I just found out that In the U.S., they also buy and sell used computer hardwares and there are even large companies who do this. Of course they buy those famous brands like used cisco hardwares, etc. I’ve always wondered about this because unlike here in the Philippines, almost all people in the states seem to be capable of buying brand new products and thought they’d never settle for second hand or used products. Here in the Philippines, people would keep their computers as long as they could because life is hard. My cousin even bought our old one when we upgraded to a new one because they can’t afford to buy a new one. Life is hard, isn’t it?

On the other hand, stay tuned to this blog. I’ll give it a brand new look next year!

A few relatives from the US will be spending Christmas and new year here in the country. So, next week I’m pretty sure we’ll be doing some shopping for pasalubong for some relatives who didn’t come. Of course, there’ll be food for them like sweets, bagoong, boneless tinapang bangus, and pickled green mangoes. I’m also thinking of buying those funny t-shirts for my cousins. What’s that called again? I forgot what it’s called but I know that that’s always been a hit to the Pinoys in the States. I’m sure my mom will also be buying undergarments for the kiddos and maybe videos for kids. They ask us to buy DVDs here because they’re pretty expensive in the US, not the pirated ones of course, and some they don’t have it there yet like Hi-Five, etc. Can’t wait to go shopping next week!

I remember the last car accident I was in… we were all girls in the car and we were really shocked when it happened because our car wasn’t even moving because we were waiting to make a u-turn. A few days after that, my friend, who was also in the accident, already left for the US. When we talk on the phone, we are sometimes reminded of that terrible day and she would tell me stories about car accidents near her place. She even had a friend from Maryland who was involved in one and was injured badly. Good thing her friend found a good Baltimore car accident attorney who helped her with her case.

Here in the Philippines, I don’t think people really rely on their attorneys when they’re involved in a car accidents, unless of course it is a big one. I think the process here is to report it to the police and just hope the insurance company will pay for the damages. Sad but true. I think this is because those who are involved in vehicular accidents usually are those who can’t even afford to pay the damages. Like in our case, the driver of the van who bumped our car doesn’t even own the vehicle he was driving. He was just a hired driver and he was drunk at that time and the owner of the vehicle didn’t even care about what happened. Sad isn’t it?

I feel so sorry for my nephew… He saved up to buy an iPod and after a little less than a year, it’s not working anymore. Somebody borrowed it from him and when it was returned, it wasn’t working anymore. We don’t really know what’s wrong with it and I think he already gave up on it. But I’ll still convince him to bring it to the Apple Center to have it checked, for all we know there’s just something wrong with the batteries. Or maybe I can buy him one of those great iPod batteries replacement kit. I remember when he first bought it, he returned it after just a few weeks because our pc suddenly stopped reading it. He returned it and the guy he bought it from gave him a few instructions on what to do. Apparently, a lot of costumers were returning their iPods because of the same problem. So now we’re thinking of the Creative Zen instead of an iPod. I just wish I had the money right now… it’d be a perfect Christmas gift for him.

I’ve decided to go into a small business… I’m a freelance layout artist and my focus right now is doing layouts for photobooks for children’s parties and christening. I’ve done a few invitations but they are mostly for my niece and nephews and a few other relatives. So now I’m thinking of offering my services which includes layout for tarpaulins and banners, photobooks, birthday, christening and first communion invitations, etc. I’m planning of starting here in our village… I’m going to have a tarpaulin printed with the services that I offer and my contact number, then I’m going to ask the guard to hang it on the entrance of our village. Maybe I should one outside our house too. I’m getting excited already!

Of course, I’m still waiting on my friend’s business proposal. We’re planning to put up a media group and our first focus will be weddings. My friend is a great photographer and he also does independent films. I’m also really very excited about this one, but for the meantime I’m gonna focus first on my small business. Wish me luck!