PHENOMENON -- What a riot!

I am currently watching this show, Phenomenon in NBC and I was shocked with what happened! This show is a competition for all mentalists (I'm not sure what term to use, honestly. They are the ones practicing mentalism as form of magic).

This so-called "Jim" performed his magic by acting or seemingly possessed by a dead person who according to him will tell him the object to write in the white board (while being possessed by the dead person, he was writing something in his whiteboard). At the end, he guessed the object inside a box by showing what he has written in the whiteboard. The object by the way was selected by a guest celebrity before the show from hundreds of options of objects. So that was his trick/magic.

Two of the judges are CRISS ANGEL and GELLAR. Gellar commented that he was amazed by the performance. However, Criss Angel commented that it's like a comic act and started challenging the contestant and his co-judge to guess what is inside his envelope and he will give $1Million to any of them.

Jim, the contestant, suddenly became hysterical and they started yelling and challenging each other to a great confrontation.

And I was like, "Ohmigod!" The show is on LIVE and they had no choice but to cut the voices on air and even the host acted as mediator of the confrontation!

Tsk...tsk...tsk...all I can say is...the performance is indeed a comic act! hahaha... I like Criss Angel more...hehehe =)

Ceiling poster for HALLOWEEN!!!

This is my post for the halloween season! hahaha...

Nice ceiling...but I will never have this kind in my house!

Wedding Invite...not from Randy's mom though, hehehe!

To those planning to get married, don't ever let your MIL (Mother-in-law) do your invites. Hahaha...

Yeah right...I look like a kid!

Now I have proven...I look like someone below 18 years old!

Randy and I went to supermarket today and just the usual, we bought 6 bottles of Bacardi. This time, I was the one who paid at the counter while Randy was packing our goods. To my surprise, somebody from the customer information approached me and asked for my ID. And I was like, "What the..."

I showed it...and he said, "OK."

It took long before I came to realize that he thought I was below 18 years old...and should never be allowed to buy liquors! Hahaha!

...I thought I was in Dubai or something that I need to have a license before I can buy alcoholic drinks.

Yun pala...... baby-face lang ako, bwahahaha!

Lipat-bahay

Haaayyy, kakabwiset na tong blogger na to! Palagi na lang palpak! Hindi sya nagko-cross post sa Multiply account ko...grrr....

Mabuti pa, I'll move permanently na nga lang! hmph!

Please visit me here --- http://lvillanera.multiply.com

See you there!

Divalicious will resume!

Ohmigod...just got hold of this news early this morning from another blog...



This was published in the August 27 issue of Manila Standard, page C1...tsk..tsk..tsk..iba na talaga ang journalists ngayon, makabenta na lang. Kunsabagay dahil sa isyu na to, sobrang laki siguro ng step-up ng number of readers ng Manila Standard and People Asia. Buti na lang di ako nagbabasa ng dyaryo...hahaha!

Not feeling well?

Can anyone tell me the message of this poster?

All geared up...to work out!

Last year, Leisure Unlimited LLC has started opening various branches of their fitness club, Fitness First here in Dubai. Of course, syempre, dinumog to ng maraming kababayans...for diverse reasons. According to the critics, nag-eenroll lang daw ang mga kababayans dito just for "show-off". But I do believe, that though there are SOME na ganito nga ang reasons, still there are many people who are also dedicated to being fit...and now they wanna do it more religiously. That's why they decided to enroll in Fitness First. Pero kahit ano pang mga rason nila, wala tayong pakialam, hehehe. Pera nila yun eh, keber!

Even when Randy and I are still in Pinas, we usually visit this club and do some trial work-outs...but we never enrolled, hahaha...And now that FF is already here in Dubai, we have received several calls from consultants in FF offering us various membership promos. Kahit na andami na naming friends na naka-enroll, hindi pa rin kami nag-enroll. Kahit na, lagi namin pinaplano na mag-enroll, hindi pa rin kami nag-enroll...I think we just had so much alibis for doing this...

(1) Ang mahal..saka na pag nakalipat nako ng work!

(2) Ang layo naman ng branches! Tapos ang traffic pa!

(3) Busy kami eh!

But it seems na ako lang pala ang nag-aalibi...hehehe. Randy kept on bugging me about joining this club. Sa Pinas kasi, nagwowork out sya sa may *kanto* sa lugar nila (*yun kasi tawag nya dito, nakalimutan nya name ng gym). And since feeling nya eh he's getting fat already, he's really keen on enrolling here.

And finally...last Thursday, naubusan din ako ng alibi. For sure, my officemates will criticize me for doing this ... since we already have 2 free fitness club memberships. But then, ang layo naman ng Novotel at The Club from our place...and hindi rin makakapasok si Randy dun dahil hindi extended to family members ang membership. Plus the fact na most of my friends are working out in FF, siguro mas maeenjoy ko sa FF. And super fabulous din ng benefits and amenities...sarap din tumambay kumbaga.

I started working out yesterday...some are asking, "Bakit kelangan mo pang magwork out, eh ang payat payat mo na?" I usually answer, "Sinagot mo na rin tanong mo eh...ang payat payat ko". And sige, gagamitin ko na rin ang reason ng aking evil sister na si Emtee... "Bonding na rin namin ni Randy to, " hahahaha!...and syempre bonding na rin with w@w sisters, Emtee & Shelai! See you at the gym...

I'm keeping my fingers crossed na maging devoted sa goal na to... =)

Update: Malu Fernandez

Few weeks ago, I sent my YM friends a link to a certain blog discussing about a Manila Standard article authored by Malu Fernandez. The article expressed derogatory opinions about OFWs especially to those who are based in Dubai - UAE. Of course, this resulted to alarming comments, movements and actions from different parts of the world -- mainly from OFWs...and even from fellow Filipinos who are based in the Philippines.
Here's an excerpt of the article:




And now, as an update, I just heard that Malu Fernandez finally resigned...

I didn't feel excited about this news...because I want the Manila Standard/People Asia to withdraw her directly... The damage that this woman had caused is irreparable.

Here's a link to a blog which featured her resignation letter.

Various videos are also available in Youtube...

Turok at E-Vision

Obvious na walang ginagawa noh? Hehehe…This is my 3rd entry for the day. Pag sinipag kasi ako magblog, tuloy-tuloy…pag tinamad, tuloy-tuloy din. Kaya take advantage na ang kasipagan ngayon.

I woke up @ 7am today. Randy and I had a fight last night…so I woke up without even being kissed or hugged by Randy before he left for work. Alright, the feeling is different. But that’s fine. He should learn now…he should be more cautious to all the words that he tends to utter when we’re fighting. I’m his wife…let me just remind him of that. But this is not really a big deal…normal na sa min ang magtalo…kiss and make up din to later…ganun lang kami, parang bata. Kaya I really enjoy our relationship…we know our mistakes, and we both know how to feel sorry for what we’ve done…I just hope he’ll feel sorry later, hahahaha!

Anyways, at 7:45am, I went straight to Al Baraha Hospital. I had to undergo Blood Testing as part of my visa processing. At an early age eh naexposed nako sa mga TUROK na yan. I, together with my siblings, have complete set of vaccines. For the past years, I never experienced the numbing and pantal-pantal and pagpapasa (may diin, as in pasa) nung tinurukan na parte ng arm. But this time, dyos ko…ang sakiiit nya! Plus nagpasa, namaga, at nagpantal pantal na parang measles yung turok! Namamanhid din sya paminsan minsan…I can feel that there’s something wrong. I feel a little discomfort. I feel having fever…ang tindi kasi nung Nurse eh. Maskulada tapos hinila ba naman yung syringe na ubod ng lakas na na-feel ko na umangat yung ugat ko at sumama sa pag-angat ng balat! Ang sakit talaga!!! I also feel cold today…feeling ko talaga lalagnatin nako neto…haaayyy…

After going through the dreadful experience with that Nurse, I headed towards E-Vision office at Khaleej Center in Bur Dubai. I was going to apply for the transfer of our E-Vision package to our new flat (yep, we’re transferring once again…reason? This would require a new entry.). I was in high hopes that I will get this settled once and for all (this is also one of the many causes of our (with Randy) fight last night). But lo and behold, the E-Vision rep told me that since our new flat is in a conspicuously new building, it is not yet covered by their service. Punyeta! But then, I calmed down. I asked, “What are our options?”. She told me that it’s either I will transfer it to one of my friends within Dubai OR pay the cancellation fee of Dhs744! Huwaaaatttt???? Isa pang Punyeta!

We availed the one-year contract promo…the reason for the huge amount of cancellation fee. Oh well, ayoko pa problemahin yan ngayon…kung hindi ko ma-transfer, eh may choice bako?! E di bayaran ang punyetang Dhs744!...tutal one time lang naman yan, ang kapalit naman eh more comfortable living. Pero I just wish na macover na ng E-Vision yung building namin…naadik na rin ako sa wowowee… =)

So, if anyone is interested to a TFC Package (E-Vision) account, just drop a note! Wala na kayong babayaran pang iba…basta itutuloy lang yung monthly bill na Dhs99 lang naman and mata-transfer completely sa inyo ang ownership ng decoder and everything.

Gusto kong matutong magdrive...

Obvious naman sa title ng entry noh? I just started my driving lessons (after almost 5 months of waiting after initial registration) in Belhasa Driving School last August 3. Kung hindi pako nangulit kay Ashish…eh hindi pako mabibigyan ng schedule. Syempre umiral na naman ang ka-malditahan ko…sabi ko, wala silang ‘word of honor’…sabi ko rin, ako ang tipo ng tao na hindi pinapalagpas ang mga to. Tapos pinagkukuha ko lahat ng pangalan ng mga nakakausap ko sa phone na nangangakong tatawagan ako...na never ako tinawagan. After so many pangungulit, I finally got called! Whew!

Last Friday, I went there in the driving school, expecting na classroom training lang muna. But then, nakuuu…pasakayin daw ba ako sa driver’s seat! Then, ayun nga, pinagdrive at pinagpark ako…so far, ok naman. Ang prob ko lang eh hindi ko palagi matantsa ang pagliko ko at nalilito ako sa kung saan ako unang titingin.

Honestly, hindi ko alam kung maipapasa ko to…ok sana kung sa Pinas eh. Eh dito sa Dubai, naku, pahirapan ang driver’s license. Hindi problema ang kotse ng mga tao dito…ang problema eh ang lisensya…haaayy…Sobrang tuwa ko na kung maipasa ko to ng 2 to 3 takes lang. Nakakatakot din ang gastos, imagine, for every failure eh halos Dhs650? Gravacious!

Actually isa pa to pala kung bakit ako tinatamad these past few weeks…I really feel demoralized ata…haaayyy…

There’s something in me na ayokong tinuturuan ako, gusto ko ako mismo ang nagdidiscover or nag-aaral. =(

iPhone mania

The first time I heard about this iPhone coming up, I truly salivated. I told myself that I would buy that phone the moment of its 1st release. But my problem then was how could I possibly get hold of it if the initial release will be done in the US only in June 2007. Yeah right, I was able to go to US but my stay is short by 1 month, sigh...I just stayed there until my birthday, May 2007. And to make things worse, iPhone is locked with AT&T (ayoko namang maging timang na flaunting ever ang iPhone samantalang diko naman nagagamit ang main function).

So, I've finally decided to let go of it...I will just wait until 2008...when it reaches the UAE market. Oh well, in relation to this, one of my colleagues in one of the forums where I am a member posted this list. This enumerates all the bugs discovered in the first release of iPhone.

1. Bluetooth is ONLY good for connecting a headset. That's it.
2. There is no file browser on the device at all. Data must be organized (if at all) in the appropriate application.
3. The camera is a simple application that has ONE button: the shutter. Pictures come out okay on the device, but nothing too fancy on a monitor, especially if it was an attempt at a macro shot.
4. SIM card is damn near impossible to open, if at all. I didn't look into it extensively.
5. Web browser is slow, even over WLAN. Even the simple OneList web app that was created takes around 20 seconds to load over WLAN. You can not highlight, cut, copy, or paste and text from a website, and you can not save any images you find from a website either. The only nice thing about it is the tabbed browsing, which crashed on me when I went to Engadget and YouTube on two tabs. This is the only application that allows you to use the keyboard in landscape mode.
6. The keyboard sucks. It gets slightly better after the iPhone "learns" you, as the employees said, but even then, it's not a device you can use with one hand comfortably, much less without looking.
7. You can only send one picture at a time in an email.
8. No custom ringtones (yet, as we were being told) and the alert tones can not be changed whatsoever.
9. The default ringtones are incredibly lame.
10. The only form of customization outside of a lame default ringtone is the wallpaper, which you'll only see when you need to unlock the device or when you get a phone call.
11. "Picture pinching" or using two fingers to zoom on any content is certainly fun to play with, but not practical whatsoever. This operation depends solely on using the device with two hands.
12. No document editor or native viewer. You can not store documents on the device to be viewed, they can only be viewed as attachments when they're sent to your in an email.
13. Visual voicemail is laggy and reacts about the same way as pushing the fast forward and rewind buttons on traditional voicemail systems. The only advantage is for those that get that many voicemail messages a day that they need to sort them according to priority.
14. NO games. None.
15. No voice dialing.
16. No speed dialing (which can be made up by the "quick list", but getting to that quick list isn't as fast as holding a single key on a real keypad).
17. No video.
18. No MMS.



...and the bottomline? Don't buy iPhone at this time...kumbaga, Beta version pa lang...but then, I am really eyeing for this phone...with the condition na magagamit ko ang pagiging PHONE nya (kaya nga iPhone eh!) at hindi lang pangdisplay, =)

I dreamed about RAT!

It's really weird. Last night, I had a terrible dream...I can't exactly remember the full details of the dream. But one thing's for sure, I caught a RAT! ewwww....fyi, I'm ok with cockroaches but not RATS!

So, as I usually do, I googled it...and here's the result:

"A rat, or rats, in your dream points up the fact that someone is very jealous of you and/or your accomplishments and will work against you in any way possible, it is a dream of warning to be on the alert for enemy attack, (the backbiting kind). If you see a white rat it means the same but you will have help from unknown forces. To hear rats running, or gnawing in the walls, shows that you have been wasting your time and should move on to greener pastures."

hmmm...makes sense, huh?!?

And oh by the way, this morning, my carlift was late. And the reason? She found a rat in her cupboard and tried her best to catch and kill the rat! What a coincidence!

Anyway, I do believe that my dream has a meaning...it's very usual for me that I always dream about future happenings...some are tragic...some are good. I dunno...some fortune-tellers say I have a third-eye...but I don't take it seriously....or is it just "I don't want to discover more?"

Oooopppsss...I'm having goose bumps here! nyiiiii

Carlift experience

If you're from Dubai, you might be familiar with "Carlift". Carlift is a term used like "carpool" wherein a private car will take you anywhere you want for a fee. The fee is usually lower than the usual taxi meter cost...but sometimes, it's even higher. It depends whether it's a "rush hour" or the place you want to go to is a dead spot (meaning, the driver won't have customers going back to the place you came from). Actually, this is illegal. If a private car/driver get caught, he will be fined Dhs4,000. So, what "carlifts" usually do is just spread their mobile numbers and ask the customers to call them whenever they need carlift.

Since I just joined to my new company which is supposed to be a 10-minute drive from my place, I needed someone who will bring me and fetch me to/from my office. Initially, I was just hailing taxi cabs everyday...but during rush hours, it's very difficult to get one...even if you call the hotline...the line is very hot, believe me!

So, I decided to look for carlifts in Gulf news. I happily found one. I called him and after many conversations, we agreed on the timing and fee. It was all set. He should be picking me up by 8:00 am in my house. So, the next day, I hurriedly went down to the lobby of our building. I waited there for 5 minutes before calling him. When I called him, I was surprised that the receiver was telling me that he doesn't know me, blah blah....I got furious!!! But I said nothing to the person...I just hung up the phone without saying goodbye!

Good thing, I was able to catch a cab outside our building who's waiting for hours for his customer.

Ngayon, magtatagalog na ko....galit na galit talaga ako sa carlift na yun! Napakahusay kausap! Walang word of honor!!! Pero sabi nga ni Randy, iexpect mo na yun....dahil ang kausap ko ay isang PANADOL! Bakit nga kaya ganun ang lahi nila? Pasensiya sa panlalahi pero maraming ganun sa kanila...magulo kausap, mahirap makaintindi, at higit sa lahat medyo may pagka- bobito at bobita! Pero kahit na niloko ako netong hinayupak na taong ito, hindi ko naman sila nilalahat. Meron din namang mahusay kausap sa kanila...gaya ng mga officemates ko at yung isa ko pang carlift. ...yun nga lang majority ata sa lahi nila eh maliit ang utak...

Pasensya sa terms ha...ganyan talaga ako pag nagagalit

....after the loonng period of hibernation

Hi people! Been out for quite a while. Well many things have happened. I've formed so many decisions in life...this time, this is for long term purpose.

Last Sunday & Monday, I already reported to my new company. So far, so good. And this coming Sunday will be my official joining date. This will going be a new environment...and a new challenge. Just hope that everything will be fine, though.

I have no significant post for today...that's it for now.

Lately, I've been too lazy posting blog entries... sooorrryyy...

Save the Auditor, Save the World!

I am really fascinated with TV Series...but my latest indulgence is the TV Series, HEROES! On the night of June 17, 2007 I finally finished its volume 1. This series really excites me...I really like the various twists in the story. I can't wait to start the volume 2.

My favorite character is PETER PETRELLI...not only because of his power (which is to absorb other people's powers) but ultimately because of his good looks! I crush him na... (hahaha!)...but believe me, it's been a long time since I last sooo admired a celebrity...and now, it really feels good. I so so so so love PETER PETRELLI..or let me say, MILO VENTIMIGLIA, his real name. Aside from being PETER in Heroes, he was also Jess Mariano in Gilmore girls.

Some artics from Wikipedia:

Ventimiglia was born in Anaheim, California to Carol and Peter Ventimiglia.[2] He is of Sicilian descent on his father's side and a combination of Irish, English, Scottish, French, Cherokee, and Indian descent on his mother's.[1] He was born with dead nerve endings in his lower left lip. Ventimiglia attended El Modena High School in Orange, California, where he wrestled and held the office of president in student government (ASB). He graduated in 1995.

At the age of 18, Ventimiglia received a scholarship to study at the American Conservatory Theater for their summer program.[3] He attended UCLA as an English major for four years but dropped out to pursue an acting career.

By the way, I also like Claire Bennet...primarily because of her power...SELF-HEALING/REGENERATION. I wish I can have that power...indestructible!!! Ooooppsss...I'm not Sylar...hehehe...

Sorry for this post...I'm not really like this...but this series really got me hooked and addicted! Now...SAVE THE AUDITOR, SAVE THE WORLD!*

*For those unfamiliar, the original quote is SAVE THE CHEERLEADER, SAVE THE WORLD...which is the main theme of the TV series.

8 working days left...

I am slowly counting the days left for me here in my desk. The desk I occupied for more than 1 year (not amusing, huh!)...the desk where I started gaining friends in Dubai...the desk which has been a witness of all my tantrums, videoke-while-working moments and my other extra curricular activities (wedding preps & photography)when I should be working at full time.

I'm not sure whether my next desk would be as good or as bad as this desk...actually, I am not even sure if this current desk has been good or bad for me. But one thing's for sure...I am leaving...but I'm still grateful for occupying this particular desk next to Edward's and "then Ryan's" desk.

8 working days to go...

Rich Dad woke me up...

It is very usual that every Sunday (which is the first working day here in Dubai), my officemates would ask, "How's your weekend?". And I just often say, "Well, as always, went to the mall and did some shopping...". And they would say, "Again?!?" and I would just say, "Yes!"

Going to the mall is our favorite pastime. Eventhough we sometimes do extraordinary things like desert safari, out of town, dhow cruise, swimming, etc...majority of our time is spent shopping and shopping and shopping. Sometimes I also do shoots (whether prenup or just for my own portfolio) on Fridays.

Last Friday, since I was able to buy clothes last week, Randy and I decided to go to Magrudy's (together with a couple of friends). We often go to Magrudy's if we feel like buying some books which are often related to our being "techie". Since I've been a dedicated auditor for such a long time, last year I already lost the appetite in buying books related to my career dev't. I sometimes feel guilty about it. It feels like I'm being 'happy-go-lucky' with regard to my future or our future. I just often buy any thing that I want...gadgets, books, magazines, clothes, shoes, bags, etc...without me noticing that I've been spending so much money on these short-term assets (I know some of them are long-term assets if we would apply some applicable accounting standards). But what I;m really talking about here are the assets that would help me shape my future or our future.

I love books. I really love books, ever since. I can still remember that during my childhood days, I am getting excited everytime we visit MAKATi. Not because of the toy stores or whatever...but because of the huge National Bookstore in Glorietta. I have tons of books back in the Philippines. Here in Dubai, I did not plan to buy so much books because these would just eat much of our space in our house. But still, I couldn't resist the temptation...seeing the books just sitting in the shelves of the bookstore...I've got to have some of them...Since I started to love gadgets and photography, these are just some of the books I was able to keep here (some of them were already shipped to the Philippines...because as I've said, they're eating so much space...too bad I have a husband like Randy who's really fond of throwing things back to the Philippines...sigh)

The only constant in this world is change...

Oooppsss...yes, you read it right. I've changed my blog title...now I'm including my hubby to it! He has gained enough knowledge (from me, hahaha...ayaw talaga patalo...) and I do think he is also enjoying my hubby...(pakitingnan na lang ang friendster account nya: "Ang hubby ni lei ay hubby ko na rin".).

Plus, plus, plus...we will be enrolling this Friday to a formal class in Photography...now, this is getting serious...para naman may ibang kwenta ang buhay namin bukod sa pagdodrawing nya at pago-audit ko...hehehe...

Supposed to be naka-enroll na kami sa Photography class last April, but then because of this US relocation thingy eh napostpone...hopefully, this time, wala nang aberya!

Oooppp (ulet)...daming tagalog sa post ko noh? BELATED HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, mga kabayan!

...and also, HAPPY MONTHSARY, HONEY! (Oct.13, 1998 nang magsimula ang "Randy & Lei" lokohan at kadramahan, ahihihi!)

Re-inventing my niche

Last March 18, from Jumeirah 2, we finally transferred to our new place...BUR DUBAI! I just want to shout to the world that I'm really loving our new place. It has complete amenities. We have swimming pool with jacuzzi, sauna, gym, children's playground, lawn tennis/squash court and a 24-hour security service. So, I'm inviting my friends..if you feel like dipping into the pool and have sauna bath afterwards, come to our place...just send me a 1-day notice, okei?! hehehe...

Aside from that, we're now very near Burjuman Shopping Center! Super convenient...we're just behind the shopping mall. Well, I haven't also told you that we're also near the banks and gadget centers ... oh so much for this...sorry for that, I just love our new place...

Last Friday, we went to Ikea to shop for table and chairs. Before, Randy and I don't usually buy these bulky furnitures. But now, I was surprised that Randy initiated the idea of buying those...hahaha! We were able to buy 1 long table, 2 chairs, and curtain (na parang kulambo...if you can imagine..hehehe) and some other house stuff na mga kaartehan. Since my childhood, I really love rearranging things at home. Supposedly, I should be taking up Interior Design @ UP before. But then, my mom did not agree to that...eventhough I was already enrolled @ UP then, she still insisted for me to pursue BS Accountancy @ PLM, her alma mater.

But now, I'm soo happy that I was able to make our room look like what I have in mind. I soooo love our room. This is what we call a "true room"..."home sweet home"...even our housemates loved it! I still haven't put the "curtain na parang kulambo" sa ceiling to put some dramatic effect on our bed. But maybe next week, I'll be putting my hands on it. I won't post pictures for now...too lazy to shoot..hehehe... =)