WAHMaholic

Everyone I know in the virtual world is into playing online. From online casino to Facebook games, everyone is addicted to them. In fact, I used to be addicted to Facebook when I first started using it, but not anymore. Having been there, I know how time-consuming it can be and how it can disrupt my everyday schedule. I still go there from time to time, to keep updated on the latest Facebook game craze, plus I see my younger sisters play them all the time. Farmville used to be the top-ranking game at Facebook. Almost everyone checks on their Facebook account just to plant, harvest, raise animals and just decorate their farm. I have played a PC game like that, so I understand the concept even though I haven’t actually played the game. I say Farmville used to be top, until Mafia Wars came along. Now, almost all the wall posts of my friends involve achievements that they gained on Mafia Wars. The goal is to fight with rival Mafias, build your own empire and of course, make friends (and sometimes enemies! LOL) along the way. I don’t really know how to play it but my sister who is addicted to it explains every aspect of the game to me. Haha. I haven’t attempted to play it, and I don’t think I will. I know how it is when I get hooked, so I stay away as much as possible. Hee hee.

If you read my other blog, you know how I hated Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Family Bank some time back because of their inefficiency with remittance. I was with Metrobank (my mom’s account) for several months after the horrible BPI episode, but as much as I find them reliable, I was looking for something more. Since I work online and PayPal is my main mode of receiving payments, I needed a credit card or at least a debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo in it to verify my account at PayPal. I have neither, and my mom’s account with Metrobank is only for savings.

I realized the only thing for me to do is open an account for myself. I looked around for potential banks that can help me verify my PayPal account, and one name stood out: UnionBank with their EON Cyber Account made especially for those who work online. I’ve never banked with anyone but UnionBank since then. They have the friendliest tellers in Baguio, the most reasonable fees (only a Php350 annual fee and NOTHING more. ABSOLUTELY NO HIDDEN CHARGES), I am ONLY charged Php50 for every PayPal withdrawal under Php7,000 (anything above that amount is FREE of charge) AND their EON card doesn’t require a minimum maintaining balance. I can also make a balance inquiry online for FREE (I just need to log-in to my CyberAccount), and send money bank to bank WITHOUT any fee.

Is it any wonder now why I love UnionBank?

My dream house is mostly made of glass, with matching glass furnishing within. Of course with Svet around, that isn’t practical (at least during her toddler years). But it doesn’t hurt to look at glass tiles for future kitchen backsplash or bathroom wall, especially if they’re as gorgeous as those in the inventory shown in the Glass Tile Trend site. The calm green colors of the site is the first thing I noticed upon entering, and having a bit of experience on e-commerce solutions, I immediately searched for the shopping cart that the site uses, which turns out to be Volusion. I navigated around the site for a while, and found it has great functionality.

There is a left sidebar where the products, the quick links and the option to join the mailing list are neatly placed. Clicking on the Clearance Items links will lead you to a list of highly stylish glass tiles with prices ranging from über low $4.99 to the still very affordable $7.99. There is an interesting section that everyone visiting the site should check out, and that is the Photo Gallery under Quick Links. Tons of amazing installations using products from Glass Tile Trend are showcased here, and the site is even offering a $35 payment for photos that will get featured in the gallery. This is a unique feature of the site, surely something I don’t usually see in every sellers’ site I visit.

The FAQ section is comprehensive. I just wished they made every item peekaboo instead of opening to a new page with every heading for less hassle, but that’s just my two cents. Any inquiries that are not covered by the FAQ can be asked through filling up a contact form, which they say they will immediately respond to. Currently, they only ship to the United States, but shipping is free for orders $199 and above. Shortly after an order is received and paid for, they will ship your order. They constantly stock on new glass tiles products, so check out the site once in a while for new arrivals.