Pinoys

One of the funny traits of  Filipinos is being unable to give precise answers.

Examples:


► have you eaten?
◄ I'M STILL FULL

► is your mother there?
◄ WHY?

► what time are you going to work/school?
◄ LATER.

► where have you been?
◄ THERE ONLY

► how did you do that?
◄ SO EASY.

► what time is it?
◄ STILL EARLY.


but the FAVORITE reply
► where are you now?
◄ ALMOST THERE. YOU WAIT.

I've Been Scammed - Almost!

{This post is about internet/email scam and has NOTHING to do with Arabs or anything of the sort!} 


Don't trust anyone online, suspect everyone. Be paranoid. Hahaha.

You see, I've been sending my CV here and there, signing up on every jobs site I know for the past few months because obviously I want to change job or at least get a high paying job so I can go to places.

So when I received an email from "Grove Technology Inc." last 27 of May, I immediately replied back because of the "attractive Euro salary" - blame it on my European dream, LOL.

Anyway, here's what the email says:

From: Grove Technology Inc

To: *******@yahoo.com

Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 9:57 AM

Subject: Submit application and Cv

Dear Applicant

regarding your CV, we are again opening the new Data Typing job for year 2012,

at Grove E-Books Conversion and Data Technology,

our post offer are open as "Customer Data Typing part time",

To know more about us visit: http://www.grovedata.com/

This offer will be Valid after review of your application form and CV,

(all package details included with application form)

Last date is 27 May 2012 to submit application form and CV,

If interested please submit application form with CV by Email,

(Click to download application form by visit our website and download

directly to Employment Page) All job details are included in Application form,

Or Click here to Download:

http://www.grovedata.com/application_details.doc

(Copy paste above link If click does not work)

Submit CV and Application only to Email: info@grovedata.com

(Note: To avoid Disappointments submit form and CV as soon as possible)

(Add info@grovedata.com in your Address book to get our email safely in your Inbox)

with best regards

Edsel G. Carl

HR Manager

Grove E-Books and Data Conversion Technology

Am Stadtrand 441G, 32417

Hamburg, Germany

http://www.grovedata.com/

info@grovedata.com

Grove Technology Inc Am Stadtrand 441G Hamburg DE Germany 32417

This email was sent to ******@yahoo.com from info@grovedata.com. Read our Privacy Policy

Unsubscribe

----

Of course I DID reply with all the requirements, I know! Haha.

So here's the 2nd email...

From: Grove Data Tech Inc

To: ****** ****** <*******@yahoo.com>

Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2012 3:31 PM

Subject: Re: Home based Data Entry job

Hello applicant,

your application with Grove Data Technology Inc was approved and

we are sending you Employment Contract of Online Part Time data entry work

ome Based with this email,

kindly read and fill up the "Employment Contract" (attached with this email on Word file)

and after signing this contract send us back by Scan email in maximum 2 working days,

After receiving this contract we will take start to send you the work on Weekly basis,

you will be Grove Inc's Part Time Permanent Employee for 6 months and after this period

you can extend agreement for more 6months,

all you have to type our data and Clients data on sheets,

(Note: complete work tutorial you will get with your first paid project after submission

of contract)

also you will get your salary every after 6days,

hope to hear from you soon,

regards

Edsel G. Carl

Grove Data Conversion Inc

Am Stadtrand 441G, 32417,

Hamburg, Germany

info@grovedata.com

http://www.grovedata.com/

-----

Honestly I googled the company name (I think I was having a hunch that time but kept on ignoring it) but can't find it except for the url he povided but then again for the 3rd time, I replied with the duly filled in and signed "employment contract". Seriously!

So here's his 3rd mail.

From: Grove Data Tech Inc

To: ******* ****** 

Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2012 1:52 PM

Subject: Re: Home based Data Entry job (Employment Contract)

Hello,

we have received your contract, now you can start work with us,

we have send you One Day of work But its your first project so you can submit

in 3days and after that you have to submit in 24 hours,

attached are the image files of Data Sheets,

Guideline of work is attached with this Email on MS word format, kindly read carefully,

Also Guideline Tutorial is included as a Picture format

after entering the Data in Lisda Inventory Software Save the files and Saved

files you have to send us back by Email and we will immediately transfer you

your first week salary in advance, (get software to http://www.lisdasoft.com/)

with this email following files are attached in .ZIP folder,

1: Data Sheets to Complete (Project Pack)

2: Step by Step Guideline and Tutorial (Guideline)

3: Your Salary invoice (Salary)

kindly Click link below to Download Project zip folder and Extract after download:

(copy n paste link in your browser if click does not work)

http://www.grovedata.com/project.zip

Note: its One day of work but you can complete this project in 3 days

and contact us back,

regards

Edsel Carl

Grove E-Books and Data Technology Inc

-----

Because I have to buy the "lisdasoft" which costs 58 euros and there's no trial version whatsoever and need to pay through Western Union (what the!)... my brain started to function properly.. LOL. I was like.. hmmm so that's the catch, it's a scam. Although I got tempted to pay (glad I've no credit card or not a fan of purchasing stuff online), my fingers start typing "Edsel Carl" and there he is... his name with different different company name, he's nothing but a FRAUDSTER!

------

So anyway, I replied him with:

"That's actually very scheming.

Why not transfer my first week salary in advance first so I can buy that software :) "

------

I don't consider myself as a gullible person, I'm more a paranoid. I always doubt people. So what happened here because I want to earn big time (being greedy and stuff) because I'm not getting any younger and I have dreams to fulfill.. so I almost got scammed.

Lesson learned:  Greediness is next to foolishness.

I'm still glad that though I'm not contented, apparently, with what I already have, I didn't lose anything in the process.

The Samantha Brick Within Me

I am going through some rough times lately but I think I'm handling it gracefully. It's Samantha Brick talking. Hahaha.

Last Saturday was my birthday so me and my roomies went to dine to the much heard place in the Pinoyhood --the La Mesa resto at Asiana Hotel. 

inside La Mesa resto

We stuffed ourselves with the buffet dinner and had a bottle of red wine. We paid the red wine a bit cheaper than the usual prize. The waiter gave us a discount maybe because of my dazzling beauty and pretty smile. LMAO. It is, again, Samantha Brick talking.  


It was holiday in my office last Sunday because of Easter so I got my sleepless Friday night compensated. Sunday afternoon I went to salon and got my hair done and went straight to my spoken Arabic (Emarati accent) class. I was 30 minutes late so I made a grand entrance in the class. The Emarati teacher was discussing something when I entered the room but said "Wow!" when she saw me and the whole class looked at me. I wasn't sure if the 'wow' was said because I was very late (she was informed beforehand of me running late) or just because I looked so stunning. It's Samantha once more. LOL.

I am SERIOUSLY trying desperately to keep my composure and not let my Samantha Brick within embarass me. LOL. I kid. I kid. I kid.

I hope you enjoy this post :D

I Kissed 2010 Goodbye

Happy New Year from Dubai!

First and foremost, a heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone who read my "blab" for the past year and I hope that in some way I have entertained you more than I annoyed you :p

Some snippets straight from the heart of Dubai (3rd floor in one of the Twin Towers in Deira, it is also one of the best places to eat out, they have resto right outside the terrace overlooking the Creek. )

The final day of 2010 had come, the sun is about to set..

Deira's final day of 2010

Dubai Creek

And the food that completes my week, my favorite Japanese Shabu-shabu or Chinese Huo Guo {hot pot: a dish of thin slices of meat (like chicken, beef, mutton) and vegetables (esp. green leafy ones) cooked at table in a simmering pot of broth (mostly seafood soup), then dipped into any of various sauce (peanut sauce and chilli sauce -I mixed them together- is my favorite)}.

The dish I absolutely love..

..and I really can't get enough !!

And finally, one of the things that symbolizes or represents Middle East..

Anyone ?!?

Once again, thank you and  Happy 2011 everyone wherever you are, may it be a great one.

Much love to y'all,
Bitten ❤ (expat-blogger and camel-milker)


P.S. I haven't tried drinking fresh camel milk yet.

Where I've Been and What I've Been Doing

Aside from getting screwed (read the story here).. I was in Sharjah for two nights (23-24 Dec). My wonderful friends invited me to spend the Christmas eve with them and they were generous enough to adopt and feed me (ahhh.. the Christmas spirit).. As you know, my sister is a revert and I'm stuck in the middle between Catholicism and Islamism.  *I went back to Dubai on the 25th (and that was fucking Christmas!), where the shitty thing happened.*

So anyways..

I took a pic of the view from my friends' balcony for you to have a peek on the "other side" of Sharjah *attention: bosnishmuslima*.

From the left side of the balcony: Overlooking the picturesque Sharjah

From the center of the balcony: Overlooking the picturesque Sharjah

From the right of the balcony: Overlooking the picturesque Sharjah

Then, Sunday (26th) I had my 2nd/3rd chance to ride in a driverless train, Dubai Metro. It's the fastest and cheapest way to go one side to another side of Dubai and really very modern (Paris Metro is no match *blehh*). Check the photo below, it's the 'Jumeirah Lake Towers' station. Please be informed that what you are seeing is the platform screen doors NOT the train (see the electronic noticed board, it says 'next train 2 mins'). Those screen doors are for everyone's safety, it will prevent people from accidents such as falling onto the train tracks (brilliant, right?!)

Dubai Metro station: Jumeirah Lake Towers

P.S. It's 3am need to sleep, I'm going to the Police Station in few hours to get a police report of my stupidity lost passport.. so in case, I didn't get it back, my consulate here will issue me a new passport. Wish me luck.. good night!

I'm Officially Stupid

"Of all that things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."

Lost my passport few hours ago, at Christmastime (really?!). Left it in a taxi, bag fell off and I didn't even check if my passport was there, it totally slipped off my mind. I meant yes I did check twice the taxi floor if something was there but passport didn't really occur to my mind. When the taxi dropped me off, I even stared and memorized the 5-digit of the taxi's plate number at the back. But as soon as I reached sister's home,  and found out my passport is missing ... I can't remember the 5-digit number.. I don't even know which taxi I took, or even the roof color.. I only know it's beige and it's definitely not  Camry coz it's not that spacious. I am completely mental blocked. SUCKS! 

I really blame myself for this, I'm too careless, stupid, etc I really really really hate my selective memory. Why I CAN memorize unnecessary stuff in one single reading but important ones I can't. WHY?

P.S. Called/filed the lost passport report to Dubai Taxi/RTA already. Hopefully someone found it and will call me tomorrow to inform me that they got it or else day after tomorow I'm going to report it to the police  *fingers crossed* Oh and I have my first job interview tomorrow *another fingers crossed*

Me No Speak 'Orange'

 

I had a funny experience on my way to Dubai from Guangzhou (China) last Wednesday. The China Southern flight attendant(s) kept on approaching me in Mandarin.  

I was sitting on a window seat (2-seater) and the seat beside me was empty (loved it!). So anyway, here's how the funny thing started.

Chinese FA asked me something in Mandarin

Me: I'm sorry?

Her again in Mandarin

Me: (I don't know what-the-heck she was asking but I was seeing tea/coffee pot, orange juice, water, coke and wine on their cart) Tea and water please, thank you. *smiles*

When they were going their rounds for the 2nd time, I overheard them asking the Egyptian guys, who were sitting in front of me, something like "what would you like to have for dinner, beef or chicken. But when it was my turn they -automatically- switched their language to Mandarin..

Me: Sorry?

Her in Mandarin: blah-blah-blah blah 

Me: Chicken pls. (and she gave me a tray with chicken, lol)

Her to Filipino girls behind me: Beef or chicken?

(See, you see!!!)

Then again for the 3rd time..

Her: Blah-blah-blah cha?

Me thinks she's asking if I want more tea, lol so I said "Yes, more tea pls." LOL

After 5-6 hours, they brought some food again and same thing happened for the 4th, 5th and 6th time. I was on the verge of telling them "Solly, me no speak Orange*!" so they would understand why I kept on replying "sorry?" but then I decided why bother as long as she/they're giving me the right thing, no issue then :)

I arrived at Dubai airport, with a bunch of Chinese tourists, past midnight, was already Thursday. When I was at the waiting area I couldn't find my sister and bil (short for brother-in-law) so I was looking for a payphone because whenever I inserted my Etisalat simcard it says "please insert sim", and my PH roaming number is not activated, another WTH! So anyway, I couldn't see any payphone nearby. Suddenly sis and bill appeared in front of me, don't know which direction they came from, lol. Bil was telling me that sister was looking for someone else, although he already told her that it was me. Sis was saying, "No no, that's NOT her, that's a Chinese girl !!" Sis was like "OMG I didn't recognize you, with all this Chinese around you, you look like them, same hairstyle (medium curly layered haircut with side swept bangs), same skin color (yellow), and you're wearing eyeglasses like them."

! ! ! ! !

My sister made me no longer wonder why those FAs kept on asking me in Mandarin...

P,S,

* I got this funny term from Family Guy.. when Jillian, a dumb-blonde, was talking about her fiance knowing how to speak "Orange" when in fact he spoke Mandarin. Here's how it went..

Brian: Wow Derek, that's pretty good French you speak there.
Jillian: He also speaks Orange.
Derek: Mandarin, honey.
Jillian: Mandolin.