Backlogged!

Status: In Process...

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Okay, I’ve been saying since February that I’ll be posting a series of entries related to my overseas trip to the vibrant, enchanting Okinawa (okay, let’s just skip the drama). I’m sooooo sorry for not bringing myself to do this. 

Though it may sound as an excuse, but I’ve been nothing but busy with our paperwork, and with spending all nights Skype-ing before he finally takes off to San Diego for his next duty station. 

Believe me, I am also backlogged in updating my albums and videos to be archived in my Multiply and FB.

So here’s the deal. I will still be posting any random stuff here, while my trips will be published in between, or whatever I feel like doing..sabi nga ni K Brosas, “kayo na nga lang nakikibasa, kaya kayo ang mag-adjust” hahaha!
 

Since we’re on the topic, check her really hilarious entries on her blog (and her take on jejenism). Grabe kal0wkaH! cGueH bUhbuY… jejejeje!

 WTF!!!!

Okay, catch you all later!

 

Apologize

You may sing along if you wish. Anyway, the playback's instrumental. I prefer the original One Republic version, but the one with Timbaland's okay.

Enjoy!




More Free Music at MP3-Codes.com

Apologize
One Republic

I'm holding on your rope
Got me ten feet off the ground
And I'm hearing what you say
But I just can't make a sound

You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down, but wait
You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around and say

That it's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

I'd take another chance, take a fall
Take a shot for you
And I need you like a heart needs a beat
But that's nothing new, yeah yeah

I loved you with a fire red, now it's turning blue
And you say sorry like the angel
Heaven let me think was you
But I'm afraid

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late, whoa whoa

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

I said it's too late to apologize, yeah
I said it's too late to apologize, yeah

I'm holding on your rope
Got me ten feet off the ground

Gibo's "new minions": the Jejemons

I just saw this from one of Gibo's tweets just for fun:

More about jejemons here.

Getting this from someone who's very particular and strict about grammar, punctuation, and spelling, you could just imagine Gilbert Teodoro's ears and eyes bleed when he encounters one. Hahaha! Nice one Mr. Cool! :D We definitely need to encourage these kids to straighten up!

This post actually made me smile, but if we could imagine a society of jejemons, it's not gonna be funny and cute anymore.

Jejemons out there, I hope you'll soon realize how irritating "e0wz p0H mUztahhhhH nah k3!0" is.

TV (and Music) Just Got Excited

Well it’s obvious that there’s nothing better for me to do but to expose myself in glorious radiation during my idle periods as I await my impending departure. I even have the timeline to show. 

But going back, TVs been my constant partner (aside from my laptop) since getting out of the workforce. I have come to love a lot of foreign programs available, and thanks to the Digibox Technology of Sky Cable (shameless plug). My cultural appreciation from TV became even wider than my travel experiences. I have come to love not just top-rated US shows, but also Asian counterparts like Korea, Japan and Australia (thank you, KBS, NHK and Australian Channel, another shameless plug).

Growing up in the MTV or Channel V generation, we have been introduced to music videos, which makes a lot of us appreciate music even more. They say, "the fiercer, the better", as eccentric ones have emerged -- from Bjork to Gaga. But when music videos and variety shows simply weren't enough to meet an average viewer's attention anymore, programs have been created that revolves on music to show a brand new appreciation to it. Well, these may not be new though, but they at least give viewers excellent choices.

So with this, I am so glad that TV got this much interesting that I even have to blog randomly about some TV highlights (well, highlights for me, at least).

Glee (2nd half)

Finally, the kids from McKinley High have emerged from the dead (for 3 months, at least), and the gleeKs have combined forces once again. It wasn’t that long ago when I saw status messages on my friends on FB, who have been watching Season 1 to catch up and find out what the fuss was about.

But welcome back everyone! It’s Glee fever again. 

Anyway, I was glad that the long wait has finally ended, and Sue Sylvester was the perfect tease to get the men (and the ladies) all excited, worked up (eh, not really) and disturbed at the same time.

The first ep did not really meet my expectations. After all, a story should start from something mediocre, then builds up through the next seasons. I should know (as if!). But I’m not saying it was THAT mediocre, as it‘s much better than the first episode of Season 1. It was just overrated, I suppose and probably, because of the long wait. The fabulous teaser could have helped out with that.

I can’t wait to see the “New Directions” in Regionals gear up with rivals like “Vocal Adrenaline”, as well as seeing what Sue Sylvester’s brewing against Will. 

American Idol (Season 9)

So finally, Katie Stevens got the boot.

Don’t get catty at me Katie followers, but I think it’s just about time. It was even more shocking that Didi Benami (or even Lilly Scott) got eliminated before her. But it was unfortunate to see her go despite huge improvements in her recent performances, and votes weren’t that enough to save her, not that judges would actually “save” her in case they still had the option to. 

I guess charms ain’t gonna cut it.

As for Andrew Garcia, “Hound Dog” wasn’t really a lucky song for him. We’ll sure miss him, even if he could be boring at times (I sound like Simon now).

Oh, and Richard Poon still looked adorable singing a jazzified (standard) version of Avril Lavigne’s "Complicated" at ABS-CBN's Music Uplate Live, a late night program that replaced PBB Uplate. I don't have the actual clip when he actually performed "Complicated" in this show, but here's one from  the RX Concert Series. Man, I begin to appreciate the Standards, not that I really haven't!

Now how random is that!

Status Update: US Petition (iv)

Yes, there's a new update! I just got my Packet 3 instructions via mail. It was no one's fault after all since I just counted the number of business days, and that I have to exclude the holy week from the count -- and it was all right. 

Anyways, once I got the packet, I sent in right away the DS-230 and DS-2001 forms to the embassy via fax. After 2-3 weeks, I may expect my appointment letter to be mailed right to our doorstep.

Oh, and by the way, I was also able to improve the time line, thanks to dipity. With this, I could always update and save all the stuff we've already accomplished.

Behold, a more detailed account of our journey!

click to enlarge, kudasai

Meanwhile, I wait again.

My Life Would Suck Without You

2 days till the gleeks are on! What's nice is that we get to watch the first episode also airing the same time in US (FTW). Pretty cool, eh?

This was the last song of the first season, where Will kissed Emma on the last scene. We will have to find out where these two lovebirds (or flingsters) will be taken for the next season!
My Life Would Suck Without You
Glee Cast


Glee Cast - My Life Would Suck Without You
Guess this means you're sorry
You're standing at my door
Guess this means you take back
What you said before
Like how much you wanted anyone but me
Said you'd never come back
But here you are again

'Cause we belong together now, yeah
Forever united here somehow, yeah
You got a piece of me and honestly
My life would suck without you

Maybe I was stupid for telling you goodbye
Maybe I was wrong for trying to pick a fight
I know that I've got issues
But you're pretty messed up too
Either way I found out I'm nothing without you

'Cause we belong together now, yeah
Forever united here somehow, yeah
You got a piece of me and honestly
My life would suck without you

Being with you is so dysfunctional
I really shouldn't miss you
But I can't let you go
Oh yeah

Lalalalala...

'Cause we belong together now, yeah yeah
Forever united here somehow, yeah
You got a piece of me and honestly
My life would suck without you

'Cause we belong together now, yeah
Forever united here somehow, yeah
You got a piece of me and honestly
My life would suck without you

Behold! Le ePassport

An essential task for me to accomplish was to have my passport updated, name and status to be exact. To be able to complete the task at hand, I had to learn how to get my passport renewed on my own. At the same time, it was my time to get a hold of that ePassport and taste its technology (but the actual taste of it officially commences once there‘s an ACTUAL travel itinerary materializing before my very eyes).

The ePassport is essentially the same as a Machine Readable Passport (MRP), but with an added integrated circuit or “chip” embedded in one of its pages. This chip contains the passport holder’s biometrics and other data (i.e.: unique chip ID number, digital signature, passport number, etc), essential in verifying the authenticity of the owner. 

The Philippine ePassport allows information stored on the chip to be verified with the information visually displayed on the passport. The chip technology allows the information stored in the ePassport to be read by special chip readers at a close range.

The universal symbol embedded on international ePassports

It uses contactless microchip technology that allows the information stored on the chip to be read by special chip readers at a close distance.

It contains an integrated photograph of the holder, a digitized secondary photo, and an electronic print of the holder’s signature, and has invisible digital watermarks readable only under UV light. The passport photo is actually made up of microletters readable by a special decoding lens. Cool!

It contains overt and hidden security features such as Invisible Personal Information (IPI), letterscreen, microprinting, and UV reactive ink, among others.

Now take that, fraudsters!

Using the ePassport avoids passport reproduction and tampering as its database is enhanced with Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) that guard against multiple passport issuances to the same person and enhances imposter detection. This is why your photograph will be personally taken, and digital signature obtained at the consular services. 

A major advantage of using ePassport is that it facilitates fast clearance of travelers at immigration checks. Among the benefits gain of an ePassport are the use of automated border clearance or ‘eGates,’ automated issuance of boarding passes, and faster travel arrangements with airlines.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) started issuance in mid 2009 on a limited quantity. But now, it's in full swing! Do note though, that you have make a reservation or appointment first before marching to their new location. You will just have to be EXTRA patient when renewing your passport as it may take weeks to have the entire process done due to the summer peak season for traveling, and there could be intermittent technical failures along the way. You can actually read my semi-detailed account here.

Can’t wait for my first use! 

DFA’s New Passport Hub

For those who were used to having their passports processed at Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Roxas Boulevard, no need to waste a trip going there. The DFA Consular Services now houses its passport applications and document authentications at the Aseana Business Park in Paranaque, which started just this March of 2010.

I tried the appointment system from their website last March 4th, got a response the same day, but my appointment date was set for March 15th! I had to go through that website because the new system hasn’t taken effect during that time.

I just recently learned that you can do now do this via http://www.passport.com.ph.

So knowing that I’ll be waiting for 11 more days before I could show up for my appointment, I went straight to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the following afternoon to see if I could actually walk-in.

Turns out, I can‘t and they won‘t process walk in applications, and that people have to set their appointments there personally. At that time, March 20th were the available slots. Since I already had an appointment set for the 15th, there’s really no other choice for me but to wait for the 15th.

Passport applicants who used to have appointments at the DFA office are requested to go to the new site starting March 15. So in my case, since I made the appointment using the old system (from www.dfa.gov.ph), I would simply have to bring my appointment letter, plus all the requirements needed for renewal.

But in the new system, EVERYONE would be asked to make an appointment either online, or through telephone. I tried ringing their customer service hotline, but it was busy all throughout my attempts. Thus, I recommend that you try to do it online instead, and you will just have to wait for your confirmation email. Just follow instructions, and you’re all set.

All you need to do then is to use the reference number to “claim” your application form at the appointment system counter, just within the complex. Before you could even get inside the premises to go to that counter they’re saying, you will still have to go through these in my semi-detailed account of my passport renewal.

Some notes:

1. No walk-ins will be entertained. Only those with appointments are allowed to enter. If you do not have an appointment, you will be requested to call the hotline, or set the appointment online.
2. Only applicants are allowed to enter the offices. Companions are requested to wait outside the building.
3. Make sure to PRINT OUT the appointment letter or prepare the reference number given by the customer service associate.
4. Arrive an hour (or at least 30 mins) before your appointment. Due to the voluminous number of applicants per day, it may take you more than an hour to complete the entire process.
5. Once you are inside DFA premises, proceed to the appointment system counter to receive your printed application form.
6. Make sure all requirements complete. It’s not a bad thing to bring other extra valid IDs along.
7. Photocopying services are PHP3/page. Bring photocopies of documents you will need to save a little cash.  
8. You can bring drinks inside (but be discreet!), as this is not encouraged. After a long queue, you would really need a drink to survive from dehydration!
9. Wear proper attire. Even if you may see others in flipflops or what not, bear in mind that you are still entering an office. Dress appropriately.
10. PAY ATTENTION. A lot of people miss their numbers when already queued.
11. BE ALERT. Same as number 10, since there are also a lot of people just walking around, make sure to attend to your things (and yourself).
12. PATIENCE. PATIENCE. PATIENCE. Expect a lot of blunders along the way.
13. If possible, plan your passport renewal on off-peak seasons. Off peak seasons are months that may fall between August-October, or maybe November, when people do not find the urgency to travel.

I was able to finally get my ePassport, thanks to a lot of patience.

The DFA Appointment System is also available via the hotline (02) 737-1000.

Could getting the ePassport be any tedious?

OMG! Summer is so not the time to apply or renew for a passport!

Aside from the scorching heat, summer is the season where a lot of travelers and wannabes emerge as warriors at the DFA to have this very piece of travel ID at hand in order for most to finally fulfill their fantasies on their would-be dream destinations.

But in my case, I only felt it was time for me to renew my passport (which is, by the way, to expire a year later) since I have already attended the CFO seminar (more on this later) and I wanted to make sure that I have the amended name, as now happily married.  Aside from which, I am already waiting for my appointment letter for my IR1 visa, and I wanted to make sure that all documents are ready before my scheduled interview.

Much to my excitement of getting a passport, what I thought I could do for about a week at most, had turned into mere frustration because never would I have imagined the tediousness and the long wait that I had to bear. This was due to A LOT of obedient citizens doing the process correctly, as instructed, but having a consular office that could not keep up with these obedient citizens’ demand for a better and much more comfortable way of getting a passport (I can still feel the frustration).

ePassport Milestones

Day 1. Setting the appointment.

I knew I just had to do it online. I went online and did it. No problem.

Day 2. Received email notification.

The earliest possible date for my appointment would be 11 days after. Now that sucked! But hey, could I blame them for the bandwidth? So I tried to accomplish other IDs that need to be updated!

Day 13. Appointment day

I was set for the 2PM appointment. I was actually pleased to have this in the afternoon, only to find out that there was a very long queue on the front gates. This only means that MORE people are actually lined up inside. Man, it sucked! It also wasn’t the perfect day to forget to put sunblock on! 

It was already almost 3PM or maybe past 3 when I finally got INSIDE the building. Since I already had my appointment letter, I went inside and took a number. For others, they need to get their already printed application form before entering the building itself.

There are plenty of seats inside while waiting for your name to be called, but there were still a lot of people standing, due to the effects of “peak” season. An hour later (despite 20 counters already serving), my number was called, my requirements were checked, and was advised to go to the 2nd floor for the ePassport payment and picture taking.

I had to get another number to be served.

My application form, number and receipt in yellow

I was told that I could claim the passport on the 24th of March (7 business days after, see above pic). I waited for my turn and had my picture taken and finished by 5pm already. Imagine the exhaustion after the whole ordeal. 

 The wait here wasn't as bad as the first wait. But still, waiting really sucks

This is practically the last step! 

Though you are in a hurry, it's best to slow down here as all of your information needs to be encoded in the "microchip". Better safe than sorry.

Day 22. Claiming of passport

I was excited to get my passport that afternoon, only to find out that they WON’T be releasing March 24 passports that day! It was effin ridiculous for the security guard to refuse entry in the premises when in fact, there’s really no concrete reason for doing so. Thus, more and more people got upset and pissed, because no one could really comprehend the essence of making people wait under the scorching, unforgiving heat. 

After about 30 minutes, I finally tried my way through the exit gate, since the guard from exit was letting people enter (weird right?).

So in the releasing area (actually, it was another office), we were asked to line up for an explanation for not being able to get the passport. I mean, wtf do they mean that we had to line up? Couldn’t they have announced it anywhere and make people waste their time waiting for nothing? Since I was one of those willing to wait, I had to wait for another 3 hours until this person in charge told us that there was some sort of “mechanical error” on their end. I mean seriously, are we REALLY ready for this ePassport thing? Spare us too! Not everyone could afford a week off just to get the passport renewed (or updated, in my case). 

 Lining up to "hear" the explanation as to why the passport will not be released. But in all fairness, they prepared water for the tired applicants.

But as there was nothing else that they could do, I was asked to leave my cell number to be contacted once they have my passport ready. As for the others who URGENTLY needed the passport due to already confirmed flights that night or the following day, they were asked to stay and opt for a solution like the older passport (I think, but I wasn’t sure on this so don’t quote me). 

Day 24 Claiming of passport (part 2)

I received a missed call from a local number. I tried calling back, but all I got was a fax tone. I tried calling back several times, but to no avail. I was afraid that I might not get the chance to get my passport, so I kept waiting until 10am -- where a lady informed me that they already have my passport. I was instructed to proceed to AFIS at the 3rd floor to personally claim the passport, and look for another person (name will not be disclosed).

Expecting the same fate as my first encounter, I went straight ahead to the 3rd floor. I was practically walking back and forth before I finally found the AFIS office. The great news was, I got my passport in less than 5 minutes. I was so happy that I didn’t mind walking from DFA to the Mall of Asia!

Here's the product of my almost month-long undertaking:

Seriously, this is cute :)

D is about to leave the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa) on Saturday, and says that he will miss everything about it (his basketball team, included). 

I just recently found a picture from one of his FB friends that revealed their team name -- a name that would symbolize what they are truly made of as athletes and enthusiasts, a team name that revolves on their vision and direction.....for the love of the game, and their all-driven passion towards the sport......

Seriously?!

Really now! I find this cute and somewhat appealing. Don't you think? It's like an unspoken kind of trash talk to me. :P

Status Update: US Petition (iii)

Here's our updated timeline:

D received an email from US Embassy Manila, which stated that they have already received the approved form I-130. In addition, they have also sent the instruction package for immigrant visa applicants (aka "packet 3").

I am so itching to get packet 3 already. They sent the email at around Holy Wednesday, so I am expecting delays because of the long holiday we had (holy week).

Still hoping for the best!  

Effectively Burn Calories

This could come in useful someday. Better be challenged D. :)
--------------------

How to Make Your Body Burn More Calories

You can make weight loss quicker and easier by increasing your metabolic rate and burning more calories – here’s how:

Metabolic Rate is the rate at which the body burns up calories. A body that consumes 2500 calories a day, and burns 2500 calories a day will stay at the same weight. A body consuming 2500 calories daily but burning only 2000 will gain weight at the rate of about 1lb a week.

This explains why that ‘lucky’ person across the table from you doesn’t get fat from all that junk food.

You can do quite a lot to speed up your metabolism – the secret of burning calories lies in knowing what determines your metabolic rate and what you can do to influence it.

You burn calories to provide energy for three main functions:

1) Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

This is the amount of calories you burn just by being alive – even when you are lying down, doing nothing. BMR accounts for approximately 60% of the calories burned for an average person.

2) Burning Calories for Activity

This is the energy used during movement – from lifting your arm to operate the remote control to cleaning the windows. This accounts for approximately 30% of the calories burned by an average person.

3) Dietary Thermogenesis

The ‘thermogenic effect’ described as meal-induced heat production – the calories burned in the process of eating, digesting, absorbing and using food.

You can influence all these factors, and speed up your rate of burning calories using some, or all, of the following tactics:

1) Build Muscle

Increase the amount of muscle in your body. For every extra pound of muscle you put on, your body uses around 50 extra calories a day. In a recent study, researchers found that regular weight training boosts basal metabolic rate by about 15%. This is because muscle is ‘metabolically active’ and burns more calories than other body tissue even when you’re not moving.

Training with weights just 3 times a week for around 20 minutes is enough to build muscle. Not only will you be burning more calories, you’ll look better – whatever your weight.

2) Move More

 

Although the average person burns around 30% of calories through daily activity, many sedentary people only use around 15%. Simply being aware of this fact – and taking every opportunity to move can make quite a dramatic difference to the amount of calories you burn.

The trick is to keep the ‘keep moving’ message in mind. Write the word ‘move’ on post-it notes and put them in places you’ll notice them when you’re sitting still. Then, take every opportunity to move – here’s some ideas for burning calories:

• Tap your feet
• Swing your legs
• Drum your fingers
• Stand up and stretch
• Move your head from side to side
• Change position
• Wriggle and fidget
• Pace up and down
• Don’t use the internal phone – go in person
• Use the upstairs loo
• Park in the furthest corner of the car park
• Stand up when you’re on the phone
• Clench and release your muscles
  

You’ll find lots of opportunities for burning more calories if you remember that you’re looking for them! Keep thinking ‘keep moving’.

3) Eat Spicy Food

There is evidence to show that spices, especially chili, can raise the metabolic rate by up to 50% for up to 3 hours after you’ve eaten a spicy meal. 

Drinks containing caffeine also stimulate the metabolism, as does green tea.

4) Aerobic Exercise

As well as the actual amount of calories burned during exercise – studies have shown that sustained, high-intensity exercise makes you burn more calories for several hours afterwards.

Try 30 minute sessions of heart rate raising exercise, such as vigorous walking, step aerobics, jogging or swimming, 3-4 times a week.

5) Eat Little and Often

There is some evidence to suggest that eating small, regular meals will keep your metabolism going faster than larger, less frequent meals. There are two reasons why meal frequency may affect your metabolism. Firstly, levels of thyroid hormones begin to drop within hours of eating a meal, and metabolism slows. Secondly, it may be that the thermogenic effect of eating several small meals is slightly higher than eating the same amount of calories all at once.

Provided your small meals don’t degenerate into quick-fix, high fat, high sugar snacks, eating little and often can also help to control hunger and make you less likely binge.

Source: http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/calories/burning_calories/burn_more_calories.htm

Presidential Web A-wars

Election countdown: 33 days to go

If neither informercials nor surveys were enough to convince you on who to pick for the national elections, then maybe you should be more keen on your observations either through print, media and other materials readily available for your convenience.

Still confused? Well, you can visit their respective "Presidentiable" websites too! Here's their blog roll:

Dick Gordon

Bro. Eddie Villanueva

Joseph "Erap" Estrada

Nicanor Perlas

Jamby Madrigal

JC de los Reyes

Noynoy Aquino

Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro

Manny Villar

Which among the websites would be your favorite? Is it good enough for you to decide on who to pick?

For information on overseas absentee voters, you may wanna check out this site.