A Life Less Than Ordinary

My daughter, Amber, is an avid fan of Hannah Montana. Whenever she goes online, she visits the show’s website. The site is very child-friendly, so I do not have qualms about it. She plays games, and tries to imitate Hannah’s rock star appeal. She is her greatest idol ever. With all the racy photo controversies about Miley Cyrus. I hope that she will stay true to her wholesome image and will continue to be a good role model for the youngsters. She has the power to influence. She must use it constructively.

For years nows, celebrity tabloids and magazines report a number of famous child stars who fell into the trap of drug addiction. A news about Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears going in-and-out of the alcohol rehab is not new anymore, but it sold millions of copies. In Hollywood, enrolling in a crystal meth rehab, cocaine rehab, and alcohol detox facility is a fad. It does not bother people anymore. If you can still remember, Amy Winehouse, won three coveted awards for the 2008 Grammy’s. It created a controversy amongst the music industry. That’s life. We all have our different perceptions on things.

Let us not wonder anymore if there is a big boom in the drug treatment center industry. Take note, they are not just plain treatment centers, but they are established with utmost taste to ensure proper ambiance for fast recovery of its clients. After all, it is the best place to cure an addiction-stricken person- teens or adults.

I just finished watching Hell’s Kitchen second to the last episode. By next week, a winner will emerge. Oh boy, I am so excited and anxious. I like Christina, but I am rooting for Petrozza. He is really a good guy. I never heard him say bad things about his co-contestants. I can not wait to see him realized his long time dream.

The rising gas price is really getting in our nerves. KISA and I decided that we will transfer Amber to a nearby Summer Camp facility. The Summer Camp that she is attending now is too far away from home, and it cost gallons of fuel each day, to take and pick her up. The neighboring Summer Camp is quite expensive, but we have no choice. We have to minimize the travel time for each trips. In case you do not know, I do not drive, so KISA has to do all the vehicle mobility in the household. Hence, we are back to zero. I have to complete various forms again relating to this transfer. Just when I was about to print the paperwork for Amber’s enrollment, the inkjet cartridge of our printer gave in. It went empty. This is another unexpected expenditure for this month, as we all know, original printer ink and toner cartridges can be expensive. As for our HP printer, it will cost us around seventy dollars to replace both black and colored cartridges. Well, it is a lot of money. And so, I look into the Internet for possible substitute.

When I was in the Philippines, I know that compatible cartridges for printers, copiers, and all-in-one machines are widely used and available. Since I am now in the US, I want to find a store that sell them. Online availability is much better. Actually, it is not all about the price. I am seeking for a quality products that guarantees against defect for one whole year and a company that has great after-sale support services. I am thinking of just buying it online. Anyway, its delivery is only 2-3 days. With the amount I can save, I can wait.  I am glad that I have found again another way to stretch our budget.

Things are not going well in this side of the planet. It has been raining so hard all afternoon here in Florida. I am glad that I got off from work early. At least, I do not have to endure a rainy pitch-black drive on the way home. I arrived home alone, as usual. The moment I stepped into our home, I went to check my emails. This is just one of those boring days. I need to do something exciting, or else, I will die from boredom.

As a home improvement designer, KISA can transform a crappy house interior into something magnificent. He is not only keen in drafting the designs, but as well as the materials and decors that goes along with it. With the right lighting fixtures, he can make a dramatic effect on any plain looking room of the house.

To date, he mas made a number of designs that he is really proud of. From kitchen and cabinets to home entertainment centers, he guarantees satisfaction to his clients. One secret on why he makes wonderful designs - he never fails to infuse kitchen light fixtures and ceiling light fixtures in his works, of which each is considered his masterpiece. The lighting effect makes a big difference. It completes the package. Well, this is just one of the reason why I am proud of him.

Count me in as one of the avid followers of this popular Philippine reality-TV talent search. I like its Season 1 very much, that I would not let its Season 2 comes to pass.

After two weekly gala nights, I still do not have a favorite. Honestly, I think the first season talents were far better than the current. Most of the current scholars have high pitch voices. Its hard to listen to them sing. It reminds me of nursery rhymes and stuffs. Well, the show lives to its thrust – to hone and develop new talents, even if it means from zero to a hundred percent. Anyway, I will still see it. It’s good entertainment.

The moment I received my social security number and state identification card, I have been relentlessly applying for a credit card to various banks and financial institutions over the Internet. Sad to note, I do not have the much needed credit history. Eventually, I always get denied. It is a contradiction though. How can I have a credit history when nobody wants to approve my applications? As a new immigrant, it is really difficult.

As for KISA, he does not have an impressive credit score. For more than ten years, he has not used any loan or credit cards until when he decided to get his Mitsubishi Eclipse about last year. Consequently, it hit him. He is paying a huge interest on the auto loan he got. The interest allocation in the monthly payment is twice bigger than the amount that goes to the principal. It is a lesson learned for him. Since we are planning of having our own home, both of us must have a good credit score. It is for this reason that we are both vigilant in paying the bills on time. I tried to convince him to have a credit repair. There are companies now that offers credit repair services, which are accessible online. He is looking into the matter now, and have a reliable repair credit company do the job for him at a reasonable cost. Hopefully, this bad credit repair will help him build his score high again.

My husband told me that our good friend Laza had a Filipina acquaintance in California last week. Guess what the Filipina (a Tagalog) said to our friend? “Be careful with Pinays from the southern part of the Philippines. They just want greencards”.

This statement just blew me away. I do not have the slightest idea that the Tagalogs have negative perception of the Bisayas. I mean, are we that little in their eyes? I just replied, “You know what, I am tired of depending ourselves especially when a Pinay herself belittle her own people”. Anyway, you decide people.