I terminate my Shell-Citibank Visa

I had no intention of getting another credit card as I own 2 cards already. However, I was enticed to get a Citibank-Shell Visa last year as it offered 5% rebates on Shell fuel purchases and free annual membership fee for the first year. I asked for another concession from the agent that he granted - a gold card.

As of the last statement, I’ve earned a total rebate of more than P4,000 for one year. But, since it’s already my first year anniversary, I’m now being charged for annual membership fee of P3,000 and P1,500 each for my 3 extension cards. And, these fees are offsetting my savings.

I called up the call center and requested for the waiver of the annual membership fees. The agent explained to me that the principal’s annual membership fee could be waived; provided, I enroll a utility bill for its auto debit scheme. However, the extensions’ fees can’t be waived. Thus, I requested for the termination of the credit cards. The agent tried to persuade me to keep the cards or at least the principal card; but, I didn’t budge. I just told her that I would only maintain my cards if all the fees were waived. She didn’t budge too. So, goodbye my gold Citibank-Shell Visa card.

Why would I pay for annual fees when I have two other cards with waivable annual fees? And, if these two other cards would no longer waive the fees, I’d likewise terminate them.

Happy birthday, Luigi

I took a vacation leave for the celebration of Luigi’s birthday. It’s my number coding day; so, we had to leave home during the coding window period, which is from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The first part of the celebration was lunch with Mamang and Elvie. We’re looking for a restaurant to eat and found a Chinese restaurant - the Kowloon House located at Matalino Street, Diliman, Quezon City. My family is a Chinese food lover. We ordered shrimp salad, pancit canton, fried chicken, sweet & sour fish, yang chow fried rice and plain rice.

The second part was videoke with my wifey’s sister-in-law (Ate Nory) and family (Alma, Jon, Jon’s wife - Kim, and their son - Kalvin). We arrived at Music 21 - Timog thirty minutes before the opening time, which is at 3:00 PM. We are availing of the happy hours (from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM) for discounted rates. Everybody enjoyed singing, eating and drinking.

It was a happy celebration, indeed.

An accident - almost!

I had a trip to Davao City. And, my flight was 6:30 AM this morning. I woke up at 3:00 AM, prepared, and left at about 3:40 AM. I live in Novaliches, Quezon City and I could be at the airport in less than an hour. My travel was smooth and devoid of traffic until I reached EDSA. Along EDSA, there were lots of trucks but the traffic was still moving fast. I was traveling between 50 to 60 kph.

At the Cubao area, I was traveling at the innermost lane. Directly on my right, there’s a long truck; and, we’re about the same speed. It’s following another truck. Suddenly, it’s swerving to my lane. Holy cow! Instinctively, I swerved to the left too to avoid coming in contact with the truck. But, if I continued swerving, I’d hit the island. Another instinct, I revved and swerved back to the right.

Fortunately, the accident didn’t happen. I looked back through the rear view mirror and saw the truck already on the innermost lane overtaking the truck it’s following. Whew! That’s close.

I lose 500 pesos

Two Saturdays ago, we went to Sun City Resort in Pansol, Calamba, Laguna for another wifey’s long birthday celebration.  This time, the guests were the members of her deceased brother’s family.

On the way to the resort, we pulled over along the road and bought vegetable “Paku”. At the resort, I was eating the Paku raw.  Then, I dared our 12-year old grandniece, Aleck, to eat a bunch of uncooked Paku and I’d give her hundred bucks.  She didn’t bite. Ha, ha, ha . . . I knew she wouldn’t as she’s not a green eater.  I increased the prize to 200 bucks.  Still, she ignored it.  Then, I increased it to P500, which made her thought twice. She needed that much money and accepted my challenge.  Whew!  “Are you sure?”, I asked her and she replied positively.

At first bite, she didn’t like the taste. The second and third bites almost made her threw up.  And, I thought she’s backing out.  But she’s determined to get the money and finish the challenge. She ate some with chocolate cookies, dipped some in a cola, and did everything to finish the Paku.  With cheerings from other members of the family, she did a good job!

And, I lost. Hu hu hu . . .

Happy birthday, sweetheart

Today is wifey’s birthday.  She originally planned to celebrate her birthday two days in advance for an overnight stay in a Laguna private resort.  It could have been a big celebration with about 20 persons attending - all our relatives from both sides. The plan was spoiled because wifey took a vacation in her favorite hotel, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, for four days a week before her day.

I dissuade her to push through with the planned celebration lest she’d suffer a relapse and take a vacation again to her favorite hotel. She was hesitant at first but finally assented. Good girl!

And, so the celebration has been divided into three phases.  The first was a dinner at Gilligan’s in Trinoma last Saturday with her nephew - Noel, and niece-in-law - Iya, and grandniece, Lian. The second was today for a lunch at Super Bowl of China with my Mamang, my sister - Elvie, nephew - Ryan, and niece-in-law, Pie.  The third would be with her sister-in-law and family, which is to be scheduled probably this weekend for a day trip to a Laguna resort.

Happy long birthday, my dear!

By the way, do you want to know my birthday gift to her?  Please click here.

My new pair of bowling shoes

Last week, a bowling friend told me about the bowling shoes on sale at the Riverbanks Mall in Marikina City. The brand is Swatch with a regular price of P2,350 a pair.  And, the discounts range from 10 to 50%.  He’s buying one; and, I requested him to buy me a pair too (my 11-year old bowling shoes were already retiring). My friend and I have the same shoe sizes - 9″.  I’m not particular with the design so he could choose any design. I’m particular with the price and asked him to get the one with 50% off.

Last Sunday, he called me up informing me that the pairs with 50% discounts have no 9″ sizes, except for the one with faded colors and with spots.  There’s a nice pair but with 30% discount only.  He  described the color and design; and, I gave him my go signal.

At the tournament site last night, he gave my new pair of bowling shoes. I suspensely opened the box; and, lo and behold, I liked the shoes very much. I immediately donned and tried them. They perfectly fit my feet. I thanked my friend, reimbursed him, and treated him for some bottles of beer.  Thank you, friend!

Instant messaging

Instant messaging is now being used not just personally but in companies and organizations as well. It is a very effective tool of communication.

Our company is now into instant messaging. It has improved a lot our communication with our personnel in our branches nationwide, suppliers and customers both local and foreign. I also personally use it to communicate with my relatives and friends abroad.

If you want an instant messaging which is highly secured, you can try Brosix Public. It has already released its Brosix 3 BETA. Because of its very strong encryption applied to all data transfer, the risk of virus infections is nil.

I have already recommended to our IT department to try Brosix 3 Beta. Why not try it too?

My alternative exercise

For some time, I’ve considered bicycling as my alternative exercise to break the walking boredom. Finally, I decided to try it, despite the discouragement from wifey being a dangerous exercise.  Hence, I bought a new bicycle.  It’s not an expensive but one of the cheapest - less than P3,000 ($64) only. Actually, I saw one that I like with a price of P15,000 ($320), but I had second thought.  I’d like to determine first whether this exercise is for me or not before buying a better and expensive unit. So, I let a night passed and thought it over. When I woke the following morning, I decided on buying the low end unit only.  Should I decide not to continue biking or upgrade the bike to a high end unit, I would just give or donate this bike away; and, it wouldn’t break my heart.

First, I named my bike as “BikePot”. Then, I rode it to try on how the 16 gears work. It’s the first time I used a bike with gears. It’s been a long long time since I last rode a bike. He he he . . .

I broke in my new bike around UP Diliman oval last Sunday afternoon.  There, I met some bikers who gave me some tips and advices, especially on how to use the gears.

Offhand, I think I would love this exercise. But, I’d keep walking as my main exercise.

Happy Birthday to me!

Last Monday, June 8, was my 52nd birthday.  A year older, a year wiser? I hope!

How did I celebrate it? Actually, I had no plan of celebrating it due to financial reasons.  For the past year, I haven’t gotten much opportunities and tasks from my paid blogging.  I’m just averaging P2,000 a month. Hence, I had no budget!  Okay, I was just being wise!  He he he . . .

However, wifey and Jaja - my daughter, didn’t want to pass this milestone in my life without a celebration.  They made a plan to have a dinner celebration at the Emerald Restaurant along Roxas Boulevard – one of our favorite Chinese restaurants. My expense, of course! But, I heard Mamang - my mother, and my sister Evelyn, who’s currently working in the USA, would gift me some cash.  That’s good!  With a budget already in the air, I sent my invitations to some of our closest relatives.

We arrived at the restaurant at about 7:00 PM.  Wifey and Jaja - the planners, ordered the food – about eight viands and in large sizes - he he he . . .  We’re fifteen, including Baby Gab Gab, but there were plenty of left-overs.  And, the bill?  OMG, we overspent!  That’s fine!  Anyway, it’s my birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Thanks to Mamang and Sis Evelyn!

Please check wifey’s blogpost and web album about my birthday celebration!

The best place in the house

I think the best place in a house is the living room, whether a house is small, medium, large or grandiose. It is the most spacious place and has lot of things to do – from relaxing to watching a movie to having a party. It is also where you entertain your guests or visitors.

As such, the living room must be presentable that would make your guests and visitors appreciate it. And, to make it presentable, your Living Room Furniture should be elegant and yet sturdy.

The living room is my favorite place in our house. It is where I spend most of my time when I am home.