Cutty

For the crazy week that passed, I deserve this... eto na.... Yum!

Even though I don't have work to keep me on a schedule, I was on-the-go almost everyday of last week. There were lots of commitments concerning the THREE Festival and the joint celebration of last Saturday. Here are the highlights of the week: Johann's school party. We were supposed to celebrate with his classmates on the day before his birthday. However, he got sick. So, I cancelled my arrangements and moved the celebration to the following school day. Last Monday, I brought homemade cupcakes (Martha Stewart's choco chip cupcake with chocolate ganache ) and pancakes for the class' recess. I failed to document the simple celebration because I forgot to bring a camera with me. Apparently, there was one waiting for me in the backseat. Darn! Gram's Diner. I tried it and I wasn't disappointed. The whopper malt and the philly cheese steak were very good. I think I'll try it out with Vic next time we're in the area. Parallel parking. I rarely pa...

I haven't gone to the bank in a long time because of online banking. As I walked into the branch I used to frequent, I was surprised by the new layout. There were no lines, just chairs in front of the counters. There were no withdrawal nor deposit slips. I was shown to the back where there are Customer Transaction Assist machines. At first, I thought they were the newly released ATMs, that's why the ATMs by the door are offline. These new machines, apparently, manages the queue and comes up with the transaction slip. All a client has to do is touch the screen. A slip would come out indicating the kind of transaction and the amount necessary to complete the transaction. Preferred clients need not worry because there is still a separate queue for them. I appreciate this innovation. It will create a new trend in the banking industry. There'll be no singitan. There is no need for a pen. In addition to that, less paper will be consumed or wasted. Maganda siya. Nak...

The month is just half-way through and it has been quite eventful. There were just too many requirements to submit for Johann's school, for the DFA appointment and for the franchise application. We also attended our first orientation as parents of a preschooler on the first weekend. Today, we celebrated Johann's birthday. I didn't want to make a big deal out of this celebration since the big one is coming next week. I got lechon manok, liempo and a cheap-o cake (see image below) to share with the people here at home. I can tell that Johann liked blowing his candle. He's been trying to hide his smile. Naco-conscious na ang bata. I think I'll make it a point to have a cake and a candle-blowing ceremony every birthday to make the kids feel that we're still celebrating their big day. A few days before Johann's birthday was Johann's first day in preschool. He was well-behaved during the first hour, helping the teaching aide pack-away toys and books. ...

Besides being declared as a special non-working holiday, it is much awaited because of this

So, what did we learn from our day at the DFA? 1. If you are bringing a kid, bring a stroller with you. It beats having to carry the kid during the whole wait. It will also help you restrain and control your kid in the midst of all the chaos. 2. Bring water and snacks. Technically, it is not permitted to eat inside the waiting area. But, if you are about to pass out because of hunger and exhaustion, I'm sure it is okay. It is also best to practice discretion. Don't bring rice and ulam. 3. Bring a book or a gadget with you. It will help you pass the time. 4. Bring a fan. Sometimes the temp inside the waiting area goes up because of the number of volume of applicants. 5. If you are bringing a kid with you, don't forget his toy. 6. Be patient. I know it is easier said than done. Your bad disposition won't speed up the process. 7. Try to get an appointment in the morning. About half of the volume in the afternoon is due to the morning's backlog. 8. Check if you may a...

To start off the whole experience, I give you this... from 12:30PM to 5:30PM on a gloomy and humid Thursday afternoon. I hope you get the idea. ----------------- I waited two months to get that appointment schedule. I didn't know what to expect. I refrained from reading personal accounts of people who applied and renewed their passports using the new system. Seeing that the waiting area is filled to the brim is quite a depressing start for us. We queued outside the official waiting area as we waited for the place to be less crowded. Since it was already Javi's nap time, he was getting groggy in his stroller. Salamat naman he didn't throw a tantrum. By the time we entered, he was already fast asleep. He didn't fuss over the heat also. Good kid. Once we're allowed to enter, we were given a number. Looking at the number we got, we're up for a loooooong wait. 150 pa before us. It's a good thing that they didn't give us separate numbers for ren...

I am not really a fan of the iPhone. But after seeing the latest version, iPhone4 , I just MAY become a convert. Ang ganda niya! I don't know which one I like better, the black one or the silver.

...is what I am these days. There are so many things to do and so many things to prepare for. BUT, here I am, doing none of those. I am in the middle preparing for Bettina's baptism. I already submitted the church requirements so the date is already blocked off. I haven't decided on the caterer and whether I should get an inflatable bouncer. I am waiting to see if it will rain on the day of the baptism. We have yet to book a photographer, order cakes, prepare gifts for the godparents and buy Bettina's baptismal outfit. Did I mention that Johann will be celebrating his 3rd birthday on the day of Bettina's baptism? Apart from that, I have to prepare my resume. It's needed for a franchise we are planning to acquire. I don't know where and how to begin since it has been four years since I held a job. This entails serious brainstorming and reminiscing because I no longer remember what I did for what. I hope I finish this soon. I am up for a panel interview ...