My January 2013 Diary

Hi blogging, I'm back...(drumroll :) and here's my January 2013 recap (a new journey starts now!)

Jan 5 Saturday

My flight was scheduled at 4pm.

Thank you Father that my check-in baggage was just within the 20-kilo limit. Yey!

The PAL plane boarded, departed Iloilo and arrived in Manila a little bit ahead of schedule.

Upon arrival at around 5pm, I took the yellow cab to Pitogo where my landlady, Ate Edna waited for me. They were really kind to assist me with my luggage and to loan their electric fan, broom, and pail (for cleaning and bathing). Ate Yolly was also there with her cute doggie called Blanche (French for white?). I cleaned up a bit, did my little area-planning and measurements before sleeping on my “camping mat”. Good night folks!

Jan 6 Sunday

Woke up early for my bath and ate the food Mama cooked for my take-away. I rode the FX to Ayala (noted that the fare has not changed much since I left). Thank you Father that I still know my way around here. I walked around Glorietta and Landmark (almost got lost after being sidetracked with the changes done to the renovated Landmark and additional wing / floors of Glorietta). I met with Ms My and her husband, Sir Butch, for lunch at Sumosam for some career counseling. Then I went to Anson's to check out their appliances – I think they have the widest selections of major and small appliances in the Makati area, a one-stop-shop-of-sorts. Their prices are comparably lower (plus you can still haggle for some discounts) than SM Appliance and Abensons (based on my research in the latter two appliance centers' websites). Caveat – be armed with a list or you'll be heady with all the things that you can or want to buy, hahaha.

From my two-weeks-in-the-making “start-up list”, I finally decided to buy my refrigerator, washing machine, TV and some small appliances (flat iron, fan, and kettle) at Anson's so these will be delivered one-time. Thank you Almighty Father for BPI 0% and Buy Now Pay Later promotions (I really appreciate the value of these blessings). 

I also bought vinyl blinds, mat for bathroom and two foldable storage boxes at Ace hardware. Since the preferred brands and specifications were not available at Anson's – The Link, I headed to the smaller Anson's branch at Landmark and bought my rice cooker, stove and wok. I believe these are cooking essentials (while waiting for the delivery on Tuesday), and thus hand-carried these small appliances with me (the reason why I didn't include this in the one-time delivery). I also surveyed SM, Automatic Center and even BLIMS for my bed. I finally settled on the bed frame/Salem mattress promo (a very good deal since the mattress is already orthopedic) at Landmark (yes, again). My feet hurt after the long day of walking and surveying. I took the cab with my bags in tow to rest again for another scheduled trip the next day.

Jan 7 Monday

I bought two kilos of rice and some eggs before going for another trip to Ayala. I spent some time “surveying” comfortable flat shoes before finally settling on the GIBI shoes found at Cinderella Glorietta. I eased out of my flat sandals which were unfortunately not so comfortable for really long walks.

I had burger lunch at Burger King before going to SM to buy some stuff based on my “domestic list”, mostly in blue --- Orocan set of pail-basin-and-dipper, waste bins, soap dispensers, knife and chopping board, silicon spatula, Luminarc plates, laundry hamper (in a funny yellow bird design), garment bag, broom-dustpan, and ironing board. Thank you Father for the nice SM personnel who assisted me with our stuff – his patience and customer service is indeed the expected “extra mile”. I shared the service pushcart with another customer who had to wait for quite a while before her car arrived where stacked storage boxes had to be loaded at the backseat of her Mercedes Benz (a wow moment for me; yes, I still get dazed with Benz and the thought of this car seating plastic storage boxes --- the lucky plastic boxes got to ride one, hahaha). I took the cab home to unload my stuff.

I went back again to Ayala to buy some basic cosmetics at Watson's and for my relaxing Power Peel at Flawless (also at SM). I boarded the bus (standing up) and quite enjoyed this “once-upon-a-time routine” which I used to do on Makati Fridays and almost forgot about. Note to self while I held on tight for less than five minutes until I got off at Estrella: “Welcome back to Manila!”.

Jan 8 Tuesday

I had lunch with my former SGV boss, Boss Warren Bituin, at Zunic – Greenbelt 5. We talked about my plans in going back to SGV and some major changes that happened in the two years that I was away. Then we went back to see the “new office” of the IT Risk and Assurance (ITRA) service line where everyone is now settled in one floor (11F – SGV 2). I saw familiar faces – Pearl, Aich, Abiel, Randyl, Robin, Lovely, Rocky, Kenneth, Carlo and Ms Ola. I missed these guys and this floor. I hurried back home in time for the delivery of my Anson's purchases at around 2:30 pm. Yey! I spent some time filing and reading my operating manuals (yes the OC me takes over this time).

After five hours (as per instructions of the delivery guy), I finally got to turn on and use my refrigerator. The TV still needs an antenna ofcourse which I had yet to buy. Then, I got excited to use the washing machine. I had to do this with a little patience though since I noted that the faucet is not the perfect fit and the machine hose to the water source is a bit short (Note to self: will have to change these tomorrow). I finished my laundry (a bit paranoid since this was my first time to use my own fully automatic washing machine) and was very happy with the result.

Jan 9 Wednesday

The Whirlpool guy came over to check on the washing machine (SOP for them to check one day after delivery). He suggested changing the faucet and a longer machine hose (which confirmed my observations yesterday).

I waited for the delivery of my bed and Salem orthopedic mattress. This was a huge relief after sleeping “close to the earth” for four days. I headed to the nearest hardware store but found nothing useful there. I took the jeepney to Guadalupe but found nothing there, too. I walked from Guadalupe through the “tulay” towards Robinsons Forum in Mandaluyong, a first for me (It felt just like walking the bridge from the Hall of Justice to Gaisano City back in Iloilo during college days).

I found my washing machine requirements at Robinsons Handyman (Thank you Father for the very helpful saleslady). Then I boarded the bus towards Megamall where I had a McDo burger snack. I finally found my indoor TV antenna at Ace Hardware (I eventually decided to get SkyCable's basic plan much later). I went around Homeworld and found good deals – Akemi 435-thread-count bed sheet and pillow case set (50% off), Akemi pillows (B1T1) and blue curtains (B1T1). Then I decided to get the breakfast table and cabinet (the latter had to be made-to-order because the one on display was damaged; delivery will be on February so I'll have to improvise until they arrive). I boarded the bus again with my “bedroom stuff”. This time, I looked forward to a more restful sleep because I already had my bed, pillows and 435-threadcount sheets, hahaha.

Before I ended my day, I made sure to send the requested write-up to Boss Warren.

Jan 10 Thursday

I had my brunch of eggs and fried rice. Then, I had short window-shopping moments at SM and Glorietta. I saw lovely dresses at the Fashion Forum section of SM – though I thought these are expensive; I got one of similar quality from a local Iloilo boutique for one-tenth of the price. On the other hand, Glorietta is lovelier now with the new stores and added floors.

I had my burger snack at Wendy's (I missed the Bacon Mushroom Melt and tried their Lavazza coffee – a relief after five days of caffeine-abstinence). Then I bought my comparably cheap Nafnaf jeans and blue sleepwear at Landmark (definitely more affordable finds here). I bought my groceries and patiently lined up for the Pateros jeepney (about 30 minutes waiting time and 15 minutes travel time. Melody dropped by my room (thank you for the KFC twisters) and we talked until 12 midnight – a lot of catching up to do. Good night again.

Jan 11 Friday

I received Boss Warren's SMS reply to my query and things are going well. It's just a matter of time.

I had my faucet replaced already and it's the perfect fit for the washing machine hose. I still need a better and longer hose so that the machine need not be moved around during laundry time (quite heavy for someone like me). Later in the afternoon, I went to Robinson's Forum to have the hose replaced (which the sales guy did with no fuss) and also bought my extension cord (the reliable Panther type with a mini-voltage-surge-protector. Since it was raining outside, I decided to eat first before heading home. I tried the Hainanese resto with its unlimited rice (I had two additional cups of rice, hehe). Good dinner!

Jan 12 Saturday

Today is day one of my bathroom repair day.

I had an early dinner at 6pm and fell asleep at past 7pm.

Jan 13 Sunday

Woke up early for my Koppiccino-and-Olsen breakfast – which I now call Genefel's morning staple.

Today is day two of my bathroom repair day. The wood planks on the ceiling have been replaced and hopefully the leakage has been 100% resolved. The original wood boards (on top and beside the sink) have also been installed so I now have more space for my kitchen and laundry essentials.

Jan 15 Tuesday

I finished my full laundry using my buddy Whirlpool (my faucet, drain hose and water source hose are now perfect fits). Thank you Father that they've brought fully automatic washing machines to the Philippines. What a breeze to finish everything in less than an hour using twenty pesos worth of laundry powder and softener. Savings in time, energy and money indeed!

Jan 16 Wednesday

Jan 17 Thursday

To help fill in my free time, I went to National Bookstore to look for books. I first went to Glorietta 5 only to find out that the entire National Bookstore (and most of the tenants) have been moved to the New Glorietta. It looks like the bigger National Bookstore (once in Glorietta 5) was merged with the smaller one in Glorietta 4 to become the three-floor bookstore that it is now. I still feel a bit sad that this new one seems like 50% school supplies and 50% bookstore. I will then find out the next day that the same thing happened to Powerbooks – Greenbelt.

I found some not-so-new titles that I'd never bothered to read before and decided to give these a try now: (1) Rich Dad Poor Dad, and (2) Predictable Irrationality. These are what I bought with Mama's Christmas gift for me :)

Jan 18 Friday

I went to SGV to check on my last pay – funny that I was following up on this at the same time that I will be rejoining the firm.

I saw Ms Carol, our EA from WAC cluster days on my way out of the building and we spent a bit of time catching up.

Later in the evening, I received an SMS from SGV's HR inquiring on when I will be able to start and informing me regarding my pre-employment requirements.

Jan 21 Monday

I went to SGV for my pre-employment requirements. While I was on my way up the stairs, the manong guard recognized me and informed me that my SSS ID was already delivered. Yey, after XX years (when I thought I would have to re-apply for it)!!!

I met with Sir Nonoy after filling up the application form for updates. I also saw some familiar faces and said my 'hello'. SGV feels so much like a second home.

I had my lunch of Savory Chicken at Glorietta Food Choices. I photocopied my documents at National Bookstore. On my way out of Rustan's, I dropped by FINO and checked out their leather goods to see if I could find my “perfect work bag” here. After days of research and window-shopping at mostly foreign brands, I finally found it in this proudly Filipino store – FINO. There was several choices of light blue leather bags on display but I found the wine-colored bucket bag (pulled out by the sales guy from their un-displayed stocks) to be the perfect choice (which is in a dark hue more perfect than black that it can indeed go with any color). I am so glad that I found another Filipino pride (in addition to Via Venetto and Jose) to earn a slot in my “loyalty list”.

I boarded the bus and went to a not-so-long-journey of locating the BIR RDO office for Mandaluyong where I needed to file my Form 1905 for update of my home RDO. With some directions from the security guard and BIR personnel at the City Hall, a tricycle driver and a traffic personnel, I finally found the office along EDSA near the Shaw Blvd. MRT station. The submission of the form took about 15 minutes (someone was even nice enough to give up his seat for me during the waiting time – a chivalry rarity nowadays).

I went back to SM Makati to buy a blue coffee mug, Ocean glass and Luminarc bowl. I also dropped by Landmark supermarket to buy some vegetables, bread and ice cream.

I went home to rest and an hour-long phone call to Mama ended my day with a smile.

Jan 22 Tuesday

I had my medical exam at Healthlab Medical City and finished at about past 11am. I spent the few hours before lunch window-shopping at Greenbelt. I dropped by the Kate Spade store and found their “Shoe Fund” purse too cute but will resist this for now.

I also got to see the famed Yosi Saram foldable flats up close and personal at the Gas store. I was quite impressed by how flat the “flats” fold up and how small these are to fit any lady's bag. Will keep this in my “wish list” and reflect further on whether I will buy this in the future. For now, I'm perfectly happy with my GIBI flats.

I proceeded to Landmark Foodcourt and found the Ilonggo Grill station where I ordered “Papaitan” combo meal for my lunch.

I went to FINO to pick up my yesterday's purchase.

After the long day, I was dozing off and called it an early night.

Jan 23 Wednesday

I did my laundry and was again happy with the simplicity of it (The connection to the water source is a bit of a challenge but once it's done, the rest will be a breeze.)

At around 530 pm, I prepared my experimental dinner of chicken, sayote and mushroom. No worries, no subject was hurt in this experiment.

Jan 30 Friday

Welcome back to SGV!