Are you a real estate agent?

When I was still young (and I'm not saying that I'm too old now in saying that) I can still remember my mother struggling hard in organizing her clients, meetings, trippings, commissions, contacts, etc when it comes to her real estate profession. Yes, my mother had been a real estate agent for at least 5 years. The industry was doing very well at that time (not sure if it's still booming now). When I was still a kid, I can remember that my mother kept on tagging us (with my siblings) along in her trippings. We would reach almost all towns in the southern luzon area. My mother was soo busy then.

She was soo busy dealing and organizing the needs of her clients. Too bad now that she's no longer in the real estate industry, a particular software has emerged to help these real estate agents to organize their itineraries. By using the real estate software in this link real estate software, the agent would be able to organize his contacts, trippings, and other related stuff. He can even create flyers and letters thru the software. And what's also good is that the purchase price of the software is just a one time fee of $149 -- so there's no need to worry about any monthly maintenance fee! What's $149 when you can keep a well-organized records of all your clients and would make your time be maximized by gaining more clients?!?

A bookworm..again

I can still remember that when I was a child and my family would go to a shopping mall, I would just tell my mother to just leave me in the National Bookstore or Goodwill Bookstore while they do their toy shopping with my siblings.

When I was in grade school, I was a big fan of Sweet Valley (all series - Kids, Twins, High, University, Saga, etc), Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, Choose your own adventure, Goosebumps and many other pocketbooks. Sometimes, I would also sneak some of my Tita's tagalog pocketbooks (oh yes, remember the novels by Hilda Olvidado? At the age of 6, I already know her...hahaha!). And I can still remember that I would spend all day and night (there were also times that I would just put flashlight on and stay up until 3am just to finish my pocketbook - my father would usually scold me in doing that) reading.

When I reached the mid-high school days, I was diverted to some other hobbies. I stopped from being a bookworm. But I still read...but not as intense as before.

But right now, I was surprised that I'm suddenly coming back to my old senses. I just finished 2 pocketbooks - both in 1 seating. I'm again addicted to bookstores... I am surprised to choose Barnes & Noble and Borders over the other boutiques when we walk into the malls. Randy is also surprised to see me stay up until midnight reading a book. He has never seen me like this before.

Oh god. I'm again a bookworm. Right at this moment. (Raising eyeglasses)

Being a neophyte in web hosting

By professional certification, I am not in anyway related to Information Technology. However, due to emerging financial issues and scandals (those who are also speaking the same language as mine would remember the Enron scandal revealed in late 2001), my profession has become more challenging and now encompass the IT aspect of every business process. This is where my current job comes in - being a Systems Validation Consultant/Auditor.

However, eventhough I am somehow engaged in some IT stuff, I can still say that I'm ZERO when it comes to network and web development. Last year, I started studying/learning some basic facts about web dev't. That is for the purpose of building our wedding website. However, it took me months before learning the full knowledge about these stuff -- so I just decided to build our wedding website using the wedding announcer where it's free and they already have templates. So I stopped learning the web hosting.

However, now, my desire to learn more about web dev't suddenly came back. And I no longer want those "built-in templates" to have. I want to design my own habitat in the cyberspace. I'm planning now to have my own website -- built and designed by me. But for this to come to reality, I need a host to publish my site. For that, I'm currently using web hosting choice to help me choose for the right and affordable host. They have fields available in their site where you can key in your specifics to find the right host for you -- considering your bandwidth and disk space requirements. This function I think would be very helpful for me since I can be flexible on my requirements.

Our 1st anniversary memoir

This is already a late post. Last December 2007, Randy and I went to Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA which we consider as one of our celebrations of our upcoming 1st wedding anniversary. We were really thinking of something that we could have to somehow make us remember of our first year of being together. Something that will not be forgotten or something that will not only collect the dust in the cabinet or be lost in our electronic files (if it happens to be a digital thingy).

We were then enjoying Universal Studios' facilities when we came by this booth with the sign -- AIRBRUSH CARICATURE. We watched as the 2 artists painted/cartoonized a teenage guy and suddenly, TING! We had an idea! We approached one of the artists and asked him how much would it cost if we want a COLORED caricature with the two of us (Randy and I) in one frame. It's somehow too expensive (I can already buy a nice Fossil timepiece with the price) because we need to pay for 2 persons eventhough it will only be using 1 frame, but Randy gave me his green light. Well, as you know, my husband is one of the most thrifty persons I know ... sobraaang kurips! But then, what I like about him, is he's into quality more than quantity... as long as worth naman, why not coconut!

We thought that this would best fit in our soon-to-be bedroom. And we haven't done this before so it's somewhat exciting too. Plus, according to the traditional wedding anniversary gift ideas, for the first year, the gift should be made of PAPER: http://marriage.about.com/cs/anniversaries/a/wedannivideas.htm

So, this somehow fits into that:

Coldest day in the winter season

Today is the coldest day I've ever experienced in my lifetime. Everyone here is dreading for this day since this will be the coldest day in the entire winter season. The forecast for the last few days is high of 4-degree F to low of -0 - degree F. And today, we registered a temp of -1 F!!! When you peep through the window, you will be greeted by very strong rays of sunlight...you would think that this is a perfect day to go out. That's also what we thought.

So, at 10am, we hurried outside and decided to go to the nearest bank (I needed to deposit a check). But as soon as we reach the doorstep, we were surprised to feel a freezing temp...it was real! As we hopped in the car, the temp registered this:

Our hands were almost numb and in just a matter of seconds, we already found ourselves hurrying to the nearest covered area. And here I am, hands and legs are shaking while driving... our heater was already at full blast...

It was mentioned in the news that if you stay outside for more than 15 minutes, you will experience frost bites... ooouuuucccchhhh! So, we decided to stay indoors today... Keep warm, everyone! (Tamang tama anniv namin bukas, hahaha...ano raw! bastus, bastus!)

...another addition in MAC family! Wooohooo!

Early morning today, my boss immediately came to my cube as soon as he arrived. He seems to be soo excited that he'll explode anytime soon. In the office, we are mac buddies...our usual topic is all about Apple products. Plainly because we both fascinate the Apple products and the only difference we have is that he can afford to buy any of those, and me being a "think twice" buyer.

Well, the first words that came out of his mouth was: "Lei! You won't believe this! I'm replacing my mac soon!" And I said, "WHY?!?" Oh well, it seems I was too busy these past few days that I didn't have enough time to visit some sites I usually visit.

Apple just announced last Tuesday the arrival of another addition on its MAC family:


Excerpt from the Apple website:

MacBook Air is ultrathin, ultraportable, and ultra unlike anything else. But you don’t lose inches and pounds overnight. It’s the result of rethinking conventions. Of multiple wireless innovations. And of breakthrough design. With MacBook Air, mobile computing suddenly has a new standard.

We immediately contacted the nearest Apple store and they told us that it is not yet available to any Apple stores. I was somehow disappointed since I was just planning to visit the nearest apple store and play around the new mac. But it's ok...since I'm not really planning to buy this one... I just want to... to... to... to... experience it. That's all. Believe me.

Oh...c'mon, don't laugh. I'm telling the truth... as I always do. Randy, don't laugh at me... I'm not giving my old macbook to you, noh!

Macbook Air

Most livable city?!?

A posted entry in a certain forum caught my attention:

"....by the way I've been doing research and for this year's Employment Review magazine and CNN Money's Best, they rank either Houston or Chicago as the most livable cities in the nation...that's why ang kulit kulit ko magtanong about these cities."

(Raised eyebrow)...with all the snow, negative temperature, strong winds, frequent rains, high cost of living ---

I DEFINITELY DON'T THINK SO!

Actually, all my bags are already packed...I wanna go home to Philippines! :(

Bad credit? Worry no more!

When I was still an Associate Auditor in PwC and was on out-of-town assignment, one of my senior associates told me that she's badly loaded with overdrafts in her credit card accounts so she asked to pay for our OOT expenses (Seniors are assumed to shoulder the OOT expenses). That time, I keep on asking myself why these people cannot control their expenses. Don't they know their credit limits? Don't they keep their own records? Well, I assumed that we all (especially us in PwC) keep our own records...since we're auditors.

When I was promoted to Senior associate, I started having loads of credit cards. At first, I was very hesitant to use them. I'm just too afraid to use them that I might lose control of myself. I was very successful then of controlling my impulse to buy using these cards.

But now, I came to realize that here in US, it is really necessary to use credit cards -- which as they say, is for you to have a credit history. But what if your credit history became too bad?!? Instead of using it in your advantage (to get quick approval for some loans), it now becomes a hindrance for attaining more comfort and benefits in life.

Well, I can proudly say that there was never an instance that I had a bad credit. I really consider CREDIT as one of my fearful things. But come to think of it, if you have a bad credit, who else can trust you?

Of course, there are still some FEW establishments who can trust you and lend you money or offer you housing/personal/auto loans. But as I've said, they are very FEW. And now to help you find these FEW establishments,bad credit loans comes to picture.

Since I just came here in US and have not yet established a credit history and since I need to apply a personal US credit card, I came across this page of credit cards in bad credit offers.com. Using the link, I can choose from several companies which offer loans even you have bad credit or no credit history! Now, they're no longer FEW... because you can now see COUNTLESS establishments who can trust you even with your bad credit by just looking to this site!

Thousand miles

Today marks the 1st month since I received my driving license. As I mentioned before, I'm still using the public transportation. But yesterday, I waited for 1 hour for my cab to arrive. But hell, I was forced to call my leasing agency and asked them to pick me up. So in short, I was forced to rent a car (Here, if you are renting a car, they offer free pick up from anywhere within a defined parameter). So also, starting today, I'm already driving from our place to client's office.

I'm also glad to say that I can now drive at night (with super duper extra caution) and tomorrow I will be driving Randy towards the train station for his 2nd interview in downtown Chicago. I still feel nervous whenever I drive (I just hope it's normal for a new driver). And tomorrow will be the first time to travel alone (once I drop Randy off) and quite pretty far from our hotel.

...I may not have travelled a thousand miles...but I know I've learned a lot from this 1 month experience.

Good marriage -- one click away!

It has never been easy to find a suitable partner that you can spend the rest of your lifetime with. Don't get me wrong...I am happily married and now reaching our 1st year mark! My husband and I were classmates in high school...before we decided to finally tie the knot, I have known everything about him (that's as far as I know at this point...still not so sure though how far my knowledge is about him!hahaha!). It was very easy for me to say "Yes" when we asked me before to get married...I'm somehow confident.

But these days, with all the available dating sites, I can say that anyone can easily find his/her match over the net. But I couldn't help but wonder how can you trust those dating sites? How can you be assured that the person you're meeting actually matches your expectations? How would you know that the dating site is not divulging malicious information about you which they treat as *required* information?

Well, don't fret..I just heard that aside from these dating sites, there's now another site which rates the different dating sites. This way, the single men/women would be able to compare each dating site and help them choose which one is appropriate for their expectations in finding their lifetime partner or maybe just someone who they can share a short-term relationship. Whatever it is, I think <Personals will be able to help these single men/women in their goals.

Eventhough I am already considered ineligible to use this site, I tried looking to test drive its function. Well, I've been hearing about this eHarmony.com being shown on TV commercials. I just usually laugh about it but I didn't know they actually set up couple-matching for those looking for LIFETIME PARTNERS! I didn't know that they actually had many satisfied and now happily married customers! Here's the link where I got this information: eHarmony.com

And I was also delighted that prime dating site also tackled about match.com (they also have several commercials on TV...). From this link match.com, I learned that match.com also offers video introduction and allows its customers to leave voice mails for their contacts (no need for phone number which is really a sensitive information).

Well, with this prime dating site, I can really say that Good marriage is indeed just one click away!

...yet another 13th of the month!

Today marks our 111th month of staying together as bestfriends and lovers -- with who else? Randy. Can you just imagine the length time we've been together now? We're now soon to reach 1 decade ... and now also gearing towards our 1st year anniversary as husband and wife!

I'm just now wondering how the life ahead of us would change.

A baby soon? Hmm... let me sit down for a while and think about it.

I'll let you know. For now,

HAPPY MONTHSARY, HONEY!

*don't mind the term I used..it's something you call "i-still-feel-high-school-so-what" term -- MONTHSARY, that is!

Let there be light -- and there was LED LIGHT!

How could I possibly missing christmas and new year? I feel so sad today. Well, today is a Sunday and here I am enjoying a good book. I spent the whole day finishing a fictional book I just bought last night. 6PM. I'm on the last chapter.

I peeped at the window...and all I can see is a dark and blank space in the backyard. How sad to look at the surroundings. I used to love nights -- but that was just few weeks ago. C'mon. Christmas and New Year's over... which also equates to the fact that there would be no more christmas lights. But who says so?

I think I should now refrain myself from calling it "christmas lights". Because today, with the emerging technology and reduced manufacturing costs, LED lights finally came to the scene -- people can now have decorative lights all year round!

LED stands for Light-emitting diode (Thanks to Wikipedia, by the way!)..but in layman's term LED just means energy-efficient and cost-efficient landscape lighting and outdoor decorative lighting. It's really nice to have a garden filled with lights ..not purely for aesthetical purposes though but also to protect your house from thieves who particularly attack at nights (when all seems to be dark!).

You also would not worry about some lights failing when they get installed distantly from their source transformers -- this is actually not relevant for LED lights.

My husband is currently in the planning process of our soon-to-be built home. And we'll definitely include LED lights since we're planning to have a good landscape plan (with fountains and all!) with it. What's the purpose of having a good landscape when it's not well-lit?!? 101% , we'll refer to low voltage landscape lighting. These articles would definitely help us in making a good plan of our soon-to-be home!

Whateva!

Feeling sad today? Well, you might wanna see this vid I stumbled upon in Youtube. The kid is soo cute! She will make you laugh!

You can see the video here: My Multiply account

I want a new car!

Last month, I posted this entry where I let everyone know that I finally have my driving license! Wooohooo! But believe it or not, I'm still taking public transportation (for most of the times, that is). For the first few days right after I received my D/L, I rented a car which I used for a couple of days. Then I had to stop it because of the expensive rates of renting cars. Don't get me wrong, my company pays for the rental fees, gas, insurance and tax -- anything related to car rental actually. However, it's really a pain in my ass to see my receipt. I usually spend $80/day in renting a car (exclusive of gas) while I just spend $20/day (in total) in taking cabs going to my client. Eventhough it's being paid by my company, I still cannot accept the fact that I'm spending that huge amount for just an 8-mile/day trip. So, what I do now is I just take cabs on weekdays going to my client and just rent a car on weekends -- for our personal trips (fyi, weekend rates are 50% cheaper than weekday rates).

However, just today, I thought of buying a car of my own. But maybe not...because first, if I buy a new car, I will shoulder the monthly amortizations of the car since the car will be under my name (not my company's). Plus the fact that I'm often out of Chicago or Illinois. I won't be making any full use of the car (Randy has no D/L yet).

And so..I thought of just LEASING a new car! Related to this, I stumbled upon this contract hire. Looking at their rates, they absolute offer low leasing rates...plus the fact that they have any car model you can think of. Now you can drive your dream car at low rate. Plus, they also deliver the car you intend to lease right at your front door -- isn't that great?!

I do think that leasing is better than buying a new car -- especially if you don't have enough cash or you just want to be on a safety side by not sticking yourself into 1 car for the next 2 years.

Surprise vid from Randy boy

WARNING: This is a very long post and I'm asking for your patience to read it...if you wanna read it, hehehe. Honestly, I'm currently swamped with work. However, my better half keeps on telling me to create a post for this one, hahaha. Ok, here it goes. This coming Jan 20,2008 -- we will be celebrating our first year anniversary as husband and wife. Actually, we have already celebrated this occasion on our previous trips. But then it really feels different to have something special on the day itself. My friends are actually asking me what's in store this coming Jan 20 -- because they know me as someone who really plans well on upcoming celebrations when it comes to Randy. I really love surprises whether I would be the one to surprise or be surprised. Honestly, this time, I have no plans yet...(oh bakit may ngumingisi dyan? promise, wala talaga, hahaha!).

PLEASE SEE ENTIRE POST HERE: Surprise Video

Staying connected in Pinas

Well, I was surprised today that *someone* from my family members in Pinas signed in her YM account. It was my elder sister. I was surprised because it's very unusual that they sign in without a scheduled chatting time. Before, we just usually schedule a weekly chat time. And also before, we don't own a PC at home...I'm the only one in the family then who has a laptop...so when I left, there's no more laptop left at home. They just usually rent on a nearby computer shop to stay connected with me (aside from my weekly or every other day phone call to them) -- yes, you can just imagine na buong pamilya ko eh nasa computer shop minsan para lang magkakita kaming lahat sa webcam.

But since they have just bought a new PC at home, this is the first time that I would be able to chat with them while they are sitting inside our home. But what surprised me most is this first line I received from my "ate"'s account -- "Te, si papa 2." (My nick for my family and relatives is "Ite" which is short for "puti"). And my only response was -- "Ows? Di nga? Marunong ka nang mag YM?"

Then, I just found out that my elder sister dropped by our house with my father solely at our home (My father just recently suffered from stroke so he was forced to stop working). My father then asked my "ate" to assist him with this YM thingy... and voila! Nakapag sign in na si fuffy! I was laughing when we were chatting... lam mo yon, nakakatawa yung mga tawag ng matatanda sa teknolohiya ngayon...Examples:

(1) Bakit hindi na gumagalaw litrato mo? (Translation: Bakit nagpause ang webcam mo?)

(2) Ang galing ano...ikaw ba yan ngayon o video lang yan? (Translation: Recorded ba to o real-time?)

(3) Ang bagal mo naman sumagot. (Translation: Fuffy (this is how I call my father), talagang ganyan, pag libreng tawag over the net, lalo na at YM, may gap talaga ang receiving time ng voice calls -- medyo mabagal talaga...)

(4) Bakit ang itim mo sa picture? (Translation: Bakit ang dilim ng webcam mo?)

(5) Ang haba na pala ng balbas ko... di pako nakapag ahit (Ginagawang salamin ang webcam) --- the best to! hahaha! Just imagine, every now and then eh sinasabi ng aking fuffy eto...pasensya na mas vain pa sya sakin eh.

(6) Hello, Randy! Kumusta ka na? (Bakit hindi sumasagot si Randy?) -- nakaheadset kami pareho at pinapakita ko lang si Randy sa webcam - (Fuffy, kelangan ko munang tanggalin ang saksak ng headset ko para marinig ka ni randy. Pag nakaheadset ang 2 tao, sila lang ang nagkakarinigan, okay?)

(7) O sige na, baka mahal na tong tawag mo. (Fuffy, libre ang tawag sa YM. hahaha!)

Haayyy, minsan nakakaaliw talagang magturo sa mga thundercats and thunderbirds... I had the same experience when I was teaching my uncle in LA how to use the internet and specifically, how to use the "Friendster". hahaha!

Now, this is the proof that my father has already been introduced to the new gen's technology:

Summer on a winter month!

Wooohooo! We currently have 61-degree fahrenheit temp...that overreached the weather record of 54-degree F in January 1907! It's really good to feel the blow of the wind outside -- not too cold, not too hot! And mind you...we're just starting the winter season. I just hope this would last forever!

...but, the roads are saturated. So, have a safe driving, everyone. Be extra careful...

Bubbly...

I just can't help but keep on singing/playing this song. This was introduced to me by my ever-loving hubby...

http://www.metrolyrics.com/colbie-caillat-lyrics.html" title="Colbie Caillat Lyrics">Colbie Caillat Lyrics

Bubbly - Colbie Caillat

Will you count me in?

I've been awake for a while now
You've got me feelin' like a child now
Cause everytime I see your bubbly face
I get the tingles in a silly place


It starts in my toes
And I crinkle my nose
Where ever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Where ever you go


The rain is fallin' on my window pane
But we are hidin' in a safer place
Under cover stayin dry and warm
You give me feelins that I adore


They start in my toes
Make me crinkle my nose
Where ever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Where ever you go


What am I gonna say
[Bubbly lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

When you make me feel this way
I just-mmm..


It starts in my toes
Make me crinkle my nose
Where ever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Where ever you go


Dada dada dadada dada dum..
Mmm mmm..


I've been asleep for a while now
You tuck me in just like a child now
Cause every time you hold me in your arms
I'm comfortable enough to feel your warmth


It starts in my soul
And I lose all control
When you kiss my nose
The feelin shows
Cause you make me smile baby
Just take your time now
Holdin' me ti-i-ight


Where ever, Where ever, Where ever you go
Where ever, Where ever, Where ever you go

Mixed emotions on gaining weight

Oh...now I need to dump my skinny jeans!

Randy and I were supposed to go out last night to buy stock of foods from a nearby supermarket. I was trying to dress up -- putting my thermal pants, thermal upper wear, my blouse (it really sucks living in mid-west, you know...too many clothes to wear. Take note, isang dipa lang ang layo ng supermarket, pero kelangan magfull attire ka para dika manigas sa labas! Lintian!)... but when I tried on my pants...ohmigod! Hindi na sya magkasya! Sige...hatak kung hatak...wala pa rin... and I gave up. Randy was laughing very hard while I was crying...not because I gained weight (pangarap ko nga to)...but because I now have to dump my skinny jeans which I just bought 2 months ago.

*sigh*

Cheers to 2008!

Again, a blessed new year to all! Well, 2007 had been very controversial, exciting and ummm...surprising. As I've said in my previous entry, I was faced with soo many situations that made me realize so many things.

Last year, I made this post in this link: http://shutterhappy773.blogspot.com/2007/02/my-2006-lifeare-you-in-or-out.html
...it is mentioned there that 2006 had been also a memorable year for me and I was wondering if 2007 would beat that. And my guess is right... 2007 definitely beat 2006. Same with 2006, I can still remember the various happenings for all the months in 2007. However, I should say that these happenings are somewhat unexpected and never thought of it coming. Let me cite them one by one:
JANUARY:
(1) I finally married my boyfriend for 8 years.
(2) Went to Bohol for honeymoon.

FEBRUARY:
(1) nothing soo important happened aside from buying a new phone.

MARCH:
(1) Got my L1 visa petition approved
(2) Became a member of IIA - Institute of Internal Auditors
(3) Started reviewing for CIA exams -- failed to continue though

APRIL:
(1) Got B1/B2 by mistake.
(2) Got L1 visa stamped in my passport...
(3) My father suffered from heat stroke at the same day of my US consulate interview.
(4) Went to Boston all by myself (leaving Randy in Dubai) while my father was still in the hospital...
(5) Randy followed me to Boston

MAY:
(1) Randy and I went back to Dubai
(2) Started filing job applications to other companies
(2) Resigned from my company
(3) Transferred house from Jumeirah to Bur Dubai

JUNE:
(1) Nothing soo important happened aside from fixing my visa transfer requirements.

JULY:
(1) Started in my new company

AUGUST:
(1) Started planning of resigning from my new company
(2) Started my driving lessons

SEPTEMBER:
(1) Resigned again...this time from my new company

OCTOBER:
(1) Went back to my old company.
(2) Sold all our things in our Dubai flat in preparation for our relocation.
(3) Randy resigned from his job in Dubai.
(3) Randy and I relocated to Chicago on different dates.

NOVEMBER:
(1) Got my SS number

DECEMBER:
(1) Got my driving license
(2) Went to LA and Vegas for xmas/new year

...As I read the items one by one, everything seems to have happened in a snap of a finger. Right now, I still can't believe that 2007 is over. As I bid goodbye to 2007, I'm praying that 2008 will be a greater year for me/us. I made big decisions in 2007... that I hope will direct me to the right path in this year of 2008.

Cheers to 2008!

Note: Are you asking about my plans for 2008? Hmmm... I don't wanna make any -- this will just get me disappointed in the end for they don't usually materialize.