Tag Archives: work

Dear Diary

Long Hours and Weekends

It’s Friday!

And I’m still at work! ACK!

I’ve been spending long hours at work lately because of all the…er, work, I have to do. For some reason, things have been piling up, both the real work and the extra curricular stuff. It feels like school all over again, with all the projects and extra curricular stuff that I used to be involved in. Couple that with the rainy season we seem to be experiencing lately, and I feel like Eastwood is my new Taft campus. Did that make sense?

In one of my meetings this past week, I was definitely feeling the stress (but that’s also because there was some kind of issue with the team before then, hence the more stress), but while I was at the meeting, I was feeling a bit…calm. My project teammates told me I look and act even more hyper when I have so much stuff to do. Eh, really? I didn’t notice.

But…maybe they’re right. Looking back, it’s not that I like having so many things to do, but my energy level doesn’t seem to die down, even if I was up to my ears with things to do. I’d like to believe I’m more focused than before and I finish everything on time, but that’s quite ambitious of me. :P I have learned, however, not to complain about the things I’ve committed to do. It’s pointless, see, when you accept some kind of responsibility and then end up complaining while you’re doing it. If the responsibility was forced on me, maybe I would complain, but I still had the choice to accept it or not. And once I’ve accepted a task, I always tell myself to follow through and to not utter any complaint when it gets hard…because it’s part of it. It’s like…buying prescription weight loss pills and then drinking them and then complaining of the possible side effects when it’s clearly written outside. Somekindalikethat. ;) Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, right? :)

Of course, I know I still complain every now and then…but I try as much as possible not to. So maybe that’s where my positive and hyper attitude is coming from despite of all the stress.

But…now it’s the weekend! Yes, and I think I’m done with all the things I need to do today. Which means, I can go home! FINALLY! And as of this writing, all my teammates have left. The night shift people aren’t in yet…so it’s only me in the team left in our area.

To all those on a trip this weekend, have a safe one and enjoy! To all those staying home (like me…sort of), enjoy your weekend too! :D

Dear Diary

Out of Whack

It’s such a pleasure to go through your to-do list for the day and check them off one by one. Right now I only have three more tasks in my to-do list for the day, but unfortunately, one of them is the long and meticulous one, and it’s already past 4. I don’t know if time is fast today because I have so many things to do, or maybe because I’ve been out of my seat since this morning.

I think it’s the latter. Erm.

Anyway, right after the summer outing, we’re organizing another activity for the company: a videoke night. Yayness. Of course it’s for night shift employees, but I’m staying after my shift for a while on Friday to help out with that. This is all unpaid work, by the way, but even it is so, I am enjoying it. I like organizing events, even if it’s very stressful. I like helping out, making the workplace a better place to work. Plus I get to meet lots of awesome people from different teams in the company, which I think is the best part of this. :D

But now it annoys me that I suddenly feel out of whack with my work. It’s not that I’m too lazy to work on my work; I just feel like I lack motivation of some sorts. Like I’d rather do other things than do what I usually do, or what I am assigned to do. Ack. I’m not getting sick of work, just…not in the mood to do so. Get what I mean?

Maybe I’m just having a silent moment, and true enough, I haven’t been speaking that much now. But then again, I had lunch with some people earlier and I had fun talking to them. So…what’s up with me?

Or maybe I’m just looking for female companionship, especially that pretty soon I’ll be the only girl left in the team. :|

But in fairness to being silent, it is actually quite satisfying not to talk that much, even more satisfying than owning a Ford grill. I should go on silent mode more often, yes?

I know, I know. This is another boring blog entry that no one would probably care about. I should start looking for more interesting topics, whatever they are. Erm. See, I’m so out of whack, it’s not funny anymore :-s

Dear Diary

Busy busy weeks ahead

It’s only Monday but I feel like I’m in the middle of the week already. And it’s not funny. Ack.

Today I was in training for work. Applied Project Management, which is a really nice topic. Today was quite fast, but I feel like tomorrow’s gonna take a while because of the wealth of topics we’d be discussing. Eh. And for some reason I’m feeling too restless, like I have way too many things to do.

Which…I think is true.

For one thing, there’s the two consecutive summer outings that was organized by the IBM Club. It’s sad how not too many people are interested in joining the outing, after all the effort. Oh well. It kind of disappoints me that some people in close teams aren’t going…but then again it’s their prerogative to do that, so I really don’t have anything to say. It’s just…sad.

But anyway, I feel like I have so many things to do! My next two weeks are packed, but most preparations only apply this week as next week I’ll just be doing the same things again. After the second outing it’s strat planning time, followed by another round of Altar Boyz with Reeya and Happy. Then I can FINALLY breathe.

But don’t get me wrong; I’m not complaining. I try as much as possible not to complain about the things I committed to. I mean, I said yes, so I have no right to complain. If I didn’t like it, why even say yes? And besides, I’m enjoying the things I’m doing, even if it is really tiring.  At least it’s a good use for my energy. :) Plus it’s really fun. :D And one more thing, I don’t appreciate other people complaining for me. >_>

Me thinks I’ll take a leave on the Monday after the outing. Can I risk it? I have a feeling I’ll be going going going going for the next days that I’m seriously going to need to recharge after all these activities…rest IS important, just like knowing about small business valuation.

I can do this. Lord give me strength.

And speaking of such. I should rest now. I still owe myself a couple of journal entries, and I need to sleep early (seriously) because of my training tomorrow. Pray for me this week please? :) Thank you!

Dear Diary

First of March

Yesterday consisted of:

  • Sleeping in late
  • Playing Heroes for a while in the morning
  • Dressing up
  • Jomar & Clarisse‘s wedding (Congratulations!)
  • Seeing old friends who I haven’t seen since the Switchfoot in Manila event
  • Seeing my Sociology professor in the wedding who I haven’t seen in five years and turns out to be Jomar’s friend. Small world!
  • Becoming an impromptu tech person to help out with the video presentation for the pre-reception event
  • Resting all night to recuperate from all of the past weeks’ activities.

Today I got to rest, more or less, and I think I’m ready for tomorrow’s back to work day shift. Interestingly, I have to fore myself not to work on anything that is related to work when I get home. Today I did some little work stuff, but that’s only because I want to be rid of that before tomorrow so I can do the other stuff we need to finish. Did that make sense?

Another thing, I’m becoming more…paranoid about the work stuff I left at work. Maybe it’s only because there’s so many things that we need to finish tomorrow which is why I’m thinking of that constantly, and I bet once we finish the workload (no more excuses now since we don’t have anything big to do), I’ll be functioning normally again. Heh. I’m kind of apprehensive with opening my email inbox tomorrow because I feel like there’s incoming “hate mail” because we haven’t done what we are supposed to be doing. But that’s probably just my paranoia again. Hee.

Oh, since we’re all talking about work stuff, I won something during our Barangay Hall last Friday. =D I got awarded as one the Top 3 specialists for the quarter. :”> I freaked out when it was announced because I was emceeing. Talk about awkward moment! I got a Php 1000 gift certificate from Rustan’s which I could use to buy…something. Oooh, I could buy a LeSportsac bag with that! :) I’m still going to pay a bit more to get a decent bag, but at least it’s not as expensive as Hilton Head rentals. :D

My mom and my brother have been bugging me to sleep because of day shift tomorrow, so I’m going now. Belated happy first of March!

Dear Diary

My 500th post is on a leap year and about simple joys

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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…

  1. Finishing one of our project team’s objectives for the quarter, and almost finishing this other one.
  2. Two consecutive dinners with IBM Club friends.
  3. Watching the footages of our account’s team building last December. Good times.
  4. 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.
  5. Meeting up with some college friends last weekend.
  6. Buying new clothes for a friend‘s upcoming wedding this Saturday. :)
  7. Receiving a commendation from a client.
  8. 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.
  9. Despite all the stress, the planning for our Barangay Hall. It’s stressful, yes, but I love being behind the scenes. :D
  10. 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

Dear Diary

Moving out

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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).

Our office...during International WeekIn 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. :)

Dear Diary

Post-Valentine's

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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.

Happy VDay :D 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. :)

Dear Diary

Mid Shift

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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.

Dear Diary, In His Steps

Refresher: It's Not About Me

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So my past week has been…crazy. I had at least one meeting every single night. I’m the head of a project team for our account for this quarter (which feels really heavy even if it’s really not since it’s mostly checking and whatnot…but I feel like I should be the one setting the standard for the entire year because I’m the first leader on rotation), became an officer for IBS Club for the entire year…and both of that is on top of my work. Then there’s actual work, which is not that demanding but obviously eats a lot of time and is my number one priority when it comes to the office.

No, I’m not complaining. I actually like this, the feeling of being busy and all. It can get me a bit bewildered at times because I feel like I’m so inept, and that I couldn’t possibly talk to the people who I will be involved with because I lack authority and I hardly know them. But overall…I think I can do it. I know I can. And besides, I did say I’d do something new this year, and this is definitely something.

Then I learned last Friday what my performance rating is for 2007, and I’m not really allowed to say what it is…but it’s definitely good. :) The results of that would definitely help me in whatever I want to accomplish later this year. I’m pretty sure I still can’t afford to have happy hours in San Diego, but it will definitely help me with my Aslan bills and probably Mission: Sydney. And I’m really, really grateful about it. As much as I don’t really like being on spotlight, it sure feels nice to be recognized.

BUT.

Continue reading Refresher: It's Not About Me →

Entertaining Angels, Randomnities

On Artists and Outrageous Concert Prices

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Ack, my lips are so itchy. I’m praying these are just windburned lips and not some kind of lip allergy from using a more than six months old lip shine. Eep. I’ve been dousing it with petroleum jelly for the entire day and it gets itchier after I eat since it becomes dry, and it’s so annoying. :/

I accomplished some things for one of my goals for 2008 for this month, which I will post about in an update soon. It’s got me a couple of thousand bucks poorer though, but I’d like to believe that’s an investment. Besides, I badly need them. :D Heh. In the next week I’d be accomplishing some other goals too, which means more late time going home from work because of lots of meetings. I’m kind of nervous about tomorrow’s meeting, though, since it’s my first time to hea one, and I’m not yet entirely sure if I understood everything. I’m not regretting being placed in this position though; I’m just nervous. Pray for me, please? :) After that, I shall prepare for my first ever presentation during our general assembly on Friday. Eep. :o Which reminds me, I planned to work on one document I should be emailing by tomorrow today, but then…there’s such a thing as work-life balance, so let’s make use of that. I’d have time tomorrow. :)

Speaking of work-life balance, I just heard from some friends that Maroon 5 concert tickets for their March 5 show in Araneta Coliseum are already available via TicketNet…and check out these prices:

Patron VIP (101, 103, 1st 20 rows) (Reserved Seating) – PhP 10500
Patron (Reserved Seating) – PhP 7875
Lower Box (Reserved Seating) – PhP 5250
Upper Box A (Reserved Seating) – PhP 3938
Upper Box B (Free Seating) – PhP 2625
Gen. Admission (Free Seating) – PhP 1575

Look. At. Those. Prices. More than a thousand bucks for General Admission?! My gosh. What can you see from GenAd anyway? And ten thousand for one ticket? What if you’re on the 20th row already, is that still worth P10,500? OUTRAGEOUS. That’s even more expensive than assisted living software (I think)!

Then again…I remember Josh Groban front seat tickets are P25,000 each…so this looks small compared to that. BUT STILL! The most expensive ticket I ever bought was for the Jars of Clay concert three years ago…and that’s really close. Switchfoot’s highest priced ticket is even cheaper than Maroon 5’s General Admission. :-o

Yes, they are big artists…but the tickets are just…whoa. I was planning to watch, but my wallet is seriously disagreeing with me; and if I do decide to watch, I could say goodbye to Sydney.

And now this makes me wonder who else will be going here this year. I haven’t heard any news from our bosing during the Switchfoot concert, since I guess she’s busy…so no news yet of who will be coming here that we’ll be able to help organize. Switchfoot is coming to the Pacific, but not passing by Philippines so I am totally envious of Gharri who will be in Malaysia at the same time they are. :P Here’s my current artist “wishlist” though:

  • Brooke Fraser (I heard she visited the Philippines early last year, but not to perform but as a part of some movement…I’m not sure if it’s World Vision).
  • Dave Barnes (Dream on, Tina :D).
  • Matt Wertz (Bring him with Dave!)
  • Jars of Clay (I still dream of being able to hug and have a picture with Dan Haseltine).
  • Switchfoot (Once is definitely not enough).
  • Anberlin
  • Mae
  • Bethany Dillon (Her show does not have to be in a big venue…a small venue would definitely be better :D)
  • Lifehouse
  • Relient K (Appetite for Construction tour here too? Please? :D)
  • Nichole Nordeman (She could do a show with Bethany? Hee.)
  • TobyMac

Ah. I could list so much more…but I’ll stop here. :D Now I have to finish watchig this Ugly Betty episode and finish the book I’ve been meaning to finish since last yesterday. Have a great week everyone. :)