Living in a Developed Country: Random Things That I Enjoy and Find Amusing

• Saleslady that leaves you alone when you shop, even when you are just window-shopping

Saleslady: Can I help you?

Me: No, thank you. I'm just looking around

Saleslady: Sure thing. Let me know if you need my assistance...(then walks away leaving you alone)

Note: Despite this, I'm missing the "check in your grocery/shopping bag thingy before entering a mall" in 'pinas. Walang ginito here.

• 98 percent of the stores here, including online shops, have an amazing return policy

I mean, you can return merchandise without any questions and accusations being thrown at you, as long as it's within 30-90 days after purchase? Amazing!

 

• Toilet  paper in every restroom you go to? Amazing!

• State-of-the-art library

I know I have been bragging about the library all the time, but it continues to amaze me lang, is all. For someone who is from a country which is kind of digitally backwards, mamamangha ka talaga, swear!

I've seen movies old and new, read books old and new as well, watched countless documentaries, free wi-fi. I can even use the computer there for free! I also can read and borrow e-books: just need to borrow it at my library's website, download and voila, instant reading without having the need to go to the actual library! Plus the e-book just automatically disappear in your e-reader, so you don't have to go to the library to physically return a book. How awesome is that?!

Library is a place which saves me tons on entertainment costs. For a frugal person, that is sweeeet!

 

Tip to watch NEW movies: when I see a commercials that a certain movie is already being released on DVD, I just go ahead and click "HOLD" on my library's website. Chances are a lot of people are putting it on hold too and before you know it, that new DVD is all ready in your hands! That is how I have been skipping movie theater.

 

 

• Little library along the trail
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  
   

  
  

Not only that I am being spoiled and rotten by the main library, may "little library" pa everywhere!

You can borrow a book, return it if you like. It's not as grand as the main library but hey, somewhere where you can get books for free, it's good, right? (I have been putting books to be donated and diligently returning anything that I borrowed. I don't want to be hoarding books coz I really want to be a full-fledged minimalist.)

 

 

• Trail ( Walking, Running, Biking) and a Bike Friendly Community

Four Mile Run is part of an acres upon acres of park

 

 

Bicycle Friendly Community

• No fear of being robbed/mugged

Isn't it amazing to be able to walk around with an earphone plugged in an iPod and listen to podcasts without having to worry that somebody will come up and take it away from you?

 

 
• Escalator rule: Stand on right, walk on left

I never knew this rule existed until I came here. Walang ganitong "escalator rule" sa pinas, right? But I plan on keeping this rule for life. 

 

 

• Trail rule

Just like the Escalator Rule, you walk/run on the right, pass on the left. If you are biking on the trail and you see a runner,few seconds before you pass him/her,  you alert him/her by uttering "bike on your left" or "passing on your left" or simply saying "on your left" if you don't have bike bell. Be sure that they'll hear you, though. If you are the runner and you hear the 'on your left' signal, you answer by raising your left arm mid-way to signal them forward.

 

• Fast food eat-in rule: Clean up after yourself 

In pinas, whenever you eat out, you just leave everything to the cleaner, who goes around regularly, to clean your table .Here, you eat, clean your table and throw the trash yourself. Just like the escalator rule, this amazes me! I plan on keeping this rule for life as well.

• Water fountain everywhere!

 For a frugal person like me, being able to refill your water bottle anywhere is some serious saving money technique!

 

 

• Water is free, IF you ask for it

Every time I eat in a fast food restaurant, I'd skip  the soda and ask for a cup of water. Save me money and calories,too.

 

 

• Fast internet connectivity plus free wi-fi hotspot almost anywhere, even inside the bus

 

• Wearing beanies, sweatshirts and all things for cold weather
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  
  

For someone who is from a hot and humid country, 'diba those make us excited?! We think we look cool and cute in it. hehe!

I would also miss wearing my North Face fleece and Nort Face down jacket and my Uggs- those 3 were given to me one Christmas at a time from my boss.

• Seeing squirrels, deer and geese everywhere. Even occasional turtles!

 

 

• Fall (weather)- my favorite weather

• Goodwill

 

Where you find branded second-hand and, most of the time, unused-complete-with-tag stuffs. Land of the excess talaga

 

• TV shows/Channels I Enjoy: 

- Investigation Discovery Channel

- Link TV

- Gotham on Fox

- Constantine on NBC

- SYFY channel
- Z-Nation

- Mysteries at the Museum 

- Dead files

- Travel Channel

- This is Life with Lisa Ling
- Comedy Channel


 


This 'other side of the fence' sure looks good and enticing, but this would never be a home to me. I'm just thankful that I know HOW it feels like and WHAT it looks like on the other side of the fence. Few years is more than enough for me. Now, I'm ready to hop back on the other side of the fence where I truly belong.