iPhone mania

The first time I heard about this iPhone coming up, I truly salivated. I told myself that I would buy that phone the moment of its 1st release. But my problem then was how could I possibly get hold of it if the initial release will be done in the US only in June 2007. Yeah right, I was able to go to US but my stay is short by 1 month, sigh...I just stayed there until my birthday, May 2007. And to make things worse, iPhone is locked with AT&T (ayoko namang maging timang na flaunting ever ang iPhone samantalang diko naman nagagamit ang main function).

So, I've finally decided to let go of it...I will just wait until 2008...when it reaches the UAE market. Oh well, in relation to this, one of my colleagues in one of the forums where I am a member posted this list. This enumerates all the bugs discovered in the first release of iPhone.

1. Bluetooth is ONLY good for connecting a headset. That's it.
2. There is no file browser on the device at all. Data must be organized (if at all) in the appropriate application.
3. The camera is a simple application that has ONE button: the shutter. Pictures come out okay on the device, but nothing too fancy on a monitor, especially if it was an attempt at a macro shot.
4. SIM card is damn near impossible to open, if at all. I didn't look into it extensively.
5. Web browser is slow, even over WLAN. Even the simple OneList web app that was created takes around 20 seconds to load over WLAN. You can not highlight, cut, copy, or paste and text from a website, and you can not save any images you find from a website either. The only nice thing about it is the tabbed browsing, which crashed on me when I went to Engadget and YouTube on two tabs. This is the only application that allows you to use the keyboard in landscape mode.
6. The keyboard sucks. It gets slightly better after the iPhone "learns" you, as the employees said, but even then, it's not a device you can use with one hand comfortably, much less without looking.
7. You can only send one picture at a time in an email.
8. No custom ringtones (yet, as we were being told) and the alert tones can not be changed whatsoever.
9. The default ringtones are incredibly lame.
10. The only form of customization outside of a lame default ringtone is the wallpaper, which you'll only see when you need to unlock the device or when you get a phone call.
11. "Picture pinching" or using two fingers to zoom on any content is certainly fun to play with, but not practical whatsoever. This operation depends solely on using the device with two hands.
12. No document editor or native viewer. You can not store documents on the device to be viewed, they can only be viewed as attachments when they're sent to your in an email.
13. Visual voicemail is laggy and reacts about the same way as pushing the fast forward and rewind buttons on traditional voicemail systems. The only advantage is for those that get that many voicemail messages a day that they need to sort them according to priority.
14. NO games. None.
15. No voice dialing.
16. No speed dialing (which can be made up by the "quick list", but getting to that quick list isn't as fast as holding a single key on a real keypad).
17. No video.
18. No MMS.



...and the bottomline? Don't buy iPhone at this time...kumbaga, Beta version pa lang...but then, I am really eyeing for this phone...with the condition na magagamit ko ang pagiging PHONE nya (kaya nga iPhone eh!) at hindi lang pangdisplay, =)

I dreamed about RAT!

It's really weird. Last night, I had a terrible dream...I can't exactly remember the full details of the dream. But one thing's for sure, I caught a RAT! ewwww....fyi, I'm ok with cockroaches but not RATS!

So, as I usually do, I googled it...and here's the result:

"A rat, or rats, in your dream points up the fact that someone is very jealous of you and/or your accomplishments and will work against you in any way possible, it is a dream of warning to be on the alert for enemy attack, (the backbiting kind). If you see a white rat it means the same but you will have help from unknown forces. To hear rats running, or gnawing in the walls, shows that you have been wasting your time and should move on to greener pastures."

hmmm...makes sense, huh?!?

And oh by the way, this morning, my carlift was late. And the reason? She found a rat in her cupboard and tried her best to catch and kill the rat! What a coincidence!

Anyway, I do believe that my dream has a meaning...it's very usual for me that I always dream about future happenings...some are tragic...some are good. I dunno...some fortune-tellers say I have a third-eye...but I don't take it seriously....or is it just "I don't want to discover more?"

Oooopppsss...I'm having goose bumps here! nyiiiii

Carlift experience

If you're from Dubai, you might be familiar with "Carlift". Carlift is a term used like "carpool" wherein a private car will take you anywhere you want for a fee. The fee is usually lower than the usual taxi meter cost...but sometimes, it's even higher. It depends whether it's a "rush hour" or the place you want to go to is a dead spot (meaning, the driver won't have customers going back to the place you came from). Actually, this is illegal. If a private car/driver get caught, he will be fined Dhs4,000. So, what "carlifts" usually do is just spread their mobile numbers and ask the customers to call them whenever they need carlift.

Since I just joined to my new company which is supposed to be a 10-minute drive from my place, I needed someone who will bring me and fetch me to/from my office. Initially, I was just hailing taxi cabs everyday...but during rush hours, it's very difficult to get one...even if you call the hotline...the line is very hot, believe me!

So, I decided to look for carlifts in Gulf news. I happily found one. I called him and after many conversations, we agreed on the timing and fee. It was all set. He should be picking me up by 8:00 am in my house. So, the next day, I hurriedly went down to the lobby of our building. I waited there for 5 minutes before calling him. When I called him, I was surprised that the receiver was telling me that he doesn't know me, blah blah....I got furious!!! But I said nothing to the person...I just hung up the phone without saying goodbye!

Good thing, I was able to catch a cab outside our building who's waiting for hours for his customer.

Ngayon, magtatagalog na ko....galit na galit talaga ako sa carlift na yun! Napakahusay kausap! Walang word of honor!!! Pero sabi nga ni Randy, iexpect mo na yun....dahil ang kausap ko ay isang PANADOL! Bakit nga kaya ganun ang lahi nila? Pasensiya sa panlalahi pero maraming ganun sa kanila...magulo kausap, mahirap makaintindi, at higit sa lahat medyo may pagka- bobito at bobita! Pero kahit na niloko ako netong hinayupak na taong ito, hindi ko naman sila nilalahat. Meron din namang mahusay kausap sa kanila...gaya ng mga officemates ko at yung isa ko pang carlift. ...yun nga lang majority ata sa lahi nila eh maliit ang utak...

Pasensya sa terms ha...ganyan talaga ako pag nagagalit

New environment, new challenge...

Today is my 5th day in my new company. So far, so good. Everything's fine actually. I'm still reading lots of training materials these past few days. The people in my group are friendly and helpful...nothing's to worry about them. But beyond my group, hmmm...no comment. What I just care about now is myself...I no longer care about other people's impression about me or whatsoever. I just want to be freely "me"!

Later tonight, we will be having a party in Dusit Dubai - Benjarong Resto. Two of my colleagues will be relocated to UK and Abu Dhabi...and we'll be holding a farewell party for the two of them. Spouses are also required to come...so Randy and I will be attending this party later tonight.

Hmm..what else? Oh, I have 2 jobs right now. In the morning, I work for my new company, while in the evening, I work as a freelance auditor/consultant (ano ba talaga?!). Even this is really tiring, I will try this for a few weeks since as a freelance consultant, I just work at home in the evening and communicate with the clients in the US. This also means staying up late at night. Let me just see how long I can sustain this lifestyle.

Also, this coming Friday, I will be starting my driving lesson in Belhasa. To be honest, I'm nervous because of the various hear-says that this would usually take a minimum of 6 months before I get my license. Sigh...I really need a license now. My transportation everyday costs me a fortune! Hiring a taxi every single day is really expensive. Here in Dubai, the problem is not buying your own car...but the problem is the license! People usually spend lots of money before getting hold of their elusive license. My friend spent almost Dhs8,000 for her driving license. The initial registration for driving lessons costs Dhs3,000 for beginners and everytime you fail an exam, you have to take another which will cost you additional fees. Sigh...cost of living here in Dubai is fast rising. Plus, RTA recently introduced the *Salik* card. It's like a toll fee in the Philippines.

Also, a couple of weeks ago, Randy and I finally decided to buy our own TV since "Dubai Summer Surprises" is now on. Almost every shop is on SALE...4-letter word that I can't really resist. We bought a 32" inch HDTV which is originally priced @ Dhs3,299 but was able to get it for Dhs2,900 only! Good deal na rin. I've been more than 1 year now here in Dubai but it's only now that I decided to buy our own TV...sayang naman kasi dati, libre lang yun sa flats. And now, I can enjoy once again TFC and Dubai One....kahit pano, updated sa mga chika sa Pinas, hahaha!

Last Friday also, Randy's friends went to our house and we had a slumber party!!! First salary nung isang friend ni Randy dito sa Dubai kaya ayun, party to the max...We call it an example of a temporary good life. Swimming, then sauna, then DVD, daldalan at super kain...but after that, we're back to our own boring lives. We are all still CORPORATE SLAVES...who sends monthly remittance to our families back in the Philippines...But that's life, we have our own purpose in this world.

That's it! Til then...just some updates for the recent happenings...

....after the loonng period of hibernation

Hi people! Been out for quite a while. Well many things have happened. I've formed so many decisions in life...this time, this is for long term purpose.

Last Sunday & Monday, I already reported to my new company. So far, so good. And this coming Sunday will be my official joining date. This will going be a new environment...and a new challenge. Just hope that everything will be fine, though.

I have no significant post for today...that's it for now.

Lately, I've been too lazy posting blog entries... sooorrryyy...

Save the Auditor, Save the World!

I am really fascinated with TV Series...but my latest indulgence is the TV Series, HEROES! On the night of June 17, 2007 I finally finished its volume 1. This series really excites me...I really like the various twists in the story. I can't wait to start the volume 2.

My favorite character is PETER PETRELLI...not only because of his power (which is to absorb other people's powers) but ultimately because of his good looks! I crush him na... (hahaha!)...but believe me, it's been a long time since I last sooo admired a celebrity...and now, it really feels good. I so so so so love PETER PETRELLI..or let me say, MILO VENTIMIGLIA, his real name. Aside from being PETER in Heroes, he was also Jess Mariano in Gilmore girls.

Some artics from Wikipedia:

Ventimiglia was born in Anaheim, California to Carol and Peter Ventimiglia.[2] He is of Sicilian descent on his father's side and a combination of Irish, English, Scottish, French, Cherokee, and Indian descent on his mother's.[1] He was born with dead nerve endings in his lower left lip. Ventimiglia attended El Modena High School in Orange, California, where he wrestled and held the office of president in student government (ASB). He graduated in 1995.

At the age of 18, Ventimiglia received a scholarship to study at the American Conservatory Theater for their summer program.[3] He attended UCLA as an English major for four years but dropped out to pursue an acting career.

By the way, I also like Claire Bennet...primarily because of her power...SELF-HEALING/REGENERATION. I wish I can have that power...indestructible!!! Ooooppsss...I'm not Sylar...hehehe...

Sorry for this post...I'm not really like this...but this series really got me hooked and addicted! Now...SAVE THE AUDITOR, SAVE THE WORLD!*

*For those unfamiliar, the original quote is SAVE THE CHEERLEADER, SAVE THE WORLD...which is the main theme of the TV series.

8 working days left...

I am slowly counting the days left for me here in my desk. The desk I occupied for more than 1 year (not amusing, huh!)...the desk where I started gaining friends in Dubai...the desk which has been a witness of all my tantrums, videoke-while-working moments and my other extra curricular activities (wedding preps & photography)when I should be working at full time.

I'm not sure whether my next desk would be as good or as bad as this desk...actually, I am not even sure if this current desk has been good or bad for me. But one thing's for sure...I am leaving...but I'm still grateful for occupying this particular desk next to Edward's and "then Ryan's" desk.

8 working days to go...

The only constant in this world is change...

Oooppsss...yes, you read it right. I've changed my blog title...now I'm including my hubby to it! He has gained enough knowledge (from me, hahaha...ayaw talaga patalo...) and I do think he is also enjoying my hubby...(pakitingnan na lang ang friendster account nya: "Ang hubby ni lei ay hubby ko na rin".).

Plus, plus, plus...we will be enrolling this Friday to a formal class in Photography...now, this is getting serious...para naman may ibang kwenta ang buhay namin bukod sa pagdodrawing nya at pago-audit ko...hehehe...

Supposed to be naka-enroll na kami sa Photography class last April, but then because of this US relocation thingy eh napostpone...hopefully, this time, wala nang aberya!

Oooppp (ulet)...daming tagalog sa post ko noh? BELATED HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, mga kabayan!

...and also, HAPPY MONTHSARY, HONEY! (Oct.13, 1998 nang magsimula ang "Randy & Lei" lokohan at kadramahan, ahihihi!)

Rebirth of an old career...thank God!

I just want to write about how happy I am today. Okay, I will now confess...since I arrived here in Dubai from US, I've been sending my CV to each and every job opportunity that comes along my surfing in the net. I can say that some bad things also bring some benefits, hehehe. Since I'm on night shift, I was busy attending interviews here and there. I even went to Abu Dhabi to attend to 2 interviews only to find out that I'm not yet ready to transfer to Abu Dhabi. The company from Abu Dhabi called me for the next hiring process and I just pretended that I already got a job offer from another company...baaaddd. I know it's bad but do I have any other choice? I'm not yet ready to be a promising ABU DHABER.

So, that's it. I rejected the offer. Well, that's because, I was really eyeing for this oil and gas company where I was interviewed twice already. First interview...I was interviewed by 2 managers. I was really surprised...I was told that I would be meeting with 1 person only. But lo and behold...it was a panel interview! Whew! So I passed the first interview...

Next big thing, I was interviewed by the Director. Oh, he's so adorable, hihihi. He's a Scottish and a really cute guy, ahihihihi. He said if ever I would be chosen, I will be contacted after 1 to 2 days. Days have passed...days have passed... call? Nada! Every single day, I was really depressed...to the point that I always cry...I prayed, prayed and prayed. But still, they didn't call. One day before my waiting will turn to a week, Yesterday, I courageously called the hiring authority of the company...and guess what? He said, they're interested with me...and he will call again since he was in a meeting then. So I waited the whole day...but no one called. I got really depressed again...and paranoid to the maX! I was thinking...what if he just thought I was someone else and mistakenly told me that I'm qualified?!? What if they changed their minds?!? What if this is all just a joke and they are just testing the market for a new department to be built in the future?!? So many 'What ifs"...

To get rid those off my mind, Randy and I went swimming ang took sauna last night. Really a stress reliever.

This morning I decided to send email to my headhunter to tell her that I was able to talk to the hiring authority yesterday. After 1 hour....I FINALLY GOT A CALL!!!

Yes...I got the job! ...and got a whoooppinggg _______________ salary. hehehe...

Okay, never mind the salary (but hey, I didn't really expect it's that big, and they will even pay for my children's education...wwwwoooossshhh...what the heck, I still don't have a baby! Pathetic!)...what I'm really after is the challenge. This is a new position for me...a new environment...a new industry...a new challenge! Finally, I will no longer work in a client-based environment! I don't have to deal with the f*cking rude clients!!! I've been wanting this for sooo long. And it's an oil and gas company...even though I was able to audit an oil and gas firm in the Philippines, I think this would be different...since I will now be a CLIENT! heheheh...

And what's the best thing??? I'm leaving ______ (read as my present company)...and I'm back to FINANCIALS...in an analysis perspective this time..now you have an idea about my position. And I don't need to travel for more than 1 hour per way every single day. My "new company" is just along Zabeel Road...hehehe...slowly, you're getting an idea...okay, it's near Emirates Tower...is "2 buildings away" near already? gosh! Okay, I'll keep my mouth shut for this time...until I get to sign the offer letter tomorrow, yey! I'm so damn happy!!! Really!

I came to realize that everything is in 'HIS' time. Prayers can really move mountains. Did I say that my competitors for the position are all CPAs, CIA, CIMA & CISA. Me? I'm just a plain CPA...working in a boring company. NOTHING ELSE. But hey, God is sooo good...he has really plans for each one of us...all we have to do is wait...wait...and pray. Patience is really a virtue.

The next thing I will be praying for is my 'RESIGNATION PROCESS'. I don't know how "Kalbo" will react to this. I just don't know. So, God help me...once again.

Re-inventing my niche

Last March 18, from Jumeirah 2, we finally transferred to our new place...BUR DUBAI! I just want to shout to the world that I'm really loving our new place. It has complete amenities. We have swimming pool with jacuzzi, sauna, gym, children's playground, lawn tennis/squash court and a 24-hour security service. So, I'm inviting my friends..if you feel like dipping into the pool and have sauna bath afterwards, come to our place...just send me a 1-day notice, okei?! hehehe...

Aside from that, we're now very near Burjuman Shopping Center! Super convenient...we're just behind the shopping mall. Well, I haven't also told you that we're also near the banks and gadget centers ... oh so much for this...sorry for that, I just love our new place...

Last Friday, we went to Ikea to shop for table and chairs. Before, Randy and I don't usually buy these bulky furnitures. But now, I was surprised that Randy initiated the idea of buying those...hahaha! We were able to buy 1 long table, 2 chairs, and curtain (na parang kulambo...if you can imagine..hehehe) and some other house stuff na mga kaartehan. Since my childhood, I really love rearranging things at home. Supposedly, I should be taking up Interior Design @ UP before. But then, my mom did not agree to that...eventhough I was already enrolled @ UP then, she still insisted for me to pursue BS Accountancy @ PLM, her alma mater.

But now, I'm soo happy that I was able to make our room look like what I have in mind. I soooo love our room. This is what we call a "true room"..."home sweet home"...even our housemates loved it! I still haven't put the "curtain na parang kulambo" sa ceiling to put some dramatic effect on our bed. But maybe next week, I'll be putting my hands on it. I won't post pictures for now...too lazy to shoot..hehehe... =)

PRENUPTIAL SHOOT: Rico & Emtee_Part 2

It's been a while since I last post pictures I have taken. What's new?!? For the past few days, I've been kicking my ass off to this night shifting arrangement. Thank God, for this coming week, I won't be on night shift. The client is on vacation...yipeeee!

And It's also been ages since I tried a prenuptial shoot. Well, here's another one...still with the same subject...but different location. Here are few of my favorite shots:











Blogger seems to be having problem in uploading...so I was not able to post much pictures. You can take a look for some more in my multiply site: http://lvillanera.multiply.com

Rico and Emtee are co-w@wies (hindi wowowee ha, Rico?). This is the 2nd time of holding prenup for them. The first time was held @ Burj Al Arab open beach, while this one was held @ Dubai Festival City. Before we started the shoot, we ate breakfast @ Ikea. While I used my Canon 400D, my hubby on the other hand used my old Sony DSC-H2. My hubby (Randy) has his own set of shots..which are also good, I should say. I will post my hubby's shots if time permits...medyo nagloloko talaga tong blogger. During the prenup shoot, Rico was having colds...and at the end of the day, guess what? After eating in Nando's for lunch, we were all sneezing na! hahaha... Right now, Randy has colds, Emtee has colds, and I have cough! hahahaha...talagang iba ako, ganun?! Supposed to be, after DFC, we will proceed to Madinat Jumeirah...but since Rico's colds is getting worse, we decided to call it a day @ 3pm.

It's really nice to hold prenups like these. Aside from the fact that I enjoy taking pictures, we are also having some bonding moments...to Rico and Emtee, Congratulations and Best Wishes...and of course, since I am a w@wie: HAPPY PREPS!!!

P.S. We already moved to a new place...a week ago! I'm no longer a jumeirah jane...but now a certified BUR DUBAI migrant! yey...I really love our new place...It's a 2-bedroom flat with hall which was converted to a "room" ...so that makes it 3-bedroom flat na. The other 2 rooms are occupied by the main tenant while Randy & I happily occupied one room! Yey, no more "attitude problems" to bear with roommates! hahahaha...

Flickr is back!

Sorry for the absence for a very long time...as always. For everybody to know, I'm now a 'stay-at-home' professional. And I'm not happy about it. My nerve-wracking, stubborn, and demanding client wants me to sync with their timing. And that also means to be in a conference call with them and webex for 6 hours every single night...that is from 6pm til 12am. Aside from that, she also wants me to finish the "scripting" (just like creating an audit program) by end of June. So, tell me, how can you finish the scripting if you're always on conference call for 6 hours every single night??? Let me remind her that my normal number of office hours is 8...so that means, I only have 2 hours remaining to do the scripts! Because of that, I've been rendering 12 hours of work everyday! This is not right...

So, just to take a breather, I decided today to visit my flickr account. Fyi, flickr has been blocked for ages by Etisalat (UAE network provider). Take a look what I got!



Take a closer look at the picture. Yes, I was able to access the site thru my pc laptop. But hey, when I tried it in my mac : waaaaahhhh! "SITE BLOCKED". So, I guess this is another assignment for me to accomplish. I tried Safari and Firefox...but none of them worked!

But, people from the UAE, why don't you visit my flickr account, http://www.flickr.com/photos/irobot773 and let me know what you got? So that I can somehow validate (hehehe!) whether flickr is really 'unblocked' or is it just my privoxy working on the background? hmmmm...

I shall return...

Yes! I'm back in Dubai!