My Frustrations Bottled Up

I so wanted to move up. But I just had to get a memo over a petty thing which I believe could have been avoided. Still, I think that was uncalled for.

Now that that's out of the way. Lemme say a few things to Implementation Managers in general. Think hard on who you are getting. How can you be sure that that person is better than I am? To put everybody up to speed with things. I was eying for a promotion where in I was turned down because I did'nt have the experience they were looking for. Now, is that why people call it "promotion"? Don't they have things called "trainings" for that?? What makes an L1 going to a Team Lead or a Team Lead going to a manegerial role differ from a Fresh Grad going to L1? Nothing!!! But why do you guys prefer laterrals over new blood?? How stupid it is when you ask someone if they have experience over something they don't normally do. Of course the general answer would be NO.

The reason why I stayed in this company is because I was led to believe that "if you stay long enough and work hard enough, you can get promoted". But that isnot what we are seeingnow are we? You would rather get someone who has been in and out of the company three times in the last 3 years over someone who has never left the company at all.

Another thing that bugs me is the fact that they "NEED" the person badly that they threat us on not getting the candidate if we don't release them earlier than we can. Then at the end of it all, you extend the deadline. Stupid. Just stupid.

First Post in 2007

Hard to believe that it's August of 2007. Can't believe my "little" sister is turning 23. Can't believe that most of my friends are married. Can't believe that I'm a few months away to my 3rd Decade. Can't believe that I'm still working at my first company. (6 years and going... strong??)

Many things have happened from my last blog. New church, additional friends. New insights, yet, still the same person. Gotten wiser? I hope so. But circumstances and people around me make me think otherwise.

I wanna move out. I wanna be independent. What's the use of wanting to settle down with someone when I can't even take care of myself. Haaaaaaaaay.

More of this, in a bit.

We're Baaaaaaaaaaacck!!

Yeah, yeah... We decided to bring GREEN back. (notice that it is not spelled GR33N anymore). Why the comeback? I need an outlet. Work is not all that is cracked up to be. You think the reports are tough. Heck no. It's the people. A collage of personalities who think that they are all unique but really think alike. How stupid. They think they are concerned for someone else but really are concerned with themselves. Again, how stupid.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand; GREEN.
The line up:
Eboy - vocals
Niño - bass/vocals
Leo - drums/vocals
*Paolo - guitars/vocals
*Nikko - keyboards

*New members

We'll pretty much be playing the same tunes with Nikko and Paolo's input, of course. Can't wait.I'm feeling that our sound will be phatter. We've got Stevie Wonder, Jamiroquai, Eric Clapton just to name a few.

Hope it goes well.

My Principles

You just cannot think of a reason why things appear the way they do. Sometimes you just wnat to go to the back of your house and, hopefully, find that blasted reset button. But no, you just have to accept it the way it is.

Being a Christian is not all that it is cracked up to be. I mean, yeah, we have principles, religion, beliefs and the like, but there are those times when you wish that there is this exception, even for a little bit... Or at least get that star in Super Mario Brothers where everywhere you go nothing seems to affect you.

Some of my friends understand what I mean, Wowoo does. He just went through one a few weeks back. It's tough sticking to your principles when someone comes along and, for some reason, changes your "5 year plan". Don't get me wrong, the change is ok. I don't mind it. In fact, I welcome it. But it then goes back to your principles and beliefs. Demet.

To most of you who don't understand what the f*ck I'm talking about, you're lucky. At least you'll survive without needing to understand it.

Oh well... What's for lunch?

Having to End it All

A few weeks back, a friend texted me this odd message that I had to forward to all of my friends. It gave them the opportunity to ask me ANY QUESTION and I cannot not answer it.

So I forwarded it to a friend who I fell in love with. Take note when I say fell in love with, it was just one way. I was the fool who fell in love with this person.

Anyway, we were "doing fine" as friends when she suddenly asked me, "how'd you feel about me getting married?"

That's where it started, I told her I felt awkward about it and that she should not expect that I go to her wedding.

Then it all came back. All the time I've wasted on this person who never valued me as a person.

Then as fast as I texted her all the bad things she did to me, I asked to end the friendship.

I don't think it affected her... Should I be, then?

Girls... The never-ending "huh?" factor... Part 1

Today I've been browsing through my friendster profile (as do all Filipinos with an access to the internet and a fair knowledge of the damn thing) and started browsing through all of my female friends' profiles... and by this, have reached a conclusion: At a certain age, girls tend to grow into this certain persona where they should look cool, hip, and sometimes sexy to get our attention.

Want proof. Take the "tongue" pose. Never have I seen a single girl profile where they don't have that pose: wrinkled nose with a pink tongue halfway outside the mouth. Why do they do it? I don't f*ckin' know... same as with the girls who are still 14,15, or 16 posing to be 18,19, or 21.. they try ways to make their profile look "ultra cool" but makes them look like kids more obvious.

They make a certain smile that is evident in ALL pictures. Trying their best to look unique but after going through 49 other pics, it is the same smile over and over again... on a different background, anyway.

Why do they do this? To get our attention and distract us... For world domination, maybe.

Talk About Irony (or Karma, is it?)

Last weekend, In my four years in SYKES, this is the first global picnic that I will be known coming from another account; let's call them K... A few weeks before that, my team -- let's call them, P1 -- and I talked about what will and can happen that day and they teased me by saying that I will be hanging out with K and leave them alone... Of course it made me think. I should let go because this is where I am now.

So come the 18th, I only hang out with the K peeps for a while but would exert every effort to be with P1 and what happens? They leave me to their friends and I am left alone drinking with some other group..

The irony..

Higher Calling

A higher calling... Which one is it? Should I continue be a Team Leader at a very good company or take a chance and go back to playing music with GREEN?

Made me think about what has happened with me musically. I started playing in church last 1992 and from there met a few people and formed different bands such as Blue Lite Fever, Kulai Kahoi, w8, PISTOL, Heavy Traffic, Badjaz Theory, GR33N, now GREEN.

When I started in church, I didn't know what a chord was then I learned from and performed with the best. Bing Rodrigo, Ray-An Fuentes, Ruben Aldea, Anna De Guzman.

Then outside church, I played with the best too: Loren Orendain, Nino Mesina, Carlo Sison, Paul Benitez, Maik Arce, Francis Magat, Leo Barrite. Then started meeting groups like: Peace Pipe, Salindiwa, Eternal Now, T.A.E., Homegrown and the list goes on and on.

When I started in church, I thought of the PWT being the best of the best. The ELITE Ministry. But as time goes by, it really should be a humbling experience. You will be there for a while then before you know it, someone better comes along and takes your spotlight.

Last Saturday, I was priviledged enough to meet and talk to Bel Cruz, if not the best, one of the best pianists IN THE WORLD.

Then the list of great mosikos -- not musikeros -- come in the open: Jun Regalado, Ray Saga, Baby Francisco, Ka Bel. Then not to mention that I've met their kids: Jun Jun Regalado (MOJOFLY), Raymundo Saga Jr. (GREEN) and the list goes on.

Now that green is still waiting for me to come back, I was thinking of self producing. hmmm.. sounds good. Let's see... WHILE my schedule does not allow me to do so.

I will definitely end up in music.. or will I?

Damn Syet

July... 5 months after my "promotion". God! 5 months already? Sounds that long but feels so fast. 5 freaking months as a team lead but I don't feel like I've matured as one. Still struggling. Still confused of what I should do and what I am actually doing.

Yeah, the first 2-3 months were gruelling, stressing over something that hasn't arrived yet. Getting sleepless weekends thinking, "what if the customer calls back looking for my sorry ass? what next?"

Then there are those SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) who, I think, were designed to whine and grope at EVERY little task they feel they are not obligated to do. Yet, they want to move up. Ironic, isn't it? They gripe and gripe but if you ask them what's going on, they say that everything is fine. They are ok, I guess. They just need to take time to simmer down and be grateful for what they have. I mean, if they just see the things we go through, I think they'll think twice and just be thankful that they are where they are.

Then there is this unspoken tension among peers. Well, Mark, Jet, Jaz, and Mike, I look up to. God knows where I will be without them. Then there's Llaverne who gets picked on. Makes me think, "God! give her a break! she does not deserve this! she's busting her ass to make work a little better for everyone."

Why can't girls just get along?

I mean, us guys. We blend. Mark, Mike, Jet, Richmond and I don't have any worries. swabe lang. I mean, something does not feel right, we tell it straight to each other's faces, accept the fact, then move on. That simple. Yeah, there are some ego issues, but we learn to live with it. Girls? Argh! A different story altogether. You have to be careful not to step on their ego or it's the cleaners for you. "First Impressions Last" holds true to girls. Once you've made your mark and they don't like it, to hell with you. For us guys, we just give the person a hard time at first and when he has proven himself, he's in. I mean, can't girls be a little more accepting?

Then there are my agents, a collage of personalities. One moment, they are alright, the next moment they are back biting everyone in sight! Can't step in because it's none of my business. But as I've told them, if it starts to affect the way they work, then I'll step in.

Sure hope all the things I need to learn, I learn it quick. It's tough being a team lead without all the tools you need handy. That is why I look up to Mark, Jet, Mike, and Jaz... they seem to know what to ask, when to ask, and why they need to ask it. All I do is nod.

6 more months... that's all I'm asking. If all goes well, I'll be ready enough to move up again and be an Account Manager. IF all goes well...

Damn Syet!

July... 5 months after my "promotion". God! 5 months already? Sounds that long but feels so fast. 5 freaking months as a team lead but I don't feel like I've matured as one. Still struggling. Still confused of what I should do and what I am actually doing.

Yeah, the first 2-3 months were gruelling, stressing over something that hasn't arrived yet. Getting sleepless weekends thinking, "what if the customer calls back looking for my sorry ass? what next?"

Then there are those SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) who, I think, were designed to whine and grope at EVERY little task they feel they are not obligated to do. Yet, they want to move up. Ironic, isn't it? They gripe and gripe but if you ask them what's going on, they say that everything is fine. They are ok, I guess. They just need to take time to simmer down and be grateful for what they have. I mean, if they just see the things we go through, I think they'll think twice and just be thankful that they are where they are.

Then there is this unspoken tension among peers. Well, Mark, Jet, Jaz, and Mike, I look up to. God knows where I will be without them. Then there's Llaverne who gets picked on. Makes me think, "God! give her a break! she does not deserve this! she's busting her ass to make work a little better for everyone.

"Why can't girls just get along?

I mean, us guys. We blend. Mark, Mike, Jet, Richmond and I don't have any worries. swabe lang. I mean, something does not feel right, we tell it straight to each other's faces, accept the fact, then move on. That simple. Yeah, there are some ego issues, but we learn to live with it. Girls? Argh! A different story altogether. You have to be careful not to step on their ego or it's the cleaners for you. "First Impressions Last" holds true to girls. Once you've made your mark and they don't like it, to hell with you. For us guys, we just give the person a hard time at first and when he has proven himself, he's in. I mean, can't girls be a little more accepting?

Then there are my agents, a collage of personalities. One moment, they are alright, the next moment they are back biting everyone in sight! Can't step in because it's none of my business. But as I've told them, if it starts to affect the way they work, then I'll step in.

Sure hope all the things I need to learn, I learn it quick. It's tough being a team lead without all the tools you need handy. That is why I look up to Mark, Jet, Mike, and Jaz... they seem to know what to ask, when to ask, and why they need to ask it. All I do is nod.

6 more months... that's all I'm asking. If all goes well, I'll be ready enough to move up again and be an Account Manager. IF all goes well...

Damn Syet!

Welcoming 2005!

Shift 4
Date: December 31, 2004
Work Shift: 2am-11am

Shift 5
Date: December 31, 2004
Work Shift: 10pm-7am

Question:
What's wrong in this picture?!

After my 2am-11am shift, I HAD to attend the Inventory Team meeting. In preparation for the year -end grand inventory. WHICH ended at 12:30PM... Got home at around 1:30, had lunch and a little pep talk with my mom til 4:30PM.

Take note, I have to be at work before 10:00PM to be on work on time... BUT since it is New Year's Eve, There are many New Year's Eve Parties and Makati is no exception...

That means, I have to wake up an hour early to beat traffic, which means that I have to wake up at 6:30...

So do you think sleepiong for 2 hours did the trick? Heck, no!! I didn't feel that I was sleeping... It just felt like I closed my eyes for 10 minutes and there my alarm went. (damn!)

So I took my bath, grabbed a little bite to eat and sped off back to work to avoid traffic and probably gcatch a few ZzZzZz's.

But lo and behold, the party outside my office was already starting and the band that was playing was BAMBOO; one of my favorite bands. That actually gave me a good start of my day.. err... night (well, the day did not actually end, but.. you know what I mean...

I was able to take a few good shots and a few good video clips even if I was no less than 90 feet away from the stage. I can say I'm pretty proud of myself.

So from a bad end of 2004 ended to a good beginning of 2005. Cool bands, cool friends. Can't have it any better than that.

End result: I was able to welcome 2005 with open arms and an open mind.

It sucks to be me today.

One of the funniest phrases I've heard all year. Well, there are your few funny lines such as:

"You complete me"
"Show me the money!... I love black people"

This one took the cake:... A friend had a very bad day that day. Unfortunately for him, His mishaps were extremely funny. Each story he'd tell me would be a belly-aching laugh one after the other. Surprised, he lookede at me with that questioned look, shaking his head in disbelief and said, "well I'm glad your happy at my expense." turns around to end the phrase with, "My bad, my fault, it sucks to be me today."

That shut me up. Not because I felt guilty or anything, but it made me think of life in general. It made me realize that I've had my fair share of disappointments. Me getting kicked out of college, me totalling my dad's car, also in college. Me initially bullshitting my start in my job. The list goes on and on.

Lesson learned: It made me be a little bit more careful of the things I do and the things I will do. Nowadays, I would always think of a situation if it would be a permanent change or what have you. I'd think if this cause any alteration on what fate has planned for me.

First Blog

Believe it or not, I will have to thank a friend for introducing this to me. I will keep her anonymous because I know that she hates my guts now.

Anyway, I've decided to put up my own space to vent out any forms of frustration, sighs of relief, and signs of aggravation that come up. I will make sure that you, the readers, will be posted each time I feel an irk of discomfort in my ego.

Be seeing you around.

Punyemas na Buhay Ito O!

Merry Christmas!!!

Feelin' very shitty today... Must be sick of the job.. I was told why not look for another job.. What kind of job?? Another call center?? Heck no!!... Well, the pay is good, the friends are ok, the job isn't stressful. Only that it is really hard to move up.

You want to move up but somewhere along the way, something goes wrong... You blame management, but they always find a way of blaming you...

I really want to leave.. Better pay, better environment, more challenges... But the other half of me is afraid of the big change I will face...

Demet...

Ngarag!!

Yesterday, I had a shift from 9:00PM to 6:00AM... then nagkatraining session kami with Dom McEwin-King til 930 AM... go home at around 1045... Browsed for a while... got a call from My Destiny Internet to settle my account before the end of the day... I suddenly stand up leaving for the door when my dad suddenly told me that i had to pick my mom up at the MRT station in 20 minutes. So i decided to let everything go until adfter that so I took my 4-y/o nephew, Gabby with me.. i was tired as hell and wala na akong narinig kundi, "why is it like dat?" shit.. i forgot that i am in the car with sir blabs a lot... Met my mom an hour after kasi matraffic... Finally got to stop by E-PCI in Pasong Tamo to pay my freakin' MDCI Bill, and finally get to sleep at around 330PM.. woke up at 7 and sped off to work.. to train 5 reps to be techie... and I feel great.. ironically... damn it!

MY POWERFUL LIFE!

I'm starting to see my POWERS of being SL1.. I actually have some powers.. Whenever I need to do some stuff.. First priority ako kaya pwedeng tumakas sa calls (hehe)...

SL1 (YEY!) <- if you can't read sarcasm, this is what it looks like.

A few weeks back, I was just "promoted" to Senior Level 1.. What is this, you say? It is a position para namang may saysay yung mga ginagawa ko sa office. We are now 10 in the group and have been moved from our previous teams to Erman's team.. TEAM CHEWY CORN (long story).

I am at work now, finishing some reports and shit. Hope it ends well para naman sulit ang OT ko... Hehehe

Doobie is da Way!!

Now don't get me wrong... Here is the story behind this statement... Mart Rivera, drummer of Pinoy Stories, sent me through IM a copy of Doobie Brothers' Long Train Running... It's been ages since I've heard this song... For three days now, when time allows it (and kung wala ng mga TL ko) I play this song over and over again.. Because of this, it gets me through the shift and makes me want to form a band again.. I've thought of getting Carive (who's in the states now) and my cousin, Jet Romero (another cool story with this one.. ill post it one time)...

Haven't decided on what to name the band and who else to invite.. Yoyong? Pwedeeee...

Another Day

Today is the day we dont get calls... Labor day eh.. anyway, we were required to go to work at 9pm para isang shift nalang.. since walang calls, sabay sabay kaming mag lunch.. hehe

Hap Chan daw.. di ko alam.. bahala na

Coding

Deym.. Color coding nanaman!to think im on the 9-6 shift, I'll have to wake up 2 hours earlier to avoid the MMDA or the MAPSA to catch my sorry ass...*sigh*

Tapos ill have to extend my stay for another hour because 7 pa malalampasan ang coding...

THEN! pupunta kami ng bespren ko sa TheSPA *sigh* to help release these tense muscles... noks!

YET, tomorrow, I will have to go to work for an exam.. hope i get it (riiiiiiiiiiggghht)