3-Day Weekend

It was a 3-day weekend for us. In the Philippines, we have something called "holiday economics" in which holidays that land on the weekdays are automatically moved to either Monday or Friday to encourage domestic spending over the weekend. People who want to travel locally without having to file a day off from work which is great.

Anyway, I also took a break from my writing because I wanted to spend time with the kids. When I'm writing naturally I'm more focused on it and can sometimes neglect to give them the attention that they need. So to make up for it, we stayed at home, had fun watching movies and we experimented with some recipes we had :) Dana helped with the cooking :) Oh and I also had my hair cut which was really overdue! Now, my head feels lighter LOL

We watched The Dark Crystal, which has been a favorite of mine (and of Patrick) from our "younger" days LOL We wanted the kids to appreciate it as much as we did. Funny enough, even Den (the teen) liked the movie :)

Oh and we also watched "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" too hahaha I liked it! Now, if only I had Book 6, our collection will be complete hahaha

We also watched "The Golden Compass" and the kids loved it, especially Dylan because of the bear!

The movie, "Willow" was also a trip down memory lane :) This one starred Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley and produced by George Lucas :)

Learning while Writing

For the couple of years or so, I've been writing web content as a ghost writer and I've found it a good experience. I get to write (which I love), get paid (wish they paid higher), and learn at the same time! Because of this part-time work, I've been able to research on things that normally I wouldn't even dream of looking up.

For instance, for the past weeks, I've been writing travel articles. In the process, I've learned about many cities, their history and what makes them tick.. it makes me wish that I was so rich I can go to all of them at my leisure hehe

Like yesterday, I was doing an article about Jerusalem. During the research about its geography (I'm a stickler for details) I've stumbled upon the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I have heard of it on the news but I never really thought about it. So I searched some more (never mind that it's really background for the article on Jerusalem but I got intrigued). I'm sure that everyone has their own opinion about what's going on but I think it's a matter of letting go and moving on so that there'll be peace.. I know, easier said than done.. and you have years and years of history to bury and that's not easy..

Anyway, I'm glad I'm doing this writing thing. I learn something new everyday :)

Zenni Optical: The Answer to your prayers!

Recently, I’ve been having these major headaches because I’ve taken up writing again. What that means is that I’m in front of the computer most of the time and it’s taking a strain on my eyes. My eyeglasses needed replacing which led me to look for a great source of affordable yet stylish eyeglasses and voila! Incredible Stylish New Frames From Zenni!!

I found that for as low as $8, I can get the frame that I want from so many frames to choose from. Check out that picture and the best part is that it even comes with FREE Anti Scratch coating, UV Protection and Lens Edge polishing and beveling! And get this - Zenni Optical was on FOX news!

If you’re like me and you’re always on the lookout for a good deal, why don’t you try Zenni Optical $8 Rx Eyeglasses? You’ve solved your eye problems, you look good and still managed to save some money. I think that’s a great bargain!!

The tooth is gone!! bwahahahaha

Okay, I have just returned from the dentist's clinic and am so happy to report that the bad tooth.. the very bad tooth.. that has been plaguing me for exactly a week now is gone and laid to rest.. dum-dum-dum-dum..

Of course, I was apprehensive and nervous but I was showing a brave face because Dana was with me and I didn't want to traumatize her by being all shaky and anxious. She was in the room when it all happened :)

The doctor came in and checked again if he can indeed remove the tooth now. And, yes, he said, let's proceed. Then, he shot me with something (most likely anesthesia and Adrenalin was the third one, as I later found out). It felt like my face was swollen but Dana said nothing is different on my face.. the numbness was creeping in.. Dana didn't even get scared from the needle, she even said, "Wow, that's a different injection, Mama"

After 5-10 minutes, the doctor came back and started doing something again to my mouth.. I didn't feel a thing! It was only when Dana said, "Mama, what did he take from your mouth?!" that I had an inkling it was over. And it was over, and all my fears were for naught!

He showed me the tooth (for a second I wanted to take a picture so you guys can see it but I didn't want to gross you out hehehe) and it was creepy! hahaha The root was longer than normal, the doctor said, so again, my tooth was a mutant! I'm such a mutant! hahaha

After that, he prescribed some pain killers for after the anesthetic wears off and I have to call him again on Monday just to check in. After 10 days, I have another free check up scheduled :)

whew! I'm glad it wasn't so scary that time. :) Thanks Doc!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Trailer is out!

Yesterday, I got this link from Patrick since he knows I'm a fan of the Harry Potter series.

The teaser trailer to the newest Harry Potter movie - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is now available to view via this link

It looks pretty interesting and makes me want to read the book all over again.. yeah from book 1 no less hahaha

Enjoy!

Tooth update (I really hate this you know!)

Okay for my loyal fans (ehmm... readers) haha I hereby give you an update on what's going on with my tooth and inflamed cheek ...

for those who want the short version - here it is: it needs to be extracted!! oh what a joy! NOOOOTTTT!!!

for those who want the nitty gritty details, read on:

After much searching for a trustworthy dentist, I finally reached my cousin (Father Ray thank you so much mwah!!) who referred me to his friend (Dra. Fe), who also happens to have a clinic near our place. I was only going to ask for her clinic hours when we already discussed my problems over the phone (which is great because it's free!) At least I now have some professional opinion of what I have and what I should really be doing about it.

She suggested I change the antibiotic that I was drinking because it isn't strong enough to fight the infection. I also need to keep rinsing my mouth with antibacterial mouthwash or water with salt (which is more natural). If pain persists, there's always the reliable painkiller. After taking the Augmentin, and as soon as the swelling goes down, I'm due for a tooth extraction.. oh no! I hate that part..

You know why? When I was in high school, the same thing happened to me, my tooth cracked from biting an apple (this was a molar). When I went to the dentist, I was told that the only option was to have it extracted.. okay.. so I had no choice, sitting at the chair, it was like being on the electric chair and you're just waiting to die.. melodramatic but true. after those anesthetic injections they started to remove the tooth. Well, surprise, surprise, they can't remove it.. it was too anchored!!! The dentist had to have his assistant (a huge man) hold onto my head, because he felt the jaw giving way (we have a history of locked jaw in our family)

So if you can imagine that - two men, one holding a set of pliers pulling on my tooth, the other holding on to my head for dear life hahahha it was just too funny.. and then after much pulling and sweating (yes, sweating!) the tooth was out.. it had 3 roots!!! that's why it was so hard to remove!! my tooth was a mutant!!! run for your life!!! hahahha

That's why I'm nervous about this tooth extraction. It's the same area as the one I described only in the opposite side of the mouth.. when the one before was on the left, this new one is on the right..

I need a gallon of ice cream for this one!!

An awful weekend

Again, I've had such a mean weekend. Last Saturday night, my tooth started aching all over again, after I thought that the pain has subsided. This time, it's back with a vengeance!!!

The pain was so intense I wasn't able to sleep, even after drinking 4 caplets of Tylenol.. and that's when I knew that it was worse than ever before!!

The next morning, I took Ponstan coz I remember my mom and aunts telling me that's what they used if they have toothaches.. so I drank it, and for a while the pain subsided, but at the same time, it blew up my cheeks!! or maybe it was because of the irritation or infection..

Whatever, my right cheek is still "deformed" and my kids call me a "monster" hahaha

Now, its Tuesday morning and the swelling hasn't subsided, looks like I have to go to the dentist for a check-up (duh?!) I should've gone last Sunday!! but like most Filipinos, we try to tolerate the pain as much as we can until we can't stand it and that's the only time we go to the dentist or doctor..

I did check www.webmd.com and their symptom checker to see what I may have.. it's pretty helpful.. thanks to my brother for pointing me this way..

I hope what this is is nothing serious... I'm scared of dentists..

BPI Express is not so express at all!

I apologize to my readers because this post is very much a Rant rather than a rave. Remember I wrote a post before about not being able to get money from my ATM card because of some unexplainable malfunction? Okay, so this post is the continuation to that "saga"..

Last June 24, I called up their customer service to report the problem. I explained the situation to them, that the machine was giving me a "wrong PIN" message even though I only use 1 PIN and it's highly unlikely that I'm going to forget it. I was told that the only way to fix it was to get a new card. At first, I thought it was a simple matter of inputting a new PIN, silly me. Anyway, I filed an application over the phone with the customer service agent. He told me it would take roughly 7 days to get a new card and 3 days to transfer the balance from the old card to the new one. So, I was resigned to the fact that it would take at the least 10 days, if you add in the weekends, to get a new card and then finally get my money.

Fast forward to after 10 days... I was even more than 10 days because I completely forget to follow up on it... So I made a call to the branch where I'm supposed to get the card from. Surprise, surprise, they still don't have it! Apparently, there was an error when the agent filed the application and it was only discovered now that I'm checking it. I have to wait for another 3 days to get the card. Frustrating!! This was between July 7-11

Between July 14-18, I called them again. Hooray ! The card was there, but can I get it tomorrow because the PIN Machine was broken? I didn't go. I was getting very, very frustrated!!

July 21, I went there to get it. Patrick took a leave from the office so that I can get it. Surprise!! I got the card!! But I couldn't encode a PIN because there was no officer on duty. Can you please go to another branch so you can PIN there? I didn't want to waste the day, so I did. Before I left, I was told to call their customer hotline as soon as I got home so that I can have the money from the old card transferred to the new one.

So, I got the PIN encoded and I can't wait to get home to get the money transferred.

I tried to call the hotline as soon as I arrived. I couldn't get through. That was 5pm. I figured they were probably receiving a lot of calls. I called at 9pm. Couldn't get through again.. grrr...

I called in the morning and got through, only to be told that they couldn't transfer the money!!!! I should have had it "re-Pinned". They only require you to get a new card for a different type of account!!! what the...????!!!!! If I wanted to transfer the money, I can have it re-pinned and then after 1 day, I can use the ATM to transfer to the new one, or I can use the old one. If I didn't want to do that, I can have the card blocked and then the funds will be transferred automatically to the new one, but it will take 3 days... oh great.. exactly a month to the day when I will receive my money!! great!!

I hope that this doesn't happen to someone else.. and I hope that they train their agents better. and I hope that you didn't get bored reading this! hahaha

New additions to the blog

Okay I've added something new to my blog for my dear family, friends and fellow bloggers. I've always wanted to hear what you thought about my blog, about my posts and anything that you want to say, really! But I found out that leaving comments after a post is not enough. First, I don't know if you receive or read my reply and believe me I am compelled to reply and reciprocate the time that you spent on my blog. Also, it's kinda hard to look back on all the posts to look for one comment that you remembered, that you forgot to reply to.

Well, to fix that I added a recent comments widget so that I can see the (you guessed it) the most recent comments from the posts. It's a great widget because it also shows you who left you the comment and which post he was referring to.

Also, for those who don't feel comfortable using the comment function of the blog, I've added the Cbox chatbox so let me know how it works out for you guys :)

I do love to hear from you so keep the messages coming in!

Thanks

Pizza! Pizza!!

Yesterday was Patrick's payday so as a sort of treat, he had pizza delivered to the house. It's our all-time favorite, Shakey's Belly Buster Pizza!!!! It's loaded with a lot of toppings like olives, green bell peppers, pepperoni, onions, mushrooms, sausage, ham, etc. All on a crunchy, thin crust.

But as you know, I have been suffering from toothache the whole day but that didn't stop me from eating the pizza hahahaha We have a joke in the Philippines where when nothing is left of the food on the table, the people eating it are probably experiencing tooth aches LOL

Well, in our case, we did polish off the whole pizza plus the Mojos (deep fried potato slices) a Shakey's specialty!! Even with my toothache!!!

That's how much I love pizza!