Pupuru Pocket Wifi Rental Review

After getting my first postpaid smartphone in Dubai, I became so used to being online 24/7 that as soon as I first planned to go to Japan, I knew I needed to do research on wifi options ASAP.

Based on this review, risk of online withdrawal and the likely possibility of getting lost as soon as we step off the train, I went and signed up for Pupuru wifi:

4,860 JPY = 157 AED (additional 800 JPY included because of airport delivery)

We had at least 6 devices connected to it at the same time and we didn't even reach 10gb, you just have to make sure to bring an extra battery charging pack with you for long trips.

There was no interruption of service, the connection was fast and it definitely came in handy multiple times: when we were searching for a hotel at the last minute, the Glico Man odyssey and the right subway line to get to USJ that was on the same rail network with our Kansai pass.

How to claim it?

If you opted to claim it at the (Kansai) airport, you can follow the directions here:
                                     

Just present your passport and reservation ID (I printed off their email confirmation) to claim the wifi kit and you're good to go!

To return it, just put the kit in the self-addressed yellow envelope that comes with it and drop it off at any mailbox on your designated return date. For us we did the drop off at the airport right before we checked in.



To get your own for your Japan trip, just click on the link below:

Day 1: #AmazingNamba

Finally gone around to sharing our short but sweet stay in Osaka, Japan ~~ It should've been longer but my crazy brother had exams on Monday which he didn't want to skip ~~ even for our shared love for all things Japanese.

Waiting for our flight in NAIA Terminal 1 (Jetstar Asia Airways)

Namba City Shopping Mall

Spent a good 30 minutes trying to figure out the way outside of the train/mall area and into Namba proper. Inshallah, Google maps work inside establishments as well hahaha

Mainly we just walked around and tried only 1 ramen shop because it's much cheaper to buy food in convenience stores. We splurged a bit on the duty free shops for the milk soaps that my mom was obsessed with.

Being here in Namba made me feel like my childhood dreams were coming true and I was stepping foot in sacred land. Every corner felt like a scene in a shoujo manga/ anime, seeing all those schoolgirls (hopefully legit) and impeccably dressed women.All the action figures on sale and countless goodies that made you wanna break the bank T_T ~ I'll definitely come back to pine some more and this time I'll include Tokyo and Sapporo!

Another thing that travel has made me realize: you have to learn how to dress well if you're up and about in a cosmopolitan city. It's not even to fit in with the current style of the place you're going to or following the latest trends - it's finding your own style, dressing presentably and in comfort. It's a challenge for me because I'm at my comfiest in a shorts and a plain shirt but since moving here in UAE where shorts were frowned upon in public (specially during Ramadan) and a plain shirt ain't cutting it - I had to adjust and build a wardrobe 1 mega-sale at a time. 

That's it, random thought over - see you in Day 2!

UPOU: NEP Odyssey

I blame this on watching BBC's Gamechangers.

Still awake at 2AM, cramming on coursework no. 1 and speedreading Modules 1-3 with Annexes 1-2. I know I should've allotted more time but procrastination's been a habit for far too long -- anyway, I'll make sure to revise my study habits for the third week to avoid info overload again.

Coursemates are either UP graduates, corporate managers, farm owners, etc. so I'm feeling self-conscious re: my poor academic writing, communication skills and pretty much everything. I'm taking an English course in Coursera to supplement my vocabulary and basic concepts and I've yet to submit my assignment due today as well -_-

NKKLK.

Till next week ~~

DIY Visa Series - How to Apply for a Japan Visa in Abu Dhabi

After 10 years, I finally have the info here for you people! :) YASSSSSSSS!!

When I initially did my research on how to apply for a Japan visa here in Abu Dhabi, the only result I got was how to apply from Dubai (which is only applicable for Dubai residents btw) so I had to rely only on the details provided by the Embassy of Japan - Abu Dhabi for the visa application and a variety of travel blogs for the rest.

First off, download the visa application form here by clicking here. You can fill it up electronically so it looks neater, below is a guide on how to do it:

Then prepare the requirements as follows:

Tourist requirements (Non-UAE nationals)

1. Passport (more than 2 blank pages)

2. Copy of passport ( and residence visa page)

3. Visa application form (Don't leave anything blank, just put in not applicable where necessary).

4. Photo (1 recent clear photo, white background w/n 6 mos. and pasted on the form)

5. Copy of confirmation of flight booking and accommodations

 - I made my bookings on booking.com to avail of the free cancellation and no prepayment offers to allow adjustment for last minute changes

6. Schedule of stay - I followed the samples from these blogs:

• TinCo Was Here
• The Madaldal Kid
• Project Gora
• Wandering Waffleheads

Although I had to do a lot of revisions a month before the trip because Jetstar Asia gave us a free option to reschedule our flight back on the 3rd day so yey!! 

7. Documents to show financial capability (ex. Certificate of Employment and at least 3 months bank statement, signed and stamped by HR and bank)

** Some say that bank activity is enough to guarantee a visa approval but to be sure, always leave enough balance to show that you can sustain your stay throughout the duration of the trip. I personally recommend this if you already have concrete travel plans because if denied, you can only re-apply after 6 months.

 8. Proof of current address (ex. utility bills) - I don't have any so I just printed off my credit card statement with my home address and they accepted it.

 9. Letter of Guarantee (if a family member is a minor/ student, etc.)

Then once everything's prepared, you can submit all your requirements to the Japan Embassy, a 6 aed taxi ride from Al Wahda Mall. You don't have to set an appointment, you can walk in from 8:30-1:30PM from Sundays to Thursdays. 

The lady who processed our application was really pleasant and after checking our papers for a few minutes with a couple of questions, she said we can get our visas on the 4th day (we applied on Thursday and she said the 4th day was Monday so even weekends were included in the count).

Best part, visa is free if your visit is less than 30 days! :)

That's it~ hope my guide helped you and enjoy your stay in Japan! 

6th Annual Health Information Management Congress

I'll be in Manila/Osaka for the whole of November but be sure to attend! Click on the picture to go to the registration page and sign up to get the early bird discount. Especially for nurses *winkwink*

Really proud to mention that our Case Management Director / CMRC-AA COO will be one of the speakers so CMRC will be well represented this year *fistbump* Go Ms. Catherine! 

Also, it's wonderful that we have a speaker from DOH-Philippines (see below) in the lineup! Too bad really that I can't go ~~ next year I'll make sure to schedule my leaves appropriately so I won't miss out. It's a great batch of speakers notwithstanding, and I'm pretty sure that the registration price will surely be worth it, given the 14 CEUs and the opportunity to network with HIM industry's heavyweights.

Don't tarry, sign up now!

Post Wedding Celebration at AAPC Regional Conference

Here's a glimpse on what went down at the first ever AAPC Regional Conference held in the Middle East on 19-Aug-2016 and was hosted at the Hilton Corniche, Abu Dhabi UAE.

And also, it's the day after N's wedding :) congrats and best wished N & D! 

During the conference we had options on what breakout sessions to attend - which are all excellent subject matters btw - and I really had a hard time whittling it all down to what I needed the most. Anyway, here's all the sessions, what I attended are highlighted:

• 1A - I 10 PCS Root Operation Evaluation
• 1B - Deep Dive I 10 Coding for General Surgery
• 1C - ICD-10-CM Clinical Concepts (A)
• 2A - Emergency Department Coding
• 2B - General 1 10 Training Organ Specialty Specific (B)
• 2C- Compliance Made Easy A Medical Practice Case Study
• 3A - Deep Dive  I 10 Coding for Pediatrics
• 3B-Concurrent Coding for Anesthesia
• 3C-The Difference Between Coding and Auditing
• 4A - I 10 Coding for Orthopedics
• 4B - Deep Dive I 10 Coding for External Cause Codes (EDWorkers' Comp)
• 4C-Coding for Hospitalists Services
• 5A - Deep Dive  I 10 Coding for Cardio Conditions
• 5B- The Difference Between Coding and Auditing
• 5C- Advanced E&M
• GS2 - Chronic Conditions and Their Impact on Healthcare Initiatives

It was such a fun time, and we have a variety of excellent resource speakers whom you could really see the passion shining from their eyes whenever they talk about their field. It was a great learning experience that I'm already looking forward to the next conference and certification!

*cross fingers* HEHEHEHEEEEE

See y'all next year! :) 

Accommodations : Dirty 31 at Aloft Abu Dhabi

To date, we have stayed here twice already - first was my birthday then my habibi's. By far, compared to all hotels we stayed both in DXB and AUH, Aloft Hotels remains no. 1 in my heart in terms of customer service, facilities, the view and the room, everything was exemplary.