From the monthly archives: February 2008
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, people of the online world…this is my 500th post. I am seriously too tired to do some celebratory whatever, and I really planned to write this sometime else when I’m more clear-headed and not stressed out. I was supposed to write this one yesterday, but I was too strung out yesterday to write anything even of little substance.
Plus, it would be better to write today seeing as this day only comes once every four years, right?
To be honest, I’ve never been so stressed out in my job ever since I joined the company until now. It suddenly feels like we have so much workload and so many things to do outside work that it’s driving us crazy. Or at least, driving me crazy, but only because I’m neurotic like that. :P Hah. Sometimes I wonder if I took up too many responsibilities, if I have bitten off more than I can chew. Or if I just simply lack time because I’m on midshift and all the work comes in at midshift and all other activities just decided to come in this month too. Ack. I don’t know the reason, but two things for sure: February is the busiest month I’ve ever had, and I will definitely be resting after this. No extracurriculars, only the real work I have to do. I will devote my free time into rest & relaxation to practice work-life balance but in the cheapest way possible because I’m almost broke (which means no Nike golf…but then again I don’t play golf).
But February is just about to end. I still have tons of stuff to do today, but before I finally prepare for work, Joni tagged me to write down 10 simple joys, or 10 things that recently made me happy. I’m sure this would lift my spirits up somehow, and be ready to face the stress of today. Let’s see…
- Finishing one of our project team’s objectives for the quarter, and almost finishing this other one.
- Two consecutive dinners with IBM Club friends.
- Watching the footages of our account’s team building last December. Good times.
- Being able to pray more the past few days, especially the other day when I got hit by something God told me. Iyak tayo, dali.
- Meeting up with some college friends last weekend.
- Buying new clothes for a friend‘s upcoming wedding this Saturday. :)
- Receiving a commendation from a client.
- My brother who fetched me for the entire month of my midshift, despite our initial agreement of me going home by cab twice a week. Thanks Kuya. <3.
- Despite all the stress, the planning for our Barangay Hall. It’s stressful, yes, but I love being behind the scenes. :D
- Today is my last day of midshift! Wohoo!
I’m supposed to tag people…but I’m too lazy to start linking people up. So to anyone who wants to do this, feel free to do so. :)
I should get ready for work; I still need to buy a wedding gift for tomorrow. I need to do something unique today — this day comes once every four years, you know. :D
Next week, we’ll be moving out of our current office and transferring to a new yet older office (since this building is older than the one we’re occupying right now).
In a way I feel kind of sad that we’re moving out of our lovely 10-floors building where elevators are fast (so fast that we can even do elevator races and no one ever bothers to say “UP!” whenever an elevator is closing in on them, because the next elevator is already there), and we have an entire elevator wing to ourselves. Goodbye to the brighter walls and the non-magnetic cubicle walls, our HUGE pantry, and how we’ve all been comfortable in our spots for the last eight months. See?
Okay, our desks don’t really always look like that. This was taken six months ago, during the International Week at work. We planned to have our dogbone — as what we call our tables — decorated in a Pahiyas Festival theme with a GIANT sunflower. We did all of these in a day. =D That’s my table on the right side, the one with a Switchfoot wallpaper. It looks a lot less cluttered then, you should see my desk now. Heh.)
Yes, I’ll definitely miss my building. It feels as if I would never be step in that building anymore, which I know I still will, but not as often. Hay.
But I’m not dreading moving into the new-old building anyway. Though the elevators there are slower, and the walls and dogbones there are less colorful, the walls are magnetic, and we can pin stuff on the walls so at least there’s more “decorating” powers. Plus our team would not be isolated anymore since our Ops Lead and Ops Manager decided to put us right smack in the middle of the wing which we will occupy, in the middle of all the other teams where some hardly knew us. :P That should definitely perk things up, especially when it’s my turn to be on mid/night shift again. Come to think of it, it would be fun to go on night shift there again, since we’ll all be in one wing, and we won’t be “alone” outside from all the other teams. It would be just like a training room once again, since we have one whole wing to ourselves. :D
Yes, I believe in optimism, which is why I do not dread moving that much. :)
And speaking of decorating…if our walls weren’t as colorful as it is right now, I might do something like this. Hm, like I would really be able to do something like this; it’s hard enough to bring plants in at work, let alone maintain it. Hehe. But it’s a nice idea; if only we have something like Ikea or directbuy to get nice and cheap furniture stuff. I know there’s Ikea PH already, but I find some of their prices a bit too expensive. >_>
But that move isn’t for another week. I still have to focus on other more important things, like the upcoming Barangay Hall, the docs stuff, and yes, more work. But it’s okay, God’s with me anyway, and with Him, we can conquer everything. :)
So I woke up late again today because I slept early this morning, and the first thing I saw on TV was the Oscars on TV, which I ended up watching for the last one and a half hours in the comfort of our leather home theater seating (…which is how I liked to imagine it). :P Now, I’m not really much for foreign actors and actresses (heck, even local) as I’m not much of a movie watcher who remembers who the actors and actresses were unless I really loved the movie…so it wasn’t such a big thing for me. But I enjoyed watching the show, especially during Jon McLaughlin’s performance of So Close (Enchanted! ♥).
This made me remember my younger years when the “best” writing I can do was all done in scripts. I used to write Sailormoon episodes in script format back in elementary, where I made sure their new powers came out in my stories. When I stepped in high school, I became the default scriptwriter for our Ibong Adarna, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo plays and the Florante at Laura video. I loved doing it even if it required me to read ahead, because I get to deliver the story in dialog, which our books totally lacked back then. In college, we had a video production class, where I wrote a 25-page script for class, and then another one for our finals. I think that’s one of the reasons why I have a hard time writing descriptions in my novels. All the dialog in the scriptwriting made me rely on dialog. :P
I think that’s also the reason why I can see some — if not all — of my stories being filmed. At least in my imagination. Complete with soundtrack. Haha. I can imagine scenes that seemed to look better when done live than on paper. Or maybe that’s just my lack of descriptive powers (as of now) that’s making it like that.
I think it would be really cool to have your written works on screen…even if they sometimes butcher it. Heh. My friend Chris did that to one of my works in high school, which I never got to watch so I didn’t know how it turned out. ^^; But seriously, I’d love to have anything I’ve written be acted out. It doesn’t even have to be in Hollywood — it can be just in our local cinemas. Fall Like Rain? Whee.
But first, I have to finish writing that. :D
Enough of the daydreaming; I should get ready. Shopping with mom in a while! :)
Side comment: Ack, I feel like my writing is so…disorganized. I feel like I can’t gather my thoughts correctly and write them down on the blog. Eh, this is what stress does, I knew it.
I know, I know, I’ve been a very delinquent blogger lately, it’s not funny. My only excuse is that I’m very busy at work…and I’ve got a lot of things on my mind. Like…work. And all the other stuff that comes with it, like extracurricular activities, and projects and stuff. Eeeh. Hello, am I a workaholic? Eep. Plus the fact there’s nothing really interesting to write about now, because all I am busy about is…work.
Gah. I need a break.
Ironically, I took a break yesterday by watching a movie and going to Timezone and shopping with some of my college friends…and we all talked about our own work. Ack, it just doesn’t end! Why can’t we talk about something else…like HDMI switches? Or okay, maybe not, because why the heck would we be talking about that? Anyway.
Tomorrow…I mean today (since it’s already 12:45 am), I need to shop for a dress for an upcoming wedding. I plan to go out and get something since I didn’t get to buy a top yesterday, as well as get the wedding gift bought already. I’m torn between shopping by myself and shopping with someone. I like to shop with someone as it’s excellent bonding time, but sometimes it’s tiring, especially when there’s so many people. It’s also quite tiring shopping by myself because sometimes I don’t trust my taste. Eh. This is what happens when you hate to shop when you were young. >_>
But I need to find something to wear for that wedding…else I’ll end up wearing something I usually wear to work. That’s not good. Plus I want to buy white shoes too, since my shoes are just about to break.
So I guess I will go out tomorrow. I mean, later. MUST. GO. OUT. I’m going to end up using my new credit card (hereby named Lizzie) because I haven’t paid for Sylvia‘s bill and I need to save cash. >_> And if I’m going shopping tomorrow, I should start my mantra already: I’m gonna find something nice that fits, I’m going to find something nice that fits…
Wait, that’s not my mantra.
I am beautiful the way I am, and I will find something that looks really great. I am beautiful the way I am, and I will find something that looks really great.
Ooookay. That should cover my semi-blog leave…by rambling. I really should sleep.
It just hit me. It’s February 17 today…which means only one more month till I turn 22.
Eeeeh. Just as when I’m really enjoying my being 21, I have to face turning into another age.
Then again…age is just a number. Right?
So now I’m thinking of what gimmick I shall be doing on my birthday. The fact that my birthday falls on a Holy Monday (for the first time ever since I can remember) kind of shortens the list, as I don’t want to have any parties or big eating things on the day itself as I plan to fast during Holy Week. That, and I’d probably be too tired to do anything since I have a scheduled team building with the IBM Club the weekend before my birthday.
Now…what to do, what to do…
I could just opt for shopping. My birthday IS after payday. :) New dress, new shoes, new underwear, new pants, tops, hoodia (okay, maybe not that), new books…or even a spa treatment. Like I said, no bigtime treats, except maybe for my family only — and let me just add yet, especially for people who’d visit this and react at that :P — but maybe I could bring something to work. Like…a dozen Krispy Kremes. Or something like that. I could also bake a cake — like that double layer chocolate cake I’ve been planning to make for the longest time — but I think I’d do that on Easter. Double celebration, yes? :)
That’s all I could think of for now. What’s really cool is that my dad’s going to be home on Holy Week. Yay. :) So la familia’s complete on my birthday. :D
My brother’s asking me for a wishlist, which I have yet to compile for this year. :D The one at the very top of my list is the bookshelf, followed by the external hard drive for Aslan. Of course, there’s the still much-awaited sunflower, or that I-can’t-believe-you-went-through-all-this birthday surprise…but a Pilot G-Tec C-4 0.4 black pen would be okay too. ;)
FINALLY. This long long week is over. My past week has been filled with essentially non-work related stuff since my time has been eaten up by extra-curriculars. I tried squeezing in some work in between (which almost got me in trouble, but was resolved much thanks to “teh master”)…but now it’s over, and I can finally focus on real work. :D I missed that. Hah.
My Valentine’s Day was actually quite surprising, besides the entire tiring bit. I got to work and immediately started delivering flowers, leaving them on the tables of the night shift people since it’s only day shift and seeing the delighted smiles of the girls (and some boys) who received flowers from their co-employees. It was kind of hard to see other people who’d look at us wistfully because they haven’t received anything. If only I could afford it, I’d give something to everyone…and believe me, I know how it feels to be left out on this day.
Interestingly, it was really nice to be able to make people smile on Valentine’s. It’s true that there’s more joy in giving, which is why no matter how tiring the entire flower delivery thing was, it was still fulfilling. :)
But the next time we do that, I’ll make sure we have all their workstation numbers. Heh.
My Vday was actually quite…nice. The nicest I’ve had for the longest time. I did buy flowers, but I never got the chance to give them — I didn’t even get to hold them. There was a shortage of flowers for the serenade service, so I offered mine for the use. Alvin surprised me with one rose though, and I really appreciated it even if I snapped at him at first because of the bad mood. Heh. Then after one batch of delivery, I headed back to my desk and saw two more flowers on my table. One was actually Gel’s, which she left on my table, while the other one was mine (pictured on the right, fuzzy picture by Captain Tal). Both our flowers were from Rosco, our resident flower guy who barely had any sleep for the week. :) Thank you!
But what really clinched the day was the surprise at night, which turned out to be a non-surprise after Alvin spilled. Haha. I was finally sitting at my table, working when I called Alvin to tell him that Ron was already there, then he tells me what’s about to happen. A little while later they were starting to crowd behind me, then Gel taps my shoulder to get my attention and I say, “Is it time to react now?”
Long story short, Gel made my “dream” come true: I got serenaded for Valentine’s Day, much thanks to IBM Club. :) Altogether now, awwww! :”> Even if I was spoiled of the thing beforehand, I enjoyed it very much. :D Thank you!
So there was my February 14. It was tiring, yes, but it was also the nicest Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had. :) I spoke too soon, yes, and I am very thankful that the day wasn’t what I expected it. Thank You Lord, for making me smile on that day.
Life is now back to normal, with me having to focus on one of my other extracurricular stuff at work and my real work, and finding ways to cut my spending as I had a lot to pay for this month (I wrote my biggest check ever last payday! Eeep) — from Aslan and Triskal payments, life insurance, credit card bills and the everyday expenses, and I still have to buy a dress and a gift for a friend’s wedding in the next month…so I have no time to even look at home insurance quotes, not only because I don’t have money, but because I don’t need it yet.
Now I’m about to indulge myself in MTV’S Daria, which I finally finished downloading last night — all five seasons! :)
I hope everyone has a great Sunday. :)
So. The “obligatory” Valentine’s Day post.
I slept at 4:00am this morning because we were fixing stuff for IBM Club’s flower delivery today. I’ve never been so stressed for Valentine’s Week, and this certainly tops everything. I’ve been up to my ears with EVERYTHING, and I’ve snapped one too many times at too many people because I’ve got too many things to do and other people are just too busy doing other things and I really shouldn’t let that bother me, but it does. How about that for spreading the love?
So if you see my YM status for today, it’s me reminding myself to be patient: I will love the people I find hard to love. Even if it kills me. Happy heart’s day! @};-
Sooo…on the subject of Valentine’s Day. As opposed to last year’s V-day, this year is a bit…no, not sadder…just a bit less happy than I want to be. I wish I could say I’m not bitter about all these Valentine’s hoopla, but to be honest, I am. Just a bit. It’s like what I said here, I was processing serenading requests and flower requests and as much as I don’t want to think about it, I can’t help but wonder if someone got something from me. Not from anyone in particular, but just someone. Anyone. A friend, a teammate, whoever. It’s not that I am asking for anything expensive like a plasma cutter…a simple flower will do. Or chocolates. Heh. But I ended up fixing all flower orders and no, my name wasn’t there. Except when I decided to buy some flowers. Who are those flowers for? No, not for myself, but I might just end up keeping one. Hah. Kidding. Oh, but my dad gave me flowers last night…thanks Pa! :D Continue reading »
Since we’re on the topic of Lent, and Ash Wednesday just passed, I found this piece I wrote last year for Jun, for his email distribution list. I find it funny how the thing I wrote really happened, and how many emails and text messages I received that day because of this thing. True, love life is a big thing for everyone, even if a lot of people deny it. :P
Anyway, this was posted on Godchicks, but since the site is kind of hibernating right now, I’m reposting it here for everyone’s…I don’t know, enjoyment? Haha. I hope you guys will be blessed with this one as I was blessed writing and reading it. :)
My Lenten Sacrifice
(March 9, 2007)
Two years ago, I gave up boys for Lent.
Today is the start of the Lenten season, and I think that this is the earliest Ash Wednesday I can remember. This year holds the earliest Holy Week too — with Holy Monday falling on my birthday. I have mixed thoughts on that, but let me get back at that later. :)
Earlier today I heard mass with some officemates and I was amazed at how many people heard mass today — the usually not-so-full chapel overflowed outside, all the way to the street. I remember my dad and I joking about how the church is filled to overflowing during Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve mass, and suddenly we realize how many people really live in the village. Only in the Philippines. ;) But it’s nice to see the chapel overflowing with people; it gives me hope that people still care.
I was listening to Lifeteen‘s Lent Overview podcast earlier and Mark Hart mentioned how he used to not like Lent as much as he liked Advent when he was a kid, because Lent means sacrificing a lot of things, and it always happens to be Friday whenever he wanted to eat the most meat. I have to admit that I used to think the same thing. I hated how during Holy Week, there’s nothing to watch on TV. I hated how we all have to be inside and stay inside and be forced to attend masses, go through the entire Bisita Iglesia in the heat of summer. I was happy when Easter rolls by because that means I can finally eat normally, and there’s no somber mood around the place.
It was only recently that I started to appreciate the entire season, and that’s what I plan to impart to you for the next few weeks until we reach the “climax”. I think this is really something we should take time to reflect on. :) You don’t have to be a real estate agent or a priest or a really “holy” person to appreciate this season.
In the meantime, here’s the podcast I mentioned earlier for your listening pleasure. :)
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If you haven’t heard mass yet, there’s still time! I’m sure there’s another one (or two) masses before this day ends. And I’m also inviting you to join the 40 days of prayer and fasting led by Bo Sanchez. Click on the link for more details. :)
So today I start mid shift.
FYI, I’m still home. I’m leaving in a while though, because I need to hear mass at Eastwood since it’s first Friday. Plus, I need to get at the office early to get some work done since I have two meetings tonight, and I won’t be able to get stuff done.
Ah, the price of being busy. The past two weeks I felt like I was on midshift all ready because of all the meetings I have to attend (it’s a miracle how I can still blog — thank you short free time), but I still go to work early because of sheer laziness of commuting on my own in the afternoon. It’s okay anyway; I get more things done that way. :D
It’s been a sort of crazy two weeks. Tonight’s meeting consists of planning and an education session about some other stuff I should know. I’m not complaining; it’s fun to be involved, since it’s been a long time since I was involved in stuff. I get to meet a lot more people, be hands on with the activities, and I really, really like that. :P Of course that means I’m more tired and there’s a lot of things to do which means a bit more stress after some time, but a little stress is good. They’re not really complicated and I don’t have to learn how to do anything complicated or something I haven’t done before (like install Grohe faucets, for instance), though there were some brain-dying moments. But I’m good. :) And besides being good for my resume (heh), I like what I’m doing and it breaks the monotony of everyday web editing. :D
I have a feeling this month’s going to be crazy too; with all the stuff I need to have finished. Plus I always feel like my hours are short when I’m on midshift as opposed to night shift, where my hours are looooong. I didn’t mind the extra allowance, though, but really, I prefer to sleep at night than during the day.
My ten minutes of posting are up, so I should get ready if I want to get there in time for mass.
