Archive for July 2008 - Bisdak Babbles

Archive for July, 2008

Maybe next time…

July 22nd, 2008 shiera

I came here 2 years ago with one-year work visa. So I had to go to the immigration office last year and was again given a year extension. It was about to expire so I paid the immigration office a visit two weeks ago.

My Filipino colleagues were given a 3-year work visa after staying here for two years. So, I was looking forward to receiving the same. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case. Yes, my visa extension was approved, but I was given one-year visa again. I can’t point out any reason why, but it would have been great to receive a 3-year work visa. It would definitely save me trips to the immigration office, and it’s cheaper! 1-year visa or 3-year visa, both cost 4,000 yen! Anyway, I couldn’t spend more time sulking about it. I just hope I could get it next time.

The Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau maybe far from the city but I think it’s worth the trip. Here are some pictures:

This is right in front of the immigration office:

A view from the train station:

Another view from the train station. (The building at the rightmost part of the picture houses the immigration bureau.)

I have posted something about getting to the Osaka Regional Immigration Bureau. Please click here.

Experiences in Japan, Simply Osaka , immigration, visa

Fighting Acne

July 21st, 2008 shiera

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Both of my parents had acne problems when they were in their teens, and so do my siblings and I. In my case, it’s definitely not because I lack hygiene. Anyway, my acne problem was worst when I was in college. I hated looking at the mirror because my cheeks were all read with acne!

My mother took me to a dermatologist. But even with the prescribed acne treatment cream, prescribed facial soap, and some vitamins for the skin, the problem still persisted. So, for years, I stopped relying on acne creams. Even now that I am in my late 20′s, I still have some pimples left. Thank God, they seldom appear on my cheeks. They somehow “relocated” to my chin and neck. For months, I’ve been using Shiseido Pimplit and I’m glad I’ve found it. I couldn’t do anything with the scars, though.

Health

Wilson Phillips’ Wilson Phillips

July 20th, 2008 shiera

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This album has been a favorite since I came across it. I could listen to these songs again and again (Hold On, Release Me, Impulsive, You’re in Love, Reason to Believe, The Dream is Still Alive), but all I had was a cassette tape copy from Florence. An original CD would have been great.

I’ve been searching for this album for years. Thanks to a second hand shop here in Osaka, my search finally ended. I was able to get the CD for only 280 yen (about $2), and it’s as good as new! A new music CD here costs more than 2,000 yen.

That second hand shop has many music CDs and DVDs. They also sell manga (comics) for 100 yen each that are also as good as new. Great buy, isn’t it?

So, if you want to buy something here, check out some second hand shops, first

Music Wilson Phillips

Wishing and Hoping…

July 19th, 2008 shiera

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I’ve lived in Manila for almost a year and it left me with one impression: I want to have my own condominium unit in Makati! But due to colossal problems that have kept coming, I think this dream is still a bit far-fetched. Should I get a breather from all of these, I’ll definitely go for it (if God wills it). I’m honestly planning on working back in the Philippines.

If I continue working in Manila, I think it is wiser to try buying a condominium unit than keep on renting. After all, the rent costs an arm and a leg. The sole problem would be raising the downpayment, and then perhaps seek the assistance of mortgage lenders. A few addition to the previous rental amount, then the unit will be mine in a few years. Wishing… and hoping…

Sentiments

Those Techie Terms

July 18th, 2008 shiera

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I took up Computer Engineering in college, so we had a few electronics and communication courses. Trying to make those circuits work was really fun but I hated calculating frequencies, resistances, capacities, etc. Why am I talking about this now? My cousin happened to ask me about Cat5e Keystone jack and I was clueless. Forgetting it because it had been years since my electronics courses is a lame excuse.

Cat 5 or “Cable and Telephone” is a type of cable often used for computer networks. Cat 5e is just an enhanced version of Cat 5. Keystone jack, on the other hand, is the female connector, and the matching male is referred to as the keystone plug. Still a bit confused? The photo on the right side shows a Cat 5e keystone jack. From there, I’m sure you can already figure out how does a keystone plug look like.

Gadgets

On Sulpicio Lines

July 18th, 2008 shiera

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I’ve always wanted to rant about Sulpicio Lines but due to the recent Princess of the Stars disaster, I’ve put this entry off a few weeks.

Anyway, I’d just would like to share some of my experiences with Sulpicio Line’s Dipolog Princess (DP). This ferry has been around for as long as I could remember.

Experience #1:
I was still a freshman in college, I boarded DP one Saturday night from Cebu to Iligan City. There was no problem when it left Cebu but it suddenly stopped 4 hours after departure due to engine trouble. It started running again 5 hours later. It was supposed to arrive in Iligan at 6:00AM, but due to the problem, we reached Iligan Bay at around 1:00PM. We were about a hundred meters from the port but the engine died again. The problem wasn’t fixed so they left us with no option but to transfer to a tugboat to the port. It was my first time riding a tugboat and jumping from the ship to the tugboat was really horrifying!

Experience #2:
DP is the only ship that goes to Iligan City from Tagbilaran City. My father died in Tagbilaran City so we had to stay a few days in Bohol waiting for the ship. DP was supposed to leave Bohol on Wednesday but, due to engine trouble (again), we left Bohol the next day. We were mourning and provoked by the ship’s delay. These drove me to my limit and I actually lost my temper when I found out that some people had the same bed number as my family and me. Moreover, we weren’t able to get the economy accommodation, so we got the tourist ones. The room was supposed to be air-conditioned but we weren’t able to get some sleep because the air-conditioning system was broken!

The only good thing I can say about Sulpicio Lines is that they serve good meals. Honestly, I like some of the Sulpicio Lines ferries, especially Princess of the Ocean. But they should let go of Dipolog Princess.

I think that not only Sulpicio lines, but also most of the ferries in the Philippines have major problems. Most (if not all) of the ships are old and have poor maintenance. Serious mechanical inspections are only done when tragedies happen. Security is tightened only when a bombing incident occurs. I just hope they won’t wait for another incident to happen before they do something.

Opinionated Me, Philippines Dipolog Princess, Sulpicio Lines

Thinking of Christmas

July 18th, 2008 shiera

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Christmas Day is undoubtedly almost everyone’s favorite day. That’s why, I couldn’t help but think about Christmas even if it’s still July! I just hope I could go home this Christmas. I’ve spent the last two Christmases away from home. My father may have already left us, but the children at home, particularly Shaynna and Kiera would at least lessen the pain.

Anyway, if given the chance to go home this Christmas, I’d definitely organize a kiddie party and send out Christmas invitations as early as September!

Christmas, Philippines Christmas invitations

A Health Rant

July 17th, 2008 shiera

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Let’s face it. Almost everybody prefers to be skinny. Most of my friends are now following some exercise regimen. Some of them decided not to eat rice anymore. As for me, I still prefer to eat three times a day with snacks in between. However, with my job, I have to sit in front of my computer for more than 10 hours a day, so I am most likely to gain more belly fats.

Let’s just say I have some problems suppressing my appetite and that I am gaining weight fast. And all those exercise regimen proved to be worthless. Would I be bold enough to take one of those cheap Phentermine? Most likely, I would. But fortunately, occasional jogging would suffice at the moment.

Health

Wordless Wednesday #18: Camouflage?

July 16th, 2008 shiera

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Photo courtesy of Jun D. Racho
Check out the Wordless Wednesday HQ

Philippines, Wordless Wednesday Wordless Wednesday

Saikou!

July 13th, 2008 shiera

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Saikou – ????????? – the Japanese term for “highest, supreme, the most”. This is how I would describe Japan’s postal services. Here’s an illustration why I think so:

I posted some documents last Wednesday at 4:49PM, it was dispatched on Thursday at 1:17AM, then arrived in Manila at 3:00PM! Ok, I sent it through EMS, a quicker but more expensive delivery option. However, on that same day, I sent some postcards through regular air mail. Then one postcard reached the recipient in Netherlands yesterday! (I give credit to Netherland’s postal service, too.)

Here in Osaka, the central post office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! I don’t know if the other cities (especially the smaller ones) have it, too. If you’re expecting a parcel, you can have it delivered on Sundays, even on holidays. Great, isn’t it? Well, at least it’s much, much better than what I was used too.

Japan: exposed, Simply Osaka EMS, Japan Post

Wordless Wednesday #17: Grumpy

July 9th, 2008 shiera

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Shaynna

I’ve Named Them…

July 9th, 2008 shiera

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I have read Danielle Steel’s Kaleidoscope and from there, I’ve come across and fell in love with the names: Megan and Ariana Alexandra. I was bent on giving one of these names to my daughter. However, when the time came for me to finally use them, I end up discarding both and spent more than three months researching for a new one. Of course, I’ve considered and “shortlisted” some celebrities’ baby names. Tea Leoni’s daughter’s name “Madeleine West” was a favorite. My ex-officemates and some friends gave some suggestions and I chose “Shaynna“, I think a Hebrew word for “beautiful“. I came across “Lexine“, of English origin which means “defender of men“. The two meanings might not go well but I love the sound of Shaynna Lexine.

Since I’m the one who has an easy access to the internet, my cousin asked me to look for a boy’s name. She opted to name her son “Jarl Rhyven“. I think I got “Jarl” from a novel by Jude Deveraux. If Shaynna were a boy, I would have chosen “Jarl Tynan“.

My brother must have liked my suggestions because he asked me to name his daughter. They chose “Kiera Alexis“. It was supposed to be “Keira Alexis“, but at that time, my mother was the one who wrote it down. Being used to writing “Shiera“, she wrote down “Kiera” instead of “Keira“. Anyway, I really love researching names and I often do this to kill time. Should you need some help, just tell me and I’ll gladly burn the midnight oil for you.