Aggressive Defense in LA

I saw this site/blog and thought about Earl, who is now residing in California again. The Los Angeles Criminal Lawyers Blog | California Criminal Defense offers its services to those who might need expert legal defense in Southern California. This team is comprised of former L.A. prosecutors who can make the difference in your case. Their blog is full of information that can give you an idea of what you may be facing. Of course, I am not saying that Earl would need their services anytime but I think I'll tell him just in case.

If you are interested, you should get in touch with them. And if you are the type who likes having faces to names, here take a look at the partners.

Though I wouldn't want to wish anyone ill (by having to face a criminal charge), at least you know that there are competent people who can help you out!

Insuring Valuables

I've never been one to place much value on insurance. Oh, I totally understand how important insurance can be but it was not until recently that I really started taking steps towards getting my own insurance policies. It started with the medical insurance for both Jerry and myself. Then I got a life insurance cum retirement plan policy.

The other day, though, this text message circulated - I am sure you have heard about it. Supposedly, an American entity predicted that an earthquake was going to hit Manila. Even though I knew that it was a hoax - earthquakes can't be predicted as yet, right? - it still made me think.

What if, indeed, something happens? That made me think about our other valuables that would be irreplaceable unless I take out insurance on them. So right now, I am thinking about various insurance policies - from appliance insurance to car insurance.

Looking to the Future

I've never been one to make long term plans - concrete plans, that is. I like to live one day at a time but I realized lately that I should at least have an insurance policy to take care of things in case something happens to me. It is not being morbid, I think. It is simply being practical and planning ahead so that those I leave behind would not have to worry more than they should.

I have started looking into various kinds of insurance policies - believe me, there are a LOT out there. From variable term insurance to term insurance - you can find just about any policy to meet your needs. I think that this is a concrete step to being a more responsible adult, don't you?

Frustration Galore - DHL and Customs

Is it ever going to end? Perhaps I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. We spent hours on the phone trying to reach the DHL person at Clearance this morning. The line was either busy or they didn't pick up. After about 2 hours of trying to call, we got a text message saying that an affidavit of ownership has been attached to the parcel and that it was up for re-assessment. At the end of the message, it said POSSIBLE delivery tomorrow between 9 am to 12 nn.

What the heck is that supposed to mean? And POSSIBLE delivery? Isn't 5 days of waiting enough? Minutes after that, I got in touch with JV, the girl from Clearance. She assured me that we would be getting the package tomorrow before lunch.

I hope she's right. The online tracking tool still shows:

There Goes My Vacation?

PLEASE NO! I only take major vacations twice a year. I look forward to these times as I work hard year round and it is only during these breaks that I can totally forget my work load. Work hard, play harder - totally cliche but true as well.

Anyhow, you saw the DHL post I had earlier. We had a box shipped from the U.S. last Wednesday and according to the agreement with DHL, it should have been delivered today (3 days express shipping). Of course, being the eager beavers that we are, we constantly track the status of the box.

The last update? 2.56 this morning.

Status? Clearance delayed.

Countless calls to DHL have yielded nothing. First it was this: "Oh it's a routine check by Customs. It will be released soon."

Then it became this: "Customs has it, there is nothing we can do. We cannot assure when the box will be released."

Then Jerry called and got a teeny bit of info - the name and number of the Customs Agent who is supposed to be handling the issue (WHAT ISSUE? THE BOX HAS VIDEO GAMES, TOILETRIES, CANDIES, AND LINGERIE FOR GOODNESS' SAKE!!!). Of course they gave the name after 6 PM - no one was at the office when I called.

What do they want? How long does it take to examine a small box? There is no bomb there, nothing illegal, nothing dangerous. Oh, did I forget to mention that "small" matter of a certain PS3 game that was released on Wednesday? A Special Edition one, by the way. Yeah, it's in the box.

(Apparently this clearance delay experience we are having is not unique. Migs from Davao experienced something similar earlier this year.)

So what has this got to do with my vacation? We are supposed to leave for the beach on Wednesday. If we do not get the box before then, Jerry does not want to leave. It is understandable - what if the box arrives when we're out? We're supposed to be away for 5 days. Darn DHL. Darn Customs. Can someone explain to me why it has to be this complicated?

13a Visa Approved!

At least that's what the lady (or gentleman, I couldn't really tell over the phone) at the Immigration office told me the other day when I called.  It was actually weird because I have been trying to call them for 2 days and all I got was a busy signal.  So I got Hannah to call them and guess what, she got them in one try!  Anyhow, she said she was freaked out by the lady/gentleman's voice so she forgot the details - that really irritated me!  So I tried my luck and was able to get through.

The lady/gentleman's voice was indeed freaky but I was able to determine that Jer's visa was approved last October 4 and now all we have to do is head on over to the Immigration office on Monday, pay, and have his passport stamped.

This is something that we really need right now.  At times like these, I just can't help but think on how blessings come at the perfect moment.

Immigration Interview Today

We're headed off to Immigration for an interview for my husband's visa so he can stay and work here.  I am a bit apprehensive about the whole thing, mainly because the people there may give us a hard time.  I hope that the case officer assigned to our case is a good person.  I hope that our (me and my husband) irritation at each other won't show.  We shouldn't have went out with the people at my work last night.  We have our moments.  This is not a good time to have one of them.