Burnin’ Holes in the Pocket…

and the list continues… gawd. It’s like having a baby that you have to feed every single minute and ALWAYS have to look after for. For the past week I’ve added a pretty good number of scratches - and it doesnt hurt me that much anymore.

All I am thinking right now is to have it repainted. Well maybe on Saturday, hopefully I can have it repainted - touch up paint, that is. I dont have the money to burn to have it repainted. And I figured, if I save up PhP300 everyday, for 100 days, then I can have it repainted by January ‘08. Do the math. The figure’s making me dizzy. Ohgawdness.

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Tags: cars, manila life, urban living, manila

Ding! There’s a dent!

Before I continue with the Part II of my latest adventure in driving and owning a car here’s another update on those list of expenses.

Be prepared for the unexpected - dings. DENTS.

I am always careful and cautious on the road but when it comes to parking in our own tiny garage, I’ve been always challenged in parking and maneuvering. What aggravated the situation is when you ask someone for help (hiring someone to be of help when you need one) but ended up disappointing you. I was trying to park in our garage - and there was that one person who’s supposed to be looking after (or just be of help) while I was parking. All I was asking from her was to do her job efficiently but she didn’t. She was trying to finish everything she needs to do in haste. WHY? Because she’s watching TV. Actually there are two of them hired to be of help - but they just can’t do their job efficiently because it’s Teleserye, Telenovela time!!!

I am not blaming her because I am partly at fault too - but the damage could have been minimized, if not avoided, if only she did her part. I was so worried that having that tiny dent repaired would need some major repainting.

Being a new forumer in here, I sought for help - and I found this thread as an answer to my problem. There’s a thing called Paintless Dent Repair and per the forumers recommendation, there’s Autocamp in Ortigas Avenue who could do the job! I am so happy!!!! They charge around PhP 200-500 per dent. You can also try KatokMagic if you’re from the south.

If you want something DIY, you can try THIS LINK, or this:

Remove Car Dent With Airduster - Funny video clips are a click away

But I am really thankful that it happened to me when I was already in our house. :) 

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Tags: DIYDent, Dents, Car, Driving, Urban Life

I am back with lots of stories to tell. Part I

Ooooookay, I’ve been awaaaaay, for a whiiiiile. I know. I am sorry

Finally got a car last Saturday (a second hand one from a friend). I often hear from people that owning a car is expensive, I thought it was just all about GAS, the car itself and the maintenance. Then I figured it out recently here are the things that make owning a car “expensive”

1. 1. Okay, again getting the car. Whether it’s a second hand one or a brand new unit, it’s still not that cheap. Well, unless of course, you were born filthy rich (well for me, the cost of my car is already my presumptive legitime, hehe)
2. Then there’s GAS. Whether it’s diesel or gasoline, it’s still expensive especially for larger vehicles/vehicles with large engines which goggles up gas FAST.
3. Tips. For manong guard, or the kind peeps in the parking* lot which helps me figure out maneuvering in tight spaces. And also, for looking after my car while I am away.
4. Maintenance. At first, I thought it was just all about maintenance. You know, just “maintaining” the car such as change oil and tune up. BUT man, I WAS wrong.

• Change oil for every 5,000 kilometers;
• Tune up for every 10,000 kilometers;
• Auto-detailing*** unless you got a sparkly brand new car (which still needs some detailing) you have to shell out PhP3,500. That’s all-in already (exterior, interior and engine) with a promise that they will restore it to it’s almost-new look. For this one, you have to leave the car for at least whole day or overnight, because they have to remove everything to clean it and let it dry.
• Lights. This one, I have a rather long story**
• Car wash***

5. Tickets and parking tickets****
6. Add-ons and some more stuffs** to make the car rather ‘cool’, whatever.
7. Tools. Such as:

• spare tire
• early warning device
• spare tire
• Etc….

*Parking is never easy for me. I hope I improve my parking skills soon enough.

**Lights, add-ons and some more stuffs.
Okay, I got the car last Saturday with my friend with a promise that he’ll give me the stereo sometime this week. He gave me the (rather old) car stereo and he said it’s working fine. So off I went last Monday to an autoshop somewhere in Pasong Tamo, Makati City. I supposed it’s a great shop after some reads in this and this forums. I’ve never been to an autoshop before and I was really impressed with the sight. It’s like a garage filled with cars somewhat like those in 2 Fast 2 Furious, okay, that’s quite an exaggeration but you get the picture. People are there to pimp their cars and such with stereos and speakers blasting. I was really impressed, I felt like my car was just a little speck of dust parked beside those cars. Okay, I was just a little envious that they could SPEND THAT MUCH for pimpin the cars, while I was just handing over the little stereo filled with molds to the technician. The technician told me “Is this working?” I told him yes. My friend assured me that it’s working. It doesn’t mean that if it’s not new it’s not working! However, the technician tried to convince me to check out some of their stereos in display. The “newer” ones. I told him I could live with that stereo for now.

The next issue was this: He told me the power antennaes are not working and that there’s no line from the stereo connected to the antennae and that he needs to fix *caching, that would have added cost to the repair* I immediately sent a text message to my friend (I was already kinda pissed off) asking why it’s not working. My friend told me there are two wires connected to the stereo and I should tell the technician to locate that wire instead. True enough, it worked.
Next issue: Speakers and statics. Again he tried to upsell speakers to me. But since the ones installed are relatively new, I opted not to get a new one. I can live with that since there’s only static whenever I turn up the volume to 10000000 decibels. I was never a fan of those people who blasts their speakers for all people (and pedestrians, kids sleepin in the crib) to hear.

Then of course, there’s a SHOP in the autoshop. A shop with goodies… Goodies such as add-ons. I was thinking of having my car’s shift root (not sure if it’s the right term) replaced. It’s torn, that’s why I transfered it from my ‘wants’ to ‘needs’ to ’super duper needs’. I was expecting to get it for like less than PhP1,000. Yes, that’s for the generic ones but they don’t have it. And that’s when I learned that there’s an expensive brand for car stuffs - Momo. I’ve only known Miu Miu (expensive clothing brand, I think) for the last 24 years of my existence. But surprise! There’s Momo. The shift root costs PhP1,800. And the gearshift knob costs PhP1,600. Yes, that’s just “The Knob” I decided to pass up on it. I don’t have enough money to splurge on that. Besides, we’re trying to save up for the car detailing.

Okay, so I left the autoshop with just my stereo installed went to school right after. I left my school around 9 in the evening and I noticed that my dashboard (gauge thingy) wasn’t lit up. I thought I just can’t find the switch (I twisted and pulled all possible bar, knobs just to turn it on but to no avail) I reached home without looking on my gauge. Though I know that I was just driving slow, was just on the first gear. Better be safe. Lolz.

Then yesterday, I again left my school around 9 in the evening and I made it sure to ask my friend how to turn that darn dashboard light on. He told me that once I turned on my headlights, the dashboard should be automaticall lit up. I only got to read that message from him when I was already at home. I sorta freaked out because I was thinking that he sold me a lemon when he told me it’s a perfect catch because the car was very well taken care of. I immediately checked my lights because I know there is something wrong. Surprise! SURPRISE! I found out that for the past two nights - I was driving without tail lights, parking lights and reverse lights. I was really thankful that I wasn’t apprehended! And of course I was so thankful to God that he took care of me during those nights.

My friend claimed that it was all working when he handed the car over to me, I know he’s telling the truth because we’ve used the car over the weekend with all the lights working. It should be working. I then realized that there must be something wrong with the installation of the stereo though I wasn’t sure because I don’t know anything about cars and electronics. I asked around and my cousin (who’s so into cars) told me that I should bring the car back to the shop where I had my stereo installed. I was hesitant thinking that such a reputable shop might not own up to it - that the person who installed it might have done that. I wasn’t even sure if the stereo and lights wirings were interconnected or something.

I brought the car to another shop this afternoon to have the lights checked. And it confirmed the suspicion, the wiring of the stereo was connected to the wiring of the lights which caused the fuse to err *am lost for the right word* to defuse? It’s busted that’s why.

***Auto-detailing. My car is somewhat untidy and I need it to be serviced ASAP. And I’ve been scouting for nicer shops where I can have it serviced. I am thinking about having it serviced in BigBerts or maybe just Denjo’s in Makati.

Car wash. The night I got my car, I was so excited to wash and wax it. I was so eager I thought it was just that simple. Wrong. I even applied the wax thick. Super thick thinking I can just wipe it off the next day. I was so wrong - I couldn’t wipe off the wax the next day. And until now, there are dried marks of wax on it’s body. I can have it waxed soon, maybe, in a car wash shop. I do not want to do it again. It’s hard.

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Tags: Driving, Manila Traffic, Car, Car and Maintenance, Auto-detailing, Autoshops

BRB

Ok, I am back. Been a very bad gurl for neglecting my happy corner!

Post later! Lots and lots of stories… and the reason why I’ve gone MIA the past days :p

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Tags: Back, My Happy Corner

Jennifer who?

Um, who is she?

E! Online reports that Jennifer Hudson will join the cast of Sex and the City: The Movie.* Apparently, she’ll play the part of Carrie’s assistant. Interesting!

Now that I am reading this news, I wonder who she is. I cannot remember her face. I am not it the mood to look her up in Wikipedia. Ok, so she’ll be in SATC The Movie. Hmmm. I’m sorry if this entry seems so pointless.

*I loved the series (but I got to watch on DVD only a year after the series ended). Yes, right. Poor me. And oh, I guess I have to mention this: I am not a fan of any hollywood stars and I only got to know most of them about a year ago.

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Tags: JenniferHudson, Sex and the City The Movie, SATC, Sex and the City

Me no like it: ScottKay Sparta

I got this in my inbox today (shh, yes, I am on the emailing list of some bridal sites).

For a funky ring to wear to a costume party or a rock concert, I might consider this. But for a wedding ring? I dont think I can handle it. How about you?

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Tags: ScottKay, Sparta, Wedding Rings, Ring, Wedding Ring

The Scent of a Woman - in a bottle.

This is by far - the funniest blog entry I’ve ever read and the most cringeworthy ‘invention’ I’ve ever known!!!

Note: Not for the easily offended and faint-hearted persons!!! You’ve been warned. Now, can I say “eeeewwwwweewwwwwww?!”

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Tags: CringeworthyInvention

Kudos to BIR’s over the phone assistance

I didn’t get to sleep well last night as I found out that my Tax Identification Number is not listed on the online database of Bureau of Internal Revenue. It’s a very long story though. I was dreading of having to visit BIR office because of what I mentioned in this post.

I found an email address from their site and sent an email instead. As much as possible I am sparing myself the stress of personally going to their office. Then I found another number as their ‘Support‘ I tried my luck and called them up.

I was not expecting someone knowledgeable to answer the call. I wasn’t even expecting the number to be working at all! BUT BUT BUT I can’t believe it when someone answered my call and helped me verified my TIN. It’s HISTORY. For the first time, I believe that somehow there’s still great hope for my beloved Manila.

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Tags: BIR, Bureau of Internal Revenue, TIN, Tax identification Number

Forum Highlight: MacLawStudents

Are you:

a. A Law student?
b. Someone who’s hoping to be a law student?
c. A mac user?
d. Someone who’s contempleting whether to shift to Mac OS?
e. Need a support system or just hoping to interact with other law students or just want to share your knowledge and expertise in law?

If you answered ‘Yes’ in any of the questions above, then join the new forum: MacLawStudents. The forum is great support system for us! It doesn’t matter which continent you are from.

The forum features:

Software and Techniques

Software reviews, plus your favorite techniques for using your favorite apps with your Mac. If you’ve tried an online service, a desktop app, or a piece of commercial software this is the place to let us know what you think of it.

Hardware and Accessories

Discuss and review laptop sleeves, backpacks, digital voice recorders, peripherals, and other goodies.

Legal Profession

Is law school for you, the legal profession, career choices after school, etc.

Substantive Law

Discussions about black letter law and policy in various areas of the law, such as contracts, property, criminal, and so on.

School/Life Balance

How do you keep on top of your law school work and maintain the rest of your life at the same time? What are your out-of-school activities that keep you sane?

Join now!

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Tags: Mac, Mac Law Students, Mac Users, Law School, Law Student

10 Signs that you’re not in the mood to blog

1. Can’t come up with decent entry
2. Can’t think of anything good to say.
3. No right words can desrcibe how you feel
4. You keep on hitting the wrong keys in your keyboard
5. YOure typing for 10 hours now and there’s always something wrong
6. You can’t finish your top ten list

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Eleven Things I Learned Outside the Driving School.

My five-hour hands-on driving lesson is now finished! I can drive!!! And now, I can officially say that Manila roads are definitely scary.

Fasten your seatbelts, here’s a lowdown on what I learned from taking the streets of Manila.

1. Jeepney drivers won’t care if you’re a student driver. My training car was plastered with huge ads (logos) of the driving school and a “Student Driver” sign at the back of the car but don’t expect that jeepney drivers would give a damn. They’ll cut you off. They’ll blow their horns as if there’s no tomorrow.

2. Jeepney drivers don’t know defensive driving. Most of them were just taught with someone who knows how to drive. Obtained their license (if they even have one) and hit the road (figuratively and literally.)

3. Traffic laws are merely suggestions but not mandatory. Definitely the exact opposite of law principles but that’s how people see it.

4. Pedestrians don’t use the pedestrian lanes and neither the sidewalk. They walk in roads and expect that drivers will always give way.

5. Roads are kids playground. Beware; if you hit them, you’re finished.

6. Most, if not all, jeepneys don’t have a signal light. It’s for you to figure out if they’re changing lanes. Good luck.

7. No, they don’t have brake lights either.

8. No, some jeepneys don’t have side mirrors.

9. Don’t believe the “no loading and unloading” signs. Chances are, those are the areas where jeepneys (or most public transpo) pick-up and drop-off their passengers.

10. There’s no maximum speed limit in Manila roads.

11. Bring advil when you drive. And water too. You gonna need that.

My instructor was really patient with me. I learned things quite fast (but there are still lots of room for improvements) and it’s fun. And now, I just have to worry about my car. I know how to drive, but I ain’t got a car.

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Tags: ManilaLife, Manila Driving, A-1 Driving School, A-1 Driving, A1 Driving, Manila, Road, Facts about Manila, Manila roads, Driving, things about Manila

Baby, I can drive your car!

Manila is known for having the worst traffic in the world and that if you can drive around here then you can handle the worst traffic in other countries*. But despite of that fact, I am proud to say that I’ve enrolled myself in a driving school yesterday! Yes, that’s in spite of the dreaded visit to LTO**

I enrolled in A1 Driving school and thank God for their license procurement assitance. It’s worth the extra PhP400! I got my student permit today and tomorrow am gonna start my driving lesson!

Sidenotes:
*I heard that from someone before, though it may no longer be true today.
**Long queues… That’s why

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Tags: Snippets, A! Driving, Driving School,