Gave me a break

Summer Palace, Beijing, China

It's just today that I got to update my blog especially about the recent vacation I had with my mom in China, specifically, in Macau and Beijing. If you ask me how was it, I'll tell you that it was the most stressful journey I've experienced in my life. Truly, language barrier gave us a bit of hell especially when we were in Beijing. I never wished to be Chinese but when we were there I wished that I knew their language before I sat foot in their land. Lots of them even in the city don't know English, as well as the staffs from our checked-in hotel hardly speak the universal language we know best. It was tough almost everyday as communication is vital to our lives. It was such an effort to let them know what we wanna say. But no matter how difficult it was in speaking to them, I could say that, still, we managed to have a good time by going to the itineraries as planned. Not everything on my list we had a chance to see, but what we saw were enough to let China have a mark in our memories. It was a beautiful and interesting country to see. With that being said, I have the urge to go back there again as I haven't had enough of exploring what that country can offer. I mean, this is actually the first time I complemented a country this much, so believe what I said was true. Going there is highly recommendable for everyone--- but don't forget to learn a little bit of Mandarin for your convenience.

St. Paul Ruins, Macau, SAR China

And how can I not mention about Macau. Of course, it's a place to be for shopping and casino... shoot! that's cliche already. Well, I haven't been in Hong Kong but I believe that going there and in Macau look almost the same. You can even go back and forth to those countries if you please--- for there are available ferries to take you there. Although we lack of time to experience the latter I have known of that privileged and thought of sharing it with you. Anyway, there was also difficulty in communicating with the local people but it was incomparable when we were in Beijing. I think it shouldn't be a surprise since there are hotels and casinos everywhere so it's expected that staffs are able to speak English. It was to our advantage. Because of the people there are able to speak English and Macau is a small city we had gone to all the tourist spots of our priority. But I should say that our mode of transportation was pretty much not budget-friendly for we only used Taxis to go around the city--- in Beijing too--- and it was costly. I say if you have enough pocket money to pay cabs in a country where people and the road signs are all alien to you then it's somewhat an acceptable option than let yourself go nuts in talking to people you can't properly speak with and read maps that's painful to understand. It was the soft option we know to lessen the burden and be able to enjoy the trip. In the end, our stay can still be considered worthwhile.

Do bundle wrapping for your suitcase

I went to Female Network website while waiting for my turn to go to the bathroom. When I'm there I immediately choose to start my browsing in the Travel and Leisure tab. From there I saw one article entitled, "How To Pack a Suitcase." It's a very interesting article especially for me who enjoys traveling--- I know you are too--- that's why the information that the writer inputted are just right for a stress-free packing of things you wanna take with you when you jet-set to your destination.

The article is so informative that the writer even put a link  to where you can learn bundle wrapping. And you don't have to sweat to learn how--- if you feel lazy reading--- since the site provided a step by step image on how to do that. You can take a look down below:

How to Bundle Wrap

 How I wish the next time I go on a break I would be a pro in packing my suitcase.


Pic credits: www.onebag.com

Quest for a 10 year entry visa

That's my multiple entry US visa! You know it's understandable that I hid personal information about me, right? That's why I used black shading for those very important parts. Anyway, my purpose as to why I posted my visa is to tell you my story in getting that. By the way, as you can also see, I squared red the parts that (maybe) you should know in what type of visa you are holding in your passport. In my case, I'm lucky to have the Multiple entry one. Seriously, I usually say this in some related conversation that having a multiple entry visa, if not an American passport, is your ticket to the world. They've said this to me, and I believe them that if you have that visa, it's easier for you to get any visas in the world. Perhaps, that's why I would sometimes hear people saying it's hard to get a US visa. Some have already given up, others would pursue despite several denials that they've got in their application. I kinda understand them in a way cuz I also see the US  as the land of promise. Even I, myself would wanna stay there if not for good, at least for some time.

So, how did I get my visa? Simple. Remember my previous entry about my US and supposedly Mexico tour? I applied for a US visa so I could join the tour. For me, it's less troublesome to get a US visa if you're participating in a tour to the US, obviously. Why is it less of a burden? If you are touring, especially in the US or in Europe, you have the impression that you came from a good family, someone who 'can-afford' as what they call it, and we all know traveling to those farther places or anywhere is indulgence and definitely, a status-symbol. So I say, it's easier that way cuz that's one thing. I observed that in applying for this visa it's A MUST that you exude a professional-person vibe, or that coming from an affluent family. It's alright if you're not under those categories but if you have to fake it, do it well (although I'm not sure if you can get away with it). Anyway, faking your acts to look personable has a downfall, that is if your look isn't equivalent to your documents. Meaning, you have to have sufficient documents that will prove that you are who you are. I mean if you act rich, you have to prepare papers that will prove to them that you are really rich. As to how will you be able to do that? It's up to you. But just make sure they're bona fide. In my case, to prove that I came from a good family--- which I'm embarrassed to say--- I used my mom's documents like her properties since it's obvious that at my age I still couldn't afford to get them out of my earnings. Yes, it's alright to use your parents properties since what's theirs is yours since you're their son or daughter. If you're like me, it's also important that you have a trust fund that your parents have for you in the bank, plus you gotta have an ATM and if you're that utterly rich, then, a credit card. See what I mean now? Another, if you're working already, like me, you gotta have your ITR to prove that you're not a loafer and a nuisance  financially. It's great if you have good earnings provided in your ITR. It will show that you're the type who can buy what you want through your own funds. Hmm... what else? An Employee's Cert. is another. It will state there who you are in your company, and it's a plus if it states that you are somebody there. Since I'm in a tour, it's totally important that you have your itinerary with you, don't ever ever forget that, alright? Well, only if you apply as a tourist. Hmm.. I think that's it.

While the President and CEO of Broadway Travel briefed me about my upcoming interview, that's where I learned the three important stages in your visa application. These are: your application, interview, and documents. She said that the application and documents are not so important in a way, but you gotta bring them with you. Now, what you have to nail is the one-on-one interview. It's like if you divide the three to become 100% then, application 25%, documents 25%, and then interview is 50%. See how big the difference if you do well in your interview? Your interview with the interviewer is the most crucial part in your visa application. Believe me, my interviewer didn't even touch my documents during the interview. We were looking like we're just having a good conversation. See what I mean? You gotta be conversational with him or her. It will show how sure you are in your application and maybe also prove that you can speak English. I guess, fluency isn't that necessary for as long as you can speak their language even in an average way. They'll forgive you for that. It's important that you are honest to the interviewer and most especially confident to yourself. I said that cuz it's a way for the interviewer not to scrutinize you even more, to the point of scanning your papers and asking you questions again and again. The more you are honest and confident, then you can have a short grilling with your interviewer, trust me, that's what I did. Ah! of course, don't forget to smile, alright? Show the friendly side of you somehow. The end of the interview marks the verdict of your fate in your visa application.The interviewer will tell you right before you exit if you got approved or not. If you're approved then the interviewer will say some lines that you got it, and they won't return your passport. You'll wait for it to be delivered in the mailing address you've provided. Or, if you got denied, again, the interviewer will state some lines telling you that you didn't make it while handing over to you your passport and a green paper that's telling you what you need to know in your next application, if you still wanna try. Don't expect the interviewer to tell where you went wrong cuz they will not tell you, you'll just have to figure it out.

There, that's it! I hope my experience may help you in acing your US visa application. Good luck!

Possibly touring--- I'm so ready

Phew! Here I am hoping to have my tour--- the tour I've been dreaming of since November of last year. Just when I'm almost over to this madness about the tour that won't materialize cuz of some delay and hassle, here they are again e-mailing mom about the update on the tour that I'm potentially in. You think I should still hope anew? It's just that its so frustrating and disappointing whenever it won't happen--- you waited and all, then suddenly there's bad news etc.

On my part, there's no problem anymore. I have my US visa and I'm almost done with the payment-- mom will have her full-payment for me if the tour will push-through. 

You see, the tour I'm supposedly be participating in is the US-Mex tour, unfortunately it'll only be in the US soon. As per update to us by Broadway Travel, the tour will be Vacationer Escapades which will mainly tour Los Angeles and Las Vegas, for only six days. I'm not accurate yet about the news why they canceled the Mexico tour, but I heard that there's some hostility going on at the border of US-Mexico recently. As what I heard from mom--- since she had been there before me--- that from Mexico they've crossed the border going to the US in Texas. So if you think about it, possibly somewhere there there must be something going-on that will only trouble our entry in the US if worse comes to worst.    

I okay-ed the tour cuz I'm afraid the next same tour which is planned in October might not be for me anymore. That will terribly break my heart for sure, so there's no other way but to decide now. Besides, mom is very interested in the Baltic cruise perhaps somewhere in September but the catch is if we go for it, then our plan to watch the World Olympics will be canceled.Sadly, if that happens, oh my! I gotta have to wait another four years again to catch that international event in the flesh. You see, I already made up my mind, between the two, I went for the cruise. Anyway, why am I talking about that? Going back, I said I agreed to the US tour this May--- without the Mexico tour--- cuz I might still have a chance to travel, third quarter of this year.

April schedule

I'm not hoping to have my US-Mex tour accomplished anymore. I don't see the point since the travel and tours agency isn't calling us about it yet. Usually they would call a month or so-- prior to the tour date--- to keep their customers posted. I consider their non-action right now the gist that it's gonna be postponed another time. I don't know why, phew!

Without the tour I'm gonna be a bummer this month--- gotta get a life. So I texted my friend to join them in watching Switchfoot's concert on the 30th. My friend and her other friend already booked tickets for themselves, it's me who's left with none. I just gotta inform her about my plan and probably on the 15th I could buy mine. Wish the tickets aren't sold-out.

And then, if mom has a time to go to SM North Edsa to visit Missha in that mall, then I'll buy few products from there. I already have a BB cream in mind. If not, I'm thinking of just shopping at Lush in Glorietta to research a bit about the products that might be good for me, also buy some products as well there--- I've written the items for reference.

Shoot! I forgot my dermatologist's clinic number at home. I'm supposed to call in her clinic today to set up a schedule with her. Now what? I'll just contact anybody at home to give me the number from the prescription paper of my dermatologist that's sitting on our center table. I hope I'll make this done before we wrap up the day. My Tita who is also my doctor's patient needs to see her badly more than I do. I gotta do something about it within this day, that's an assignment.