October 8, 8pm Chicago; October 9, 9am Manila
The mind is willing but the body is weak. I really do want to blog about my day today, my first day at the office, my impression of the organic market/grocery store, my impression of the burr ridge area and all that stuff. But even if I want to, my body is screaming that i go to bed and rest. I still have a lot of sleep to catch up on. Hopefully, my body clock will be in tuned to chicago time by tomorrow.
Maybe i will have more time tomorrow… maybe
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Monday, October 08, 2007
A new adventure
October 7, 9:45 pm Chicago; October 8, 10:45am Manila
This is not my first time to travel alone, but this is my first time to travel to a new place where i dont know anyone. This is my first real adventure and my first time to be truly independent. For someone who has no sense of direction, this will not be easy. (Atchie, i’m sure you are agreeing to this. hehehe)
First things first, after shaking off jet lag, I will have to explore the area around the hotel. I saw a farmer’s market and a subway store nearby. I think it is within walking distance. Good thing that the walk from the MRT station to the FX station / office has given me training. hehehe
Second, I will have to ask the hotel front desk for help and directions on how to go to a bus stop, an MRT / Train station and how to go downtown. Since this hotel is located in the suburbs, i need to find a way how to go to some public transport system. Buses and trains in this place run on schedules, unlike in the Philippines where a tricycle or a jeepney is just around the corner. Although I do have a lot to complain about how public transport is run in P.I., I do miss and appreciate how they are very accessible to the public. No waiting, and sometimes, they even drop you off right in front of your gate. hehehe.
Third: I need to come up with an itineray on things to do on weekends. Although i have a high level idea on what to do and what to visit, i need to get details on what museums to visit, how much would it cost to take a tour of the city and the likes. I would also want to see a play or two and try out the local cuisine (the hotdog and pizza). hehehe. This is first on my list with shopping being the last priority. I might do some shopping in November or December. I am hoping that they will have some off-season sale racks. Hey, i don’t need the fall/winter clothes, what i need are the spring / summer line that would be really useful in Manila.
—————————-
I spent the whole day in bed. I only got up to do some reports and sent out emails for a couple of hours but went back to bed around 12nn. Woke up around 5:45 pm, just in time for bukah and magrib prayer.
After a much needed bath (to wake my body up some more), I went for a walk and got some much needed necessities. a bottle of coke, a box of juice, a bottle of water, bread and a pack of chips ahoy. I also had a subway sandwich for dinner. I think i need to go back and get another bottle of water tomorrow. hehehe. Mauubos ko itong 1liter bottle tonight. Yung chocolates, since marami pa akong chocolates, next week n lang ako bibili.
Since i went out pass 6pm, I was not able to get some picture of the pumpkins and the area. I guess i will have next weekend to do it. The only down side of traveling alone is that you dont have someone to take your picture.
This is not my first time to travel alone, but this is my first time to travel to a new place where i dont know anyone. This is my first real adventure and my first time to be truly independent. For someone who has no sense of direction, this will not be easy. (Atchie, i’m sure you are agreeing to this. hehehe)
First things first, after shaking off jet lag, I will have to explore the area around the hotel. I saw a farmer’s market and a subway store nearby. I think it is within walking distance. Good thing that the walk from the MRT station to the FX station / office has given me training. hehehe
Second, I will have to ask the hotel front desk for help and directions on how to go to a bus stop, an MRT / Train station and how to go downtown. Since this hotel is located in the suburbs, i need to find a way how to go to some public transport system. Buses and trains in this place run on schedules, unlike in the Philippines where a tricycle or a jeepney is just around the corner. Although I do have a lot to complain about how public transport is run in P.I., I do miss and appreciate how they are very accessible to the public. No waiting, and sometimes, they even drop you off right in front of your gate. hehehe.
Third: I need to come up with an itineray on things to do on weekends. Although i have a high level idea on what to do and what to visit, i need to get details on what museums to visit, how much would it cost to take a tour of the city and the likes. I would also want to see a play or two and try out the local cuisine (the hotdog and pizza). hehehe. This is first on my list with shopping being the last priority. I might do some shopping in November or December. I am hoping that they will have some off-season sale racks. Hey, i don’t need the fall/winter clothes, what i need are the spring / summer line that would be really useful in Manila.
—————————-
I spent the whole day in bed. I only got up to do some reports and sent out emails for a couple of hours but went back to bed around 12nn. Woke up around 5:45 pm, just in time for bukah and magrib prayer.
After a much needed bath (to wake my body up some more), I went for a walk and got some much needed necessities. a bottle of coke, a box of juice, a bottle of water, bread and a pack of chips ahoy. I also had a subway sandwich for dinner. I think i need to go back and get another bottle of water tomorrow. hehehe. Mauubos ko itong 1liter bottle tonight. Yung chocolates, since marami pa akong chocolates, next week n lang ako bibili.
Since i went out pass 6pm, I was not able to get some picture of the pumpkins and the area. I guess i will have next weekend to do it. The only down side of traveling alone is that you dont have someone to take your picture.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Sleepless in Illinois
Oct 7, 2007; 12:45am Chicago time, 1:45pm Manila time.
Although the mind (and my tired body) knows that i really need to get some much needed rest and sleep, my body clock is contradicting them. I arrived at 2pm in Chicago after a very, very long and tiring trip from Manila. It is true that i gained a day but why does it seem that the hours gained are not enough?
I still need to familiarize myself with the area, find the nearest public transport system going to Chicago from Burr Ridge, find a grocery store, and a fast food chain within walking distance of my hotel (which seems to be located right in the middle of nowhere.) I also need to send out emails and reports by 5pm manila time. Which would very well could mean that my Sunday will be spent in the hotel room. tsk tsk… given these tasks and deadlines, coupled with a lack of sleep, i just hope that my body won’t give up on me.
Anyways, the place i am staying is ok. Although it lacks some amenities i am familiar with in Manila hotels (ref and microwave), it has free internet access and big fluffly pillows!
I just love the bed and pillows. I am booked in a room with a king sized bed and i have 6 super soft and fluffy pillows. Heaven… (although i only have a couple of hours sleep so far. hehehe). I intend to get the most out of this bed. Too bad, i dont have anyone to share the bed with. bwhahaha
So while i wait for sleep to come, i might as well check my emails, blog, and make the reports. I might just finish all the work in 2 hours and get the rest i need after.
Although the mind (and my tired body) knows that i really need to get some much needed rest and sleep, my body clock is contradicting them. I arrived at 2pm in Chicago after a very, very long and tiring trip from Manila. It is true that i gained a day but why does it seem that the hours gained are not enough?
I still need to familiarize myself with the area, find the nearest public transport system going to Chicago from Burr Ridge, find a grocery store, and a fast food chain within walking distance of my hotel (which seems to be located right in the middle of nowhere.) I also need to send out emails and reports by 5pm manila time. Which would very well could mean that my Sunday will be spent in the hotel room. tsk tsk… given these tasks and deadlines, coupled with a lack of sleep, i just hope that my body won’t give up on me.
Anyways, the place i am staying is ok. Although it lacks some amenities i am familiar with in Manila hotels (ref and microwave), it has free internet access and big fluffly pillows!
I just love the bed and pillows. I am booked in a room with a king sized bed and i have 6 super soft and fluffy pillows. Heaven… (although i only have a couple of hours sleep so far. hehehe). I intend to get the most out of this bed. Too bad, i dont have anyone to share the bed with. bwhahaha
So while i wait for sleep to come, i might as well check my emails, blog, and make the reports. I might just finish all the work in 2 hours and get the rest i need after.
hoping to make a comeback
It has been ages since i last blogged. I hope that i can make a comeback real soon
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Saturday, December 30, 2006
family night = game night
So far, every night spent in zamboanga this vacation is alloted for family night... which means, every night is game night. :)
Board games such as life, monopoly, uno are top picks. If we are too lazy to set up or play, nights are reserved for story telling. hehehehe
How I wish life is as simple as this all the time.
Board games such as life, monopoly, uno are top picks. If we are too lazy to set up or play, nights are reserved for story telling. hehehehe
How I wish life is as simple as this all the time.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Thanks 2006
The count down officially starts today, December 23! In a few days, we will be saying good bye and thank you to 2006 and welcome to 2007.
2006 can be considered my breakthrough year. It is the year when i said good bye to old friends, and to the "relaxed" office atmosphere. It is the year when i tackled new challenges, made new friends, found some kindred spirits and pushed myself more.
2006 is the year when i said "it's time to get out of my comfort zone!" A time when i took on more challenges, applied myself more and started to give myself a pat on the back. It is the year when i rewarded myself with shoes, and that trip abroad with friends.
What do i have to look forward for in 2007?
2006 can be considered my breakthrough year. It is the year when i said good bye to old friends, and to the "relaxed" office atmosphere. It is the year when i tackled new challenges, made new friends, found some kindred spirits and pushed myself more.
2006 is the year when i said "it's time to get out of my comfort zone!" A time when i took on more challenges, applied myself more and started to give myself a pat on the back. It is the year when i rewarded myself with shoes, and that trip abroad with friends.
What do i have to look forward for in 2007?
- A planned visit to Canada and the US. (i really do have to take care of the visa requirements soon).
- The turnover of our (aka the 3 marias) unit in pioneer.
- My sister's wedding
- A family vacation to Hong Kong
- A great family reunion
- A better life, career and love
- Knowing myself and my religion better
- Challenging myself more
- A diamond ring (?) -- kung walang mag bibigay, eh di bibili ako ng sarili kong ring! bwhahahaha.
- More shoes!
tired but happy
Never again! Never again will i attempt to travel just a couple of days before Christmas. Never again will i arrive in the airport with just over an hour to spare before boarding. Never again will i take the early morning flight going home. Never again!!!!
Famous last words?? Well, yes!
Today has been toxic for me. Imagine starting the day with stress level so high you could snap at anytime.
My flight home is scheduled December 23, 530am. Which means that i need to be checked in 45 minutes before the flight (445am). Well, being me, i arrived at centennial airport at 410am with lines so long, that it would take at least 30 minutes to go through the first luggage check. Stupid me, forgetting my first rule of thumb... never fly 2 days before Christmas!
At around 430am, i was still no where near the entrance and started to panic... so i have to work my (ehem) "charms" and ask the guard if there was an express lane for passengers whose flights were leaving in less than an hour.
He pointed me to the guard near the entrance and told me to tell him that my flight was leaving at 5! Cut the line, he said... hmmm... pwede rin! bwhahaha. Good thing that the airport personnel were calling out for passengers whose flight are leaving in less than an hour or i would really would follow the advice of cutting in line. :)
Good thing that i had no check-in baggage (all i have is one knapsack) that i breezed through airport security (just 1 item to check and xray) and check in. As luck would have it, i was able to get the seat that i wanted - a window seat a seat away from the rear exit. :) and the first to board the plane. Looks like lady luck was smiling at me today!
Or was she? :)
Although we were able to board on time, the flight was a few minutes delayed due to the volume of luggage. I mean, hello, we have to wait for at least 10 or 15 minutes para lang matapos ang pag load ng bagahe! tsk tsk. Buti na lang at hand carried item lang ang dala ko... no more need to wait for the bags! bwhahahaha.
********
Since first day in the province today, dapat make the most out of the vacation.
Upon arrival (ETA 730am), i proceed home to drop off my bag, change into beach wear and then head for the beach immediately! Oks lang even if i only had 3 or 4 hours of sleep, i could make up for it tonight. I can hear my name being called by the waters of the south. :)
Famous last words?? Well, yes!
Today has been toxic for me. Imagine starting the day with stress level so high you could snap at anytime.
My flight home is scheduled December 23, 530am. Which means that i need to be checked in 45 minutes before the flight (445am). Well, being me, i arrived at centennial airport at 410am with lines so long, that it would take at least 30 minutes to go through the first luggage check. Stupid me, forgetting my first rule of thumb... never fly 2 days before Christmas!
At around 430am, i was still no where near the entrance and started to panic... so i have to work my (ehem) "charms" and ask the guard if there was an express lane for passengers whose flights were leaving in less than an hour.
He pointed me to the guard near the entrance and told me to tell him that my flight was leaving at 5! Cut the line, he said... hmmm... pwede rin! bwhahaha. Good thing that the airport personnel were calling out for passengers whose flight are leaving in less than an hour or i would really would follow the advice of cutting in line. :)
Good thing that i had no check-in baggage (all i have is one knapsack) that i breezed through airport security (just 1 item to check and xray) and check in. As luck would have it, i was able to get the seat that i wanted - a window seat a seat away from the rear exit. :) and the first to board the plane. Looks like lady luck was smiling at me today!
Or was she? :)
Although we were able to board on time, the flight was a few minutes delayed due to the volume of luggage. I mean, hello, we have to wait for at least 10 or 15 minutes para lang matapos ang pag load ng bagahe! tsk tsk. Buti na lang at hand carried item lang ang dala ko... no more need to wait for the bags! bwhahahaha.
********
Since first day in the province today, dapat make the most out of the vacation.
Upon arrival (ETA 730am), i proceed home to drop off my bag, change into beach wear and then head for the beach immediately! Oks lang even if i only had 3 or 4 hours of sleep, i could make up for it tonight. I can hear my name being called by the waters of the south. :)
happy holidays
I admit, i have been a bad, bad girl this year... i have been negligent on my duties to post my thoughts, to update my blog and to continually check on what is happening in this side of the world. But even then, i hope santa would bring me a gift. :)
Happy holidays!
Happy holidays!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
BOO PLDT! BOOO!!!!
I hate the PLDT service!
Last June, our PLDT phone line went dead. So naturally i called up the "customer service" hot-line of the company to complain and ask if there was any problem with the line. The one who answered the phone told me that there was no advice from the "technical people" about any trouble but would send out a team to our house to fix the problem. Expect DAW the team to arrive within the next 48 hours.
After a week, still no dial tone and still no technical support team to check on the problem. So i called them again. This time, their answer was the problem was caused by cable / copper wires being stolen in our area and that it would take a while for them to fix the problem.
Naturally, I told them that I will NOT PAY for the time of NO SERVICE (ie no dial tone). All they could tell me was: "Cge po ma'am, pag may dial tone na, itawag ninyo sa number na ito at bibigyan kayo ng rebate". ... That was what i wanted to hear, that i will NOT be billed for the period when there was no service. CLOSED BOOK... or Is it?
After more than 3 weeks of no dial tone, I finally got a dial tone, so i then called the PLDT hot-line to report that I now have a dial tone and that they should start processing the rebate. I got irritated when I got this answer "Sorry po ma'am di pa namin ma close yung ticket kc di pa tumatawag ang technical team to say na ok ang line ninyo"... WHAT??? I was using the line to tell them that it was already fixed, but they said its not? ano ba yan????
SO anyway, i called back in a couple of days to find out if the rebate has already been process... Still i got the same answer: "we cannot process the rebate until technical tells us its ok". After several attempts, i finally got the answer i wanted... REBATE under process.
Imagine my anger when i got a billing (last August) for the period that there was no dial tone. So AGAIN I called up the "customer service" line and got a confirmation that indeed there was a rebate and that i should wait for my next billing since it will be reflected there.
So what i did was just pay for the period (july) where there is a dial tone and NOT for the privious month's (june) billing thinking that the rebate will be given in september. Well, i was wrong. Not only was i billed again for the june period, but i was given a disconnection notice on top of the billing for august.
Hay naku ano ba yan! Padisconnect ko n lang kaya? All i really wanted with PLDT was that 10 php per call thing to any part of the Philippines. Parang gusto ko na igive up yung service na yun.
Bayantel has better service. I should know, also subscribe to it. It offers a quick turn around on issues (a 48 hour guaranteed service); an immediate rebate and lower international call. Besides, i dont think i need 2 lines. We only got the second line (PLDT) just in case calls cant get through the primary number (Bayantel) for reasons such as : telebabad, or when the bayantel line goes dead during typhoons. Since these reasons are no longer applicable due to celphones, texts, and better bayantel service, I might just give up the PLDT line.
The only thing stopping me from disconnecting it is that the line is under my sister's name. And only she could request for the discontinuation of service. Somehow, after several months, we still have the PLDT line as she is busy with work and other stuff.
Meanwhile, all i could do is rant and AGAIN call the service line to complain. BOO PLDT!
Last June, our PLDT phone line went dead. So naturally i called up the "customer service" hot-line of the company to complain and ask if there was any problem with the line. The one who answered the phone told me that there was no advice from the "technical people" about any trouble but would send out a team to our house to fix the problem. Expect DAW the team to arrive within the next 48 hours.
After a week, still no dial tone and still no technical support team to check on the problem. So i called them again. This time, their answer was the problem was caused by cable / copper wires being stolen in our area and that it would take a while for them to fix the problem.
Naturally, I told them that I will NOT PAY for the time of NO SERVICE (ie no dial tone). All they could tell me was: "Cge po ma'am, pag may dial tone na, itawag ninyo sa number na ito at bibigyan kayo ng rebate". ... That was what i wanted to hear, that i will NOT be billed for the period when there was no service. CLOSED BOOK... or Is it?
After more than 3 weeks of no dial tone, I finally got a dial tone, so i then called the PLDT hot-line to report that I now have a dial tone and that they should start processing the rebate. I got irritated when I got this answer "Sorry po ma'am di pa namin ma close yung ticket kc di pa tumatawag ang technical team to say na ok ang line ninyo"... WHAT??? I was using the line to tell them that it was already fixed, but they said its not? ano ba yan????
SO anyway, i called back in a couple of days to find out if the rebate has already been process... Still i got the same answer: "we cannot process the rebate until technical tells us its ok". After several attempts, i finally got the answer i wanted... REBATE under process.
Imagine my anger when i got a billing (last August) for the period that there was no dial tone. So AGAIN I called up the "customer service" line and got a confirmation that indeed there was a rebate and that i should wait for my next billing since it will be reflected there.
So what i did was just pay for the period (july) where there is a dial tone and NOT for the privious month's (june) billing thinking that the rebate will be given in september. Well, i was wrong. Not only was i billed again for the june period, but i was given a disconnection notice on top of the billing for august.
Hay naku ano ba yan! Padisconnect ko n lang kaya? All i really wanted with PLDT was that 10 php per call thing to any part of the Philippines. Parang gusto ko na igive up yung service na yun.
Bayantel has better service. I should know, also subscribe to it. It offers a quick turn around on issues (a 48 hour guaranteed service); an immediate rebate and lower international call. Besides, i dont think i need 2 lines. We only got the second line (PLDT) just in case calls cant get through the primary number (Bayantel) for reasons such as : telebabad, or when the bayantel line goes dead during typhoons. Since these reasons are no longer applicable due to celphones, texts, and better bayantel service, I might just give up the PLDT line.
The only thing stopping me from disconnecting it is that the line is under my sister's name. And only she could request for the discontinuation of service. Somehow, after several months, we still have the PLDT line as she is busy with work and other stuff.
Meanwhile, all i could do is rant and AGAIN call the service line to complain. BOO PLDT!
Saturday, August 05, 2006
busy daw
Been busy with work lately that i cant seem to find time to blog... that and the fact that i was down with the flu for a week. :(
The up-side to being down with the flu was being able to watch the complete season of my favorite shows (house - season 1&2; grey's anatomy - season 1&2, CSI, and desperate housewives). Bwhahaha. The only problem i have with this is that i have to wait for the new season to start in the US... Hay, can't wait to find out what will happen to Dr. House, the doctors in grey's anatomy.
Hmmm... ano pa ba ang latest?? Ah end of season sale pala... kaya nga dapat di ako dumadaan or pumupunta sa mall. Grabe, bought 3 pairs of shoes in just a matter of days! buti na lang at mga 50 to 70% off ang mga ito. Great buys naman, kaya ok lang. Now, if only i could resist the "sale" signs. bwhahaha.
The up-side to being down with the flu was being able to watch the complete season of my favorite shows (house - season 1&2; grey's anatomy - season 1&2, CSI, and desperate housewives). Bwhahaha. The only problem i have with this is that i have to wait for the new season to start in the US... Hay, can't wait to find out what will happen to Dr. House, the doctors in grey's anatomy.
Hmmm... ano pa ba ang latest?? Ah end of season sale pala... kaya nga dapat di ako dumadaan or pumupunta sa mall. Grabe, bought 3 pairs of shoes in just a matter of days! buti na lang at mga 50 to 70% off ang mga ito. Great buys naman, kaya ok lang. Now, if only i could resist the "sale" signs. bwhahaha.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
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