Sunday, January 21, 2018
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Blogging's glory days
I miss the kind of old-fashioned blogging I used to do. I stumbled across a blog that I'd kept for maybe 4 years -- pre- and post-mommyhood. I can't believe I used to write so personally and candidly back then... as if I were talking to friends.
These days though, you can't be too careful about what you post on the Internet because as they say, "the Internet is forever." Anyway, it's fun to read about how I would describe the details of my days, my trips, my plans, even my love life (yes, I used to have one of those). Here's a screenshot of something I wrote shortly after a breakup:
That made me laugh because that day that I'd wished for had come years ago, and I don't even remember writing that. Hilarious.
These days though, you can't be too careful about what you post on the Internet because as they say, "the Internet is forever." Anyway, it's fun to read about how I would describe the details of my days, my trips, my plans, even my love life (yes, I used to have one of those). Here's a screenshot of something I wrote shortly after a breakup:
That made me laugh because that day that I'd wished for had come years ago, and I don't even remember writing that. Hilarious.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Passport renewal experience
I've already read a lot of blogs talking about their passport renewal experience (all good), and I just want to add to that because I had a good experience too.
When I was still planning on renewing my and my son's passports, I was thinking of scheduling it sometime mid-May on a weekday. So I went to the online passport application/renewal site of DFA about 3 weeks before the date I wanted... only to find out that there was no availability on that date.
So, a tip: Go on the DFA portal to schedule your appointment 2 months before the date you want. Looks like they limit the number of applications they entertain daily, which actually is a good thing.
I ended up getting a 10:30 AM appointment for today in their Megamall branch. I chose this branch because I'd read good feedback in a forum.
Today being a Saturday, I planned on leaving the house at 8:30 AM because I didn't want to get stressed in case there's heavy traffic going to the mall. From past experience, I knew that traffic around this area can get heavy in the mid-morning.
We left the house a little past 8:30 and got there at around 9:15, thanks to the driver's fast driving skillz and light traffic past the Cubao area. I checked Waze and saw that the DFA is in Building C, so I had the driver drop us off at Building A. This is the side where upon entering you see Sbarro on the left and Kenny Rogers on the right.
At 10 AM we finally got to enter the mall. The security guard told me that to get to DFA, we have to go up all the way to the fifth floor using the escalator just near the entrance, then cross to the DFA. It was easy enough to find.
There was already a line forming at the entrance but it wasn't long and it moved fast. A security guard by the entrance checked our printed appointment confirmation and application forms then let us in and we proceeded to the verification counter. The two guys who manned this counter checked our application forms, stamped them, and attached a small slip of paper to each. The slip of paper was a list of the procedures we had to go through. We were then told to proceed to the processing area.
The processing area is air-conditioned and comfortable, with plenty of seats to spare. The DFA personnel were proactive in helping applicants check whether their requirements are complete. I knew it was imperative to have all the required documents photocopied, and I did have photocopies of page 2 of my and my son's expiring passports, my driver's license, my son's school ID and birth certificate. But while in line in the processing area, one of the DFA guys said I needed to have the last page of our passports photocopied as well. So I had to go out of the DFA and fall in line at the nearest photocopying shop (Pixografx on the 5th floor).
I went back to the processing area and the same guy who told me I needed those photocopies spotted me and directed me right away to an available window. The lady in Window 8 was very pleasant but I got miffed when I was told to photocopy my application form. She did explain that it's needed because it's going to be attached to my son's application form as proof that I would be the one traveling with him. Ugh, fine. Back we went to Pixografx -- good thing the line was already short.
Going back to the processing area the third time, the lady in Window 8 spotted me and motioned me to come over. Finally, all the documents were complete! While checking them, she even remarked, "Uy, artist!" when she saw our surnames. She said she has one of the pieces Freeway made as a tribute to Tatay. That was unexpected, and good to hear. We proceeded to the cashier and paid P1,200 for each passport.
The next step was encoding. There were about 10 counters in the encoding area, and maybe 3 more for senior citizens and PWDs. There were plenty of seats to spare here too, and the line moved fast. We spent maybe a total of 15 minutes waiting before we were told to go to the next available counter.
At the counter, the lady entered the data for my son's passport, took his photo, then scanned his fingerprints. The lady here was also accommodating and not at all your stereotypical laid-back government employee. After encoding my son's information, it was my turn and it was all very quick.
When we were done, we went to the courier counter to pay for the shipping of our passports, which was P150 per passport. I wish they had the option of shipping all family members' passports in one package, since obviously one package can hold more than one passport. But obviously getting P150 per passport is the courier's way of making money.
All in all, we spent less than 2 hours at the DFA, and it would've been quicker if I didn't have to have some documents photocopied. But overall, it was not a stressful experience at all. I thought I would've been made to wait at the end of the line again upon returning from the copier, but I really appreciated that the DFA guys made an effort to make the process as smooth and as orderly as they could.
When I was still planning on renewing my and my son's passports, I was thinking of scheduling it sometime mid-May on a weekday. So I went to the online passport application/renewal site of DFA about 3 weeks before the date I wanted... only to find out that there was no availability on that date.
So, a tip: Go on the DFA portal to schedule your appointment 2 months before the date you want. Looks like they limit the number of applications they entertain daily, which actually is a good thing.
I ended up getting a 10:30 AM appointment for today in their Megamall branch. I chose this branch because I'd read good feedback in a forum.
Today being a Saturday, I planned on leaving the house at 8:30 AM because I didn't want to get stressed in case there's heavy traffic going to the mall. From past experience, I knew that traffic around this area can get heavy in the mid-morning.
We left the house a little past 8:30 and got there at around 9:15, thanks to the driver's fast driving skillz and light traffic past the Cubao area. I checked Waze and saw that the DFA is in Building C, so I had the driver drop us off at Building A. This is the side where upon entering you see Sbarro on the left and Kenny Rogers on the right.
At 10 AM we finally got to enter the mall. The security guard told me that to get to DFA, we have to go up all the way to the fifth floor using the escalator just near the entrance, then cross to the DFA. It was easy enough to find.
There was already a line forming at the entrance but it wasn't long and it moved fast. A security guard by the entrance checked our printed appointment confirmation and application forms then let us in and we proceeded to the verification counter. The two guys who manned this counter checked our application forms, stamped them, and attached a small slip of paper to each. The slip of paper was a list of the procedures we had to go through. We were then told to proceed to the processing area.
The processing area is air-conditioned and comfortable, with plenty of seats to spare. The DFA personnel were proactive in helping applicants check whether their requirements are complete. I knew it was imperative to have all the required documents photocopied, and I did have photocopies of page 2 of my and my son's expiring passports, my driver's license, my son's school ID and birth certificate. But while in line in the processing area, one of the DFA guys said I needed to have the last page of our passports photocopied as well. So I had to go out of the DFA and fall in line at the nearest photocopying shop (Pixografx on the 5th floor).
I went back to the processing area and the same guy who told me I needed those photocopies spotted me and directed me right away to an available window. The lady in Window 8 was very pleasant but I got miffed when I was told to photocopy my application form. She did explain that it's needed because it's going to be attached to my son's application form as proof that I would be the one traveling with him. Ugh, fine. Back we went to Pixografx -- good thing the line was already short.
Going back to the processing area the third time, the lady in Window 8 spotted me and motioned me to come over. Finally, all the documents were complete! While checking them, she even remarked, "Uy, artist!" when she saw our surnames. She said she has one of the pieces Freeway made as a tribute to Tatay. That was unexpected, and good to hear. We proceeded to the cashier and paid P1,200 for each passport.
The next step was encoding. There were about 10 counters in the encoding area, and maybe 3 more for senior citizens and PWDs. There were plenty of seats to spare here too, and the line moved fast. We spent maybe a total of 15 minutes waiting before we were told to go to the next available counter.
At the counter, the lady entered the data for my son's passport, took his photo, then scanned his fingerprints. The lady here was also accommodating and not at all your stereotypical laid-back government employee. After encoding my son's information, it was my turn and it was all very quick.
When we were done, we went to the courier counter to pay for the shipping of our passports, which was P150 per passport. I wish they had the option of shipping all family members' passports in one package, since obviously one package can hold more than one passport. But obviously getting P150 per passport is the courier's way of making money.
All in all, we spent less than 2 hours at the DFA, and it would've been quicker if I didn't have to have some documents photocopied. But overall, it was not a stressful experience at all. I thought I would've been made to wait at the end of the line again upon returning from the copier, but I really appreciated that the DFA guys made an effort to make the process as smooth and as orderly as they could.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Meow
I promised Mig he could have a pet on his birthday. I'd originally wanted to get a pug, but after talking to my dog owner friends, they recommended that we start with a cat because it's supposedly easier to take care of. So... meet Madison!
She's a 4 month old Persian and I got her from a friend of a friend. We sometimes call her Madis or Maddie. I often call her Maddie the Baddie because she's so naughty! Although I suppose that's normal for a kitten her age. She always wants to play when it's time to sleep and she likes dashing out of the room and having us chase her.
She's a 4 month old Persian and I got her from a friend of a friend. We sometimes call her Madis or Maddie. I often call her Maddie the Baddie because she's so naughty! Although I suppose that's normal for a kitten her age. She always wants to play when it's time to sleep and she likes dashing out of the room and having us chase her.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Of late, I'd been on a crazy Lisa Kleypas book frenzy. I'm a sucker for predictable romance novels where the hero is a brooding, hunky, muscled, rich man and the heroine is this gorgeous, curvy, blond-haired girl who's unaware of her own beauty. What can I say? I love fairy tales. :)
But I recently discovered this touching, atypical romance novel while looking for books to read on Amazon. I don't usually go for love stories that have unusual plots, but the description of Jojo Moyes' Me Before You sounded so interesting -- a girl who needed money takes a job as companion to a formerly outdoorsy, active man who's now a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair.
I loved the slow dance between the two characters, how they thought, and how they fell in love. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. It also made me think of Tin. This is definitely a book I'd want to read again.
But I recently discovered this touching, atypical romance novel while looking for books to read on Amazon. I don't usually go for love stories that have unusual plots, but the description of Jojo Moyes' Me Before You sounded so interesting -- a girl who needed money takes a job as companion to a formerly outdoorsy, active man who's now a quadriplegic confined to a wheelchair.
I loved the slow dance between the two characters, how they thought, and how they fell in love. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. It also made me think of Tin. This is definitely a book I'd want to read again.
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