it's been a while since i had this particular segment on my blog.  as i recall (and did a little research), it was sometime last year when i had volume 2 posted.  and it was on my old blog where i last posted it.  since i don't have a single topic to talk about, i guess this is just the right time to continue this segment.

 ***my brother upgraded his mobile phone from a nokia N70 to a sony ericsson P990i this past friday.  he had already told me about doing this around two weeks ago after learning that the price of a brand new unit had gone down to around 12k.  i was actually quite shocked at the price it had gone down to since i always thought that sony ericsson phones depreciate much lesser than nokia phones.  i had a chance to examine the phone and it's features and i would say that it may take some time to get used to the navigation since it's not as user-friendly as nokia phones, plus we've been used to nokia phone models so going through the user manual will be a must.  yet i'm impressed with its features and the stuff it can do, plus it acts like a PDA-phone.  made me think of switching as well, but it's kinda weird if i'll be going for the same model.  the main thing that made me seriously consider the idea was the price.  i mean seriously, where can you get a semi-high-end mobile phone for 12k these days?  it's newer model, the P1i, though it's much advanced in features, is not cooler-looking as it's predecessor.  plus it's still pricey.  and the P990i is somewhat of a clam-shell phone, and ever since my nokia 7200 phone, i have taken a fancy for clam-shell type phones.  but the thought is still seriously being considered, and if ever i'll do the switch, it'll be sometime during the christmas season… when i have enough money, of course.

 ***i have started compiling my christmas list.  specifically of people that i should be giving gifts to.  the partial list includes two siblings and six godchildren.  as for the friends and colleagues part, well, it's still up for consideration as to who will be part of the list.  i'd like to give gifts to as much friends and colleagues as i can, but with limited shopping time this year (compared to last year when i still have a couple of leave credits to spare to be used for shopping), i'm afraid i'll have to shorten that list to fit my free time.  but nonetheless, it's still my favorite time of the year and it's the only time when i'm feeling mostly good about everything, so who knows?  maybe this time though, i can finally have something bought for myself.  hopefully.

 ***the countdown to my much dreaded trip to the US has finally begun.  i'm set to leave on november 16, a thursday, and spend a week there.  still not sure where we'll be staying though, as my itenerary is still indefinite, but most probably it'll be with either friends or relatives.  it's also still unsure if i'll be spending thanksgiving there since i have to be back home by saturday morning of the following week due to having work that night.  most people are asking why am i only taking a week's vacation there since airfare is quite expensive.  well, for one, i only have limited leave credits remaining, with what's left plotted during the christmas and new year's celebrations which i won't be giving up for anything, even if it means extending my US trip that i don't even want in the first place.  and even though i'm trying my hardest to be positive about it, with my brother and sister telling me that it's an opportunity to buy some stuff i want there which i think is insane since things are much more expensive there plus having only a limited amount of pocket money, most that comes to mind is money being spent uselessly.  although i do have to admit that there are some things there that i want to buy, i guess it's just a matter of prioritizing what to get.  i could just see those peso and dollar signs with wings flying away…

***and lastly, while i was channel surfing yesterday afternoon while trying to get some sleep, i chanced upon one of the local channels featuring KC concepcion's mini-documentary of her four-year stay in paris, france while attending college.  again, let me just reiterate that i'm no fan of local showbiz, but seriously, this girl is drop dead gorgeous.  i watched the program in its entirety and just marveled at this girl's all-natural beauty.  i could just imagine how french guys would go crazy over her.  i just hope she doesn't end up like most other local showbiz celebrities, where success equals arrogance.  come to think of it, i think she'd be more successful in the modeling business than acting.  i can't quite picture her starring in a predictable-storywise local film.  it'll be just a waste of time, talent, and beauty.  anyways, i came across her webpage a couple of weeks ago and it's a good read with lots and lots of pictures.

oh well, another work week ahead of me.  hope everyone enjoys the rest of the weekend.