After our early dinner, Alvin and I decided to take a walk in Esplanade… we were just in time for Aiza Seguerra’s performance at Esplanade’s Outdoor Theatre. Since the venue was just small, we were able to take a close glimpse of Aiza… Feels like we’re back in Manila , the audience was mostly made up of Pinoys, patiently waiting for Aiza’s turn. Well, it was worth the wait and rain…

Aiza is such a good performer… we love her smooth and soul-captivating voice. We even bought a CD. It’s very relaxing listening to her music while sipping a cup of coffee, doing some errands for Alvin and browsing life insurance lead.

Fashion Revolution in the Square is a fabulous line up of runway shows featuring some of the clothing line stores in Marina Square . It is the most awaited mall event for Alvin since this allows him to practice his photography…

Puma and Esprit were featured last Saturday.

I wasn’t able to go with him to the show since I was too preoccupied with the Robinsons Expo Sale. I gave in to temptations… But the bad news is that I didn’t have a good buy this time, as in! Anyways, after my not so good shopping experience I followed Alvin in the Mall. When I arrived, the show had just started so I decided to look for an outdoor furniture instead… As usual, I was not able to find a good one. That day was not my lucky shopping day.

I want to go to EXPO!

* Robinsons Sale 

* Adidas Sale

* Popular Book Sale

Hay, temptations!

Ironing clothes is the most dreaded household chore for me. I super hate it! Looking at our need-to-be ironed pile of clothes makes me sick and tired. But yesterday, I had the urge to iron our pile of clothes. Before that, I was really tempted to call a plantsadora but the $15/hour payment stopped me from doing so… Instead of paying for a plantsadora, we’ll just have a nice dinner.

We dined at our neighborhood Steak House, Aston’s Specialties. It was already our second time there… The queue at Aston’s are always long, you really have to wait for a seat. I remember during our first time there, I forgot to take pictures of the foods we ordered since we were very hungry.

We both ordered the Extra Cut Sirloin Steak; well done for me and medium well (no difference at all) for Alvin. For side dishes he had barbequed beans, I had potato salad and we both had rice. So full again!

When we got home, I could hear my stomach growling… Sad to say, I had to go to the toilet twice!Urghh! Now, I don’t think Alvin can snag me again to Aston’s! Not ever!

For the meantime, I’m not allowed to go out since it’s been raining everyday… I still have slight cough and colds. The good thing is, I have time to research regarding conversion rate optimization for our website.

*Plantsadora - one who irons clothes for a living

Yey! The other day, Singtel called and we were asked to go to EpiCentre for Alvin’s iPhone replacement. Hay, thank you! We almost lost hope. Anyway, better late than never…

Yesterday afternoon, we went down to EpiCentre at Wheelock Place… When we talked to the manager, he told us that he was not aware of this replacement order thing from Singtel! I called the Singtel’s Representative again, the one who contacted us, and told her about the current situation. She talked to the manager and … Hay, finally the iPhone was replaced! This time I told Alvin to check everything… as in everything!

Now, Alvin is busy exploring his new iPhone!

Body Shop is having a 4-day (March 11 - 14) Warehouse Sale at Suntec. Of course, I was there (on the first day!)… I am so in love with their Satsuma Body Polish. The sale started at 10 AM for their members and 11AM for non members. I am a member but I came a little late since I was not feeling well… Yes, I was not feeling well but I still went there to squeeze in! I had a sore throat and runny nose… again!!!

Anyways, there were so many people, as in! It took me almost an hour just to pay for my grabs. While on queque, I started to feel dizzy… I just said to myself that I should not faint! Gosh! For sure Alvin would laugh at me… maybe all our friends!

Here are my loots:

At first, I wanted to buy a bronzer since summer is coming… I want to have the effect of someone who had an Argentina travel leisure. But then again, don’t really like wearing make up because of my sensitive skin.

And then I wonder, is this cheaper compared to the ones in Manila???

BTW, Burberry and Charles&Keith are also having their warehouse sale! Hay, temptations!

Ginisang Munggo / Mung Bean Stew is a very popular Filipino dish especially during Fridays of the entire Lenten Season. I usually pair this with Lechon Kawali/Fried Pork since I don’t want the smell of fried fish inside the house, so stinky. Even our area rugs in the kitchen would smell like fish! I hate it! I have a tip, I got it from watching a Koreanovela: soak the fish in rice wash before frying to eliminate the odor. I tried it and it works… It’s just that Alvin and I do not prefer to eat fish!

Just recently, I’ve decided to write my recipes online especially if Alvin likes it. Honestly, I don’t have much to share but I want to compile my works and hopefully be able to help other struggling housewives (like me).  In my case, I find it very difficult to think of a whole week menu… considering that I only prepare our breakfast and dinner. Though I am not a picky eater, I don’t want to eat the same foods over and over again… and I want two sets of dish during dinner. I grew up with this set up. Now, Alvin is so like me…

By the way, ginisang munggo is a very budget friendly dish. With the recessions that are going on… this dish will be a sure hit for all the budget conscious homemakers out there.

Ingredients:
1 cup munggo / mung bean
Oil
Garlic
Onion
Tomatoes
Tofu, cut into cubes and fried
Pork, cut into cubes
Shrimp, tails and head removed
Chinese Celery
Ampalaya (Bitter Gourd), sliced
Salt
Pepper

Procedure:
1. Wash the munggo beans. Soak several hours before use. Place the munggo beans in a casserole with enough water to cover. Bring to boil. Cook for 30 minutes.
2. In another pan, heat oil and fry the tofu. Remove tofu and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add the pork cubes until the pork cubes starts to brown.
4. Add the garlic, onion and tomatoes, shrimps, fish sauce and fried tofu.
5. Add cooked monggo and enough water. Let it boil.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Add the Chinese celery and sliced ampalaya.
8. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
9. Serve hot.

That’s my protein over load version of ginisang munggo. You can also use ampalaya or malunggay (moringga) leaves instead of sliced ampalaya… my mom uses both.

I am now free from dieting! Since we moved in here, I haven’t been able to continue my diet regimen! And the sad thing is… I eat whatever I want! Before we moved in here, I promised myself that I would try all the food stalls in our area. Good luck to me! Will weight loss pills work, with this kind of appetite?

Now, Alvin and I super love the Chicken Curry. It is best eaten with a steaming cup of rice. Super Yummy! We bought this at Five Star Hainanese Fried Rice for only $5. Not bad, huh.

It’s been raining a lot lately… almost the whole day. So I have no choice but to stay at home and entertain myself. Thanks to my notebook and internet connection: for making me sane and alive for the past three years of my life!

I check shopping events in the internet almost everyday… I must admit, I am so in love with shopping. Well, who isn’t? I even mark my calendar with special shopping promotions in town or in the web. As if I’ll forget them!

For now, enough for the bag thing! Since there are a lot of shoe sales/ discounts that are going on, I want shoes that match each bag that I have. As if I have lots! Anyways… a good bag should be matched with good shoes! It’s a rule of thumb.

And since it’s been raining a lot, I am considering of buying stylish rain boots so that I can go out. Am I O.A? I just find it cute. I remember my childhood days in Malolos… when we were still in grade school, our street was always flooded. My siblings and I liked to walk in the water with our Grandma’s blue rain boots. But now, even rain boots are starting to be fashionable… Definetely, rain boots will look cute on kids but not on me!  So I’ll just settle with a pair of white ballet flats. I like white shoes ever since… What do you think?

And of course, my shopping list won’t be complete without something for my ever loving husband… a pair of running shoes! He has lots of shoes but most of them are sneakers. It’s time to buy another one! Yey, I have an excuse to shop again!

28 February 2009, Saturday. Alvin had dental check up in Raffles Clinic at Marina Square… it was only 11:00 AM so instead of going home, we decided take a walk around Marina Square but most of the shops were still closed. We then went to Suntec City Mall to look for a wall clock. At Suntec, we saw that there was ongoing promotion/sale with some Apple accessories at epiCentre. He also had the chance to explore the iPod touch and he likes it… but then he thinks that it’s better if he buys an iPhone instead. A few weeks ago, we were planning to buy a Nokia E71 for him and all of a sudden he wanted an iPhone on that day! Too bad, they didn’t have an available unit and we would have to wait for one to two weeks. So we decided to go to epiCentre at Wheelock Place in Orchard.

At Wheelock Place, they had a stock but they needed to have a copy of Alvin’s passport. At that time, we only had his Employment Pass since we hadn’t planned on buying a new phone that very same day. Before that, the Customer Service Assistant told Alvin that Singtel asks for an $800 deposit for an EP/WP holder. Huh?! Is this a new policy? Two of Alvin’s friends have an iPhone but he hasn’t heard anything about this deposit. He clarified this issue with his friend and he was told that in his case, there was no deposit thing. So he asked again the same CSA and was told that they only needed his Passport and EP. Ahh, Ok…

We went home to get his passport and came back to epiCentre at Wheelock Place. We bought the 16GB black iPhone with an iFlexi Plan for $508. After paying, the CSA also asked Alvin if he wanted to activate the iPhone. He agreed and we also asked them to put the protectors that we bought… The CSA asked his other colleague to do this for us. After that, we went home.

On our way home, Alvin was excited with his new gadget and started to explore his new phone. I asked him to call me so that I could have his new number. He was about to send me an SMS when he saw that his iPhone already had two personal messages dated February 26 and 27! Whaaat? Is this possible for a new phone? I called the Store and informed them about this matter. They told us that maybe it was a Singtel System Error…

Instead of going home, we directly headed to Singtel’s Hello Store in Parkway Parade and asked if this is possible. The lady in the information told us that it’s not possible and we should come back to epiCentre and ask for a replacement.Went back again to epiCentre at Wheelock Place … The Store Manager told us that they could not replace the iPhone and said we should go to Singtel’s Hello Comcentre in Somerset instead for further investigation since it is only at Hello Comcentre that handles all iPhone issues. He explained that maybe it was Singtel System Error since the phone and the sim card were new…

At Singtel’s Hello Comcentre, the Customer Service Representative inspected the phone… everything. My first question: Is system error the possible cause of this? She told us that it’s impossible. She told us that it may be an issue of fraud case… She asked us if we really saw that the sim and phone were new. Yes, we were very sure that the sim card was new… We also saw that the iPhone came from a sealed box… Did you see the activation page? NO! When the CSA opened the box, they got the iphone and immediately connected it to the PC, while doing this they asked Alvin to check the charger and cables. The CSR told us that the CSA at epiCentre should asked us to inspect the unit first before doing anything.

The CSR of Singtel told us she would escalate the issue to her superiors. She told us that we would have to wait for two to three days. If they were suspecting a fraud case, they should have at least replaced the iPhone and have the problem settled within them… As far as I remember, it was not Singtel’s first encounter with this kind of issue. Last year, one unhappy consumer also complained that she was sold a used phone at a SingTel retail shop. Like our case, there were also personal messages in the SMS section. But for now, it is their first issue concerning an iPhone.

We are really upset…buying from an authorized reseller and come to think of it, epiCentre is one of the premium reseller of Apple here in SG. Imagine, how excited Alvin was with his new phone then ending up with a lot of problems. All we wanted was a new phone since that was what we paid for! 

For now, we have to wait for Singtel’s feedback regarding this issue… Ahhh, what else can we do?