November 10th, 2007
Greetings! (part 16)
Posted by special_child at 01:27 PM on November 10, 2007.
After abandoning my Tabulas account for work, here I am again, adding another post to a series that I never imagined would span this long.
If you have read previous entries from this series, then you'd definitely know I'm out of the country again. But this (where I'm creating this post) is not my final destination yet. Just here for a layover.
We're here in Narita! Yes, we, since I got mom coming along. We are going to San Francisco for a vacation (with work added along the way, sadly), and it's the first time that mom's joining me! It's quite different this time, as I'm used to travelling in long haul flights alone, but let's see what happens.
We are boarding in a few minutes, and I don't have much to say. I missed my blog! I'm starting a new one soon, but I'll keep this so I can still post stuff. Since there are a lot of changes in Tabulas lately, I might remove the _ from my username and keep it simple. I'll just inform you of details.
Blogger's Note: The Top Ten List is still in hibernation... even longer than I am. Maybe next time 
Hmmm... I wonder if Bugok will have me buy something from this airport when I get back.
Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud 
P.S. Will send a new entry from San Francisco! 
Currently enjoying the hustle and bustle of Narita.
Currently deciphering offline YM messages spanning one month.
Currently checking planes takeoff and land.
Currently feeling airport-ish.
June 10th, 2007
Smart: Simply Unamazing
Posted by special_child at 01:54 AM on June 10, 2007 as a favorite post.
I have waited way too long to delay creating this entry.
And now that I have made sure that all options have been exhausted, I am here to release my spite on the network I have been using all my life. I have been very loyal to Smart, having used three SIM's already. From one phone to another, the only thing that didn't change is my unwavering dedication to the telecom provider. Even though a lot of my friends are with Globe, I didn't for one second think of switching to the said network.
But some things really change.
I was very comfortable with the service I was provided... until three months ago, when everything changed. The old perception of Smart as a reliable service provider and innovator slowly but continuously faded as time passed. While various networks have sprouted and some have increased their products and services, Smart has stayed with what it had. Even if they had new products, it seemed below average as opposed to its competitors.
Never did I imagine that I would start to sway people away from the network I've been using for seven years now. In fact, before I have been swaying people to get Smart. So for me to change my mind, the reasons should be really heavy. If anyone would beg to disagree, feel free to send your comments. But I think I have the right to post my sentiments here.
Top Ten Reasons Why Smart Is Simply Unamazing10. Pasaload amounts have been fixed since its launching. While the competitor increased their choices (increments and decrements of one peso), Smart still only offers four amounts: 2, 5, 10, and 15. Recently they increased the choices (now available in 30 and 60), but it still is not enough.
9. Smart 3G and Smart Bro. Enough said.
8. Just like number 10, the Smart e-Load values are also very limited. Yes, Smart was the first to introduce this. But they are now very left behind.
7. I have experienced this twice in a small number of times I traveled abroad. The Smart roaming service has a long time of response. There were times that roaming is instantaneous; unfortunately, the ones I experienced were very delayed, and it ended up with me not even being registered for the said service.
6. While we're at it, I'd like to rant about how roaming services can't be activated through the Internet. The reason why I'm asking this is that connecting through the Internet is the primary means of communicating while abroad. How do you expect us to warn friends and family of our roaming being not activated when we don't have the network available for us when we arrive at our destination cities? It's a very big hassle.
5. What happened to Seoul? When we got there, we had no signal. This is despite the fact that we have activated our roaming service, and despite the fact that Smart confirmed that they have a telecom partner in Korea. There wasn't any moment that I had a slight signal to work with.
4. Okay, so the unlimited texting offer of Smart is now a forever thing. What happened to me? I have been unable to register for six months now. I have acquired a ticket for them to fix it, but as of today I am still kind of barred from the service.
3. A very slow response time is what bugs me. That includes the ticket I mentioned, the load inquiry that sometimes takes anywhere from five minutes to five hours to none (it did not arrive), and the unlimited registration from before.
2. What happened to the CSR's we're calling? The last time I called, I am already mad because of all these problems I've encountered. The only thing I did was to be sarcastic. The CSR, however, instead of being corteous and doing her job, became irritable and equally sarcastic! How's that for a call center agent?
-and... (drum roll please)-
1. This is the one I've hated most about Smart. *888. The slowest of response times... always busy in the morning... rude agents... slow or even no service at all... I have no idea if Smart Infinity subscribers are experiencing this as opposed to us Buddy users, but I'm just relaying my own experience.
Yeah, so Smart has 25 million subscribers. If they can give 5 million satisfied ones... now that would be a miracle that's simply amazing.
Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud
P.S. I will spread this around through different mediums. I just hope that Smart does something about it.
Currently enjoying "Breaking Free", performed by Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens.
Currently deciphering text messages.
Currently checking none; TV's already off.
Currently feeling dissatisfied.
June 9th, 2007
Small World Gone Smaller
Posted by special_child at 05:04 AM on June 9, 2007.
For one day, I made the world smaller than it usually is.
Technically, it was a boring Friday. The whole day was spent training with my officemate James (this is for Customer Service). We had a very hyper colleague conduct the seminar. That, combined with his skill of speaking seven languages and delivering a freaky French accent, made a very hyper class of eXtreme Blue people and the better guys like us. It was like that the whole day. Fortunately, it had to end (part 2 on Tuesday... oh no... 
), and with it we (James, Ge, and I) ate a very sumptuous meal at Barrio Fiesta. 
But the main highlight of this day was going to Makati, apparently to watch a movie. It was Binky, Ge, and I who decided to go to G4 (through Binky's car - merci). I know that Jaja will be there, but so was Mito. And then all of a sudden Jane and her, uh, friend, was also there! So it was a ramble of sorts.
Since Binky had to leave early, and so did Mito and Jaja, the number of movies contending for the movie-to-watch position suddenly grew from two to zero. So we just stood there in front of Bench wondering what to do. While Jaja was keen on looking for gifts for Dave and Ed (whose birthdays are forthcoming), Mito was already tired carrying a huge huge camera. After a long while, we decided to go to Timezone.
Yes, it doesn't stop there. We saw Rex (the first time, Mito and I dodged; the second time, I had no choice) and even Arlene! The fun thing about it was that I asked Rex for a ride (apparently, I asked him to bring Mito and Jaja along) going south. He obliged.
All's well that ends well... maybe except for me getting dizzy as to which group to join. And for that ride going south (since Rex was joined by his sister and a friend). Nonetheless, it was fun seeing that all the friends I saw earlier now know each other (I hope so), and it was nice to see that many friends in a night.
Top Ten Definitions Specifically For This Entry
10. very hyper colleague: the one with raison d'être
9. eXtreme Blue: a combination of brains, "beauty", and conyo English as part of a management development program for IBM Business Services
8. James: a colleague recognized by Australia but not the Philippines
7. Ge: a colleague whose work and dedication to the business earns him more... work
6. Binky: a colleague who has a variety of names (Plinky, Dinky, Tinky Winky, and most recently, Jinky)
5. Bench: a store who hires relatively teenish stars for models and designs psychedelic underwear just for the sake of emphasizing a bulge; they also have homosexual mannequins who are on the verge of having foreplay
4. Rex: an original blockmate of mine who has a huge smile 
and a huge reputation of being a chickboy despite being NGSB
3. Mito: a strange standing, hanger-going-through-ing, stylish (human) being who hates being asked, "Musta?"
2. Jaja: a perky and preppy princess who painlessly peels pouts and promises to persuade and provide a pointed position of power (now ask "F" to fronounce that!)
-and... (drum roll please)-
1. Jane and her, uh, friend: HHWW... PSSP! DPSMONLNY!
Funny... I don't think many will understand the entire post.
Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud
P.S. Now, for the pessimistic me in the next entry...
Currently enjoying "I Believe In You And Me", performed by Melinda Doolittle.
Currently deciphering French Open results.
Currently checking my icon blink.
Currently feeling restless yet very happy.
May 14th, 2007
Greetings! (part 15)
Posted by special_child at 05:57 PM on May 14, 2007 as a favorite post.
Goodness... I never imagined this series of posts would reach quite a number.
For the past two months, I have been very lucky and very blessed to get a two-country vacation and a business trip. The thing is, there was another business trip, and I wasn't able to anticipate that it would fall under the two months I'm talking about. Today, I am in Manila. But exactly seven days ago, I was rushing through hell making sure that my business trip went smoothly. I was sent on a mission to... Seoul!
Yes, it's my first time to be in Korea. Before, it's just these Koreanovelas and such, but now it's coming to life right before my eyes. Incheon Airport, downtown Seoul... everything's fantastic. Even the weather was cooperating. Summer just started in Seoul, so it's not that hot and not that cold... Baguio weather at its finest.
From three countries which are as hot as the Philippines, I went somewhere north to perform the scanning implementation on IBM Korea. I went there Monday night, arrived Tuesday morning, got to work a few hours after (and that's without sleep), and got to explore Seoul that night.
Due to limited time, I wasn't able to see any palaces reminiscent of those in Koreanovelas even I watch. I also wasn't able to see any celebrities. I wasn't even able to go up Seoul Tower. But that week was already enough to experience what Seoul can give a tourist. The rest I will share with you through
my Multiply account (pictures: go add me if you have a Multiply account; just let me know who you are) and through the Top Ten List.
Top Ten Realizations: Seoul Style
10. Incheon Airport is the international gateway to Seoul. But it is very far from downtown Seoul, about 60 minutes plus. Just like KLIA, there is an expressway made for airport access.
9. Korean food is generally spicy, and almost every meal comes with kimchi. Even American restaurants have a Korean menu set with kimchi. So it's true: it's unimaginable for a Korean table to lack kimchi.
8. Seoul has a huge subway system, which can get you to majority of the places around the city. They also have English translations, which makes it a bit easier to navigate through.
7. Hotels are your first line of defense in asking for directions. So be loyal to your hotels. Or just come inside one and ask.
6. You'll get more money if you do your currency exchange in the airport. Would you believe that?! Hotels and banks have surcharges still.
5. On the contrary (and as expected), goods inside the airport are 100% more expensive than those of their counterparts outside the airport. I recommend that you go to markets for your shopping. There's one (Namdaemun Market) that can be compared to Divisoria because their prices are cheaper than others.
4. Most of the tourist attractions in Seoul are the imperial palaces and historical sites. There are also a number of amusement parks and shopping areas. And they also have tours specific to Koreanovelas (where they did their shooting and stuff) and even the DMZ.
3. This is funny, because I just noticed this when we were in the airport. Majority of couples that travel together actually wear the same clothes! As we arrived in Manila, I counted 26 couples wearing the same shirt and pants (sometimes down to sneakers and caps). So CUTE. Hehe.
2. If you haven't heard, Seoul is on the Top Ten List of Most Expensive Cities (in terms of costs of living). And I assure you, this is true. Everything is pretty expensive. Check this
website for price comparison. Suggestion? Don't convert to peso, because you'll hesitate buying.
-and... (drum roll please)-
1. If you don't know the language and you're not part of a tour, I suggest you explore with caution. Utilize free translations. You'd just need courage and a map with English and Korean translations. Plus, refer to number 7.
Seoul is really a beauty of its own. Experience it for yourself! I assure you you'll have a good time. Getting lost in translation is also part of it.
Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud
P.S. I am thinking of starting a travel blog because of all of these...
Currently enjoying "To Love Somebody", performed by Jordin Sparks.
Currently deciphering my blog's posts.
Currently checking none; just turned the TV off.
Currently feeling exhausted... lacks sleep.
May 7th, 2007
Greetings! (part 14)
Posted by special_child at 11:38 PM on May 7, 2007 as a favorite post.
After all this time... I'm still wondering about Kuala Lumpur.
The people there were so nice, that the last two weeks were really met by boredom. I
so miss the people there. Good thing, one of the people I worked with went to Manila the same day I went home. And the week after that, she was followed by another colleague. So there wasn't really an ultimate missing part, but it's kinda different.
So, as promised, here is the Top Ten List.
Top Ten Realizations: Kuala Lumpur Style
10. There isn't much difference between Bahasa and Tagalog; it's more of replacing the
u with
o. Example?
Tulak and
tolak.
9. Racial composition: Malays, Chinese, Indian.
8. The Petronas Twin Towers isn't really that tall... since you can only reach the 41st and 42nd floors of it. Those are the floors of the Skybridge.
7. They also have a communication tower that's high - Menara Kuala Lumpur... also known as KL Tower.
6. Transportation is really good, especially the taxis and trains. Buses aren't quite efficient; there was a rerouting that time.
5. Always bring an umbrella. When I was there, it rained everyday.
4. For the year 2007, there is an attraction in Lake Titiwangsa called Eye On Malaysia. My suggestion? Don't go there after the rain. The frost will build up on the gondolas, and you won't see a clear view of Petronas at night.
3. Stay near KL Sentral so you can have an access to all the transportation you need.
2. I missed the Sepang Formula 1 race! But at least I got pics of Sepang's front.
-and... (drum roll please)-
1. Petronas is pronounced as
PEH-tro-nas and not
peh-TROW-nas. That's how they do it.
Time for boarding in a few minutes... on to my next business trip.
Marvin the Martian™, jaz thinking aloud
P.S. See ya in my next entry!
Currently enjoying airport's PA.
Currently deciphering chat windows from my friends.
Currently checking Huawei's light blink.
Currently feeling sleepy.
