João Morais

First online hotel booking service experience

Wrote on January 9th, 2010 under Vacations

Now that 2009 is gone, I can write a review about my first online hotel booking service experience.

Until last December 12, I had never used such services. So I chose to do a search for online booking agencies, which gathered the following conditions: Had several customers reviews, seemed to be reliable and the best relation between cost/quality.

After this I chose Hotelopia, an online booking agency who aims to help you find and reserve the right hotel at the right price, from a wide range of good quality accommodation.

Thanks to Hotelopia I’ve spent my New Years Eve in Albufeira, in a nice and cheap resort without the common problems of trying to find an apartment for rent in this time of year for a short time period.

Certainly the next time that I will need this type of services I’ll use Hotelopia again.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wrote on December 24th, 2009 under Real Life

Major changes in Real Life

Wrote on October 24th, 2009 under DRI, Real Life, University

For quite some time that I don’t write anything here. Contrary to what may seem this is not due to lack of ideas about what to write, but due the lack of time that I’ve been feeling.

Ironically the last post was about time management and the wonderful advices of Randy Pausch. Even with these advices in mind and trying to put some in practice it becomes difficult to perform miracles when our days have twenty hours instead of the normal twenty-four.

This reduction in hours is due to some recent major changes in my life. Although I haven’t finished my Master degree yet (still missing one course and the Master Thesis) and as you may have noticed in a previous post, I’ve decided to look for a job. To be honest all the spare time was driving me insane.

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Lecture about Time Management

Wrote on September 16th, 2009 under Real Life, Videos

Nowadays time is our most important resource and most of the times we are not able to manage it the right way. With this in mind I’ve found this lecture about time management presented by Randy Pausch.

Randy Pausch was a Computer Science Professor at CMU. Before he died of cancer in July 2008 he presented a couple of lectures about different topics some of which became very famous.

The video embedded presents a few tips on how to manage your time from the perspective of someone who had very few time left. Although it is a huge video, I think it’s worth to spend the time needed to watch it.

Have you ever got stuck in a bathroom before a job interview?

Wrote on September 9th, 2009 under Real Life

Never happened to you?
Let me warn you that there is always a first time and unfortunately mine was today.

This morning before I went to the scene where I was going to be interviewed for a job offer, I walked into the nearest coffee shop to spend some time and add some caffeine in the system to be able to wake up properly.

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Back at home

Wrote on August 27th, 2008 under Vacations

That’s right I’m back at home.

Last Monday was my last day at Algarve, unfortunately my vacations are almost ending. The few days that are left will be spent in my hometown.

Like I’ve planned I went to Albufeira and Alvor, unfortunately I didn’t had time to visit Lagos which is a really nice place to visit, with great beaches, night activities and restaurants.

Although I didn’t planned I’ve also visited Portimão and Armação de Pêra which are also great places.

In these trips I’ve visited two touristic attractions that are worth to talk about.

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Finally some time off!

Wrote on August 15th, 2008 under Vacations

That’s right, today I start my vacations. After a year with lots of work and pressures, these vacations are well deserved.

This year I will be somewhere around Algarve or Allgarve if you prefer, probably in one of these three places, Albufeira, Alvor or Lagos these are my favorite places to spend vacations in Portugal.

They are near the beach and they also have great night activities.

Hope to get some rest because there is almost a new year starting with lots of new as ideas, projects and challenges.

I’ll be back in a couple of days, see you soon!