Photography

Finally, I found new friends who share the same interest. I now have a life and am very happy in sharing it with people who also like what I like. Talk about cameras, lenses, flashes and other stuff doesnt bore them. I like my new found friends. We stay intouch all the time and meet up twice a month for a photoshoot.

Our first meeting was at ATC in Alabang. Its an all girls photography club named Da Pinay Photographers.

It's been a while!!

It's been a while since my last post here. I will try to come back here every now and then so that I can keep you folks updated. So, to date, here is what has happened to me and Kris in a nutshell:

• Got Married - September 8, 2007
• Travel! - Kris went to the US for Training (November-December 2007)
• Travel! - Harvie went to the US for the CVG Training Summit (January 2008)
• New Toy! - Harvie and Kris got a car named Xarke (2004 Silver Toyota Altis)
• Sad News: Kris had a false pregnancy alert> blighted ovum
• Sad News: Portia, our Persian Cat, died
• Movement - We moved to Pilar Village, Las Pinas (July 2008)
• Movement - Harvie left CVG (July 2008)
• Movement - Harvie joined Aditya Birla Minacs (August 2008)
• Travel! - Harvie went to Bangalore, India for his Onboarding with ABM (Late August 2008)
• New Pet! - Nermal gave birth to Polly, our new Persian Cat
• New Toy! - Kris got a D60 DSLR Camera
• New Pet! - 1 year old Female Labrador named Willow
• Sad News: - Lolo Pitong died (December 6, 2008)
• Old School: - Harvie went back to playing Magic and went and hooked up with his college buddies from DLSU-Dasma

Far and Away

My baby's in the US of A for an entire month. I dropped her off at the airport Tuesday early morn. Although it wasn't the emotional goodbye that we thought it would be, it felt completely different going home and seeing my bed and knowing that when I wake up later on that day, she would not be there beside me.

I miss her smell. I miss her hair. Heck, I even miss her snores. I look forward to the day when she would be in my arms again.

The Wedding Event

Just sharing the Wedding Pic here..

Curly Tops

Kulot nanaman ako... YEHEY!!!

Finally, I decided to have my hair curled. After 4 years of rebonded hair, I went back to being my KULOT SALOT style. Went to Studio 546 around 10 am and was done around 130 pm. I paid a lot for my perm. I let Michael (hair dresser) do his job, and he is great! He has very gentle hands but his assistant Vanessa was gentler.

This is my first time in their salon and all I can say is that they treat their customers like super models. Aside from the choice of ice tea, coffee and soda. They make sure that you get the latest magazines. They have the latest state of the art machines that I get to see only in tv shows. I really enjoyed my salon experience and hopefully, if my wallet would agree, I would like to go back for more treatment. :-)

If it's expensive it SHOULD be good!

In Rapt Suspense and Anticipation

Accompanied Kris to the Embassy yesterday and had to wait 3 friggin' hours at the Starbucks across the street for her. Thank God I brought the laptop or else I would've completely lost my mind! And because I was terribly absent-minded at that time (Read: 3 hours of sleep), I left most of my cash with her and had to settle for no wifi access. Good thing I had a DVD of Prison Break Season 3's Episodes 1-8. That kept me pleasantly pre-occupied.

Good thing too that all that waiting was not in vain because she got her visa!! Wahoo!! She fared far better than I did the last time I was there on official business for an interview. I tell you sometimes I think these consuls are just power-tripping. We should drag them to the middle of Tondo and have the mob have their way with them.

Para MaVISA...Basahin ng Magka-VISA!!

Went to the US Embassy today and had my interview. While I was waiting for my turn, I noticed that the consul at Window 8 was very grumpy. He was yelling and rejecting applicants from left to right. Looking back, I couldn't remember him approving anybody. Anyway, my number was 56 and, unfortunately, he wrapped up his interview with this other applicant far too quickly that I ended up at his booth!! *ARGH*.... I think I called on all the Gods and prayed to all the Saints not to be assigned to Window 8 but I had no choice.. I had to go through with this interview, my career is on the line!

I was calm (and I think sarcastic looking) when I approached his booth. Surprisingly, he was actually good looking (I was expecting him to be old, fat and ugly)! He had this paranoid look when he asked me questions. He even asked me about my hair(?!) Duh! As if he would say: "I'm sorry but I cannot grant you a visa as of this time due to your change in hairstyle." Duh!

Anyway, why am I ranting?!... I got approved. :-)

For those people who will have a visa interview at the US embassy, here are some tips for you guys:
1. Brush up on your english. If you don't understand the question of the consul, chances are the consul will be irritated especially when they have to repeat whatever they ask you.

2. Make sure you know all the information in your documents: names, addresses and dates. The consul usually asks specific questions and will try to keep you off guard.

3. Take a bath and use cologne. It doesn't hurt to smell nice, even if the consul is inside a booth and can't smell you. It's for the people who will be waiting in line with you. Have the courtesy to...well...smell...confident(?!)

4. Wear comfortable clothes. You will be standing most of the time. You don't want to have varicose veins when you leave the embassy.

5. Make sure you have a good book. You may have to leave all your electronics in your car and will end up doing nothing while waiting for your number to be called. So, it will be easier if you have a book to keep you company.

6. Last, but not the least, try to read all the instructions on the board. This will help you have a smooth, fast and convenient process. They made posters of directions and the processes because they want you to read them. So, READ THEM! They're not wall decor.

To all of you, take care and have a blessed day.