Christmas Shopping

I am almost complete with my Christmas gift shopping. Only 4-5 more gifts to go. I also shipped a gift to my godchild’s mom already hehe. The other gifts will be shipped this weekend maybe. I am almost complete with cash envelope for family as well. I just need to breakdown the bills and I’m all set. :D

I’ll start gift wrapping by tomorrow. I’m targeting to complete it by this weekend.

What's with my name today?

We had a con call last night and the clients kept on mentioning my name. I don’t get it. In less than 1.5 hours, they addressed me 19 times! Yes, we’ve tallied it. If we had the tally at the start of the call, it may have reached to around 30. That’s in less than 2 hours. Whew. When do they do that? Whenever they discuss their process, they need me to validate it. Duh! Since when did I take on the role of validating their processes? Amp. It became our entertainment though. We were on mute mode whenever it was not our turn to speak because we can’t help but laugh and anticipate the next minute when my name would be mentioned hahaha. But it was my first time to be mentioned that much in a call. Gah!

* Image from here.

Payday Saya!

November 30 payroll and 13th month pay are in! Yippee! I’m excited to do my budget later already. Umm, most of it will go to project 1. Not sure if I can still allocate for project 2 but hopefully I can :D. Not much on shopping but it’s ok.

Checklist Checklist Checklist!

Yay! How long will this go?

• Complete Christmas list - people and gifts
• Budget month end salary
• Shop for gifts
• Put up cutie little Christmas tree
• Clean the house - check unused stuff, decide what to do with it :p
• Familiarize Belletoday
• Research freight rates
• Pack stuff to send home to Baguio
• Facial, hair treatment
• Go to seamstress for alteration of some clothes
• Buy books for donation

I have to create my project plan for all the things I need to accomplish haha.

* Image from here.

Plates

I have been seeing a lot of square-shaped plates lately and I find them cute. Now I'm contemplating on buying a set for me hehe. Hmmm. Magkano kaya? Gastos again hehe.

Weekend Trip

A friend invited us to their new home in Pampanga so off we went last weekend.

 

Highlights:

• Only 3 of us were able to go :(. Other ICOF were not there. I guess we all have our own lives now. Anyway, there will still be other times.
• My godson is already so big. Pero mukhang kasya pa naman nabili kong gift sa kanya hehehe.
• J’s new place is awesome. It’s just near SCTEX so the trip from Manila is in less than 2 hours if there's no traffic. They transferred to Xevera Subdivision, a new subdivision that opened I think just last year.
• The subdivision offers free Elementary and High school. Gosh, how cool is that?
• They only have duplex (nga ba tawag don? Basta yung dikit dikit) but they are strict in terms of personalizing the house. They have standards which they strictly implement. 
• The owner of the subdivision donated a municipal hall building for the town. Yes, building. Nagsusumigaw na color blue. Lucky for those people working there.
• Tricycles inside the subdivision are not allowed. They do have roaming multicab for those who leave far from the entrance.
• The subdivision has their own wet and dry market. There are also other business establishments already.
• I wish I have more than enough money to invest there. It’s selling like hotcakes. I really want to. Hmm. Thinking…thinking…thinking.
• We also went to Clark for window shopping…err actual shopping hehehe. Nah, I did not buy the whole place. But their Puregold is amazing. My gulay. Maloloka siguro nanay ko pag dinala ko sya don hehehe. Papatok kaya yung mga tinda nilang sangkatutak na sabon sa amin sa Baguio? Hmm. Matry nga. I just bought some a few items to be sent home. Magugulat siguro nanay ko at magtatanong kung san ko pinagbibili yung mga usual stuff na narereceive lang naming sa once in a blue moon package ng mga kamag-anak hehe.
• I attempted to look for gifts for my godchildren but wasn’t able to look for items appropriate for their ages. The aren’t babies anymore! And most that I see are for toddlers. Amp.
• Oh, I was able to buy a graphif headband from Nike for half the price. Nice. And there's the Nike Zoom running shoes for half the price as well. I was so tempted to buy it but decided againts it in the end hehehe. Priorities, priorities, prioritites. :p
• My friend and his wife also brought us to a store of lighting fixtures. Isa pang my gulay. Gah! Can’t wait to shop for my own lingting fixtures. Sobrang mura. Or baka dahil 50% off nung pumunta kami kanina. Pero sobrang mura pa rin.
• Because of this visit, my already confused mind got more confused about the interior decorations of my future place. Gah! It sure is a lot of work!

'Til the next adventure.

Christmas List

It’s 40 days ‘til Christmas. Have you started with your shopping yet?

I was able to buy for one godson last weekend hehehe. So yes, I’ve already started it and I want to complete it by the end of this month, hopefully. I already have my list of people to give gifts to. I just need to identify what gifts to give them. This is actually mostly for officemates and godchildren. I have allotted a budget for each one. For the item I bought last week, it was actually over my budget but I allotted an extra moolah so it went there already. Therefore, I have to stick to it or if possible lower, for the other gift items. I actually need to ship 1 gift pa so sticking to the budget is really a must. I’m looking forward to all that shopping though hehehe.

For immediate and extended family, I’m giving them money. It’s not because I don’t want to make an effort but it’s what’s more practical for my family actually.

Right now, I’m contemplating whether to buy myself a bed in Baguio or not. My brother and sisters ditched my old, dilapidated, home-made bed months ago (or was that even last year?) and I have been sleeping on the floor with just the mattress since then. But then again, I don’t have the budget for it yet. Olats. But we’ll see.

*Pic from here.*

Tipid Mode

I have been on tipid mode since last week because of several reasons.

• For the completion of my first project as I really wanted to start with project 2 already.
• While there’s still project 1, I’m planning to start saving up for project 2 already even if it’s just for a small amount per month.
• Christmas is just around the corner and I have not completed my Christmas budget yet, plus there are additional people to give gifts to hehe.
• We are going to HK next year and I really want to splurge on shopping when we get there. I learned that July is also their sale season so I want to get ready for that wahahaha.
• I want to get an insurance and I want to start in January 2010. Since almost all of my salary, including my bonus and conversions come year end is budgeted for project 1, I have to cut cost on other things so that I’ll have budget for this. The monthly contribution is cheap, cheaper than my expense in a “splurge mode” gimik actually hehehe. So if I can spend on gimiks, I might as well spend some for my futre (or my beneficiary’s) as well. :)
• I am working for almost a decade now but still not financially stable. I want to start working on investments already.

It’s a rather long list hehehe. Hay.

I have been vocal about this to some of my teammates. One is asking me to teach him wahahaha. I can’t at this point. I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to do it. BUT, I’m still trying hehehe.

So how was it so far? Great! Hehehe. I was able to save a few bucks to add to my Christmas budget. 100 bucks to go and I’m complete with the budget for gifts for others. It’s still hard though, especially now that it’s the season to spend and it’s hard to resist the malls hehehe.

The good thing about it is that, every cent (not just peso :p) counts now and before I spend on something, even on food, I really need to think about it first. So now, I’m avoiding all the fastfood chains. I did my grocery shopping for food last weekend and until now those are what I have been eating. And since I’m on tipid mode, I need to stick to what are only essential, therefore no junkfoods for me. Good for my wallet, good for my health as I’m really missing my bones. :p

Another good thing about this is that I went back to listing down my daily expenses, which I stopped doing months ago. It helps because through the list, I’m able to see whether I’m overspending, spending on unnecessary things or on the right track. :)

Wish me luck. I will make this happen in the most reasonable way of course.

*Pic from here.*

The Search Is Over for a TV Rack :)

It’s been more than a month now since I have been looking for a TV rack. The old TV rack said goodbye a few days after Typhoon Ondoy when it was subjected to flood water. I’ve searched for different malls several times to no avail. It’s either the racks that I see are too big for my little space or not my color preference. I saw one that can pass at Puregold E. Rodriguez but I did not like it very much so I did not buy it yet. When I went there last weekend, I saw another model but it was already the last piece and it has scratches so it was a no no for me. I was informed though that stocks are coming last Thursday so I opted to just wait a little longer.

So this evening, I paid a visit to Puregold again hoping that this time, I’ll be able to buy one already. It must be my lucky day since they have the model I like but it was already the last piece. Gah! However, it’s still in excellent condition so I bought it right away. It’s for delivery on Monday. Hopefully, I won’t have problems with that. So there, new rack for my newly cable connected TV hehehe.

Patience is really a virtue. :)

Btw, Puregold was also on sale so I bought a set of curtains and some pillow cases. Blue this time hehehe. I was torn whether to buy a Christmas themed throw pillow cover or not. The “tipid mode” me is telling me not to because I’ll only be using it during December but the “gastador” me is pushing me to buy. End result? I did not buy hehehe. I need to think about it further.

So Fast

It took less than two hours to inquire and have the cable connected at my place. Yes, that fast hehehe.

Some background. I applied for cable installation last August and they were supposed to have it installed a few days after my application. Come the supposed date of installation, which happens to be a weekday btw, it did not push through because I was already out of the house when the technicians came. I waited for them until late afternoon. It turned out they came maybe an hour after I left and since I was not around already, they informed the neighbor that they’ll just call me. But then I didn’t receive any call. Last October, I followed it up and they gave me another schedule. This time, I took a leave from work to ensure that I’ll be at home when they come. This time, they came but said they can’t find my address. I was so pissed off because I was only informed late afternoon when I texted the contact person to follow up. With cellphones now, I don’t think it wouldn’t hurt if their technicians are issued company phones to contact their clients. That easy. Gush, poor customer service! Sayang. I really wanted that cable company pa naman sana even if it’s more expensive. I’ve even requested for additional channels with corresponding additional fees. Hay.

Anyway, so last week, I asked my landlady regarding their cable company. I’ve also mentioned that I’m planning to get one. When I woke up this morning, I saw a flier by my window. It came from my landlady, I learned later on. I tried texting the number for inquiry. They just got my name and address and in less than 30 minutes, they were already at my place. In another 30 minutes or so, I became an official cable subscriber. Yippe!

Now, I’m reacquainting myself with the programs of the different channels. I’m thankful that at least there’s still something to watch on TV on days that I get home in the wee hours of the morning hehehe. And also, there’s another thing to do aside from FB. :p

My cable provider? It’s Global Destiny. Damage: Php 500 per month.

*Pic from here.*

Prices not yet stable

I dropped by the supermarket last Saturday for some stuff and I was surprised by the prices of vegetables. Cabbage alone was at around Php150/kilo. Gah! Tsk tsk. Prices had as high as 300% increase when Typhoon Pepeng hit Northern Luzon thereby Baguio and Benguet (where the main sources of vegetables are) became isolated because all major roads going to the place were closed. But maybe, even now that major roads are already open, vegetables are still quite expensive due to scarcity as most, if not all plants were damaged during the typhoon. So, there goes my craving for green leafy vegetables. I miss home and sayote.

I believe the government issued a prize freeze a few weeks ago so that business establishments won’t take advantage of the situation and implement unreasonable increase in their goods. But even though, it was on the news tonight that pork and chicken prices have increased. I hope the government does something about it and I hope the businessmen won’t abuse as well. I understand their need as they also need to make sure that they don’t incur loss otherwise they’ll go bankcrupt but I hope they don’t exaggerate it.

KFC!

I love KFC chicken! Both original and hot and crispy. Yum! So you could just imagine how excited I was when, during blog hopping, I chanced upon a blog that has the recipe ala KFC. :D Weee! Errr…one problem though. I’m not a good cook. Wait, that’s an understatement. I don’t know how to cook – as in really cook – at all – even the most basic Pinoy recipes ahihi. But I want to try this still, perhaps this weekend. :)

Here’s the link: http://pinoyfoodblog.com/recipes/kentucky-style-fried-chicken/#more-158

Thanks to the blog’s author for sharing the recipe.

This Is It

Yes, MJ’s “This Is It”. If you haven’t seen it yet, go watch it in the big screen and have a glimpse of how MJ is during rehersals. He’s very professional, really very hands-on, perfectionist and humble. MJ is one great performer, he uses his whole body. Man, the moves! There’s no one else like him.

The entire crew of his supposed London concert is very lucky to have worked with him. Imagine being coached of dance steps by MJ himself. I would say it really was a priviledge.

One thing that struck me was when he said this to the crew: “You are all very talented. Continue giving your all”. What a way to inspire people.

MJ, your music will live forever.

Baguio Gimik

After accompanying my mom to do the grocery last Sat., I texted my childhood friend if she was in town and if she would like to meet up. Fortunately, she said yes.

I had to wait for her though because she’s still in school for her tutor class, which was ok as I also needed to do some work stuff. I went to Cordillera Coffe, located in SM Baguio. The main reason I chose this place was because of their free WIFI but of course they also serve good stuff – from coffee to cakes to pasta to rice meals. My friend arrived at around 6 PM. We had a little chit chat over a cope of coffee and a slice of cake.

Not wanting to go home yet at around 8:30 PM and feeling the urge to sing, we went to look for a Videoke hehehe. Unfortunately, the one in SM is already closed and we did not know of any other place that has videoke. Darn! The next time I’m there, I should already know of a place. I know there’s one…there should be! Hehehe.

We then decided to go to Le Fondue, located at the 4th Floor La Azotea Bldg. along Session Road. It’s a small resto-bar with live music, mostly folk. There were around 2-3 singers that night who took turns. There are some tables on the small balcony overlooking Session Road. That’s where we took our seats. San Miguel is around Php35-40 while cocktails at Php55-120. I’m not sure of the exact prices. If you want to just chill and have a quiet conversation while enjoying the gentle evening breeze, then this place is ok.

Next stop is at Ayuyang. Sounds familiar? Yes, for those of you who’ve watched Piolo and Juday’s movie, Don’t Give Up On Us, this is the bar where Piolo was working. All along I thought it was further away from the city but I was surprised to learn that it’s just at Upper Session Road, where the old Victory Liner terminal was wahahaha. It was the opposite of le Fondoue. There were different bands, all of them into rock music, very opposite of what’s depicted in the movie ehehe. We can’t talk, and the rare times we attempted, we had to shout hehehe. The place is ok though and the crowd is still pleasant. But based on my observation though, they invite different bands each night so maybe some nights have different music as well.

We called it a night at around 11 PM.

So there, happy holloween! :D

Until my next tour in my hometown hehehe.

Home sweet home

I went home last weekend as it is a long weekend and a holiday as well. It’s All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day. This is one holiday where my family usually prepares to remember our departed family members. Sometimes, it’s just us, the immediate family and our neighbor. But most of the times, relatives (especially from my mom’s side) opt to just come to our home for the event. So last week, I wasn’t surprised when an uncle texted me asking me where I’ll be on Nov. 1. When I said I was going home, he told me that they’ll be coming to our home that day so we’ll just see each other then.

When I got home last Sat., my brother was busy preparing and I can’t force him to accompany my mom for the grocery. My sister who was supposed to accompany her was not available all of a sudden. Left with no choice, I volunteered so an hour after I arrived, we went to town again, with me almost without sleep and straight from my trip. I realized I was dead tired and hungry when we were already at ths supermarket I can barely push the cart haha. Most of the time, I just stayed in the aisle and wait for my mom to just drop the stuff there hehehe. I asked her to make it a little faster so that we can grab some brunch, which she did. After that, we went to one of the restos to grab a bite. I ordered coffee first and that did the trick. I was revived hehehe. We finished everything in 4 hours. We had to wait for my uncle who will be servicing the groceries home though as we texted him late.

On Nov. 1, it was only when I realized most of my uncles and aunts and their families came. Usually, the lighting of the candle and of course, the prayers – both Catholic and traditional way are solemn. Other than that, everyone’s making a happy noise hehehe. My cousins are all grown up now and can already relate to the older ones. I even saw one of my cousins took a shot of vodka wahaha. I don’t know if it’s legal though. And he’s studying in SLU – my alma mater, taking up BS IT, just like my course. Would it be that I have influenced him? I’m not sure.

My teenager cousins were asking me for a treat (aka gimik) that day but I did not feel like going out and besides, I didn’t have the budget so I just promised them a treat in December. Another bonding moment for us. It will be a dent on my wallet though hehehe. But then again, I’m happy and so are they so it’s ok. :)

Panic Booking?

Last Friday, I received an email from a friend about Cebu Pacific’s domestic and international seat sale. She was also asking me if I wanted to join them in their Japan trip. Because the fare is so cheap (only Php 1651 round trip), I said yes right away :D.

While waiting for news for my friend, I also tried booking for other destinations. When I checked on HK, it’s less than Php 1300 for a round trip ticket. I immediately texted another set of my friends to ask if they’re interested. Ayun, pumayag sila :D. So I started booking hahhaha. Bahala na kung alin sa 2 ang matuloy. The website was really slow. I guess a lot were trying their luck hehehe. As for me, I only have 30 minutes to do that since by hook or by crook, I need to leave at 12MN for my 1 AM trip to Baguio. So I tried and waited and waited. I encountered errors along the way so I had to restart several times. On my Nth attempt, it went through until payment section. But on the confirmation page, I got an error message. Damn! I can’t repeat it anymore since I might double my booking. And then before I can do that, I have to check with my credit card company if I was charged for the previous one. So there, I immediately accepted that it was not meant to be hay. Haha.

Before finally shutting down, I gave a final check to all of my emails. And what do I get?! A confirmation from Cebu Pacific! Woohooo! Apparently, my booking went through after all ahihi.

Now, we need to work on our IT. And I need to do a lot of saving up because I want to do some shopping there :D. Good luck to my wallet :D.

And oh, btw, my friend’s friend wasn’t able to book for Japan. We’ll see about that in the next promos though hehe.