I'm home alone again. It's the second time this month. The first time was the birthday dinner (for Matt-Matt) at Spiral and today's the second time. Mom, Ni, and Zel are in Subic with A-ku and family, and my Dad went to Batangas. In a way, I like having the house to myself, but one day is enough. It gets sorta creepy after a while. Hehe.
New module started today at Alliance. New teacher too - she seems interesting. She has 40 cats at her place. And i thought that having 12 dogs was a major feat @@
Yui's new album^^ is coming out this April. She's one of my favorite Japanese singers. Kinda like the female Avril Lavigne.
-0-
On my way home from French class today, I saw a man selling these water sprayer plastic containers. I was thinking, "Wow. They sell all sorts of things these days, from children's toys to bottled water to cellphone chargers and passport/license holders to water spraying containers." Such vendors are so prolific that i wonder what about this particular vendor caught my attention. He was "sales talking" the driver of a green Nissan van. The driver was interested in buying the water spraying contraption and the vendor was demonstrating how to use it. I noticed how nicely he was explaining how to use it, how he'd smile while gesturing. I watched the vendor collect the payment, give the driver change, and walk off swinging his wares here and there to the rows and rows of cars.
Earning money is hard work. Each person has his own way of earning a living. A vendor walks the streets all day and only gets to sell how many of his wares? I guess it was nice to see how his face lit up when somebody bought something from him. One could say that he lived for those moments. In fact, it was precisely because of those instances that he is able to earn money. But what caught my eye was the interaction between the two men as the vendor was demonstrating how to use the sprayer. I couldn't help but compare that personal interaction with the exchange of money that came afterwards.
It seems that the world is powered by economic and monetary exchanges. I hear a lot of talk about running businesses, maximizing resources (workers included), and investing money. I see how society is being run by consumerism. So, witnessing that scene, I was happy for the vendor because he was able to earn money, but i was more touched by the exchange of smiles and words between the two men. Money doesn't buy such genuineness. Let's not lose that human connection, that personal touch. Quoting from theo141, labor must always be superior to capital. Man is more important than his work. Work is only a means for man to realize his being human; it is not an end in itself.
May we value the people who work hard and give them the respect and credit that they deserve~
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
murphy's law
last day of training today. so i guess "official work" starts tomorrow, and i have no workstation yet =(
in today's training (where we had group report after group report >< ), we were given a sheet with a few statements that stemmed from murphy's law (i don't know exactly what the law is about), which i found interesting. So, a few examples:
No matter how long or how hard you shop for an item, after you've bought it, it will be on sale somewhere cheaper <--Don't you just hate how that happens?!
The other line always moves faster.
In order to get a loan, you must first prove you don't need it.
Everyone has a scheme for getting rich that will not work.
When a broken appliance is demonstrated for the repairman, it will work perfectly.
Anything good in life is either illegal, immoral, or fattening.
In case of doubt, make it sound convincing (*for theo and philo orals! ^^)
in today's training (where we had group report after group report >< ), we were given a sheet with a few statements that stemmed from murphy's law (i don't know exactly what the law is about), which i found interesting. So, a few examples:
No matter how long or how hard you shop for an item, after you've bought it, it will be on sale somewhere cheaper <--Don't you just hate how that happens?!
The other line always moves faster.
In order to get a loan, you must first prove you don't need it.
Everyone has a scheme for getting rich that will not work.
When a broken appliance is demonstrated for the repairman, it will work perfectly.
Anything good in life is either illegal, immoral, or fattening.
In case of doubt, make it sound convincing (*for theo and philo orals! ^^)
Sunday, March 11, 2007
yellow lady
it's been a while since i've sat back and enjoyed a good read. i have lots of books on backlog, and i'm reading through them now that i have the time to.
yesterday, while waiting for eizel at her tutoring place, i read Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl. It's a lovely book. The storyline's quite simple actually, but I love how it's written. It's the type of book you can't put down until you're done (at least for me it was ^^ ). Also, it's set in the time of princesses and castles, kingdoms and wars, and i like the not-so-archaic medieval stuff. i'm reading enna burning, the second book of her bayern book series.
reading a good book makes me feel that with a little effort (okay, maybe more than a little) and a lot of imagination, i could probably write a good book. i think though that i've been reading so many books by american authors that i'd probably end up writing a book about american pop/teenage culture. I could write a book about teenage angst but with my high school experience, i don't think it'd be very exciting >< maybe, i'll just concentrate on emotions, then find some fictitious situation to let all these different emotions run free and resolve themselves. from time to time, i should do writing that's structured and creative ( i hope).
--
top 12 finalists in american idol! who will win this time? the girls are pretty good! for the guys, i like blake, chris, and the guy who was compared to JT before.
--
still attending training sessions at work. it's like school all over again but i'm getting paid. Hehe
And i have a workstation now =D
--
B's going to japan tomorrow. I want to go too. The cherry blossoms are going to be in full bloom already, either next week or the week after next. Such a beautiful sight~
yesterday, while waiting for eizel at her tutoring place, i read Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl. It's a lovely book. The storyline's quite simple actually, but I love how it's written. It's the type of book you can't put down until you're done (at least for me it was ^^ ). Also, it's set in the time of princesses and castles, kingdoms and wars, and i like the not-so-archaic medieval stuff. i'm reading enna burning, the second book of her bayern book series.
reading a good book makes me feel that with a little effort (okay, maybe more than a little) and a lot of imagination, i could probably write a good book. i think though that i've been reading so many books by american authors that i'd probably end up writing a book about american pop/teenage culture. I could write a book about teenage angst but with my high school experience, i don't think it'd be very exciting >< maybe, i'll just concentrate on emotions, then find some fictitious situation to let all these different emotions run free and resolve themselves. from time to time, i should do writing that's structured and creative ( i hope).
--
top 12 finalists in american idol! who will win this time? the girls are pretty good! for the guys, i like blake, chris, and the guy who was compared to JT before.
--
still attending training sessions at work. it's like school all over again but i'm getting paid. Hehe
And i have a workstation now =D
--
B's going to japan tomorrow. I want to go too. The cherry blossoms are going to be in full bloom already, either next week or the week after next. Such a beautiful sight~
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
four seasons pizza
today was the last day of onboarding, which is like an orientation for new hires. the 8 of us - ash, kat, emjae, shienna, albert, joyce, marie, and i - had lunch at yellow cab. they specifically ordered the four seasons pizza so that i'd have something to eat ^^ it was sweet of them. starting tomorrow, a few of us are going to continue with another traning session while some are proceeding to their respective job roles.
my fellow new hires are fun people. most of us are fresh grads. we met on the very first day of work while waiting in the lobby because we didn't know where to go. We pretty much stuck together after that. My team members seem pretty cool too. We haven't really worked together yet, but we're given tasks to do separately since except for one, the other team members haven't really started working yet. we're taking training courses, and i think there's a lot more to come. i'm looking forward to starting actual work however, wondering if i'll like it or not, whether i'll survive it or not.
i've been waking up at 6 every morning, and i'm sleepy when i get home. school, with all its homework and requirements, wasn't this tiring. now, i don't think i've fallen asleep later than 12. the nice thing though is that i don't have hw to do at home. so my time after work is basically free time =)
my fellow new hires are fun people. most of us are fresh grads. we met on the very first day of work while waiting in the lobby because we didn't know where to go. We pretty much stuck together after that. My team members seem pretty cool too. We haven't really worked together yet, but we're given tasks to do separately since except for one, the other team members haven't really started working yet. we're taking training courses, and i think there's a lot more to come. i'm looking forward to starting actual work however, wondering if i'll like it or not, whether i'll survive it or not.
i've been waking up at 6 every morning, and i'm sleepy when i get home. school, with all its homework and requirements, wasn't this tiring. now, i don't think i've fallen asleep later than 12. the nice thing though is that i don't have hw to do at home. so my time after work is basically free time =)
Saturday, February 24, 2007
blessings
God has blessed me with so much these past few days.
I got a good grade on my philo paper on narnia =) Plus i was able to write something lucid and sensible for my marcel quiz earlier this morning.
I got a job offer from IBS, which I will take. I have to prepare documents like TIN, NBI clearance, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, etc. Went to the Valenzuela branches earlier with my dad. So far, only applied for the clearance which will take a week to process (which is unfortunate coz i need it on Thursday). I still can't believe I have a job (i need to perform well the first 6 months)! The downside (if you would call it that) is that I start next week, on Thursday. After my finals on Weds, I have to report to work on Thurs. Then i'll have to take a leave from work on Friday to attend the thesis conference and on March 30 because i'm marching ^0^ Right now, I just feel like everything's spinning. I haven't really had time to breathe and think. Although now that i think of it, it kinda scares me - going to work. New environment, new people. It's like the first day of Ateneo all over again. Hehe.
I found my SSS. I've been rummaging all over the room, wondering where i (mis)placed it. I got it two years ago i think and had forgotten about it till it appeared as one of the employment requirements.
Also, I'm grateful that God has given my family strength and guidance to overcome certain challenges.
*Today was the last-ever regular day of school. Finals next week. Crunch time!
I got a good grade on my philo paper on narnia =) Plus i was able to write something lucid and sensible for my marcel quiz earlier this morning.
I got a job offer from IBS, which I will take. I have to prepare documents like TIN, NBI clearance, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, etc. Went to the Valenzuela branches earlier with my dad. So far, only applied for the clearance which will take a week to process (which is unfortunate coz i need it on Thursday). I still can't believe I have a job (i need to perform well the first 6 months)! The downside (if you would call it that) is that I start next week, on Thursday. After my finals on Weds, I have to report to work on Thurs. Then i'll have to take a leave from work on Friday to attend the thesis conference and on March 30 because i'm marching ^0^ Right now, I just feel like everything's spinning. I haven't really had time to breathe and think. Although now that i think of it, it kinda scares me - going to work. New environment, new people. It's like the first day of Ateneo all over again. Hehe.
I found my SSS. I've been rummaging all over the room, wondering where i (mis)placed it. I got it two years ago i think and had forgotten about it till it appeared as one of the employment requirements.
Also, I'm grateful that God has given my family strength and guidance to overcome certain challenges.
*Today was the last-ever regular day of school. Finals next week. Crunch time!
Monday, February 19, 2007
pre-finals week ramblings
i feel as if i haven't written a real entry in ages. i probably haven't.
i feel that the next few days are going to be a blur. my head's a melange of marcel's metaphysics of hope, pope john paul II's laborem exercens, my business chinese dialogue on international trade payment methods, my psychology of leadership paper, and of course, the here-and-there job interviews and pre-employment tests.
i have had interviews at ibm business services and philamlife. i will be having another test at accenture tomorrow afternoon. i've had interviews at both ibm and philamlife too. i don't know whether i passed the japanese test ibm gave me but they did call back last week, although they haven't called again. i don't know if i want to nail a job or not. of course, the wait for that always-seems-longer-than-it-really-is phone call, bearing good or bad news, is always tedious and anxiety-ridden. Then again, i'm thinking once the job offers come in (i hope at least two companies tell me i'm good enough for them. if not, that'd be a serious blow to my ego ><), how am i to choose which is better? So, i've decided to leave it to God and let Him guide me. I'll take the tests and interviews and when it's time to decide, i'll pray i make the right decision. But of course, i'm counting my chickens before they've even hatched. let's stick with passing the tests and doing well at the interviews first.
i wanted to go to canada after i graduated, spend a month or two there, see what opportunities await. Plus, the change in environment would do me well too, i guess. But since i'm doing the job hunting full blast, i suppose the land of maple syrup and my childhood memories will just have to wait.
I'm also thinking of taking up Spanish lessons. Me gusta estudiar espanol porque es muy interesante. ademas, me interesa las lenguas extranjeras ^^ With regard to french, i'm slowly (but surely???) regaining my lost ground. Now, i'm concerned about my accent. I borrowed some psych magazines in french and i've been recording my voice to see if i have a filipino/chinese/english accent. One thing i've discovered, with absolutely no relation to french accents and whatnot, is that my voice sounds distorted or weird on a tape recorder. Is it just me or is it naturally that way?
I will end this entry here and go work on my leadership paper now. Have to analyze and reflect on my interview with Zest-O's chairman, Mr. Alfredo Yao. My grandfather helped set up the appointment. They're tennis buddies. How cool is that? ^^
i feel that the next few days are going to be a blur. my head's a melange of marcel's metaphysics of hope, pope john paul II's laborem exercens, my business chinese dialogue on international trade payment methods, my psychology of leadership paper, and of course, the here-and-there job interviews and pre-employment tests.
i have had interviews at ibm business services and philamlife. i will be having another test at accenture tomorrow afternoon. i've had interviews at both ibm and philamlife too. i don't know whether i passed the japanese test ibm gave me but they did call back last week, although they haven't called again. i don't know if i want to nail a job or not. of course, the wait for that always-seems-longer-than-it-really-is phone call, bearing good or bad news, is always tedious and anxiety-ridden. Then again, i'm thinking once the job offers come in (i hope at least two companies tell me i'm good enough for them. if not, that'd be a serious blow to my ego ><), how am i to choose which is better? So, i've decided to leave it to God and let Him guide me. I'll take the tests and interviews and when it's time to decide, i'll pray i make the right decision. But of course, i'm counting my chickens before they've even hatched. let's stick with passing the tests and doing well at the interviews first.
i wanted to go to canada after i graduated, spend a month or two there, see what opportunities await. Plus, the change in environment would do me well too, i guess. But since i'm doing the job hunting full blast, i suppose the land of maple syrup and my childhood memories will just have to wait.
I'm also thinking of taking up Spanish lessons. Me gusta estudiar espanol porque es muy interesante. ademas, me interesa las lenguas extranjeras ^^ With regard to french, i'm slowly (but surely???) regaining my lost ground. Now, i'm concerned about my accent. I borrowed some psych magazines in french and i've been recording my voice to see if i have a filipino/chinese/english accent. One thing i've discovered, with absolutely no relation to french accents and whatnot, is that my voice sounds distorted or weird on a tape recorder. Is it just me or is it naturally that way?
I will end this entry here and go work on my leadership paper now. Have to analyze and reflect on my interview with Zest-O's chairman, Mr. Alfredo Yao. My grandfather helped set up the appointment. They're tennis buddies. How cool is that? ^^
Sunday, February 18, 2007
countdown
one week left till finals.
this is it. i can actually see the end to my four (+1) years of university.
happy chinese new year everyone ^0^
i want to go see Music and Lyrics
this is it. i can actually see the end to my four (+1) years of university.
happy chinese new year everyone ^0^
i want to go see Music and Lyrics
Monday, February 12, 2007
whirlwind
two weeks left before my senior year officially ends. it's going to be a very busy two weeks. i'm fighting the urge to just bum around. together with the tests and papers, i'm also somewhat occupied with job searching. have an interview with philamlife tomorrow although i'm not sure if i'm really inclined to the insurance business.
yesterday, i spent half the day watching trailers for bridge to terabithia, nancy drew, premonition, the number 23, miss potter, the pursuit to happyness, because i said so among others. making trailers seems to be a cool pastime. maybe i can give it a try once i've unloaded myself of schoolwork.
chinese new year is coming up too. tikoy and all those red-colored food ^^
have to go finish my philo paper now. Cooperate with me, Marcel! Heigh-ho!
yesterday, i spent half the day watching trailers for bridge to terabithia, nancy drew, premonition, the number 23, miss potter, the pursuit to happyness, because i said so among others. making trailers seems to be a cool pastime. maybe i can give it a try once i've unloaded myself of schoolwork.
chinese new year is coming up too. tikoy and all those red-colored food ^^
have to go finish my philo paper now. Cooperate with me, Marcel! Heigh-ho!
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