What's coming...

So many things happened today that I still can't believe it's time to go. I just hope everything goes well in the next couple of weeks. I also hope that when we come back here, our love is still as fresh as it was three years ago. Here's to us Schatz and see you soon!

GTB 1 - Getting the basics... Broadband

One of the first things I looked for in an apartment or house is the cable and phone jacks. Being born in this generation requires an online presence. Since dial-up is slowly dying out, and I have no plans on getting email via a 52kbps connectionI, I started scouting around for the best broadband provider that fits our budget and our needs.

I initially wanted a package but found out that they either do not serve it in our building or the price keeps increasing every year. It was a good thing that my DSL provider doesn't require a voice connection because we plan on getting cell phones with a family plan. So I placed an order a couple of days ago and was checking on it for the past two days. At first they couldn't find my request as I did not request a voice connection. It took six or seven transfers before I could talk with someone who could find my account. I made sure I got all the pertinent info I needed from him so that next time I call, I would know what to identify myself with. I thought that would be it but then I got an email today about my modem getting shipped to my address. When I checked the address, it was missing a critical piece of information! I called them up again but they said it shouldn't be a problem. They will update my record and when the delivery company comes around, I could opt to pick the package up myself. Let's see if I can get the package before I leave next week.

TDGOT 4 - If they can do it for stuff, they can do it for money...

If Ebay could bring buyers and sellers together, why can't someone bring lenders and borrowers together? Chris Larsen had the bright idea of bringing the process of loaning money online. Give this article (go to Bugmenot.com for a free login) a read if you want to find out more. If you had the cash on hand and feel like being a VC for someone, head on over to this site. Hey, maybe this will help you unloading that bonus you got this year.

HTE 1 - Here, There, Everywhere!

For all you travelers out there particularly those flying with NWA to and from the US and Philippines, you may want to double check the weight of the baggages you want to check-in. I read on NWA's website that their checked luggage allowance has dropped to 50 pounds for people flying internationally. Then while reading through the fine print, I noticed something....







If you notice the really, really small print, it says "Exceptions for travel wholly between the U.S./Canada and the Philippines, checked pieces may weigh up to 70 pounds (32kg) each." I contacted the reservation number for NWA and a nice lady named Ginny confirmed that people traveling to and from the Philippines are not covered by the new rule. If you need to see it for yourself, here is the link.

I'm going to print this page before I leave for the airport as insurance.

TROOH 7 - Our humble abode...

My tasks for the wedding was making sure we had proper financing for the wedding and getting everything ready when we come back here. One of my major tasks was finding a dwelling for me and Malou. I only started looking sometime during December of last year since most people are moving out and more units are available during this time. I was getting pretty worried as it was already late January and I had yet to find an apartment. Hey, it wasn't like I was looking for a palace that was dirt cheap. As long as it had one bedroom and the place was clean I would have taken it.

The first apartment I looked at was still being renovated. The realtor said that it would be available on Feb 1st. It really wasn't much since work was still going on. What I liked about it was the free standing bath tub in the bathroom! It reminded me of those western movies where people soak in a tub that was in the middle of a small room. Anyway, I just told the realtor that I will call her again the following week to find out if the apartment was done.

During this time I was calling realtors/owners trying to find out if they had any vacancies. Most of them didn't call me back and some had listed bad phone numbers. What can a guy do? Anyway, during the last Sunday of January I found a couple of listings on craigslist and promptly gave them a call. Two were located in the same area where I currently reside and another was in Queens. The guy from Queens never called me back but I scheduled with the realtor/owner of the two other listings. I made sure to see them both on the same day. After work though, as I was getting ready to go, the owner of one of the apartments called me to say that somebody got the apartment already! So by the time I got to New Jersey I was feeling low. I didn't have high expectations for the other one. Boy was I wrong.

It was one of the condos I pass by every time I get a haircut or go to a doctor's appointment. I was always intrigued by it because it always looked nice from the outside. When the realtor showed me the inside I couldn't believe it. The corridors were very clean and I did not smell any obnoxious odors wafting from anywhere. Their elevator is quirky in the sense that you had to open a door to get inside (of course an inner door closes when you go up and down the building). Also, the floor number starts with the ground floor. Hey I'm back in Germany! The condo had nice hardwood floors and felt pretty spacious. I could already see Malou and me cooking our first meal together. I just hope the realtor didn't feel the vibe I was giving off as we looked in the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room. I did make sure to fill up the application form because I was pretty sure I'll be back.

And early yesterday, I signed my first apartment lease.