I knew you were there..

(Video credits to the owner)

For the past few months I had been grieving for the loss of my mama (and still am..) while dealing with a mryiad of workload.  And now that I am halfway done, I've been spending my weekends taking a break including watching movies in the comforts of my home sweet home.  Then I came across with an article posted in Facebook that had something to do about 10 best romantic movies.  When I checked, the movie entitled, "An Affair to Remember" was not even there!  Albeit my other favorite romantic film, "The Notebook" was listed in the article but it just didn't seem right that the movie of one of my most adored actresses, Annette Bening, wasn't!  (By the way, we have the same birthday!)

I'm sure I have a copy of the original version of the movie but I don't like it as much as I do with the 1994 version.  Since I was too lazy to check my external drive and watch again the entire film, I just settled for 3-5-minute unforgettable scenes in You Tube (why don't they just post the full movie so I can watch it?!).  And mind you, I've been watching the final scene for countless times already while writing this post!

Click the video link above to see why I'm so into it right now.. ;)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

From where I'm standing right now, I could see the cars plying along Elliptical Road, Quezon City.  And I'm no longer surprised to find out that, for a few minutes, they were not moving at all. Right now, they have been moving at a baby snail's pace. ;)

And my officemates, who went downstairs, informed me that they just saw several people were already hiking. Probably they were stranded?

Indeed, christmas is in the air! :)

Looking Forward to My Magical Christmas Treat!

It's been five years since I last watched a live magical show.  It was the Wanders of PAGCOR which up to this day, I could still recall how the child in me was so mesmerized with those amazing acrobatics being executed by the international and local performers alike.  If given the chance, I would want to watch it all over again.  But then, it is no longer possible.  Wanders had wandered off somewhere. :(

Well, here's the good news!  The internationally-acclaimed Circus Vargas troupe, one of the world's biggest travelling circuses, will be arriving in Manila!  This extravaganza of magical proportions will be held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City and will run from December 25, 2013 to January 1, 2014.

What to expect?  Well, I was told that, Circus Vargas will be showcasing a gravity-defying flights, flashy costumes, fun dance routines, and other deliriously delightful antics, among others!  Also, charismatic illusionist Patrick Gable will be performing his mystifying illusions that are guaranteed to impress, astound, and make everyone in the whole family a believer of MagiKaria.  Who is Patrick Gable and what is MagiKaria all about?  There's only one way to find out, that is, to watch the show!

Are you excited as I am?  So, what are you waiting for?  Tickets are now available at SM Tickets, SM Cinema, and Snack Time outlets.  For inquiries, call Tropical Productions, Inc. at telephone no. 519-8984, or email info@tpiguam.com, or visit www.circusvargas.com.

The Lesson I Learned from Snubbing Citibank Promo..

Photo Credit

 Actually, I could have gotten more... had I paid particular attention to the text message alert I received from Citibank.  In fact, I just shrugged it off and proceeded to delete it.

You see, I have been having cash purchases for my christmas shopping recently and I get to use the magic card only at shops with that payment facility, including online transactions.  But then in such cases, to avoid confusion especially come payment due dates, I limit my usage to a maximum of 2 credit cards only.. out of 6.  Unfortunately, of those 2, Citibank is not one of them.  :(

Bad move.  Few days ago, I received again a message from Citibank, this time, thanking me for spending at least P2,500 last December 12-18, 2012 and for that, I am now qualified to purchase 1 Purefoods Jamon de Bola for just P2.00.  My first reaction was, Citibank must have sent me the wrong message!  I don't remember using my Citibank card as I did not shop during that period.  But then, I purchased online a Cebu Pacific ticket costing P8,200+ and I didn't think online transactions are included in the promo.

I was wrong.  I was so bothered with that text that I checked online the terms and conditions of the said promo.  And there I found out that online transactions are not among those listed as not qualified for the promo.  Tsk! Tsk!

But then I remember, I made at least 3 more online transactions during that period that could have qualified me for another 3 Jamon de Bola.  My loss.. Well, that is the price that I have to pay for being a snub. Huhuhu!

I hope Citibank has more to offer for its credit card holders in the future.  FYI, to ensure that I won't miss any of its upcoming promo, I just clicked "Like" its FB page.  Hope that helps.  Huhuhu

December Weather

I woke up to a cloudy morning today. Few minutes after, rain poured. I wondered then if there was an approaching typhoon. So, I checked online for a weather update, and here's what I got (see the image on the right side of this post):

I just love this cool weather.. especially on a weekend.. when I get to stay and enjoy home.  The soft gentle breeze blowing thru my window just hit me that Christmas season is now here to stay for at least a month.

I guess I should now start my Christmas countdown. Merry Christmas!!!  :)

Miles..

I have mentioned in my other blog that due to unbelievably peak-season ticket fares, I might just take a RORO or SuperFerry just to reach my hometown in time for Christmas.  (I'm not kidding! Maybe a little adventure is what I really need..)

Well, I've thought of another option.  That is, to use the Mabuhay Miles I earned from riding PAL planes.  It wasn't that much though considering that I rarely travel nowadays and if I do travel, PAL is no longer a practical choice.

Thus, without further delay I dialed the customer service and the first problem (take note, it's just FIRST of many) I encountered was that there is no PAL plane servicing Surigao.  In other words, I do not have any recourse but to take the Butuan route.

Next problem: they no longer have slots for economy class, only for business class.  As I was wondering what a smaller plane could provide to business class passengers, I innocently asked, what's the difference? Accordingly, I will have a special seat and more leg room.  I thought to myself, who cares?  And I would be using an additional 2,000 miles for that?  Not worth it.  If only they would at least offer a front view of the horizon, say, a seat at the cockpit.  Hehehe

3rd problem:  I am short of almost 3,000 miles!  How's that?  I almost fell from my chair.  How could that be?  When I checked my latest statement of account sent to my email about four months ago, here's what I found out:

I lost 728 miles!  I would not have allowed it to happen had it not that at that time, I was so busy with everything.  Tsk! Tsk!

It's only 728 miles anyway, I consoled myself.  But when I checked my account online, I realized I did not only lose 728 miles but a total of 2,767 miles! Whooa!  That's more than enough to cover my shortage of miles!

There's no use crying over spilled milk.  And so, I told the customer service representative that I will just have the points, earned from using my HSBC credit card, converted to Mabuhay Miles.

Now for the 4th problem, I can't have the reservation made not unless I have enough miles from my account.  In other words, they will have to wait for the points-to-miles conversion.

5th problem:  Processing of conversion will take at least ten days.

 

6th problem:  They cannot assure me if there will still be available slots after ten days.

Now, therefore, I, Gay, might... just... take... the RORO! Huhuhu! Hehehe! ;)

Fewer Non-Working Holidays in 2011

No more holiday economics in 2011.  Hmph!  Just when I desperately needed the most sought-after breaks from work and school...

I should have taken advantage of the two long weekends during the recent Christmas season.  I should have gone home in Surigao and used my P1 Cebu Pacific promo ticket, which by the way, was unfortunately forfeited as I forgot to rebook it.

Question:  Why would I be allowed to rebook when the ticket I purchased is on promo?  Answer:  Well, I have my reasons.  And Cebu Pacific took considerations of it.

Back to the topic, fewer holidays mean I would have less opportunity to take out-of-town vacations or  even just have a leisure rest at home.

Now, who voted for P-Noy?  I miss GMA. :(

Impulse Buying...

The festive mode of the Christmas season gave me a lame excuse to splurge.  In fact, I just purchased five pairs of leather shoes/sandals and four pieces of casual dress days after Christmas parties were over.

As if that was not enough, I ordered two pieces of furniture which is due to be delivered on the 2nd, if not 3rd week of January this year. Good thing, I was able to avail of a 6-month, 0% interest promo of BDO credit card at SM MOA, the 1st intallment payment of which is due on April yet.

Further, I was almost tempted to buy that chic lampshade which costs almost seven thousand bucks at Blims in Glorietta 5 just recently.  I know the urge to possess it won't take long.. as I am planning to visit that store again sometime soon.. (I must have it!  I must have it!)  

I feel guilty.  I am not used to this so-called extravagance.  What came over me?  I don't know..  I just console myself by thinking that my current state of insanity is just... temporary... ;)

My Christmas Vacation Started Last Sunday afternoon.. and so i thought..

I was already looking forward for the afternoon of Sunday, December 19, when I was supposed to officially declare it as the start of my "Christmas vacation".  Don't get me wrong.  I did not file for an application for leave although i still have one day Special Privilege Leave (SPL) and some other accumulated leave credits left.

Anyway, when I got home last Sunday afternoon, I rested for a while, then my mama and I proceeded to Market! Market! to buy some groceries for the holidays.  Sadly, it took us two hours at the supermarket, one hour strolling around and buying some of "i-forgot" gifts, and one hour waiting for the taxi when Market! Market! is just less than 15 minutes from home.  In other words, we were exhausted afterwards but still have the energy enough to attend the Misa de Gallo at 730 o'clock that night.

As if that stress was not enough, I found out just yesterday that I have a deadline to beat which is due the following week.  I thought it would have been a week after next yet.  Waaaahh!  Will I be able to spend the Christmas vacation I so long for this season???

Merry Christmas everyone!!! :)