Au Revoir - Merci Beacoup 2013, Bonjour 2014!

This year has been a roller coaster ride for me, been in a painful-like-about-to-die illness, emotional and intellectual chaos and unimaginable personal struggle but amid these challenge, I had my series of victors,  I've been known for many names towards the end of the quarter, The Captain of the champs,  Venus, Luigi and Mr. China. I have conquered the dance floor, the ITIL examination, the blogging world. I have met people who caused me pain but new friends from work to the events and pageant world came. This year has been literally bitter sweet and I Thank you. for being part of it. Thank you for your support and your prayers. Your love and care, your concern and empathy. I raise all these to our Almighty Father, for we living a purpose only He had written. God Bless you and your family this 2014! 

The Globe in my hands

The world is now in my reach. Just last Friday, I was able to FINALLY get a post paid plan with Globe. After a few days of going back and forth (because I keep on forgetting some requirement) I eventually signed my self for a couple of years commitment with the telecom.

Photo from: google search

Waiting queue seemed endless so I shopped a bit around the store across them and was just in time when they called my name. I arrived there a few minutes before 6:00 pm and I was called around 7:00 pm-ish. I immediately mentioned to their personnel that I need a plan that can give me a strong connection in our company's VPN and I also need a gadget that fits a bloggers lifestyle. I felt he was surprised and a tiny bit more enthusiasm arose specially when I handed over my documents. Iphone 5c was the first one he offered but I'm not really a fan of Mac so I mentioned that an iconic-showbiz-brother I know got an LG G2 Android for plan 1799 and I told him I have another friend who waited for almost a month to get her phone / line working and the rep responded quickly that I can get the phone I wanted right away! Sounds cool right?  like a quick costumer service satisfaction, so then he walked me through the plan and its inclusion and explained the plan and the peso value thingy.

photo from google search

For my plan I got 3200 PV to consume. I came up with:

For the Gadget - 1100 PV

1 Month Internet Access - 999 PV

Globe / TM Calls for 20 minutes - 100 PV x 3 = 60 minutes = 300 PV

All Net Combo, 5 minutes call and 100 text message to all networks - 100 PV x 3 = 15 minutes and 300  text messages to all networks = 300 PV

All Net text, 125 sms to all network (on top of All Net Combo) - 100 PV x 3 = 375 sms to all network (on top of All Net Combo) = 300 PV

INT'L 5 mins international call and 5 isms - 100 PV x 2 = 10 mins international call and 10 isms = 200 PV

photo from google search

He assured me that I will only pay 1799 every month and will not incur any internet charge since its included in the plan and will only be billed for extra sms / call minutes once I go over the total accumulated PV conversions I have. I also have an LTE sims that I can use when I want to go online and the signal is fine.

All my inquiries that day were answered promptly and he kindly asked me to wait for my name to be called for the release of the unit and plan. I was also asked to provide a month deposit of 1799 php and I didn't need to go out to withraw from an ATM, I just swiped my BPI Savings account card. He went to the new accounts desk to give my docs and when he came back he said I'm 8th in the list, I asked if I could go to the loo and smoke real quick, and he said its quite fine. So I quickly ran to the nearest washroom then smoked half a cigarette, when I went back, it was the same person sitting in the release desk when I went out. I was like, OMG, 8th in the list? how long do I need to wait?! I stood near the sofas, I sat, I went our for a smoke, checked some phones, sat, stood up, smoked and check the LG and sat and had a quick nap before they called me. OH MY. I'm not a very patient person! 

photo from google search

3 - 5 hours of waiting and alas! I got my globe at hand!! I might have forgotten to mention that I told the representative that I will write about my experience with them in my blog and he said there's no problem with that. So join me in my 2 years journey with MyGlobe Superplan.

http://www.globe.com.ph/

Shawn's way in every buffet

Being a foodie, you must be really adventurous when it comes to food (well obviously lol). Your tongue must be really versatile for you to write your "major major" gastronomical encounters. Sad to say, I'm just half the glutton that I am. I'm one of those unfortunate souls who are allergic to seafood. I can only eat canned sardines and tuna and macarel, bagoong, tuyo and daing and sweetened pusit and dilis, other than that. I have to have my maxi care card ready lol. I also don’t drink alcoholic beverages, only sparkling soda or just a sip of chardonnay are my limitations. I know I'm missing a great part of life for not enjoying those stuff but it won’t stop me for exploring the dishes i can devour!

Buffet is one of my ways of tapping myself on a back in every achievement or just a simple luxury if we have enough time and savings. I always look forward in filling my tummy with new food finds!  and with no further a do, here's a list of what I do every time I'm set to sail in the abyss of chewing extravaganza!

My buffet tips and toes!

1. Minimal or no rice involve.

E.g. paella, fried rice, Yangchow, maki etc. our culture likes rice in every meal. And being biologically male, I tend to eat more than a cup or sometimes the entire basket of rice in kanin club. Well in buffets, i try to turn a way a bit from these carbs little bits. madaling makabusog ang kanin. Always remember that so try resist temptations or have a little of it.

(My favourite pumpkin soup of Tony Romas)

2. Minimal soup.

Just a few spoonfuls in your bowl are enough for you to taste all of them. Soups are liquid and usually thick, it can make your tummy heavy easily.

3. Have a bit of everything.

Just slim slices of meat or just a few spoonfuls of what you want to taste. It will give your tongue a variety and will give you more tummy space for the one you will like or like the best!

4. Don’t drink too much.

Sip a little at time. But don’t be shy drinking if you're already thirsty or if the food is really spicy. Make sure you have enough drink to grab when you feel you're about to choke. Sodas and fruit shakes are sweet, "madaling makabusog at makaumay". Have a glass of iced water or tea instead.

5. Try the unusual.

Adobos, friend chickens, afritadas etc. are home cooked meals and carenderias have them. Try some cuisines that are new to you. Don't be afraid to explore. Just make sure you're not allergic to it and ASK for the ingredients of major components of the dish. It's hard to enjoy the rest if the feast grasping for air or scratching yourself. For those who are blessed, they sometimes don’t ask, they're the braver soul lol.

6. Pause for desserts.

After tasting the appetizers, main courses, and its time for my favourite part of the meal! THE SWEETS! Pause for a few minutes. Have a sip of coffee or tea to give a little more space for treats. Also have a glass of cold water or hot tea near you just in case your taste bud finds something too sweet. For cakes, don’t take the bigger slice, as much as possible just get the part you like but slimmer than the big chunk. For fruits, sparkling practically, aim for the expensive ones lol. we can get a Fuji apple for 20 php but if you see big tounged strawberries moreover fruits that are not usually seen in markets like blueberries, raspberries etc., get more than a piece ehehe.

Majority of the buffet hubs only allows you to have your "shall return’s for only a couple of hours but if you're done with my fancy 6 steps, still have time and tummy space, you can go ahead and have another set of the few of the food you liked the most!