SHUTTLE STORY

Tonight I took the shuttle in going home since I wanted to walk although I'm already tired. It's my exercise for the day. To start with, the line was quite long and so I waited for my turn. Behind me are 3 Korean teenagers joking around and talking loudly. I didn't mind them, I just kept on listening to Jack Jackson's serenade and waited for the shuttle service to Quiapo.

When it arrived, I took the seat in front but not next to the driver. I prefer to always seat by the window. When it was our turn to pay, the driver noticed that the Korean kids paid incorrectly. Instead of Php 90.00, he only got Php 60.00

He was trying to tell the kids but to no avail so the lady next to me translated in english what the driver wanted to tell them. Slowly and loudly the lady asked first how much they paid and told the kids that the fare is Php 30.00 each. After some time, the koreans understood and paid the remaining Php 30.00

After the kids alighted in the corner of Don Bosco school, the same lady commented that the Koreans are so loud and noisy and they are rude and all the negative things one can say about a person. That most Koreans are like that and have bad character. However she somehow took pride in saying his Korean friend, and took emphasis that he's a guy, is nowhere near the Kid's attitude and that he's kind unlike the rest of the Korean population.

I was just thinking, people are the same all over the world. I think people who think that way are small minded and discriminatory.

It maybe true that most of them are rude and loud and I myself experienced that in Starbucks one fine day but the truth of the matter is all nations have good and bad citizens. It's of no use to glorify one and lambast another.

Sigh.

It is just unfair.

PAYING IT FORWARD

Yesterday we were successful to tape the different scenes for the manifesto and today we met up with the person who will stitch everything together. I'm so happy that the initial meeting went well. The boss liked the encounter with my new friend and his recent works. I am really positive about this. I believe in the talent of this person and I do hope that the next project slated for February shall be materialized soon.

He has a fun and light aura and it's not hard dealing with him even if he's not originally from here. The boss agreed with me that he's one type of person you really like to help out because he's just so open to anything. It was truly embarrassing for me to tell him the other day that we don't have a budget for this project and we can only provide him a token and he's still game and would like to do it. JUST AWESOME! I'll try my very best to contact persons who I think may help him out establish a career here. I know on his own he's beginning to be connected to the people from the industry he wants to be part of but well I hope another stretched hand is not too much for him =pD

I wish him all the best in his career. Just the best! I don't know why but I'm fond of him, not romantically, though he's a looker! He's just so much fun to be with, someone you can talk anything under the sun with. I just like him period. I hope I will be able to get to know him better and help him more with anything just as people who I know extended their hands to help me get to where I am today.

Just paying it forward, I know... PAY IT FORWARD.

I SHALL RETURN

And now I am returning after that very unclimactic saga and painful struggle to survive my ever loving migraine. I was not productive last Tuesday but went back to work the following day.

So I returned ... and I was happy I did! I went through the usual grind but I was surprised the brainstorming was today and so 20 mins past 10 we were all inside the function room of Dome Cafe to discuss the Team's plan for 2010 and beyond ... at least our three-year plan as requested by the big big boss. We were happy she gave us a budget to come up with an out of office planning session and thus this gathering.

We were all complete and I must say very productive. At the end of the session, we left the cafe happy and satisfied - our stomachs won't even deny this jejeje!

Few minutes after I settled in my workstation, I went to the pantry to try to see what the commotion was all about and lo and behold! I was asked to be part of one of the scenes for the manifesto the marketing department is tasked to do for the Group's General Assembly which will be held next week.

As usual I took the opportunity and acted ... oh well, I was smiling all the time and can't believe I was doing this again jajaja ... but it was a welcoming experience. Another productive day I must say. And I'm making a comeback to my sleeping 'showbiz career' jajajaja ( in the corporate world I should say ).

I decided afterwards to have my hair dyed, this I know is long overdue and I finally had a go with it. So, I went to the Salon and had it done. I was having second thoughts of visiting 'Her' since it's a bit late but I know 'Her' house is open 24 hours so I just hailed a cab and off I went to 'Her' place as promised last week.

I arrived there safe and went home salvo y sano. Muchas gracias a Madre Maria. I was so happy I am able to fulfill my promise and I will try cada Miercoles. It is so amazing to note that I only had enough for my taxi fare in going there, going home, and going to my work tomorrow. Everything came into place today and I can't thank Her enough for always ensuring I have what I need.

I just hope She also provides more than what I need next time jejeje!

JUST ANOTHER MANIC MONDAY

For starter I woke up with a migraine. Thanks to my dear monthly friend. And because of this I was late and sporting a grumpy face with big eye bags in the office. I know I need to do a lot of things and emails to answer but all I did especially in the morning was massaged my head and closed my eyes. The air conditioning didn't help! It's too cold for me but I was glad I had my ever reliable shawl to cover and protect me from the grueling artificial coldness.

I already forewarned my boss regarding my condition and he was just surprised to see on my table loads of food which I ordered over the phone before he came in. Yeah yeah, HOARDER is my middle name. I was thinking I needed to store food since I was not feeling well. I also needed to take medicine so it was really unnatural for me to have heavy breakfast in the office. I actually ordered 1 piece chicken, apple pie, and sausage Mcmuffin which will enable me to last 'til lunchtime. But as expected, I only was able to finish the Sausage Mcmuffin since I'm already full. It took me too long to finish it since I didn't have that much appetite. I ended up bringing the rest of the food home, as expected ( again ). I was glad I felt a little better after taking the med.

In the afternoon, I headed to another dept. situated in another city to discuss my proposed corporate video and I was so happy to know from the head himself that they've already asked a famous local composer to come up with a song for the company. And he wanted to have an MTV with that. I showed what we did for the British Bank that I used to work for and I'm so glad he liked it! They are also planning to look for people who can sing within the organization. Just LOVELY!

I told them I know somebody who can direct and help us come up with a video and my contact said we may need his service after the song is finalized. The video is slated to be shown in our annual Leader's Night in February. With this the composer has to finish it asap else we may be too late to produce the video.

I'm very positive about this. I'm just so happy that in my own little way I'm contributing to my company not just in the aspects of business but in corporate advertisement as well.

I still have some things to write about but I have to stop to get a good night sleep and rest my mind. I need this so I can play tomorrow ... it's TUESDAY FUTSAL TIME!

Let me kick balls , LITERALLY & FIGURATIVELY ! * wink *

BACKPACK

This is the most irritating call I've received this year so far. It was so illogically irritating that I can't help but think why she thought that way.

For her to call me and asked where I am just because I went out of the house with a BACKPACK is a bit off. Can I not get out of the house with a backpack? I always let her know if I'm going to be in an out of town trip and won't be sleeping in the house. Besides, it's not the normal hiking bag that I use whenever we have climbs!

I'm a kid NO MORE !!!! I truly hate this!!!!!

FRIDAY, MY DAY

It's the first Friday of the first work week for the year and I can say it's pretty interesting and exciting!

For one, we celebrated Mass this morning and funny thing is I was close to being late and was about to go to the designated chairs for us who will attend the Mass when suddenly the personnel from BCAD handed me over the lyrics of the songs they will sing in the Mass and blurted " O Choir ka na! "

It was a pleasant surprise and a good invitation for me since I used to be part of the SCB choir and so I obliged and stayed with them. =pD Now that's one good thing that I did today.

Second is, I was able to help out our Marketing Department source an editor for the presentation that we shall be using on the Card Group's General Assembly slated on the 21st. I volunteered a new acquaintance who I know can do the job. It's just embarrassing and unfortunate to note that the Sales and Marketing Department who are in charge of the event don't have a budget for it but I was able to haggle with them - at least give the guy a gift certificate and Rudy Project Watch. They told me that they'll ask approval from THE HEAD. I really hope they give him something for doing this job. My new friend agreed and he will meet us on the 14th, THAT is really something because I know he's also busy now and working on a 'real' project. I vowed to myself I'll make up for this and will check my contacts or those connected in the industry that he's part of. I really hope he will be successful here if and when he decides to stay and establish a career.

Moving on, I've done most of the things my immediate boss and the Division Head have asked me to do. For one, my PA is already done ( at least its draft ) and I was given a high rating this year, pretty far from the ones given to me by THAT department head that I used to work with ( truly thankful I'm outta there ) ... THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I know I deserve this since I worked hard last year or let me say " as always ", it's just that this time, the Division Head is very appreciative and he acknowledges the good work that I've done. He's one person I really look up to and he's doing a good job too as the Division Head. No wonder he was promoted again last year. I can share stories about him but that's another blog I suppose jejeje.

It was such a treat that they already provided us the clothing allowance - Woot! Woot! My department mates mostly dined out but I preferred to buy cheap meal since I need to save up again for my ' Birthday Trip '. ( Sooooo looking forward to that EVERY year ).

There are still some good stuff that happened today but to top it all, The Friday Group met up again. It's just sad that only four made it, including me of course since I was the one who normally initiates it.

Anyways, even if there were just the four of us girls, we still ended up going home past 4 in the morning. As always, we never ran out of things to talk about. We never ceases to laugh. And most importantly, we never stopped taking pictures to document the night.

Meeting these girls and the rest of the Friday Group is one of the highlights of my 2009. I can talk anything under the sun with them and most importantly explore the beautiful mountains and the Philippine's countryside. With them, I am able to reinvent myself. And REINVENTION now is KEY!

* wink *

P.S.

I FINALLY was able to complete the Starbucks Stickers which means I can already claim my planner and ... I DID TONIGHT! Looking forward to take down all the noteworthy experiences in 2010. WOHOOO!!!!!!

UNDER HER CARE

I've always been a Marian devotee since grade school. Thanks to my Catholic education and upbringing at home. In school especially during October, in the Catholic world, it is considered the Rosary Month and we always start the class with one mystery of the Rosary. I always bring with me my Rosary and I already lost about 2 of them. The recent one happened last year during the month of May if I'm not mistaken when I accidentally dropped it when we left the campsite in Bagsit, Zambales. The group is planning to go back there this year and if they do, I will definitely go with them to find my lost Rosary. It has been with me since 2000 if I remember it right. It was a gift from my friend's Mom when she went to Lourds France. I HAVE TO GET IT BACK!

It's made of red wood and whenever it gets wet and dries up, the wood expels a rosy fragrant. Such a lovely smell to sniff!

Anyways, I went to Baclaran church tonight after work and I was planning to attend the Holy Mass but unfortunately I was late. I saw on the Novena booklet which I bought tonight before going inside the church that the last Mass sked was 7P.M.

Now I know. I will just try to be early next week. I didn't go to Mass recently, not being proud of it but I am just not motivated. However, this doesn't mean I don't believe in Him. I know there's no valid excuse on this and I must admit I'm not doing my job very well as a Catholic.

Hopefully in the coming days, the fervor jumps back! Will try harder. But one thing is for sure, no matter what happens to me, I always run to Mama Mary. It is under Her care that I feel the motherly love aside from my biological Mother. There's not a moment that she has forsaken me whenever I ask for Her guidance and help.

I know in her I am well taken cared of just like a regular Mom. And I will always believe in that.

See you again Mama Mary next week! And it is a date! * wink *

A PLEASANT SURPRISE

I was called in in the office of the Division Head this afternoon. I used to report directly to him before the buy out and I am already used to him calling me and instructing me to do some things.

This time there's just a very big difference. After giving him updates on his prior inquiry, he told me that the Branches are happy with my work, that the Head of Card Centre is happy too and that he's happy as well that I am doing a very good job. He knows that my position is a hard one since I have to ensure that the relationship between the two groups are intact. Not to mention making the Branches happy by providing fast and efficient service to them.

I became teary-eyed when he mentioned that he has plans for me and that I just have to be patient. That I already know what he's getting at.

I KNOW and I truly thank him for everything. I am truly grateful to him for being appreciative of my work and making me feel important.

His parting words were ' KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK '

... I WILL.

BACK TO THE GRINDSTONE

It's the first day of the work week. First working day for the year 2010. What are my firsts today? Hmmm , let me do the counting :
1. I had a real breakfast this morning - longganisa meal from McDonald's - yummy!
2. I delivered successfully one humungous request from a client endorsed by a Branch Head.
3. Received a phone call from another Branch Head which has a potential production for the group.
4. I prepared a memorandum.
5. I paid my dues on the first banking day of the year.
6. I stashed my savings to pay my dues jajaja.
7. I started using my new Nine West Bag, new year, new bag ! Woot! Woot!
8. Distributed the banana cakes I baked for friends in the office. It's my belated Christmas gift and my New Year's gift rolled into one. The first gifts I distributed for this year. * wink *
9. Prepared the previous minutes of the meeting in time for tomorrow's first top team meeting.
10. First lunch for the work week is Laing with rice, another yummy treat.
... And this is the FIRST TIME of not having a Starbucks Planner to log all these things. Not yet done I know but I'm still having high hopes that I will be able to finish collecting those stickers before the due date. * crossed-fingers *

I know these are not the only firsts but these are the things that I can think of right now. I know and I'm very hopeful that 2010 will provide me with all the GOOD FIRSTs in the coming days.

ONLY GOOD ones .... AMEN!

2010 ... AND BEYOND

It's been years since I posted on this blog. Starting 2008, Hotmail Space was my home but 2009 I just made one entry. Guess I was too lazy to update my online journal. This year, I will try to express my thoughts in words again.

For the past years, I've been meeting interesting people, walking on unchartered lands, and continuously reconnecting with friends and acquaintances from the past ... thanks to this vortex called Facebook jajaja

Yesterday marks the start of a new year, it's the 2010 and I am very hopeful of what this will bring me and my family. Yesterday, I know I started my year right by visiting relatives and having fun with them again. We already had our yearly reunion last Christmas but I know that was not enough. They were my childhood playmates and I normally spend my summer in their place. I've gone fishing with one of my cousins together with my 2 sisters and in the evening, I had a videoke night with another set of cousins. We are all grown ups now and they have their own families already but it is refreshing to know nothing has changed. Family is love indeed.

I still have a lot of thoughts right now but let me just share the ones which I discovered just awhile back.

I was checking updates of my friends and I saw this video. I was truly amazed at how they did this considering there are 156 countries involved and they are singing a song together all at the same time!

I can't help but post it on my account.

After some time I came to realize me and my former colleagues from the british bank that I used to work for also did a music video. I was part of the Bank's chorale and there was one inter Bank competition for a music video which the Philippines was excited to join ... and we did. Although we were not able to bag the first place which would give us a chance to go to London, we ranked 6th among all the countries who joined. If I'm not mistaken, South Africa won the competition.

Super thanks to whoever posted it in YouTube, I get a remembrance now ! Woot! Woot! It was a very memorable, remarkable, and note-worthy experience for me and the group. After this, we even had a TV guesting in one of the networks here. Our CEO then was invited for an interview and we gave several intermission numbers by singing a couple of Christmas songs since it was the yule season.

I truly love this Bank. This is where I got my first job and grew up in the corporate world. But as they say, you have to move on to achieve higher grounds. But then again, I will always be grateful.

I guess 2010 is not just a time for starting anew, but moreso ... FOR REMINISCIN' * wink *