Fraudulent Charges on my (Joint Account ) Debit Card

I am fuming right now as in to the highest level. Hubby on the other hand remains cool which makes me more mad.

When we were in Reno last week, we tried to get cash from an ATM but we were denied. A receipt came out that says the Bank Account has been  under restrictions due to suspected unauthorized transaction something to that effect. Then I remembered while we were still at the hotel, hubby got a missed call and a voice mail about "suspected unauthorized transaction on our bank account" but he thought it was just a scam. I insisted to call the number back but it appeared that it was a restricted number. We tried to get cash thrice but to no avail so we went to the nearest Bank of America and got the money straight from the bank teller instead. It was hubby who talked to the teller and I presumed that he discussed it with the teller because he was able to get cash from her.

Then came Sunday night, if my mind serves me right, hubby checked the bank statement  online and we noticed that there was a pending account that we are confused if we make it or not. We rechecked every single charges and that made us sure that we didn't make any transaction to the company wherein the charges have stated. I told hubby to take care of it in the morning. He just gave me a lame answer.

This morning he called me at work that there were three pending charges against our account already  and one of which are made in New York. I panicked! I told him to call the 1-800- numbers at the back of the Debit Card but he said he will wait for the bank to open. The bank will open at 8:00 o'clock and it was still 5:00 o'clock in the morning. What if the criminal will make another purchase before the bank opens? I had so many what ifs. I was persistent but he just sound calm and relaxed. I was ready to explode that time. When I ask how much was the total charges he said it was more or less a $100.00. I wanted to yell at him over the phone. Grrrr!!!! Arghh!! I checked the 1-800- numbers of my card and dialed it but there were questions that I need to get my SSS number so I hang up the phone very frustrated.

I am mad right now. Hubby should have listened to me before things got worse. When he picked me up at the hotel this morning, he told me he already had called the 1-800- numbers as I told him and that he will go to the bank as soon as it opens. I didn't speak to him. When I got up, he informed me of what has been transpired at the bank but I was still too mad to listen to him...until now.

Lessons I've learned:

                        "Do not wait for tomorrow what you can do for today."

                        "Do not trust your husband's decision all the time."

                        "Have your own bank account."

                       

Thanks for reading. Hope you will learn from this post.

 

Creepy!

I encountered a problem in settling the Credit Card Batch last night so I called the Customer Service of the Payment Systems for help. I was in the middle of my explanation over the phone when a creepy-looking man rushed down the desk. I excused myself from the other end of the line to ask him if he needs a room or whatsoever. He said he had a complaint about the room. Whew , it was past 1:00 in the morning already. He was facing to me and to the Casino cashier while expressing his disappointment. He suggested to better check the room. It's not my concern not the cashier's either, besides, I had to take charge on the Credit Card problem so I called the attention of  the Manager on Duty to deal with him. The man complained about a very disturbing noise outside the room. I overheard that the MOD assured him to check the lobby closer to the room to find out the cause of the noise right away.

This is exactly what Credit Card machine we have at the hotel looks like.

I didn't want to miss a single instruction of the Customer Service Representative so my mind was really focused on the machine doing this and doing that. I had the same problem before and it took me 2 hours to fix the problem. When I looked up to take a break, I saw the man standing still staring at me like he wants to eat me alive. I freaked out! I thought the MOD was already taking care of his complaint. I asked the cashier if where's the MOD and she said he decided to wait for me as what the guest told him. I was like, "Whaaat?" He knew that it will take forever to fix Credit Card issues! Good grief! I had to put the other line on hold again and called the MOD. My plan was to move him to another room but we didn't have Family Suite anymore but I suggested it to the MOD to check it first as Standard Operating Procedure. The MOD said the guest declined when he said to go there with him to check it. So I talked to the guest and I explained it to him that we need to check it first. He said not to mind it anymore, he added that  maybe it was just his ears. Then he asked for an ear plugs. Of course we can't find ear plugs in a Hotel desk, geez!

This photo represents the appearance of the guest. Credit to Google.

Before he left he asked the cashier, "What are you doing there?" while laughing like crazy. It appeared to us like he was asking why the cashier can't go with him to check the noise instead of the MOD. The latter said, "I'm the Cashier!" It seemed to us that he'd rather have me or the cashier to go with him to check it. We smelled something fishy. It really caused me goose bumps, waaah!

I remember what the Hotel Desk Auditor in the other property had shared to me. According to her, there was this particular night that a naked guest came to the desk and invited her to have ***toooot*** with him in his room. Ewwwwww!

Balut and the Drunk Man

I had an annoying guest at the hotel last night. When he saw my badge that I come from the Philippines, he started bugging me. The first thing he said was, "Oh, Balut!" It was my Monday and I just started my shift so I was kind of dandy. It was the first time to hear from anyone particularly from a white man mentioning about Balut because most of the time I hear "adobo, pancit or halo-halo." Besides, many foreigners  find Balut nasty and yucky to eat. I smiled at him while continue doing my initial routinely paperwork. I remember how crazy I was for Balut when I was still back home. Slurrp! I like "Penoy" or Pinoy" better though because there is no "feathered chick" inside but if I want something "soupy", I will choose Balut. Slurrp again.

The man, who was a bit tipsy that time, stood in front of me (I was sitting inside the hotel desk) and he started sharing his experience during his trip to the Philippines especially the first time he ate Balut. I didn't ask him where in the Philippines he had been. I enjoyed listening to him. He was telling the Cashier what the Balut looks like, explaining to her that it is a fertilized duck egg and that it is an aphrodisiac and very rich in protein. He was really ecstatic while talking about it. I was surprised when he shouted, "Baluuuut!" That really made me blurt out. He left and went to the bar while shouting "Baluuut!" Lol!

I was taking a reservation over the phone when the man came by again. Oh boy, he was already drunk  in the truest sense of the word and he was with equally drunk guy. He started talking about Balut again. I gave them a grim face and told them to leave the desk and to go to their respective rooms. He said, "We will, but not until you will tell it to this guy that what I just told him about Balut was true." I looked at the other guy and said, "Yes, it was true." The man smiled and shouted, "Baluuut!" while leaving the front desk. My reaction was, "Oh my goodness, lol!"

Now I am craving for Balut! Geez!

(Credit to the owner of the photo above.)

Cheers!

Bechay

Olive Garden Restaurant: Loving it!

My family and I love this wonderful food place. Hubby introduced it to us as his most favorite restaurant  and now, we all loving it.

Every time we go to Reno, we always plan to dine at this place. After shopping at the  Manila-Hongkong Store yesterday, we drove there for dinner. When the waiter named Bill introduced himself  to us, my son Jun told me that he was the same waiter who had waited on us 3 years ago. My reaction was, "Are you sure?"  He said he was 100% sure.

I remember I posted a blog entitled "Olive Garden Experience"  that time and I mentioned Bill's name on my post so I thought I would check it online right away as soon as we arrived in the hotel. But we agreed to just ask him instead. When he checked on us while we were eating, I asked him, "I have a personal question, how long have you been working here?"  He proudly answered, "I have been working here for 3 years." My son was right. While typing this post, I searched for my other posts and I found out that it was Bill who waited on us back then. Sounds like a loyal employee.Well, I bet the company is managing their employees pretty good. Nice.

Anyways, we had Stuffed Mushroom as our appetizer

Hubby and I had Parmesan Crusted Bistecca

 Jun had Mixed Grill

On the other hand, Jen had Seafood Alfredo

We had raspberry lemonade that quenched our thirst, it was 95 Degrees in Reno yesterday.

We didn't order for a dessert because we didn't have a place to put it. My favorite in the list is the Black Tie Mousse Cake. Oh, so mouth-watering!

I forgot to mention their unlimited refills of fresh green salad and fresh bread sticks!

My family and I left the place with full belly and with smile in our face. As usual, the food was EXCELLENT as well as the service. Thank you Bill!

Thumbs up to the management of Olive Garden Italian Restaurant in Virginia St., Reno, Nevada.

See yah again!

Lovelots, Bechay

Food for Thought

I am fond of keeping quotations and I would like to share my latest keeps which was taken from the site I just visited.

"Great people talk about ideas"

"Average people talk about things"

"Small people talk about other people"

Ahem...

Which of these group of people are you belong?

Now I am thinking critically on which of these people I think I belong.

How about average people?

But I love gossips especially showbiz gossips!

Ayayay!

(Credit to Google for the photos)

Lovelots, Bechay

Let's Get Motivated!

I would like to share this motivational poem I came across with while web hopping. I hope it motivates you the same way it does to me.

The Victor

Poet: C.W. Longenecker

If you think you are beaten, you are.

If you think you dare not, you don’t

If you like to win but think you can’t,

It’s almost a cinch you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost.

For out in the world we find

Success begins with a fellow’s will

It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are.

You’ve got to think high to rise.

You’ve got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win the prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go

To the stronger or faster man.

But sooner or later, the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can.

Lovelots,

Bechay

In the Middle of Nowhere

My family loves to go on a joyride around town and its neighboring places. 

Last weekend we drove north of town to check a "ghost town" (Nevada is the Ghost town Capital in US). We drove through mountains and valleys that surrounded with bushes until we came to pass by a desert -looking vast land. We stopped and took some photos. My kids and I were amazed to see this place which is covered with sort of a white sand but according to hubby, it was a "calcium-lime rocks", something like that. And he added that this place was a bottom of a lake bed long time ago.

It was still early in the morning but since there was no trees in that particular area, the place was way too hot for us,whew!

We continued driving but we never stumbled upon a "ghost town" except a junk yard with  few numbers of very old and rusty junk cars, lol! But honestly, I've started to imagine scary things like what we saw on horror movies while hubby was trying to look for a trace of a ghost town, waah!

We decided to leave the place with a little bit of disappointment but we had fun though. Hubby promised us to find a real ghost town for us to check on his next days off. Yay!!!

Highway 50: The Loneliest Road in America

We just got home from a long trip. Hubby and I are enjoying our days off together with our teenagers at a friends' house (Adan and Josefina) in Round Mountain, NV. We took some photos on our way home.

We've been passing this road many times especially on our trips to Las Vegas but it's only today that we got interested to take photos on this particular road. When hubby told me about  it being called "The Loneliest Road in America", I was not surprised. Although I don't have an idea on what was the basis for naming it so but based on my observation, maybe because there are only very few numbers of vehicles taking or passing this road.

I remember during one of our trips to Las Vegas, my daughter Jen and I peed along the road while we covered ourselves with a shawl, lol! Americans don't do that :D Well, we were safe because there was no car coming in sight from both sides.

So there you go, Highway 50: The Loneliest Road in America.

Brothel Billboard

My family went out for a joy ride to the mountainous and deserted part of Humboldt County early in the morning last Friday. On our way home, we took the other way which eventually connected us to Interstate-80 East. When I saw this Billboard along the highway, I thought this could be an interesting post so I screamed to stop the car. Hubby took a U turn :)

I have mentioned in my "What's in Nevada?" post that Prostitution (in form of regulated Brothels) is legal in Nevada except Clark and Washoe County and that Billboard ads can be seen along the highways. One of my followers Ms. "J" suggested to post some pics. I did but those pics were blurry. Now, I am posting very clear photos.

Credit to hubby for stopping the car and also to my daughter for uploading the photos.

Ladies and Slot Machines

I've been trying to keep myself awake at work last night when I heard a man's loud voice from the Casino floor. It was around 3:00 o'clock in the morning. "Hey, did you  still remember me?!" while pointing himself. I did not see who he had been talking to but I had a hint that he was talking to his wife or maybe girlfriend. When I peeked, I thought I was right. But the lady  ignored him. She continued playing, anyway. The man gestured to me like, "Darn it!", referring to his wife while walking out. I remember he was the man who have been in the parking lot in front of the glass door earlier playing with his dog while waiting. After more or less 45 minutes, he came back in and talk to his wife again. Then walked out again. It was almost 5:00 in the morning when he left, without his wife. Poor guy.

I have observed that mostly of the players during my shift are women. Yep, mostly are women. I am wondering if it's the same on both day and swing shifts. I am also wondering on the possible factors why women tend to gamble more than men based on my observation.

Based on my personal experience, it somehow true, lol! I am only kidding. I only get to play once in a Blue Moon for fun. My Filipina friend told me to watch out because according to her she had the same reason when she began gambling, "just for fun", but she's been addicted already after she won $6,000.00 twice in one of the Casinos in Las Vegas. But I doubt it will happen to me, as the saying goes, "Different folks different stroke."

When I left around 7:00am, the lady was still there trying her luck over and over again .Tsk, tsk, tsk!

2010-2013 Famous Members of the House of Representatives

I bet all the staff of the House of Representatives will get starstruck every time our celebrity Lawmakers emerge in the hall to attend the Session :)

I just saw them featured on TV a while ago and I got interested to feature them in my virtual space.

Lucy Torres-Gomez

She is in my first list because I so admired her angelic face. She is an actress, a model, a flamingo dancer and a host. Now, she is the elected Congresswoman of Ormoc, Leyte. At first, it was her husband actor Richard Gomez who ran for Congressman but got disqualified for the reason of no established residency. 

Imelda Marcos

She is a former First Lady of the Philippines. She is the former wife of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos. At the age of 81, she is still beauteous. She represents 2nd District of  Ilocos Norte. Hubby heard about her collection of shoes :) 

Lani Mercado

She is an actress and a wife of an actor-turned-politician Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla, Jr. Now she is representing the 2nd District of Cavite.

Manny Pacquiao

The People's Champ.The Pambansang Kamao (National Fist). He is the first and only septuple Champion in the boxing history to win  in seven different divisions namely; Flyweight, Super Bantamweight, Featherweight, Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Light Welterweight and Welterweight. He is representing Saranggani Province in Mindanao.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

I put her in the last list because I don't like her. She is representing the 2nd District of Pampanga. 

To Ms. Lucy Torres-Gomez and Ms. Lani Mercado: I will give both of you the benefit of the doubt and I wish you well.

To Madam Marcos: I hope you will make everything up. You knew what I meant.

To Money err.. Manny Pacquiao: I hope the 10-day crash course you have enrolled could be a help on your new "fight".

To Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: No comment. Period.

To my countrymen, GOOD LUCK to all of us!

Moolah!

I got moolah, Oh la la!

I've been working with this hotel (with Casino) for almost 2 years and I have never witnessed a gambler/player who keeps hitting the jackpot for 9th time playing the same slot machine. Yep, you read it right, 9 times! And for that 9th times, she had given me tip for 9 times too, yay!! I felt so lucky! But of course, no one has never been luckier that night except the winner, the "60ish", Ms. Barbie. She is such a sweet old lady. She has been telling me "for you little girl" every time she gave me her tip but the truth is, she is a lot smaller than me, lol! 

I seldom  get tips in the Front Desk because I don't deal with Casino players but once in a while I'd get tips from our VIP players. I used to have a regular guest who will give me a couple of bucks for checking him out after he called before he left his room so that when he comes to the desk all he has to do is to affix his signature. It makes me uncomfortable every time he checks out so one morning, I suggested it to him to better fill out the praising coupon found in the coupon book that had given to him together with the room key card when he checked in. He agreed. Since then, I often times get praising coupon from him.

Oh, by the way, the winner played Keno which is like a Lotto in the Philippines. It looks like this:

Ms. Barbie said that the number combination she used was hers and her mom's birthdays. Hmm, sounds familiar! She said she had been gambling for 13 years and it was her first very first time hitting the jackpot for 9th times in a row.

Thank you for the gratuity Ms. Barbie!

Fourth of July Celebration

I missed the fireworks last night :(

My sweet sister-n-law Carol have invited me and my kids to join with other relatives 2 weeks before the celebration and I confirmed. But we did not able to make it, sigh. We were all dead tired that night from moving to our new place and I worked that night too. My kids and hubby went to the hotel's restaurant and had a late dinner instead.

Last year's celebration was a great one. My family together with my Filipina friends stayed at Brenda's (a good American friend) neat backyard. We had b-b-q and fine dining while watching the spectacular fireworks up in the sky. Hopefully, we could do it again next year.

Hope you had a great celebration!

Cheers!

Movie: Hot Tub Time Machine

First and foremost, I would like to say that I disliked this movie except for a few scenes. I know, this sort of a review is late already since this film had been released last March. I only have one word to describe it: Gross!

I am promoting this all the same because of a one very good reason.

Long before this film had been promoted and released, I've already heard about it and I was very excited in the truest sense of the word. The entire family and hubby's relatives and friends were excited too. And I had been promoting it to my family and friends in the Philippines even the movie was still on the "making". My gorgeous friend Vanessa promised to watch it with her hubby as soon as it comes out in the cinema. But after I watched it, I never mentioned about it to anyone no more, lol!

The very good reason  that I mentioned above is: My "Rockstar" stepson and his band appeared in this movie! Yay!

Here are some pics taken from the movie:

 

The plot of this movie is Winter 80's and it was shot in British Columbia. In the movie, there was a Winter fest Event and there were different activities held and one of the highlights was the Poison Band. My stepson has a Poison Tribute band in Scottsdale, Arizona callled "Unskinnybop". The producer found one of his band's videos in You Tube. I know for sure that it was the most unforgettable moment of my son and his band.

Watching this film reminded me of  my  high school days :D I thought 80's has the coolest fashion I ever remembered.

80's Hair: Rave (tons of it), Stick-up bangs, Multicolored, Crimped, Side Ponytails, Ultra-Teased, Platinum Blonde and Glitter.

For make-up: Vivid Makeup, Light Pink Lips, Glitter Colored, Blue Eyeshadow

For accessories: Plastic Charms, Hoop Earrings, Slouch Sock, High Tops, Puff Paint, Big Hair Bows

For Fashion: Tight Stonewashed Jean, Ray bans, Zippered Legs, 3/4 Length Legging, Scrunch Socks, Super Tight Minis, Tight Leather Pants, Bright Colors, Rolled Sleeves, Sleeveless Shirts .Etc.

One thing that made me smile was that, the late International Pop Star Michael Jackson was still "black" that time (it did mention in this movie :D)

Aside from the aforementioned nice scenes, the rest was dumb. I don't want to say another nasty word. That's all.

Lastly, below is the credit for my son and his band in this movie. Look for  "Poison" Tribute Band-Unskinnybop. The first name that appeared is his name. Pretty cool, huh?

Hey, for you to agree or disagree about this review, why not watch it yourself? :D Have a nice day everyone!

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

I can't believe that I've watched this movie sooner than I did in Twilight and New Moon. I am not a big fan of this saga but I still watched it because honestly, I didn't want to be "outdated", you know :D People at work talk much about this and I can't relate if I won't watch it. It's okey if I have read the books already but I have not. I have no plans to read them though.

I just watched this film together with my daughter Jen and two Filipina friends Emy and Rowena. We chose to watch the 5:30pm showing. We got there 15 minutes earlier and there was a long line of people outside the movie house already. While we were in the line, a staff approached and informed us that the ticket booth have been ready for Toy Story "watchers" also. People were just observing with each other. No one responded. Everyone was in line for Eclipse, lol!

When we got inside the cinema, I realized that I did not wear my glasses so my vision was kinda blurry. I just expanded my ears so that I won't miss a single word. Everyone was quiet though when the film was started rolling except a cry of a baby once in a while who is cradled safely by her teenage mom while standing in front of the huge door. Every time the baby cries, the mother  would leave right away to pacify the baby outside. They have been standing there until the film was over. I felt sorry for the baby. I bet her mom is crazy with either Edward or Jacob :D

Anyways, as expected, there have been so many "kilig'" moments in every Edward and Bella's scene with of course, a love triangle fight and a vampire thingy scene. I so liked the throwing of words between Jacob and Edward. My favorite was when Jacob told Edward, "Let's face it, I am hotter than you" in a tent scene.

Another thing that I liked most is the fight scene between The Cullens with Werewolves Vs.  Victoria with her new-born Army. It was not at all terrifying  to me anymore ( I so hate bloody scenes) maybe because I knew that Cullens are winning for sure :D 

I almost forgot to mention the proposal scene! It was cute. Oh my, the engagement ring was gorgeous!

I can't wait to see Charlie's reaction on their engagement in "The Breaking Dawn!"

All in all, the film was totally awesome!

(Credit to Emy  for paying the tickets for me and for Jen. Also credit to Rowena for the drinks. Sounds we got everything free, huh?)