You've Gotta Be Kidding Me...No AC?!?

Getting in a car often means one thing to me: cold AC. It's one of the perks of being in a car! However, for some reason, AC's seem to fail when the car is a few years old.

Many people think the worst time for your car's AC to fail is in the height of summer. While being stuck in an AC-less car under extreme heat is indeed dangerous and uncomfortable, for me, it's worse when my AC fails in the middle of a storm. You see, with the heat, opening the window is an option. Even though it is not enough to overpower the heat, there is some form of a solution. However, when it's raining cats and dogs, driving a car without AC is so difficult as the glass tends to fog thus hampering visibility. Plus the inside of the car gets muggy. This reminds me, before the rainy season sets in, I should go have my car's compressor checked and find out if a diesel fuel pump is something I should look into before I get stuck in a car without air conditioning.

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Customer Satisfaction.

Not too long ago, I blogged about my displeasure with the dynamics of customer service in the Philippines. While the post was brought upon by a not so happy Starbucks experience, it was not just that particular company that has failed to provide quality customer service in my personal experience. I ended that post with a "so what" and cynical tone, thinking, based on past situations, that nothing would happen anyway even if I complained.

To my surprise, not 24 hours later I received an email from Mr. Carlo Lopez, Operations Service Manager of Rustan Coffee Corporation apologizing for the incident. What I appreciated about the letter was that it was not just an off-handed apology on the part of the corporate giants I was ranting about, but that they were not just seeking feedback to improve their services, but that there were steps being undertaken to make change happen.

In my letter I told Mr. Lopez that I felt that indeed, customer satisfaction is valued by their company. I said this because they made contact even without me filing any formal complaint to them directly, unlike in the past where I have even spoken to managers who offer nothing but a complaint form then no follow up.

Today, I received a pleasant surprise in my snail mail mailbox. As a token of appreciation for my feedback, Rustan Coffee Corporation sent me two complementary coupons :-) Although I was offered this in the initial email, I did not expect it anymore because the communication was exchanged quite some time ago, so I assumed it was once again one of those things that slip through the crack. Second point proven wrong!

In the enclosed letter, Mr. Lopez also assured me that the feedback I gave was forwarded to the District Managers to be able to ensure that better service is offered to its patrons in the future. Because of this I have a new take on the term "customer service". With or without the free coupons, I am glad to see that I, a simple customer, still matters to this particular so-called corporate giant.

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A Magicalympic Day at Enchanted Kingdom!

I have always wanted to join the Amazing Race. Seriously. However, reality prevents me from doing so...for one I am not healthy enough for it, and secondly, given my poor sense of direction and highly volatile emotionality are factors that are definitely going to work against me. Luckily, Enchanted Kingdom, the Philippines' Premiere Theme Park, graciously set the stage for my dream coming true, even if in a small way!

Last Sunday, May 10, 50 or so bloggers were invited to participate in EK's Magicalympics, Enchanted Kingdom's own version of an amazing race where tasks involving the theme park rides are given for the teams to complete. Oh what fun it was! I would have to say my most favorite games were the Anchor's Away tomato catching game and the Dodgem retrieve the flag task!

The concept of the Magicalympics stems from the companies desire to provide fun and entertaining alternatives to team building and company outings, and I think they definitely hit the mark with it! Don't just take my word for it, watch the video and see what fun the magicalympics can be.



Special thanks to Ms. Myla Miranda-Cammayo, Manager of Corporate Communications for Enchanted Kingdom for arranging a wonderful day for us bloggers. Truly, Enchanted Kingdom's magic stays with you!

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Shopaholic Stays Home.

Lately, it takes a lot to get me out of the house. Even shopping does not lure me out of the comforts of my bedroom as much as it used to. No, I am not in hibernation...the weather has just been to crazy lately thus I prefer to stay in. What's more, everything is available with a few taps on the keyboard, so not, shopaholic can still shop at home!

The thing with staying at home, however, is that I see all the things my home needs. Just the other day, for example, I noticed that many of my home appliances are kinda falling apart. The washing machine, for one, makes a loud clunking noise as it spins. I think I gotta go find a good model to replace this sometime soon. Lucky for me I can search and compare models from my trusty PC. Not only that, I can also compare prices. This will surely be a great bonus given the economic crunch.

Speaking of seeing all the thing my home needs, it's not just appliances I've noticed that need upgrading. Looking around made me realize that since I have gotten into photography lately, I should spruce up my walls with some nice frames of my photos. I also want to put some of those cute Chinese paper lanterns in my lanai and some kind of nice lamps in the corners so my living room can have a warmer feel to it.

Oooh.....I can smell a home makeover coming up!!! Let me see...is my paypal account ready?!?

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The Grey's Anatomy So-Called Wedding.

I realize this comes as a super random post, but I just have to blog about the Grey's Anatomy wedding. I am eagerly awaiting the television premiere here in the Philippines but thanks to www.greysanatomyinsider.com I know what's going to happen!

I was both thrilled and disappointed in the episode, for obvious reasons, but watching it reminded me why I loved the show so much! In the past two seasons my addiction had started to wane slightly, but in the past few episodes, I became a fan again! Thank God for Studio 23's FUSE (fresh US episodes).

Watching the show gives me a lot of insight. I love how the storylines mirror a lot of my own experiences. In many ways, it provides the psychological catharsis that I need. Not too long ago, i was in the same dark and twisty place Mer and Cristina were. While I was there, the only thing that kept me sane was watching them live out life for me. I've written several posts about that in the past here and here. Eventually I found my way out of that darkness, and now realize that, as Cristina put it in one episode, "being aware of your crap and actually overcoming your crap are two very different things"(pardon the misquote!). Now I am not just aware of what would make me feel all dark and depressed. I am actually able to do something about it, even though I can't say I am immune to being hit by moments of depression any more. Nonetheless, I am healed and whole, not because I found those pieces that I thought I was missing, but because I was able to find out that these missing things are essential in making me who I am.

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What Happens in Vegas...May Not Stay in Vegas!

Last year my mom and my siblings went to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to come! I had to satisfy myself with pictures of their fabulous trip. I literally was green with envy when I saw the landmarks and attractions that are often seen in movies and tv that truly say "Las Vagas".

As I await the approval of my US visa, I am eagerly plotting out my own soon-to-be trip to sin city! I can barely wait to actually walk around the city made famous by CSI. However, I am not going to go there just for the sights. So as early as now I am browsing the internet to be able to plan the perfect itinerary. What would a trip to Las Vegas be without seeing a show, right? While planning, I came across a very interesting show by the Blue Man Group. It's an interesting concept! According to the write-up, it is an interactive show where audience participation with the blue spray painted men is key. Hmmm...getting curiouser and curiouser!!! I bet I've peaked your interest too, even in a small way! Should you be interested, you can check availability and book Blue Man Group Tickets as early as now. As soon as I get confirmation about my trip, I definitely will check that out! Let's see what happens then...and maybe when I get there what happens in Vegas, especially the shows I'll watch, may not stay in Vegas!

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iBlog 5, do you?

Tomorrow is iBlog5! This will be the first time I will be attending an event such as this, and I have to say, I am indeed looking forward to it despite some apprehensions because I don't really know so many bloggers, except for those who I always hang out with. Nevertheless, I hope this becomes the start of more involvement and discoveries in the blogosphere.

Are you going?

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If All The Raindrops.

Great. My roof is leaking.

Literally, seriously leaking. Just take a look. See those little lines running across the ceiling? Water is dripping from it! I almost slipped on the wet floor so I had to put a bucket/container to catch the water.

On the bright side, I suppose it's a good thing that despite it being summer, the rains have started to come. Because of it, I was able to find out that there's a leak on the roof. Can you imagine if this happened in the midst of the rainy/stormy season? Disaster! Now that I know the roof is leaking, I can go find a solution to it.

The thing is, when I brought it up to the people here at home (also known as my family) they said we should just go to the store and buy some sealant to patch up the roof. I said maybe it would be better to check out professional services like Huron Roofing just to be sure that our home is safe. Just the mere thought of the whole roof coming down because the wood had rots out because of the rains is frightening! I also worry since, as you see in the photo, there is a chandelier nearby. I may be no expert and I could be wrong, but I would assume there is some form of electrical connection somewhere there. And isn't water bad for that?

Now if only all the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops, then I wouldn't mind having a leaky roof!

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Flickr or Photobucket?!?

Since I've discovered the wonderful world of blogging, photography soon followed. I've discovered a new love, and its been taking up a lot of my time and hard drive space! Ok...I tend to be a bit of a tightwad when it comes to online purchasing (hello, blogspot here!!!) so I am not yet ready to take on a pro account that will allow me to host my photos.

With that said, let me ask you: flickr or photobucket?

If I were to choose one, which is better? Or is Multiply/Facebook good enough for hosting my photos??? I don't have that many anyways, but thats just for now. Wait till Santa brings me a dslr!

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Law to Order.

As a child I loved watching shows like LA Law. When I got older, I took a liking to shows like Ally McBeal, The Practice, Law and Order and Judging Amy. I preferred the more family or civil oriented law shows over the criminal ones, however, as it seemed more personal. Yes, I know it was scripted, but the cases always were interesting and captivating. Anyways, whatever type of law show it was, they gave me an idea of what the law is like and how one can fight for his or her rights, no matter how seemingly insignificant they may be to others. From simple property settlements to the value of a prenuptial agreement, even to getting and enforcing a restraining order, those television shows gave me a glimpse of the law in action. Further, it gave it a more laymans feel to it. Granted that these are just television shows, I can't help but wonder if firms like San Antonio Family-Law-Attorneys offer the same services the television counterpart does. I wonder too if the cases these firms handle are similar to the make-believe cases on television.

Hmmm...maybe its about time I should look into asking for legal advice as an alternative to ranting about my broadband problems. What do you think?

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New Lessons I've Learned From Blogging.

My fascination, should I say the least, with blogging has gone beyond just a passing fancy. Before, I used to just blog for fun, but now, it's become some alternate form of a lifestyle for me. I've learned so much from blogging, from the basics of html and the like, to more complex human interactions that, to be honest, I did not expect to learn.

It's funny how much my life has changed because of what I do in the world wide web. I think blogging has made me a better person in so many ways. One big lesson I've learned is to hold my tongue, both literally and figuratively. Because I've been online, I've learned how to stop and think about what I will say. Unlike before, I used to just say things at the spur of the moment or perhaps as a reflex.

Another thing I've gained from blogging is the spirit of camaraderie. From simple tips and tricks shared over plurk, or perhaps offering a helping hand whether on or off line, I have learned to expand my social circles to welcome new people in.
On a personal level I've learned to take risks. Be it purchasing my own domain and feeling my way through setting it up, these little achievements have given me the opportunity to explore the vastness of what I can do. What's more, it allows me to challenge my own capabilities and belief in myself.

One of my favorite gifts from blogging, however, is the chance it fives me to be silly once in a while :-)

photo courtesy of partypicslive.com taken during the Globe event, on April 30, 2009 at the Legend Villas. Check out Globe's Sulitxt 15 or Everybodytxt 20 at your nearest Globe loading center/sari-sari store.

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Keeping Your Home Safe.

I used to resent how my lola (grandmother) used to nag me about making sure our doors at home were locked at night then after I do so, she would go and double-check. It used to make me feel like she did not trust me. At times, I'd feel that she thought I was incompetent. However, not too long ago, my cousin called me in the middle of the night saying they were victims of a home invasion. What's worse, it happened when he was at home with his wife and three young kids. This even though he and his wife are quite meticulous about locking up after themselves. From that time on, I became more appreciative of my grandmother's nagging. I became more aware of how to keep the house safe from these unlawful elements. Since I'm such an internet addict, I decided to look up more ways of being protected, especially given the high incidences of crime in the city. It seems that because of the poor economy and difficult times, people are resorting more and more to crime to make a quick buck. Anyway, I came across this Home Security Blog which gave a lot of ideas from low-cost security measures to tools, gadgets and equipment that can deter home invaders and keep your home safe. After reading a bit, I went out and checked on whether our home front door is vulnerable to burglars. Thankfully, my home passed the test! What about you? Are you safe at home?

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