Bank and Breakfast

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Two consecutive days of waking up very early (6am!) for some bank transactions. Today though my trip to the bank is something I always look forward. I went to my beloved China Bank this morning. I love going to this branch because here is where I had my first job after college. I resigned five years later but maintained my account to at least have a good reason to always come back.


This photo was taken a decade ago. The office has been renovated twice already. I did not notice if those ancient looking typewriters (at least they are electric) still exist. All of us in this picture no longer work at China Bank. Hazel is now residing in Singapore, Jeff in Houston, Tom in Australia and I think Benjie is in Canada. And me -- yeah, still in the Philippines.


No more old faces at my former branch. I'm just glad that somehow I'm friends with the new employees. I miss working in the bank BUT I don't want to work again in the bank ;p Anyways, my transactions went smoothly. I stayed there for only 20 minutes with lots of chatting on the side.Unlike my oh so boring, time wasting experience with BPI.

Then we headed to Robinson's Metroeast for breakfast. We were too early the parking is almost empty. I was craving for Pancake House's Tapsilog. Too bad, the restaurant is undergoing renovation. Ended up eating at Red Ribbon.


Pancake House's All Beef Salisbury Steak is way better in terms of taste and presentation compared to CBD's.  And it's cheaper and comes with a slice of cake and a regular size drink.


My husband enjoying the Tocilog. The tocino tasted really good. I don't know though if I'll order it because I can cook that at home.



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BPI Express Assist

Monday, November 21, 2011

I'm not fond of going to the bank to do my transactions. I hate the waiting and the filling out of slips. I do everything online. It's the most convenient way of banking for me. My sister was able to make me go to the bank to deposit money for her by bribing me with a sumptuous meal at Gerry's Grill. I agreed because I was so craving for tahong ala pobre.

Note to self: Never talk to Kate whenever I am craving.

Wrong day to transact in a bank. It's a Monday. I should know! I worked in a bank before.

I woke up early this morning (this is very unusual for me!) and then went to BPI. I has been years since I last had a branch transaction. The branch was so full of people. Bad. It means I have to wait for hours. I noticed there are no transaction slips available. I asked the guard for deposit slips and he told me they don't have deposit slips anymore. I have to enter my transactions in the BPI Express Assist machine.

I was horrified. It's my first time to see the machine. I do not know how to use it. The branch is full of people. I might look stupid! I convinced myself that I'll figure out how it works. Most probably it's just like the ATM.

Luckily, the touch screen machine is user friendly. You enter your account number, the transaction you wish to perform (cash and check deposit, withdrawal, bills payments), the transaction amount and then you'll be given a queue number. There's also an option for multiple transactions. When your number is called (I'm N95 and they are serving N53), the teller will simply confirm the transaction. 

I like it. But I  wasted 2 hours waiting for my turn.

Online banking still works  best for me.
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It's the Possibility. Not the Guarantee.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

I'm not much of a risk taker. And if ever I take a risk, it's always a calculated risk. I am now about to engage into something very big. Very costly. Mentally draining. Physically taxing. Emotionally exhausting. I'm counting on the fact that everything is possible. I know very much that should I triumph, the reward is priceless.

I'm nervous. 
Nervous in an excited kind of way.

And always hoping for the best.
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