Here I am again with my "katamaran", egging me on to not go out and apply for a postpaid plan through a Smart physical store (aside from the fact that there's no Smart Center here in our town, ayoko lang talaga lumabas. Just because 😁). I have been looking for online telco stores accepting applications online. Having found that I can actually apply online, I eagerly contacted @SMARTCares via Twitter DM to ask how long it takes for the application to be processed. I was advised that it depends on credit evaluation of their validation officers based on the documents submitted. This, I find it fair enough as it would definitely be dependent on their assessment on the documents and info I'd provide. Then, I started gathering my documents. Here's a timeline of the whole process:

Contrary to most reviews I read about Smart Postpaid plan applications online, I've had a pretty good experience with it. I didn't think it would take them only three (3) business days (I submitted my documents outright during online application submission). Yup! Three days. I was expecting that no one would call me within the week (I thought there were lots of applications, that their sales team has to go through. But, boy, this made my day :D. Now, it's waiting game.

As for @SMARTCares on Twitter, they (whoever handles their social accounts) lived up to their tagline "Responsive 24/7". I got all the answers I needed in a very timely manner (would be a bummer if they didn't reply on time though). @SMARTCares raised the bar higher. Awesome!

Alright, I feel like my face is going to tear apart in two from yawning too much (so effin' sleepy) so I'd say bye for now. I'll update this post as soon as I receive my new phone and SIM. It might take a while (or not), depending on the courier service.

Update: Since the delivery was scheduled on Sept. 26, 2017, and I was not home at that time, I called W-Express (the courier) to arrange for a pick-up. I went to the branch where my package was dropped and claimed it there instead. The line was then activated the day after (Sept. 27, 2017).

Overall, the whole process (from application to activation) was good. At the moment, I'm testing it out (data, calls, etc.) and I'll see if there's anything that I might complain about in the future 😂 (you know this, I complain a lot!).

Disclaimer: I was not paid to conduct a review/promote Smart Communications' products/services. The initial cash out is paid for by no-one but moi.

Hey, y'all! I'm just happy to tell everyone that it's been months since we've decided to send our son, Matt, to school again. Unlike before, he's now excited to come to school (aside from his therapy sessions) more than ever. 

I've rambled before about him not being able to complete the whole school year as he's being bullied for being "different". It's not like that anymore! :) As opposed to what was recommended by the child specialist we brought him to, we've chosen to sign him up under the SpEd (Special Education) program. My initial hesitation came from the fact that he may mimick what his other classmates do (also on the autism-spectrum), but he doesn't really do it. Which is good. His teacher also gives us updates about his progress (which, btw, is really surprising--this includes him being the "mediator" when the other kids are fighting). Well, he deserves to have friends, too, doesn't he? And for this, I think he's doing a pretty awesome job, regardless of his condition.

We don't really want him spending the rest of his life in solitude. I and his dad are the kind of people who have lots of friends and we'd like the same for him as well. At this time, he's formed some "bonds" with two of his classmates (there are five students in his class). We're really proud of him. He may not be as articulate as those typical kids his age, but we've come to realize that kids like him stand a chance at living a normal life.