Out of Impulse! (update)

My membership with Astoria Vacation and Leisure Club Inc. is now officially cancelled. A refund was made on top of the cancellation fee through Credit Card Reversal. Although I wrote a letter and submitted it last February 11 signifying my intention to cancel the trial package, it took effect only on February 20 and i was able to sign it yesterday Feb 26.

I am glad that this is now over. The marketing strategy really pressed my button. No offense to Astoria Plaza. I have nothing against them. In fact, i love their residential suites. I have learned my lesson, RCI is really great and the whole system is meant for jet setters and travellers but I don't want to be tricked in buying something outrightly without first giving it a thought. IMPULSE!!!Oh well, i don't have anyone to blame but myself. Me, Myslef and I.

(Sorry Lord if i failed to become a good financial steward.)

Checked these other sites too:

http://pandepanda.blogspot.com/2008/04/astoria-bogus-raffle-winner.html

http://gingertea.wordpress.com/2009/01/26/club-astoria/#comment-1585

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g298453-i9643-k1016265-Anyone_familiar_with_club_astoria_holiday_ownership-Pasig_National_Capital_Region_Luzon.html

http://cornholiogogs.multiply.com/journal/item/358/No_Such_Thing_As_A_Free_Lunch?replies_read=3

http://www.tipidpc.com/viewtopic.php?tid=145090

FREE PHOTOGRAPHY & DIGITAL LIFESTYLE WORKSHOP

Got this email from my yahoo group.

This is for free but you have to register first due to limited slots.

The perfect 10.0

The perfect 10.0

By Celine Gabriel

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife2_feb27_2009

(reposting)

What does it take to be a 10 these days? And who is she? The girl in your class who happens to be president of your batch, teacher’s pet, gets all grade A’s AND gets the boys? What about the colleague at work, who happened to move up the corporate ladder within a span of a year, has the corner office (with a view), sits down all day delegating assignments AND never seems to gain any weight? What about the model who works three hours a day, has perfect skin AND gets paid to be beautiful? Or that next-door neighbor who happens to be pretty ordinary in looks but extraordinarily nice? The girl across you that happens to be really talented? All of the above? One or the other?

Maybe.

To each his own, really.

Helping all of us to be our own version of a 10.0 are Raizelle So, Aileen Coyukiat, Arvi Villacin, Nikko Escalante and Renrick So. These young entrepreneurs have come up with a “Free-zine” that comes out every two months power packed with practical tips, information, advice and inspiration. Not only that, every issue comes with a calendar and pages for notes one can use for anything under the sun, all of which makes it different from all their competitors.
“Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it has to be mediocre,” says Raizelle So who also does the creative layouts of 10.0 Magazine. And I totally agree which is why I think they appeal to a lot of people. The crew behind this endeavor doesn’t just expect you to pick it up, read it then toss it right after. 10.0 is something they encourage you to keep as kind of… well, in their own words, a “print-in-the-city guide.”

One thing though, when I first came across this “Maganizer” (Magazine-Organizer), I kind of wondered about why the woman on the cover was a foreigner. Granted, she is a woman of substance, great achievement, admired all around the world, is beautiful and just so happens to also be going out with the guy who is considered to be the most beautiful man in the world today. (Tattooed with six children; go ahead, take a guess).

“We’re urging Filipinas to step outside their comfort zones, in the hopes that it’ll inspire them to take on feats and audiences they never thought possible. We want them to reach the levels of these international celebrities and in the same way, become positive role models to women around the world. Likewise, we feature one Filipina as our chosen 10.0 Chick in every issue who’s well on her way to reaching their goals [or already has]. She’s done this by pursuing her passions, working for her dreams and believing in herself. That’s the message we want to send to all Filipina college students and young professionals,” says Raizelle and Aileen.
Very well said. So grab a copy and become a 10.0 yourself!

10.0 Maganizer comes out every two months and can be found at select outlets of Powerbooks, National Bookstore, retail outlets around the metro like Levi’s and Terranova, restaurants like Fuzion and Secret Recipe, our top universities and so many more.
Comments, questions, suggestions? Please e-mail me at celine_gabriel_column@yahoo.com

Out of Impulse!

SIGH!!!!!!

I should have checked the net before going to the CLub Astoria. Anyways, there's no use crying over spilled milk.

I received a text last February 8 regarding my raffle entry (Promo Sponsored by Club Astoria) with control no. 155976 that i filled up during their promotional exhibit at Enterprise dated last November 28, 2008. My entry was chosen as one of thier lucky winner for the month of February for a 100% guaranteed free luxury international hotel & resorts accomodations and a complimentary dinner buffet for 2 persons at Cafe Astoria.-- and you know the rest of the story..

We did signed up the membership on February 9 -- that night since the system is really suited for us. But before signing the contracy i noticed that we can only start using the 1 week free stay in Astoria on 2012 after the completion of the payment and 40% for the RCI getaway special. To which was not clearly discussed during the presentation. i clarified this to the Owner's Relation manager and he called the consultant to ask if indeed it was not presented. The consulant said that he did and his Manager affirmed it too.. It was my word against the two of them.

But i could no longer backed out since they swiped the downpayment from my credit card before i signed the contract. (Please note that i gave my credit card for them to check if my available balance can still accomodate the entire down payment). then it all made sense, around 11:30 in the evening i started to hyperventilate and left dumb founded. There were a lot of things that we're discussed in passing. Suddenly, i was no longer interested and just want go home and sleep over it. I told the Manager that they can have my money but i will not sign up. This is really what you call buying due to impulse.

The Sales Manager asked me to sign the contract and was told that if ever i decided to cancel, i can do so within 15 days. RIGHT!!!!! We left around 2 in the morning.


I never had a good night sleep since Monday night. This is the first time that i have issues involving money and with legal consequences. The only way that i can have peace of mind is to cancel my membership. I did after two days. Called the hotel Wednesday and was advised to fax or email a Letter of Cancellation.

I faxed and email it today signifying my intention to cancel the membership and that i know i am subect to a cancellation fee and i also stated that they have to refund in good faith what is due for me and asked for a written confirmation of my cancellation. Let's wait if the cancellation process is as good as the signing up.


I don't have anyone to blame for except my self for being easily fooled and acted out of impulse.

and by the way, i just found out that 3 of my officemates experienced the same. They were approached in Boracay and their downpayment was not refunded up to this date even if they seeked assistance with their legal counsel. I should have known.


I don't have anything against the Astoria, my mom and I used to stay in one fo their residential suites and we really fell in love with it. It's their marketing strategy!!! I should have just sticked to the buffet and the GC and left afterwards.

My sole intention for staying for the audio and visual presentation was to get to know know the hotel as it is and be toured on their amenties. But as how it was for everyone, your GC will be given after the presentation.

Lastly, when i called the tele-marketer before coming to the Astoria, i asked him if there will be membership talks afterwards he said, you don't have to bring money or credit card and it is not about membership because anyone can come and inquire about membership anytime at any day. The statement is in contradiction to what the consultant and the manager said that the membership is offered to me for that particular night only. And i am not one of the 15 winners, the consultant said that every night they invited 100 for the 90 minutes presentation using the buffet and GC strategy... So much for good intentions!!!!


I am really hoping and praying that the procedure for my cancellation will run smoothly and justly... They can have my money for all they want.

Who Says Nothing Free Is Good? :)

10.0 -your ultimate guide to being the perfect 10!

Kindly check this site if you have time: http://yourperfect10mag.com/
Premiere issue has been launched this January and the next would be on March- For Free!!!
You can also register or give feedback and fabulous prizes await you.
If you want your products to be featured, send an email to the ff. e-adds.
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God is so Immutable

I have been praying since last year about my future and God’s will upon my life yet it seemed as if God has not been answering any of it. I would constantly ask Him what is wrong or even check my heart and ways if I did something not pleasing to His eyes. Sometimes I do not know what and how to pray anymore, I would just close my eyes and nothing would come out of my mouth and my mind is wandering elsewhere. How blessed Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Joseph, Job and the rest of our fore fathers must have been for God literally speaks to them if not through the prophets and dreams.

There were days that I grew distant and at times forgot to speak to Him. I would only read His word and write on my journal whenever I feel downcast or in the middle of emotional turmoil. I became lazy with my quiet time and devotion but then I realized that I have to learn how to wait patiently. Amidst those waiting moments I learned that I have to be joyful and grateful.

Adding fuel to the fire, now that I have these things at present that fits 75% of my prayer request; I once again complained and nagged Him about it. Is this really the one that He wills for me, yet, why only now? Besides, I still have that 25% unanswered prayer. I am still not confident if this is really according to what God wants me to be.

This morning, when I looked upon God’s word, I was in awe and felt ashamed of my actions. It read:

“God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end”
Psalm 48:14

He is indeed immutable, the ever unchanging God. Who am I to complain and to doubt His capacity and power? Who am I to compare the past and the now? Who am I to reason with Him? And who am I to be so pushed-over to Him?

I am too stubborn as a child of God and if I haven’t known God as a compassionate and forgiving Father—I would have been into disciplinary actions for the nth time. I am really blessed that I have a God and a Father like Him—when I throw tantrums at Him he is gentle enough to remind me to wait in His time and that it is not my will but His.

God, I am not god but You are and so thank you for teaching me once again to trust in Your name; you have all the because to all my whys and the answers to all my questions.

As Abraham Lincoln once said:

“I am satisfied that when the Almighty wants me to do or not to do any particular thing, he finds a way of letting me know”.

To God be all the glory!