my requirements to University of Alberta (U of A), my admission decision is ineligible.

I have no idea why I am ineligible for admission as a first year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student at U of A when I already was a third year BSN student back in the Philippines. Is it because they think that Canadian education is far superior than Philippine education?

Anyway I'm just glad that I took the advice of my mom and re-applied at Grant MacEwan. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise because I know a fellow Filipino BSN student from the Philippines who got admission to MacEwan and she was only a first year student.

But if ever I still don't get admission from MacEwan I am going to cry, NO I'M NOT!!! I still have the option to go back to the Philippines to continue my studies at Xavier University for school year 2010 to 2011 or I can just go to NorQuest College and take Licensed Practical Nursing then proceed to Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

What ever it takes I will NEVER GIVE-UP!!! I won't allow myself to just settle for mediocrity and just continue to work at Tim Hortons. I rather die than be an underachiever.

I'm Still Loving Korean Dramas!

The first Korean drama that I had fallen in love with was "Lovers in Paris" and this is also my mom's favorite Korean drama series. It's a beautiful romantic comedy between two lovers from completely different social backgrounds.

The thing that I really like about Korean dramas is their unique and very interesting plot. Korean dramas make me cry my heart out because the story is really captivating and you can't help but relate to the character's life story.

Recently the Korean dramas I've been watching are Coffee Prince and Soulmate.

What makes Korean dramas more appealing is the successful use of music to convey extreme emotions of sadness, joy, tragedy, and much more.

In Soulmate for example, the use of Nouvelle Vague's This Is Not a Love Song is perfect during times when Min-ae flirts and seduces Philipp. The song is so addictive that I can't help but listen to it over and over again.

I so love Korean Dramas!

Mesothelioma: A Silent Killer

Many people are not familiar with the cancer mesothelioma, most likely because it is such a rare malignancy (approximately 3000 cases diagnosed each year in the United States and Canada). While it may be rare, it is a devastating disease, made particularly more difficult to bear because generally it is entirely preventable. Preventable? I use that term only because mesothelioma is known only to be caused by asbestos exposure, which affected hundreds of thousands of industrial workers while simply doing their job.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has durable but microscopic fibers which were used in thousands of industrial and consumer products because it was adept at insulating and enhancing fire retardant qualities. Unfortunately, for as useful as asbestos was, it was equally as hazardous. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, as they often were by those who worked these materials, the lodge in the lining of the lungs and abdomen, a thin membrane known as the mesothelium. Asbestos fibers cannot be expelled from the body because they are so durable and resistant to chemical breakdown.

Over time, asbestos fibers cause a harmful inflammation of the mesothelial tissue, which creates malignant plaques on the surface of the mesothelium. These plaques are the beginning stages of mesothelioma, which is highly aggressive and has no known cure. Patients of mesothelioma will often ultimately suffocate as the cancer will envelop their lungs and prevent them from sustained breathing function. It is a slow painful death, one that could have been prevented had greedy corporations and their insurance companies exposed the hazards of asbestos rather than keeping this damaging information from their employees.

Fortunately, the world is beginning to wake up to the devastating nature of the disease and more funding and research is being dedicated to mesothelioma treatment. Progressive therapies, like those which Dr. David Sugarbaker is conducting at the Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, MA, have extended survival rates far beyond previously attainable levels. Hopefully as awareness is spread of this difficult disease, even more funding will be devoted to focused mesothelioma research.

Brian Turner
Mesothelioma.com

Another Heart Ache

Tomorrow evening, I am going to do something that will probably brake my heart. I was given the extremely challenging task of telling one of my co-workers and friend that she is going to be let go...

I don't know why she has to be let go because in my opinion, she is a great asset to our shift. They said that her work performance was not satisfactory but I know for a fact that she works harder than some other staff in Tim Hortons.

But most of all, she is a very dear friend to me so losing her and not being able to see her again is very heart wrenching indeed.

Tomorrow is going to be one of the saddest event in my life. But I have to be strong, it's better that I will tell her in a very supporting manner than in a you're not needed tone by someone else.

I will miss you my dear friend...

Knowing That Your Family Doesn't Have Your Back

I used to be a person that everyone turns to when they need advice or an opinion. The people who always ask advice from me are usually the people having problems with their family. I was always optimistic and positive and I always quote, "...in the end it is your family who you can turn to...".

And now I think that I am a fool for saying that and I was delusional. I am quite hurt to know that my family doesn't have my back and they aren't interested in my boring life.

I thought it was normal for a son/daughter to share his/her problems with his/her parents and that the parents would listen, give advice, and support their children. But not in my family, they don't want to listen to your problems and they sure don't want to be bothered to have to help you with your problems.

I was having problems with this someone from work who is very rude, disrespectful, and bossy but I am now more upset with my family than with her. I am just glad that I have my co-workers and friends at work to receive a gentle pat in the back and support. And I am glad that they agree with me and they are there to support you.

So in the end, everything may turn upside down, your own family rejects you, but it is your real friends who will show up at your weakest moments to give you strength.

Personalize It!

I have always wanted things that are personalized or custom made for me. I want everything that I own to reflect my personality and my uniqueness. I want to personalize and customize my own stationary, rubber stamps, and even personal checks! And all of these and more can be provided by vistaprint.ca.

I never did think that I would have any use for checks because I usually pay with cash, debit, or credit card. But there are times when I need to pay friends and family a few dollars or even huge sums on the spot so a check is very handy. Although my checks that I have now are fairly nice I want to order checks that have my personal logo, fonts that I want, and I want to have several options to choose from like colors and design.

How to Solve a Puzzle Ring

This post goes to Tetris, a Korean who was having a hard time assembling her puzzle ring that she bought from the Philippines. I also had a puzzle ring that I too had problems with because when it fell apart it looked like a complete mess:

Tetris asked me to send her an e-mail explaining how to assemble a puzzle ring but unfortunately I lost my ring so I have no idea how to explain and describe the steps in putting a puzzle ring back together. But fortunately for everyone, we can rely on the vast knowledge that is stored on the internet, even thought the majority of what's on the internet is plain stupid.

But before we go into the boring part of putting a puzzle ring back together let me share one of the said reasons why the puzzle ring falls apart and is so hard to put back together. It is said that puzzle rings or infinity knots (till death do us part, get it?) were really made as wedding rings to prevent husbands or wives from cheating because when they do remove their wedding rings it falls apart and is very difficult to put back together.

So if you guys are cheating wives and husbands (LOL!) who have difficulty in putting their wedding ring back together here are some links that proves to be very helpful in putting back a puzzle ring:
http://www.walshbrothers.co.uk/Update/puzzle_ring.htm
http://www.amulet.co.uk/mcol-tw/puzzledo.htm

There are really more resources about the puzzle ring so you could just surf the net but in my opinion, being able to successfully solve a puzzle ring using your own brain is more satisfying and fulfilling. It took me hours to fix a ring all by myself and I couldn't help but be proud of my accomplishment.

Anyway if you do try solving the puzzle ring by yourself or with the help of the internet, always do remember to NEVER as in NEVER EVER try to force rings in as a single bent in the rings would make it very difficult to put back together.

Have fun!

I Have No Work Tomorrow and the Day After Tomorrow

Yeah there is nothing special about tomorrow. I'm just going to stay home and do the usual stuff: watch anime online, clean the house, check on the update on my enrollment to university, check on the update of the shipment of my laptop I ordered online, practice violin (maybe), watch DVD that I borrowed from Mark and Cassie, think of what to do to be productive.

My life is so boring. I actually am a bit unhappy that I don't have work for three days this week. That means that I will have $80 less on my very modest paycheck. And to think I wasn't paid $20 extra for the days that I was in-charge. Damn Tim Hortons. Oh well, hopefully I get admission to university soon so that I don't have to work at Tim Hortons again.

How To Be a Parent

There are some couples who have long planned and prepared to be parents. There are also those who had never thought about being parents but suddenly became parents. Whatever the scenario is one thing is for sure there are no perfect parents.

Parenting is a vocation that demands one's time, effort, and even money. It is extremely challenging for new parents-to-be to cope up with the changes in their lifestyles and for the new mommies changes in their bodies.

Several questions pop into a parent's mind like how to distinguish what is normal from abnormal in pregnancy? What to name the baby? How to provide a safe environment for the baby and so forth.

Although there are several reference books on how to be a parent in bookstores, nothing beats the expert advice of fellow parents who have successfully went through what you are just going through or will go through. Parentsconnect.com is a must for those who will go the extra mile to give what is best to their children. It is the place to share personal experiences and a place to meet other people who like you wants their children to grow up happy, healthy, and responsible members of society.

I myself have studied maternity and child care as a student nurse but there are still more things to learn. I myself would have no idea what to do if ever I was pregnant. The greatest question that I would ask would be what to expect during the three phases of pregnancy and how to cope with them. And as I said although several references talks about these phases they are vague and nothing would beat the advice of someone who has actually gone through actual pregnancy and has successfully raised healthy and well rounded kids. So I will indeed visit parentsconnect.com when I myself will become a parent.

I ♥ my iPhone!

I told myself that I wouldn't get myself an iPhone because I didn't want to pay $50 per month for the plan but I guess I didn't convince myself too much. I just realized that the extreme usability and convenience of having an iPhone completely outweighs the monthly cost.

Well I do spend around $20 for my cellphone prepaid credits so why not spend an extra $30 for great features like being able to check your e-mails, browse the web, and even navigate around the city! My main reason for buying an iPhone is the Google Maps Application!

It's actually more of a need than a want because I need to know what buses to ride to get to places and I need to know what buses to take, at what time, and what bus stop I should go to to arrive at any destination I need to go to.

Well I was a bit put off when I realized that the GPS wasn't actually that accurate because there are times when the map show that I jumped to another road when I was walking so relying completely on the iPhone is not that good of an idea. But still, knowing what time the bus will arrive at the bus stop saves you from freezing outside when it's winter.

My iPhone serves as a great organizer, dictionary, calculator, converter, gaming console, and all around entertainer. And with hundreds of apps to download, the use of your iPhone is limitless!

I'd say it again, I ♥ my iPhone!

Exciting Saturday

I thought that all hope was lost when I had that last sudden episode of depression last week. I wanted to make things going already and I was tired of waiting. Guess seeing my classmates (and some who I thought would never graduate *evil mode*) graduate had made me feel miserable and incompetent. Now I know how those people who got laid off and have no jobs feel, although my problem is slightly in a smaller scale.

Well I feel that I accomplished something today and I am darn proud of it! I conquered my fear of being in public and actually rode the bus to downtown Edmonton but I had to wear really flashy clothes to overcompensate for my lack of self-confidence and self-loath, LOL!

I went to the Immunization Business Unit of Capital Health for an update of my vaccinations. The health care professional (I don't know if she was a nurse or doctor) who attended to me must think that I'm too excited for school because I haven't received admission yet to MacEwan College or University of Alberta but here I am doing my immunizations. She was actually very welcoming and it was awesome how she took the time to explain to me what we were going to do and what the stuff she is injecting to me is and it's effects (more importantly their adverse effects). I was expecting a lot of pain from the injections but they were pretty painless. I was really surprised that it took less than 15 minutes for my whole visit.

But my exciting day didn't end there. My parents picked me out at home and we went window shopping for homes, Lol! We weren't pre-approved for mortgage but as I said, were only looking not buying. And boy did I like what I see! We chose to live in a new built neighborhood at Southeast Edmonton and the houses were new, big, and very beautiful. We looked at duplexes but they were too small for us and we decided that if we were going to buy a house it would be best to buy the home that we really like because it's hard to sell houses these days.

I was really blown away by the 4-bedroom, 2 storey, 2 baths, and 2-car garage home we saw by Landmark Homes! How I wish we could just move right in tomorrow! Now we just have to get approved for a mortgage worth $397,000!

Here's My Card

I used to question the practicality of business cards in the past because I used to have this big stack of cards but I never did get to use them. But when I arrived here in Canada I've seen the use of business cards several times in different scenarios.

I've realized the practicality and essence of business cards when this real estate agent gave us a mortgage specialist's business card. Business cards have several other uses than just plain telling someone who you are, what you do, and how to reach you.

Business cards are an excellent way to advertise and promote your product or company. Your unique business card design can help stimulate a potential customers memory of what you have discussed in a prior meeting or it can somehow tell the potential customers of what your company is all about. Plus it would be very easy for people to refer you to their friends as they can just give away your information easily.

Business cards can also be used in out of business scenarios like when you meet someone on your commute to work and you want to continue what ever you talked about sometime later. Giving away your business cards saves you the trouble of writing down long names and numbers plus everything you need to know is on the business card already.

You can create free personalized business cards at vistaprint.ca and then maybe we can exchange business cards right?

I've Decided to Stay

I think that this is the second time that I have made a post in this blog saying that I've decided to stay in Canada to start my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree all over again from scratch. But I am sure of my decision this time as the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) has replied to my letter asking them for an opinion.

Well CARNA didn't really give me an opinion as to whether I should go back to the Philippines or stay here in Canada but they did inform me that I cannot challenge or write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination without them assessing my eligibility and credibility and it will still require some course work.

So I decided to stay in Canada so that I will be familiarized with the Alberta Health Care System as well as the SOP's of the hospitals and clinics here in Edmonton as I do plan on staying and working here in Edmonton in the future.

So to all those who have shared their ideas and helped me on make a decision, I thank you all!!!

Hello Spring!

Goodbye winter and hello spring! Just as the ice melts to welcome the beautiful greenery and life of spring, it's only natural for us to get rid of our bulky and heavy winter coats and get ourselves a new set of spring wardrobe!

I'm usually loyal to a specific brand of clothes because I know that their line of clothes and accessories matches my personality and style. I'm usually for the formal and professional look clothes but I guess I want to re-invent my self and try something a bit exciting and new. I want to enjoy the last days of my youth and just be carefree and adventurous and Lucky Brand just make this personal statement stand out and be heard!

Their clothes are fun and completely spells out rock 'n roll! Their line of clothes emphasize being youthful and not being limited by rules so you can be who ever you want to be.

They say that the way you dress and how you appear tells something about who you are. So why not tell the world that you are young, fun-loving, and unstoppable! Tell it with Lucky Brand.

Downsizing

Downsizing is the ‘conscious use of permanent personnel reductions in an attempt to improve efficiency and/or effectiveness’

With the economy being unstable these days and with future expenses that will arise when I go back to study it had made me re-examine my life especially my finances. I had realized that I have been wasteful with my money indeed. When I was making my income tax return for 2008 I was intrigued when I had earned around $10,000 but then the actual money that I have in the bank is not even close to 10% of that.

Sure we just moved here in Canada last year in the middle of the year so I had to help my parents out by buying some furniture for the apartment and some other things like food and clothes. But still I feel that I have wasted money on some other things like buying some random stuff online.

I sometimes wonder if this is why some people get into so much debt in the first place. It is so easy to get hold of financing and credit if you have good credit rating that's why people just buy and buy even if they don't really need it thinking that it only would cost them a couple of dollars with their installment plan or buy now pay next year scenarios.

It will only be 5 months until I go back to school and it's just right that I cut my spending and save all of my earnings in the bank because I can't expect my parents to contribute a lot to my education because they would still have to pay for our car and our new house if our plans to buy a new house push through this year.

Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, said that Canada will get through this temporary recession and I guess I could trust him and his words because the Canadian Government has put through an excellent economic action plan. But still, I hope that my parents won't get laid off since if ever this happens, even the Employment Insurance will not cover our expenses. Well my mom works for the Government so she would unlikely be laid off but again she only works temporary for the Government. She's still waiting to be hired full time at another City department.

So here are the steps that I have planned and will implement to downsize and even earn more money:

>Spend money ONLY on things that are NECESSARY
>Canceled my order of a laptop that I bought online for $1,600 realizing that it's too expensive and it's too bulky and heavy for university.
>Instead of buying an iPhone, I negotiated with my mom that I'll use her iPhone and exchange it with my iPod and cellphone.
>I will take a sponsored post each day.

I'm also thinking of getting a second job but I don't think it's feasible. I just hope that everything turns out well.

Should I Go Back to the Philippines?

I am faced with a huge dilemma and can't decide what to do with my life. I have two options and choosing one would significantly alter my life. Well I did already alter my life by deciding not to finish my nursing program back in the Philippines to come here in Canada and frankly I'm not sure whether I made the right decision or not.

So I have two options which will dictate how my future would turn out and these are either to go back to the Philippines to finish the last year of my Bachelor of Science in Nursing or to stay here in Canada where I will have to start my whole degree from scratch.

So here are the pros and cons:

Going Back to the Philippines
PROS	CONS
I will finish my degree faster.	I am not confident that I can remember everything I learned.
Education in the Philippines is cheaper.	I already got rid of my books and notes which I know will be needed for my classes.
I will not have debts to pay after school.	Being alienated by my new classmates as they have already known each other since they started the program.
Commuting to the hospitals is easier.	I have to wash my own clothes by hand, budget my money, and look for a clean place to eat.
I am familiar with the settings in the Philippines.	I am not sure that I will get a job here in Canada as an RN but only as an LPN.
Independence from parents and increase in allowance.

Staying In Canada
PROS	CONS
I will start a-new and I won’t have to worry about the professor saying things like, “...as you have learned from last sem...”	EXPENSIVE!!! VERY EXPENSIVE!!!
Better education and what I learn and experience is exactly what will be done. Theory and practice will actually meet.	I have to get a car (partly-pros) and drive to far-flung hospitals (40 minutes away) for my clinical exposure.
I will get a job easier since I graduated from a recognized Canadian institution.	When I graduate from school I will already have debt to pay (student loan).
A chance to study in a Canadian University and be able to meet new people.	By the time I graduate I will already be 24 years old!!!
Getting acquainted with the way the health system in Alberta, Canada works because this is where I will eventually end up working.	If ever I fail, I will have to wait for another year and can’t transfer to other institutions as easy as transferring from Xavier to Liceo.

I really need help in deciding. I know that the decision is really up to me but being able to listen to other people's opinion will really be helpful.

Car Insurance: Knowing That We Are in Safe Hands

I may not be a mathematician or a statistician but by the way my dad is driving and at the rate he gets our car chipped, scratched, and almost hit head-on with other cars I calculate or even predict the probable lifespan of our brand new car... 1 month or less?

I feel like I'm a parent of an inexperienced teenage driver borrowing my car for a night out, and it's very nerve-wracking. That's why I feel better and I am able to sleep better at night knowing that we have car insurance. I can't possibly imagine how devastating it would be and how much strain it would cause to our finances if ever the dreaded fender bender or worst happens.

But I'm not really happy with our current car insurance provider so I looked around the net and I found the very promising Autonet Van Insurance.

Unlike our current insurance provider, Autonet Insurance has an insurance policy that is custom-built around you that meets your needs at a low unbeatable price. You can customize what your insurance covers from only third party , third party plus theft coverage, or the all around comprehensive coverage which has third party liability and theft coverage plus a personal accident benefit for your own injuries or death.

With Autonet Insurance not only do you know you are in safe hands, you will also have enough money for your own personal needs and wants. This is because Autonet will give you a refund of any premium paid once you show them that there is another car insurance that provides a cheaper quotation. Like come on! What other car insurance provider does that? Only Autonet Insurance.

I've Hit Rockbottom...

I used to be at the top of my game. I was one of the top students in one of the best university in the Philippines, I pass and do great in everything to do, I was even considered as a leader and as a role model... I had goals and dreams, I had the right stuff and the tools of the trade to succeed!

But look at me now, I'm out of school, I work at a fastfood restaurant throwing garbage, serving people who looks down at me thinking I'm a highschool dropout Filipino contract worker... I used to be part of the elite social class and now I'm nothing... quite a humbling experience really.

Although my family isn't poor, we do have a car, food on the table, and a roof above our heads, I still feel incompetent and completely useless because it seems that several years of my life has been wasted on being a good student with high grades. I took a pass on going out with friends and having fun because I wanted to be serious and diligent on my studies because I was career oriented. But now all those sleepless nights and sacrifice doesn't mean a thing because in Canada, education from other countries especially third world countries is sub par which I think is unfair and totally ridiculous in a way.

But here I am a total loser in a country where Filipinos are looked down upon because they think we are uneducated poor people. I hate this country, I never wanted to be here in the first place... I was sucked out from my very successful life into this pit of self pity and despair.

But I won't give up! I will take the wheel and take control of my life. I'll show those people that I am not someone to be looked down upon. But seriously, if I don't start school this year, I will completely lose it and go on a rampage.

I had a great life, now look how I am today. It infuriates me!

I Don't Have to Prove Anything

I was so pissed yesterday! It actually happened to me, a Filipino being looked down by a "White". Well Filipino being looked down by another Filipino is pretty common but a White looking down at me? Unacceptable.

I can state a thousand things why they can never look down on me but I'm tired and I'll be wasting my time. But what the hell, time is all I have:

1. I am not a contract worker, I am acutally a resident of this place and a Citizen in three years from now which I don't really care about. I didn't come to this God-forsaken country to work in your fastfood chains. I had no choice, my parents wanted to move here so I was dragged along. If I were given a choice I would have stayed in the Philippines and I would have graduated now too.
2. I am working at Tim Hortons because I want to earn money while waiting to gain admission to University of Alberta because unlike a certain percentage of white people I have high goals and aspirations with one of them being able to have a degree.
3. Just because I'm brown doesn't mean I worship white people and think that they are superior in any way.
   

Not all Filipinos that come to this country, Canada, is a contract worker who you think you can look down at and think that you are superior to them in a way because if you take a look at history no one is a native of Canada per se. The ancestors or forefathers of the white people killed and oppressed the first people who lived in Canada. And that is something I would never be proud of.

I don't want to be nasty but some people are making me nasty. Again, if you don't know how to respect people then don't expect to be respected too.

Do I Look Like Adam Lambert? [edited version]

Someone just told me a while ago that I looked like Adam Lambert of American Idol. I actually had no idea of who he is and how he looks like because I haven't been watching American Idol since I usually am at work when American Idol airs and I'm not really interested in watching it now that my favorite idol: David Archuleta is not on the show anymore.

So I Googled Adam Lambert and I finally sort of got a glimpse of his talent, fashion, and a bit of who he is. So I hear that he is a great singer, with theatrical backgrounds and as American Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi, said, "He hit notes she never knew even existed." I find him pretty fashionable for an emo person too!

Anyway, I don't really care if we look alike or don't.

[I removed somethings in this post like pictures and opinions as such because I guess I've hit a few nerves but it was good to know though that I get visitors, LOL!]

I Want an iPhone!

I knew that an iPhone is such an amazing gadget but I was only enticed to buy one when my mom went home one day with an iPhone from Rogers. She said that she had no plans on buying one but got one anyway because the salesman was good.

But I actually didn't want to get an iPhone since I already have bought two iPod Touch and both had pretty much the same features except that the iPod touch isn't a phone... duh! I already have a great smart phone and I'm pretty happy with it. But the interface of the iPhone is really great and I especially love the Google Map that's pre-installed on the iPhone. I do have Google Maps on my Sony Erisson W960i but it doesn't come close to the iPhone. Plus I love the internet browser of the iPhone/iPod Touch!

I went online and bid on a 16GB White Unlocked iPod but I lost... which is good because I bid on two more phones from two different sellers so I didn't want to win two bids since I don't want to pay for both.

Anyhoo... I think it's better to hide my credit card since I don't want to spend too much since I have to pay my way to school.

Nothing to Post

Seriously... my life is so boring... I have nothing to post or write about. I think my brain has completely shut down or anything because I don't seem to think anymore... or is it because I can't think anymore?

I wonder why I always have to blog about my boring life... is there even anyone visiting my rarely updated blog who are interested about my not so fascinating life?

But then again, using this part of cyberspace to rant and vent isn't a bad idea either... so here it goes.... **** my brother's friends! Damn! My only day dedicated to cleaning this God damn house is wasted because of those damn people! God why can't they just go to their own freaking homes like normal people do! They stay here for the whole night and then the whole day, they eat here, leave their garbage here in our God forsaken home... I hate them... Grrr...

Ok on with my life... see? Look how infuriatingly pathetic my life is. Later days!

My Computer Is Dead

Oh my GOSH!!!

My computer is dead! It won't turn on anymore and it's all because I tweaked some screws so that I can clean more dust since my computer slowed down again. And I still blame those evil dust bunnies for the death of my computer. If it weren't for them I wouldn't have had to open my computer and cause some electrostatic discharges to my computer.

Good thing that my computer is still under warranty and the customer service agent has scheduled a bench repair. They are going to send me a box for my computer and then a designated courier will pick-up my computer at home and mail it to HP.

Wow! That is what you call excellent customer service! I am so happy with HP right now that I plan on buying only HP computers and gadgets from now on! Imagine I just e-mail them and then a couple of minutes the agents will reply in an hour with the information you need with out having to beat around the bush.

After my desktop is fixed I plan on asking them if they have a trade-in program too since I want to get a laptop. I don't want to have those stupid bulky desktops that attract dust 24/7. I love HP!

I Got Promoted!

Honestly I'm not really excited with my promotion because my present job is only temporary and I don't plan on working there forever. I'm only working at Tim Hortons until I get admission to University of Alberta.

I don't want the additional responsibility that the promotion entails but I cannot deny the fact that the additional pay with the promotion is indeed tempting. It was all quite sudden and my manager didn't even tell me about the promotion. It was like I was just assigned to be an in-charge for one day every week just like that. They say that this is the first step to becoming a supervisor but I am more interested in having a raise than being promoted.

But I have to admit that being recognized to lead a group of people and be trusted with all the money in the till gives me a sense of satisfaction and pride. So I have to live out the expectations of my c0-workers... how troublesome.

Ski Trip at the Canadian Rocky Mountains

That is me trying to conquer the mountain and ski. Well I did get to ski (slightly) and I was able to conquer the mountain (just the bunny hill for kids and beginners) after a few falls (more like several falls) but as one very intelligent and well respected philosophers of all times (me) said:

"It is better to fall a thousand times than to just sit and never learn anything..."

The ski trip was well worth it and we really enjoyed it. Here are my trip buddies:

Tanner, Camille, Grace, Mark, and Me... and oh yes my brother who I brought along as my personal photographer:

(Me and my brother)

The trip to Marmot Basin, located in Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, is around 6 hours from Edmonton. The trip there was very fun and really comfortable. We left Edmonton at around 2:30 AM to Camille's house and then we followed them to the Edmonton Military Garrison where our bus was waiting for us:


Oh yeah! It's Canadian baby! And our driver was a Canadian Soldier:

Ok, back to my story. So riding the bus was very relaxing really. I was able to sleep and just listening to my iPod was really fun and when dawn finally break the view was amazing:


And yes skiing (or trying to ski) is also fun! Good thing the snow was soft or else I would have bruises all over. We just went skiing on top of the bunny hill which was intended for kids (and beginners) but turns out the kids were better than us at skiing and snow boarding. We were served!

But trying to ski and the matching ski outfit were excellent for picture taking which was the main reason why we came all the way to Marmot Basin for: picture taking! *Toink*

Goodbye Ice Cream!

My gosh! My worst nightmare has finally came true! A friend had asked me go swimming at the water park at West Edmonton Mall!!! I'm not afraid of drowning or anything because I can swim (and float whenever I need to hehehe).

I don't want to come because I don't want to be half naked in a swimming trunks because I don't have that body to show off or a body to even show to begin with (wait... I don't have a body?!). I'm thinking of coming but I'm not sure. Maybe when I slim down a bit and get rid of that lump in front of my tummy hehehe. But I guess 2 weeks won't do me much good...

I just am too lazy to exercise and there are so many things I want to do rather than exercise. I am so hopeless. But still I will try to watch what I eat... goodbye iced cappuccino and ice cream... I will miss you so much!

Family Time Is A Must

Moving to Canada has somehow placed a strain on my family's relationship with each other. All of us are always busy and have no time to just sit and relax. I come home to our house and leave the house without even seeing or talking to my parents sometimes.

There are times when all of us are at home but then we still don't get to interact with each other because we are in front of our computers surfing the internet or whatsoever. We sometimes don't get to eat together anymore.

This is not how a family should act that is why I am happy that my family is doing something about it. We make sure that we are at home at least on Sunday because this is the day that we get to eat together and do stuff together may it be shopping, watching movies at home, eating out, or whatever as long as we do it together.

No matter how busy we are we should always have time for each other because we came to Canada to live a new and great life and not just to earn money. Many families have grown far apart by each other and I don't want my family to be the same.

So even if my family have certain traits that I may be ashamed of or dislike, my love for them is greater. They are not perfect but they are family and families stick together.

Computer Dust Could KILL!!!

There have been papers about how computer dust (or dust bunnies) could possibly harm or even kill. They don't harm people but they surely deal a great damage to computers. And in this way some people may have nervous breakdowns so dust bunnies could indirectly cause mental health issues.

Dust bunnies are very discrete and they attack your computer in secret. The surrounding area of the computer may be clean and tidy but the computer is one big vacuum cleaner sucking dust in with it's fans and also with the help of static energy that it creates. So everything may be good from the outside but the inside is infiltrated and is a great breeding ground for the multitudes of dust bunnies.

Normal signs and symptoms of this dust bunny disease is over heating, screen freezes, slow processing power of the computer, and finally the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH!

My computer was attacked by this infested creature. Two times in fact. I have an HP Pavilion Elite m9350f Computer boasting an AMD Phenom X4 Quad-Core Processor with speeds of 2.4 GHz, 6 GB DDR2 memory, and a NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT Graphics Card with 512MB Memory. But this was no match for the dust bunnies as they made it to slow down and at times crash.

The first time I did system check-ups and tweaks. I even did a system restore but didn't work. I brought it back to Best Buy to have it checked, paid them $100 for doing the same things I did. The second time I was playing my Oblivion game which usually runs smoothly and fast but now lags and takes forever to load.

I checked my tower and there they were! The creepy dust bunnies were showing their heads out of the ventilation holes! I realized that the first time it broke, the Best Buy people did something I didn't: clean and dust the computer!

So I made an offensive action and wiped them out. I opened the Tower Casing (Turning it OFF and Disconnecting all wires of course) and there they were all over my poor computer's insides. I used Q-Tips and Cotton Balls soaked slightly with 70% isopropyl alcohol to wipe them clean. I touched something metal first before doing the cleaning to discharge my self from static energy which could damage the computers delicate electronics.

I concentrated my cleaning on the fans and especially the heat sinks! There were so many dust bunnies that by just dippping the Q-tips into the heat sink it already took out so many that it looked like I was taking out lint from a dryer.

I could have done a better cleaning if I had a can of compressed air but I guess i did the job right because my computer is fast again.

So if your computer slows down, it might not be a virus or spyware that is causing the rucuss. It might be the evil and deadly DUST BUNNIES!!!

My Computer Almost Gave Me a Heart Attack!

God! I was this close to smashing my computer to smithereens! I came home from work and I was exhausted. Playing Oblivion IV was my way of de-stressing my self so I turn on the computer. It was very strange when it said "Preparing My Desktop" but I didn't think anything was wrong until I realized that my computer somehow lost it's memory. My files where gone and my settings where different. It was ok at first because my Oblivion game was still there but when I started to play I was horrified to discover that my saved game files where also deleted or where missing!

I was about to lose my mind when I realized that maybe if I restarted it it might fix itself or something. And thank goodness it did just that. So my computer is safe for now from being turned into scrap metal.

So be good computer! You don't want to be hurt!