ePassport Renewal Processing

Tweet Learning my lesson. I need to renew my passport for my Hongkong-Macau trip this May. My passport is valid until September this year.. no worries, since HongKong government allows entry for passport holders who have one month validity. HOWEVER, I don't want to miss the Macau trip, and it is a requirement that passport should be within 6 months of validity.

I got no choice, but go online and set an appointment. I thought it was an easy process. Well, the whole online process is easy. You just enter your details and pick the schedule. I tried the mock booking last Monday, and the earliest appointment date is April 14th. Come, Wednesday I tried booking for our appointment and the earliest date is April 21st! I have no choice but to get that date. Checked rush processing which is 7 business days.

I was feeling hopeless that I won't not make it before my flight date. Even went and consulted a Travel Agent, and they can't even commit on the processing time (rush is 6 to 12 business days after appointment).

I checked the DFA website and was shocked with their announcement:

We would like to inform you that your passport could not be released as scheduled due to technical adjustments in the production process.
The Department will either contact you directly once your passport is available for release or you may refer to our website (www.dfa.gov.ph) for the list of passports ready for release.
Thank you for your understanding.

So this is how my taxes work.

DFA is going techie and migrating to the new ePassport thing, in line with DFA's migration to the new site (I am not certain where exactly, but near Mall of Asia). Just goes to show that we are not yet ready for this.

I checked the DFA website yesterday, and they just updated the website and processing time. 10 working days for rush processing! What the?! And there might even possibilities of delays! I was lucky when I called the DFA call support, and was able to get a schedule on April 8 (think of chance passenger).

But everything could go wrong, and I could just say good bye to my friends as they board the plane to HongKong this May.

Hoping everything work okay.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Open House

Tweet

Went to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Trinoma for the Open House. The store is launching two new Fruit Teas: Pomegranate Fru-Tea and Lemon Zest Fru-tea. Was quite surprised that the store is not that crowded.. hey, the store is giving away free drinks, where are the mall rats? Alright traffic says it all.. People are more excited about the Pacquiao - Clottey fight than these Fru-teas.. Fine.

I got the Pomegranate Ice Blended and I am not disappointed. It is a perfect blend of sweetness and sourness. They should put this on their regular menu. It is the exact opposite of the other Blueberry Pomegranate drink they offered some few years ago (tasted like Taro).

Wish I could find time to upload the pics I have taken using my eTouch Phone.

Which reminds me, Starbucks is now offering whole leaf teas. I know I shouldn't blog about this, I don't want to promote a copycat - (bleh), but if real tea drinkers are looking for whole leaf teas, go to the nearest Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf store. Love the variety of loose leaf teas!

Evidence of the Crime (Shopping!)

Tweet My room is a chaos!

I still have bags and paperbags of the items I recently bought. Swimsuits, make-up, new dresses, and shoes! I keep on denying that I am a shopaholic.. that I have dresses and clothes kept inside my closet still with tags and never worn; that I have bags and purses and clutches that I have never used; that I have make-up which I have only tested once; that I have shoes which await to be worn. If there are things I keep inside my closet, it is not a skeleton, but evidences of my crime! Shopping. I haven't mentioned yet the graphic dress I bought online which is currently on shipment, and the lace dress I have yet to pay.

I have been busy the whole week, and I haven't gotten a chance to keep the new purchases inside my closet. So every morning (or should I say, every night when I wake up) and everytime I walk inside my room from work, these cute big shiny paperbags greet me..  (actually the bag which contains my new swimsuits I ordered some months ago - I just kept inside my closet to save me some space in my very small room).

I had two realizations. First, I have to keep the evidences of my crime. Read, shopping!!! Second, seeing all the paperbags and bags, and couriers' packages scattered on your room would make you realize that shopping is not just bad for your credit card and finances, but also kills your room's ambiance!

Bikini-Shopping During Winter, Boots-Shopping At Summer!

Tweet Three weeks ago, I was looking for a decent and nice fitting two piece to bring on my Bohol trip. I was not successful. I searched through every known store local and international brands (I found few pieces at Cinderella, but I never liked the styles).

I have one packed for the trip, but I know that we would dip more than once; and I am the type who never want to have my pic taken wearing the same clothes, for this matter, the same bikini.

I got a Merona 2 piece from an online store and a Christian Audigier set. The same one in the Mercendez fashion show. You got it!

So I brought 3 sets during my trip. I was so unlucky that the 6 sets I bought from Victoria Secret are yet to arrive today (care of my friend, Leslie).

Calendar marked March and stores are now dressing, or should I say undressing their mannequins. Clad in 2 pieces and malliots, I am now overwhelmed with the new styles of bikinis!

The irony of it all, when girls are going gaga over bikinis, I am now so ready for the rainy season. Just bought black boots yesterday. And I love it!