Ooooppsss! there we fly again!

I had a "merry-go-round" trip last Friday...

Two weeks ago, my boss told me that I shall fly down to Siargao for a meeting. Wow, didn't I just sound like a corporate executive? Wait 'til I finish this.

Apparently, the company I work for is venturing into travel and tourism. They are developing a first class resort in Siargao, the home of prominent surfing waves called cloud 9. As the opening date is getting closer, we're burdened with a lot of preparations that needed me to go there to meet up with the travel agent from Germany and the resort's General Manager as well. So the trip is all about work, work and work. NOT pleasure.

I wasn't excited when my boss broke the news to me. Four days in the island with lots of work waiting is not my idea of an idyllic scene. Anyhoo, I've been to this paradise ten years ago and I was truly amazed with their rich biodiversity, unspoiled nature and pristine beach. That was one of my biggest trip back then (when I was still a student and could hardly afford an out-of-town trip for three days).

With less anticipation for pleasure and more on the business side, I packed my things for an unusual trip. My mother was kinda worried because of the looming typhoon on that part of the world. I reasoned that if the weather won't cooperate the airline will surely cancel the flight, but seriously, I'm already bracing for a bumpy, turbulent ride.

At the airport, I met up with my travel companion - the travel agent from Germany and three of his friends which he invited to tag along, my colleague and the newly hired staff for the island. This 'newly hired staff' doesn't know what 8 o'clock sharp meant. He showed up at 8:30am when the counter is about to close. I was already pissed knowing I showed up early so I can still have breakfast and he is about to ruin it coz we're boarding in the next 10 minutes. I decided to swing by Dunkin Donuts to grab a sandwich and a cup of coffee when the paging system called out our names. Holy cow! For the first time in my whole darn life I became famous (insert sarcasm here). And when we went up inside the plane, all passengers we're staring at us. We'll who wouldn't? We were the last passengers to board. Damn that newly hired staff!!!

Forty-five minutes later the captain announced we're about to land. Ten minutes later I still couldn't catch a glimpse of the runway. It was cloudy and foggy all over. Then I saw the ground below kinda blurry because of the heavy rain that poured just as we descended. I felt the plane touched the ground, like 5 seconds in the runway when it suddenly revved up and went up again. I was bewildered. I was looking at the flight attendant searching for answers but she was calmly seated in the front like telling us there's nothing to be worried about. Some passengers we're looking at one another, wondering why we took off. Others we're scared, panicky but the good thing was everybody tried to be calm.

I wasn't scared though. But I was worried why the pilot made that maneuver. I'm playing possible reasons in my mind while trying to control my fear. I guess it helps when you travel a lot. I've had some of the worst travel experience... and that particular situation shall become part of the list.

A minute later we heard the captain speaking from the cabin. He said, the rain poured heavily on our way down and the visibility of the runway isn't favorable for safe landing that is why he had to took off immediately.

Okay, for a moment there the tension eased. I was about to ask the flight attendant if we landed at the wrong airport. Glad I did not ask about that or it would have made me look stupid haha!

We were circling above the thick clouds for the next 40, read that : f-o-r-t-y-m-i-n-u-t-e-s before the pilot attempted his second landing. I guess, some things aren't just meant to be because halfway through the attempt, we ascended again and I felt the plane turning to the right.

We headed back to Cebu as it is not safe to land due to bad weather condition. I commended the staff of this airline for not compromising our safety. I was frustrated that I was not able to get there. But yeah, it's better not getting to our destination than not getting back home.

Anyhoo, that was the longest I've gone - Cebu to Cebu in two hours!!! hahaha! Beat that!

Back in Cebu airport we were faced with a long queue coz everyone's trying to get the next possible flight to Siargao. My boss who was worried about our situation called up and told me he was at the airport and saw our plane touched down then flew again. All he could say was : "Oh there they go. Happened to me thrice." Hahaha! I'm glad we're not the only one who had experienced that kind of predicament.

And because we needed to be at the resort this weekend, and the next flight to the island is on Monday, the only option we had was to go on chartered flight. Few minutes later I was talking to someone who charters flight to Siargao. But since it's a 5-seater plane, and there were 7 of us, my colleague and I volunteered to step out. I mean, that kind of weather and a small plane doesn't appeal to me. Besides, the pilot told us that it's still raining in Siargao but he can possibly land because the sky is clearing. On my part, I don't want to take chances. Not this time. I've been up in the air for two solid hours thinking if we can land or not. That's pretty tiring already and I don't wanna go through the same situation again.

By 2PM the small plane departed from the hangar. An hour after I was told they were able to land safely. Thank God.

Back home I was effing tired and sleepy. It was a veeeeery long day for me. But you know the perks of that trip? I saw this heart-shaped island en route Siargao. It was sooooo lovely! The sad part is, I was not able to take a pic coz my camera was on my bag which I obligely dropped at the baggage counter. Grrrrr...!!! Anyway, the next time I'll go there I'll make sure to take a snapshot.

And that was the only thing that made my trip worthwhile... :)

I can do this!

When I said this is going to be my year, DEFINITELY it is! Uhm, I have to make sure I spelled "definitely" correctly coz when I posted a shoutout on Facebook I wrote something like : difintely. Argh! I'm screwed!

I got a good news two weeks ago. I wanted to share it to my mother, friends, relatives and of course to my awesome bloggy friends but I retreated coz it wasn't official yet.

I'm being offered a promotion!!! Yep! It really came a surprise and my first reaction was : Wait. Are you kidding? Then I could picture myself with the new responsibility and the pressure that comes along with it. I turned it down. When it comes to huge responsibility and commitment, I'm a runner. I always have this fear of disappointing people and I don't like it when their expectations on me aren't met. So I babbled NO without batting an eyelash, without even thinking I'm missing out an opportunity.

After that talk with my boss, I began to reconsider the offer. It's going to be a tough job but the perks are high. I weighed my options, the pros and cons, and it all lead to one thing - I would be the stupidiest girl alive if I'm not gonna grab it.

Good thing was that they were not giving up on me. I had another talk this time with our HR and she gave me a clearer picture of what lies ahead. 2 weeks. That was the initial plan. I'm going to try it for two weeks, get the feel of the job then I'll decide if I'm OK with it.

And so the 2 weeks of test began. It was a whole new experience. A bit challenging if I may add. I learned to like the job (the job I never ever considered taking at first) in the span of two weeks. I took in with me the same fervor, the same enthusiasm that brought me here. I set aside the fear, my personal concerns and focused on getting my tasks done as best as I could.

That must have done the trick. Last night before I went home, my would-be new boss and I had a talk. We sealed the deal. I'll be officially on developmental assignment (DA) starting next week. Wow! The years of pure hard work had finally paid off! This is the perfect time to put to the test everything I know. This is it! This is my time.

Some Thoughts on Writing

Not only once did I profess my passion for writing. It has become my venue for letting out my frustrations, the sadness, happiness and everything in between. It made me become articulate on the things I struggle to impart. Writing for me, has always been easy like breathing. It's a way of life. But ask me if I ever dreamed of becoming a writer. I would give a straight NO for an answer. 

Most people who indulge in writing often aspire or see themselves as professional writers. Others dream of publishing their own book. Or write a column in a magazine. I always have tremendous laud for these people. A writer isn't just a noble profession. It is sacred.

A priest once said in his homily that there are 3 ways to leave a legacy in this world. First, you've got to have kids. Second, plant a tree. And third, write a book. I wondered if I would qualify for that. I mean, I don't have kids - yet, but I have planted trees and been able to keep this journal for a year. But seriously, does that give me the right to call myself a writer? Does that warrant me the spotlight should I choose to heed on that direction? Do I have that gift to influence others and touch their lives? That fact remains at large.

A recent opportunity humbled me and had me mulling over the past days. Our company is relaunching the newsletter next month. I was astonished to find my name as part of the elite editorial circle. Honestly, I don't know how I ended up being on the list, but maybe the essay I wrote two years ago paved the way. I was thrilled and anxious with the news. Thrilled because I will cater a bigger audience. Thrilled by the fact that aside from blogging, I will explore a different perspective and a new path. I couldn't be more ecstatic! But I'm anxious. Anxious because it seemed such a huge responsibility. A chip on the shoulder. I'm anxious by the looming commitment ahead which is entirely on top of my regular job. The expectations, the series of brainstorming, interviews, proofreading and deadlines. Argh.. they're running through my head right now.

I'm deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity. Late last year I was appointed to lead the Scrabble Club which is a great achievement for me since I'm a certified scrabble enthusiast. And now, this! I'm thankful for the management's confidence and trust on my knack for writing. As far as "feeling the pressure" is concerned, well, yes I am.

Love to write and writing well are two worlds apart. What if I'm not able to convey the right words, the exact details, the focal point of the article? I've had contributions on school paper befere but that was like eons ago. I totally forgot how it's like. Article writing isn't quite the same as blogging. In blogging, I do my own rules and the scopes are usually subjective. With this new challenge, I shall learn to be straighforward, objective and oh, no cursing this time.

Though sometimes I feel like I'm a commitment-phobic, I do my best to gear up for the challenges that come my way. What better way to start a year than taking writing to a higher level? I may not trust myself fully on this. I may not be that confident. I may not be able to pull it off. But one thing is certain, one thing would remain constant, and that I'm sure - I'll always go after writing whenever there's an opportunity, whatever it takes.

Cheers to writing!

 

On Volunteerism

I was never into volunteerism. I never signed up for any community service back then. Not because I don't have the time nor the will - I am just plain lazy.

My first volunteering act came just a year ago when our country was rampaged by a strong typhoon. It brought heavy rains and flooded almost the entire capital city like seas. (See post here)

It was heart-wrenching and everything seemed hopeless. Seeing the awful situation on TV, I rummaged through my dresser and pulled out some of my clothes that I don't get to wear often. I placed them in the plastic bag, made a quick stop at the grocery and bought a few canned goods. I went straight to an organization which accepts donation for the typhoon victims. I was overwhelmed to see how much they have gathered for the day. Help was pouring from all parts of the country, as well as overseas. Yet I felt what I had given wasn't enough. The clothes would only accommodate a single household and the groceries would last a day or two. There are countless who needed help and I felt I got to do something about it. I don't have thousands or millions to donate. But I figured I could devote a little of my time.

When a television network announced they were looking for volunteers to segregate and pack the in-kind donations that keep coming, I knew it was my cue. I invited some of my friends to join and soon we found ourselves in the midst of the sacks and sacks of various goods from those who have big hearts. We volunteered for only 3 hours. It was hot and dusty inside the compound. I am allergic to dusts, but for the first time I stopped minding myself. It was my time to make a difference.

Yesterday I signed up for another community service. Our company launched a free clinic and they needed volunteers to assist the doctors and nurses in giving care to the patients. That was my first time to be part of a mini-medical mission (I like to call it that way so spare me!) I was assigned in the medicine dispensing team and boy, I was really having a hard time understanding a doctor's handwriting. Why do they like to chicken scratch it? And not only that, I was "nosebleeding" reading those lengthy, tounge-twistering generic names. The "cin", "fin", "tin" - they were haunting me in my sleep.

Anyway, the whole day activity was successful. We were able to serve hundreds of patients. It was tiring but surprisingly I was having fun! I've been thinking of doing it again. Sometimes you don't need a single penny to have your efforts compensated. It's when you know you have given something and you're not expecting anything in return is what makes it even more fulfilling.

               ~ If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. ~

                                                                                                - Booker T. Washington

Those Amazing Four Years...

I can still vividly remember my first day at work. I woke up so early, put on my uniform which I carefully ironed the other night, stood in front of the mirror trying to compose myself. I was so tensed and excited on my way to work. I caught the company bus, sat with my unfamiliar, new colleagues. They talked about  how their weekend went. Some talked about their pending tasks and other job-related matters which I could hardly make out. I kept roaming my eyes around, scanning their faces, looking for potential best buds.

The anxious ride ended and I found myself inside the building. Then soon introductions were made. My first hours in the morning was spent touring around the plant, familiarized every area, and the traditional meet and greet with colleagues. I saw a strong bond in everyone. Like that of family. Most of them were smiling and welcoming, while others seemed scary and intimidating. But I learned later that that was just a facade.

That was four years ago. Four years had passed and I still wore the same uniform, still rode the same bus every morning, still took the same route to work. The routines were quite the same some four years ago. But I am not the same as I was before.

I have gathered so much in my stay here in more ways than one. They say that no company is ever perfect for anyone. I've been to three different companies before, but this one is the closest to perfection. Well, at least for me. For the last four years, I can wake up in the morning and look forward to going to work. There are times that I whine and feel a little disgruntled. But when I start to count the things I enjoyed because of staying here, I feel more blessed than most of my friends are. I know a lot of people who will kill just to be part of the team. Okay, that sounds exaggerated but I swear there's some truth to it.

The strong team spirit which the founders continually to inculcate in us is one of the many things I admire. Or maybe the annual teambuilding had paid off and brought us closer together. The beauty in working with expats is that it has taught us to respect each of our culture differences. We may have different views about life and many other things, but we simply blended and work as a team to realize our vision.

I never thought I'd become socially and environmentally responsible  by joining this company. I adhere the laws in preserving nature but I'm not an advocate of any cause at present.  Yet, by simply participating in the yearly tree and mangroove planting activities, I feel like I did something imperative. I feel proud of those indulgence. It may seem small but it surely goes a long way.

I also found a lot of friends. Friends that I could keep. Friends that I would still keep in touch if later we decide to part ways. They're not just friends who I hang out and have fun with, they are those friends whom I have shared some of the most intimate details of my life. They helped me grow and helped me discover a lot of things.

                                                                             noteworthy memories...

As life is a journey, I'd be sure to keep travelling on. I know there will come a time that I will move forward and consider other options. Whenever I think of that, I begin to feel a sense of nostalgia. Probably the first thing I'm going to miss are the people I've worked with. I have learned so many things than the graduate school would impart in the span of time. I would miss the daily bus ride, the communal morning prayer and exercise, the chitchats during breaktime, the occasional late night drinks, the pressure from work which we have learnt to shrug off and laugh about as days passed. I'm gonna miss the teambuilding, the sportsfest, the birthday, halloween, christmas and anniversary parties. We're party animals. We party like 4 times a year!

Those four years had left an indelible mark. It has impacted my life more than I could hoped for and more than I've ever imagined. But more than anything else, I have taken in PRIDE like breath itself.

P-eople engagement
R-espect
I-ntegrity
D-iscipline
E-xcellence

These are the core values we live, for which I am sure I will continue to uphold.

Thank you  _ _ _ _ _! (Sorry, I just can't disclose the name of the company this time)

Happy 4 years to me...! :)

Friday's coming fast and I need your help!

Guys I  need your prayer, I mean your suggestions. Well, on second thoughts, your prayers might actually come in handy. Here's why : I've told you already that our company will be celebrating its anniversary at the end of this month. So there are lots of activities in line for that celebration. One of which is the fashion week that happens every friday, in which we're supposed to wear clothes that represents the theme for the week. Two weeks ago we relived the 70s. Last week we looked like Madonna and Michael Jackson's fanatics. That's how crazy we are! I almost thought I was working for Runway Magazine when I saw my colleagues pulled off some of the best looks from the 70s and 80s. And for this week... 90s it is my friends!

Now here's the catch. Since we're composed of teams, each team shall have a representative for the said fashion show. And by fashion show I meant you have to walk down the ramp, flaunt your clothes / dress / get-up WHATEVER!!! In plain, simple, understandable terms - you do the CATWALK like a MODEL does! 

Very much like this :

Fuck!!!

So why am I cursing like that??!

Because this Friday, my teammates are forcing me to do that! DAMN YOU PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They didn't ask me first. They just wrote down my name on the list of "participants" and ta-da!!! I'm the official representative for the 90s fashion show. H*** CRAP!!!!!!

Don't you laugh coz it's not FUNNY!

***wails WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH............

I HATE THEM! I HATE them for doing this to ME!!! Are they on coke or something??? Seriously, what-were-they-thinking?

Okay, I understand there are only a handful females in our group but can't they choose someone else? Someone who is more than willing to do the catwalk, smile and pose before the crowd?

Come on guys!!! In my 29 years, I have never did such a thing. Not even a local beauty contest on the street. And I never ever dared dreaming of that. It's not my cup of tea for crying out loud!!! So what the HECK is this all about??!

And they keep on saying this is just for fun. FUN my ass!!! I don't know where would I find the nerve to do something like that. I have a thick face I know but I'm not flashy like that. I'm extrovert on some things but hitting the ramp is certainly, definitely not one of the many things I fancied. NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!!! Not even in my next lifetime!!!!

I tried protesting, blackmailing, threatened everyone to no avail. I might even resort to crying but no one seemed to take on my side. And the assholes are even encouraging me. They're even more excited! 

Fine! Cheers to you guys! I'll be drinking straight up with this one :

P.S. 

Any suggestions about the 90s fashion? I mean the dress, the look? Homaygawd I can't believe I'm really doing this but I've got no choice and I can't escape.  You're free to give me ideas or tips... I don't know. But I guess I need your prayers more than anything hahaha!

How Do You Like Them Apples?

This month is full of fun and excitement (at least for us company employees ) coz we're celebrating our 10th year anniversary in the business and we're having a month-long sportsfest! Yayyyy!!! Sportsfest has always been the most anticipated and the biggest thing to watch out for. It's one of those rare times when we get the chance to slack off from work, play and bask into the sun, and cheer for our team. Though we're not having the cheerdance competition this year (which is kinda frustrating since cheerdance competition highlights the kick-off day), BUT... the games are awesome for sporty and fun seekers alike (just think of airsoft. cool huh?!)

What makes it even more exciting is they're including board games for the first time. And I, being  a scrabble enthusiast and a hard-core player since the beginning of time, couldn't be more thrilled to join the fun! I've been playing scrabble since I was a kid. It was my parents who introduced me to it and encouraged me to play on tournaments. It was our family's favorite past time and our bonding activity as well. I don't mean to brag, but if there's one sport which I can say I'm competitive at, that's probably scrabble.

                      "It' s just you and your opponent at the board and you're trying to prove something."  - Bobby Fischer

Luckily, I  made it through the elimination round. When the championship game rolled in, I was surprised to learn that my opponent is no other than...... (DRUM ROLLS) tan tada dan......... my not-so-nice-officemate-whom-i-had-a-printer-ink-encounter!

FLASHBACK : A MONTH AGO OR SO...

Cast of Characters :

       Bitchy Me               -  That's me of course! I'm taking the lead role here, okay?
       Newbie                     -  My poor, new officemate
       Miss 3D                    -   That's her! 

You might ask : How did she get her screen name?

Because her glasses are like those of 3D minus the colored lens!

You can't picture it out? Okay, here!

Alright. I know. I'm rude! But that's how it kinda looks like...

The Scene :

Miss 3D barge in to our office with a bunch of paper in her hand.

Miss 3D : (talking to newbie in a sardonic tone) Can you give me a printer ink? Can you see this? (referring to the paper in her hand) It's no longer readable.

Newbie : (unsure of what to do or say) ahhhhmmm... ahhhhh.... (looks at me) ahhhmmmm...

Miss 3D continues to rant....

I hate it when someone acts like she's the most important person in the world. Like it's our fault that the ink ran out of ink itself. And most of all I hate it when someone's preying helpless people just for the heck of it!

So the protective nature of mine stepped in.

Bitchy Me : (in a not so polite tone) Excuse me! You might want to file a request for that over at the reception? You see, we don't keep and issue printer inks here.

Miss 3D : Oh, I didn't know about the procedure.

Bitchy Me : Yah right! But you should have asked your superior first before you came here or at least ask us nicely?!

And she retreated and went back to her office and told everyone about the encounter, making me an instant villain. Does she honestly think I would flinch at her coercing? Nah! Girl, try harder next time. And take note, she's just been around the company for 3 weeks when that happened. Way to go girl... way to go!

So where was I?

The game!

While we are at it, she was constantly saying that she was once a scrabble champ at her school. 

Ah, was that a threat??? Coz I'm not threatened. AT ALL!

I used to be a scrabble player at our school too and was the first engineering student to have ever bagged the championship for three straight years. How's that missy?

But I have to admit I had a hard time outwitting her. She was such a brilliant player and she surely knew how to play the game. It was one of the toughest game I had. One of the best if not.

Anyway, fate was on my side coz I WON!!! yahhhooo!!!

We shook hands after that and suddenly I felt peace with her. Maybe she wasn't that bad like I thought or maybe I was too harsh on her when we had the "encounter". Maybe we could be friends after all. Yet still, after hearing her threats and intimidation, I'd like to tell her : how do ya like 'em apples? *wink

P.S.

In case some of you are wondering why she's asking for the printer ink at our office... well, our door has this huge sign : INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. Figures...

Will someone give me Aspirin?

I'm having a headache. Not literally, but technically! And by technically, it concerns my job.

Being in IT is fun. There's not much pressure and the job is less demanding. Though sometimes, when heavens fall on our shoulders, there'll be problems such as virus attack or server is down, we would then stay late as possible as we can to fix it. Goes home past midnight then reports back to work early the following day even if it's a Sunday or even if a typhoon is raging. This may sound cliche but I've been there done that.

But these setbacks have advantages. We enjoy lots of perks that most employees don't. I wanted to enumerate those perks but I'm afraid it may be used against me in case a co-worker accidentally finds this blog. So forget that I mentioned about it. Get that, officemate? You don't want me to block you in the DTR, right? So play along nice...

Okay I'm not here to threaten anyone. Just want to share with you the little and big things that annoy me at work.

Since we don't have an in-house Systems Administrator (because he resigned and there's no plan of looking for a replacement), whoever takes the call performs the task. And because part of our job is to handle technical support, we are more inclined to having headaches because some callers just don't know how to channel their problems over the phone. I hope they do realize that we're occupying a two-storey building with two extended facilities, and we, going to their workstation would surely take more time than the time we need to solve their concern.

So here's why I need some aspirins on my drawer.

Scene 1 :

Phone rings....

Me : IT Good morning/afternoon!
Caller : Ma'am I can't log on to the system.
Me : May I know what system you're referring to?
(My god! we have 5 systems running. making a guess isn't a smart move)
Caller mentions the system...
Me : So tell me about the system error.
Caller : Error...?
(oh sorry for throwing that vague question. I can sense you're confused)
Me : I mean, a messagebox should appear. What does it say? Wrong username/password? locked? What?
Caller : No. It doesn't say anything. I just can't log in.
(sighs and gives up.... it's time to remote control the PC)
Me : Can I have your computer number?
Caller gives computer number....
Tried connecting to his computer but I can't...
Tried pinging but I get a 'Request Timed Out' message...
Me : I think you're not connected to the network domain.
Caller : I guess coz it says network is not available...

BANG!!!! Can I shoot myself? Sure it doesn't look an error to you??? Alright!

I know it sounded like an internet joke but trust me it really happens. Like at least 5 times a week!

Now aside from the funny software concerns, hardware is terrible. Here's why :

Scene 2 :

Phone rings...

Me : IT Good morning/afternoon!
Caller : Ma'am I can't print.
Me : Okay. Does it say any error?
(you see? error is my friend.)
Caller : No. There's no error. It says nothing. I just can't print.
(i kinda expected this answer.. very helpful, huh?!)
checks his network connectivity and finds out he's connected...
Me : Try restarting your computer.
Caller : Done it already. Like 3 times...?
Me : Did you turn off the printer when you restarted the computer?
Caller : Yes.
I can almost imagine him...eyes wide open, light bulb on his head.
Me : Would you mind checking if you were able to turn ON the printer?

Now tell me. Tell me honestly. How can you print if the printer is TURNED OFF?

Ask me if I get pissed off...

The answer is NO. I roll with laughter. Coz if everytime I encounter callers like that and I get mad? I'll be in the hospital.

And that is why I'll never consider a career in Call Centers. I don't have anything against call center agents. It's a reputable, lucrative job. That's why I don't yell at them when if I get pissed off (oh this is a different story now) coz there's a silent kinship in there. But the thought of having those encounters everyday is unthinkable. I'd rather enjoy programming rather than talking on the phone giving troubleshooting instructions to... never mind!

Just as I was writing this post. A friend of mine posted a joke on his facebook wall. I can't help but laugh at it coz I can really identify with the situation. Here. I copied it.

Tech Support : 'I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop.'
Customer : 'OK.'
Tech Support : 'Did you get a pop-up menu?'
Customer : 'No.'
Tech Support : 'OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?'
Customer : 'No.'
Tech Support : 'OK, sir. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?'
Customer : 'Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click'.'

What A Lame Excuse!

"Reasons are not reasons. They are excuses."

Whoever have said those lines were probably fed up of hearing lame excuses. But for me, it was more like : a reason is an explanation while an excuse makes it sound like it was okay.

I have a co-worker who is such a terrible liar, pretentious and scheming, who uses her very worn-out reason, no, her worn-out excuse everytime she takes a day off from work. It all started last year when she was diagnosed with a condition in her throat that needs urgent medical attention. She keeps seeing her doctor then for check-ups, laboratory etc. After 6 months or so, she's cured.

To tell you frankly, it's not in my attitude to pry at the lives of other people or judge their actions because I too have my own lapses. But it really annoys me everytime she uses that Doctor's Check-up with my throat in her leave form. I know she has to see her doctor every once in a while to make sure her throat condition doesn't recur. But seeing your doctor like every goddamn week? I hope she's not fucking insane. Be creative with your excuses girl, duh!

What makes me feel bad even more is that her boss doesn't have a single inkling about it. I'm really tempted to tell her boss the real reason behind her frequent absences but I guess it's none of my business so I'll keep my DAMN. MOUTH. SHUT.

Anyway, her not-so-cunning move leads me to ponder on what do most people write in their leave forms. My nosy personality got the better of me so I queried the database. You'll never know how far some people would go just to come up with a decent-sounding, funny, lame, dumbfounding excuse. Hmmmmm...... I could actually use one of these someday.

The following returned a significant number of results so I considered them to be topnotchers.

LBM (or diarrhea)
 > Oooppss! Eating right now? Anyway, I wonder if this stands for Loose Bowel Movement or Looking for Better Management? The latter is a common sickness when you're aging with the company and boredom kicks in.

Important Family / Personal Matters
 > It means you have a job interview (Personal) or currently contemplating a job offer which offers higher pay and tempting benefits (Family). Lie better.

Family Reunion
 > You're attending what?! Excuse me, but I guess family gatherings are usually held on weekends when everyone is off from work. So what's up with family reunion on a weekday? Busted!!!

Family Problem
 > When you're too dumb to think of an excuse. Use this!

Take Mother/Father/Daughter/Son/Wife to the Doctor
 > Uhmmm... I guess Filipinos are just family-oriented. Aryt?

While these refer to unknown or still-to-be-known illnesses :

Asthma Attack
 > I'm serious! Someone really wrote this. I'm glad it wasn't heart attack or he will never had the chance to submit his leave form.

Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI???)
 > Ah, did you mean Urinary? Or I'm the one stupid?

The following are uncategorized, weird, mind-boggling excuses :

Went to children school
 > What are grown-ups doing in children school? Ahhh... She went to her child/children's school.

Pull-out tooth
 > OH.MY.GOD.THIS.IS.GROSS.
Read : Went to the dentist for tooth extraction. I guess that sounds better. Awww..dentist!

Went to the Doctor, wife is sick.
 > I'm confused. Who is sick? You or wife?

Holiday with fiance
 > Wow! Brewing romance... ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS!
Okay, okay. I'm envious.

Waited for my sister
 > Oh, where were you dear sistah?!

Car won't start
 > Oh! Don't you have feet?

There's a preparation to be done
 > Mind telling us what?

Attend wedding
 > Oopps! I think this is me. I use this excuse most of the time hahaha! Guilty!!!

Heavy rain
 > And since when did heavy rain became an excuse? Read the next item.

Drenched in the rain
 > Oh I see... Now I understand. Let me introduce you to umbrella.

Attend an important business affair
 > Interesting! An engage employee and a business magnate at the same time. I hope this is not a case of conflicting interest.

Having a hard time breathing
 > Oh my god! Call ambulance now! Fast!!!

Fell down the stairs
 > Ouch! *shouts* Who put these toys in the stairs?!

My husband didn't go home
 > I guess she's now coordinating with the local police for a joint 24-hour manhunt operation.

Mauled by a drug-addict neighbor
 > Poor thing...

Tired
> Dear Employee,
 I'm tired of hearing your tiresome excuses. If you're tired with your job, you might as well rest your tired ass and never come back.

Love,
Your Tired Boss

So, would you like to add your own version on the list?

What to Post. What to Write. What to Say.

Now what?!

Is this what they call a 'Writer's Block'? Sure it is... But I'm no writer. I just love to write. Writing well and love to write are two world's apart.

So let's just say I'm having 'Dry Spell'.

Ooopppsss!! Don't get me wrong on that note. I'm not a drug addict or a sex maniac. I just can't think of something to write. For many days now.

Someone HELP........!!!

Even my sentences wouldn't go longer than ten words. (try counting them) Oh my!!! This is certainly not me! My mind is dry. Like I'm having a severe drought. Oh blame it on the weather!!! It's scorchingly hot outside. The heat waves had apparently gone to my head making their way to my brain cells subduing every creative juices left on me.

Whoah!!! I'm back on track. I just made a 23-word sentence which is pretty normal to me. 

So back to the main topic - Dry Spell.

Lately I'm running out of issues/rants/adventures/thoughts/anything-under-the-sun posts. Not that nothing's happening in my life. I just can't figure out what to write. Does that happen to you?

You have something in your head...

You sit infront of the computer...

You end up staring blankly at the screen...

Fingers aiming at the keyboard...

Just like this????

Poor kitty cat.

Or you force yourself to type something and your composer would look like this : 

Mine's actually : zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............

I'm dozing off to dreamland.

To further investigate the causes and reasons of the temporary psychological inability to begin or continue on a piece of writing.... SHUT UP!!!

Excuse the lengthy definition.

What I'm trying to say is : I made a mental note of the reasons why I can't come up with a decent, upbeat post lately.

1.) WORK

"All work and no play makes Janjan a stupid girl."

I've been busy with work lately. (oh?) Don't bother contradict this statement. It's your word against mine. Who's side you on?

SQL scripts have gotten to my system. It's even haunting me in my sleep. In case you ponder what does SQL mean, it's Structured Query Language. A programming language for getting information from the database.

Look at that!!! Aren't you grateful you learned something from me? Hahaha!

So everytime I face the computer starting to write my post, the screen would morph into something like this : 

Now tell me I don't have the most boring job in this world.

2.) Haven't Read In Awhile

I always believe that reading stimulates your writing ability and mind creativity. I haven't read a good book since 'The Last Song'. Just so you know, I cried a bucket while reading it. It's just sooooooo sad.

3.) I Need A REAL Vacation (No, not necessarily vacation. A short break from work will do.)

Calling the attention of my boss out there....

Leave permission will be at your table sooner. And you have no choice but to sign it.

Wait a second....

I thought I couldn't write but seems like I  made a lengthy post already. Hahahah! Dry spell seems to be a good topic. I should have renamed my title to : Dry Spell - makes you write, right?

Back to work...

Signing off...

Misadventures on my job hunting

Four years ago, I thought to myself this will be the last company I'd join in. My mother has been complaining about my constant job hopping, resigning from one company to another and she's threatening me to better move my ass back to Butuan if this fad continues. I'm nearly convinced I found the niche to my retirement when I was hired in... ooppsss! sorry, I'm not gonna mention the company's name. Besides, I've grown tired answering questions like how do you see yourself five years from now, what are your strengths and weaknesses, tell me about yourself which I'd most certainly want to answer : "read my resume for god's sake it's all in there!" Now, after four years, the boredom syndrome is beginning to resurface. The need to detach from my current work and the urge to settle for another employment becomes imminent. I'm back in the job hunting game again.

Last week I started sending out resume' to a prospect. Fortunately I was called in, no, they texted me actually to come for an exam and interview. I was also told to bring an updated copy of my resume'. I figured the copy I have sent is already updated and if I'm going to bring another copy with me it will be just the same with the one I emailed, so why bother?

I arrived early at the venue together with my colleague who is also on the brink of ditching his job. And just like me, he didn't also bring with him his resume'. We were given the exam and to my surprise it's not the usual abstract reasoning, mind-boggling test that requires your mathematical prowess to be in action. I am to write an essay or letter to a client answering his query about the company's product and services. And since I'm not familiar with their service, or more appropriately what the company is all about, I made assumptions and wrote whatever comes to mind haha!

Now the misadventure starts here.

The interviewer would not let us without our resume'. So off we went looking for a nearby internet cafe and we found one not too faraway from the building. Apparently the joke was on us. Their printer is not functioning. We went outside the IT Park walking under the heat of the sun hoping to stumble yet another internet cafe with a cooperative printer. Thankfully there was one just a few blocks away but there's no vacancy and no printer at the same time. What the heck! So people don't need printers nowadays huh? When asked the incharge if he can recommend another functioning and fully equipped cafe without me fainting before I'm able to get there, he replied that it's about three blocks from their place. Now I'm beginning to suspect that my lying of the real reason why I'm absent is causing the jinx and this printer hunting activity.

Anyway we were able to print our resume' and proceeded with the interview. I actually consider myself to be a veteran on job interviews what with all the countless interviews I've had but I can say on this one I s-u-c-k! Really. Apparently they're looking for someone who has an advanced knowledge in excel. The position requires a lot of generating of reports with the help of the demon of all softwares. Alright, excel! Well, it's not that I don't know how to use it but it's not also like I'm using it everyday. (Unless we're talking about SQL here..geezzz.) Sure I know some conditional formatting but I cannot say I'm on the "advanced" level. Though I kinda had the underdog feeling I was able to finish the interview without my defenses crumbling. I will not be keeping my hopes high on this. I just hope they will consider me for the final interview.

Leasons learned :

Always follow what's on the SMS. If it says bring 20 copies of your resume', so be it. It won't hurt anyway, but going around for like 30 minutes really does.

Brush up on your excel from time to time.

And most importantly, don't be complacent.