skip to main |
skip to sidebar
For the Nth time, I'm typing a start to this blog entry. Might end up deleting this again and starting anew. Kinda makes me think of typing things on an old school typewriter and crumpling the papers when I don't like what comes out. Currently do not have an congruent train of thought. Not sure why. Just really really lazy right now. No motivation to work.
Marc has been studying his bum off the past week and the sunog kilay thing will go on 'til the end of this week. Sacrifices has been made in the form of less time to spend with each other, but he has been such a dear, making it a point to still have quality time with me, just not as much as we used to have. On my end, on days like yesterday and today, when we don't get to go home together, I feel cheated... as though my end-of-the-day-something-to-look-forward-to was snatched away, and replaced with more pointless work. Sad, really. I miss him terribly. Two more days.
On work naman, I honestly don't feel like it anymore. I'm about to write a whole bunch of stuff about my boss that he won't be liking, but are really really consistent with how I'm feeling right now... but since I know I'll be regretting that later, I'm opting not to go through with it. Let's just leave it as I'm currently hating my work right now. I'm feeling unappreciated. I know this is bad, but I'm just venting, and hope it helps the blah-ness of today. Tiis tiis, until things change.
Fire drill this morning. We avoided the grueling walk down the stairs by escaping to Cafe Bene near our building minutes before the drill started. While there, we had a little meeting so as not to really waste too much time. After that, I filed my liquidations and stuff. Lunch was a bag of Granny Goose Chips. Now I'm just staring into space. Lazy.
So now that's that. Let's hope things will get better from now 'til end of business day.
You know how when you work at a hotel or at an establishment where service is the primary thing you're marketing, you're supposed to be nice and courteous, right? ...or at the very least considerate? Well, tonight, my boyfriend has just had an appalling experience from the staff of Lancaster Hotel, Mandaluyong.
He dropped by to place a reservation for my coming birthday. Upon arriving there, a vehicle was parked outside such that it has taken up more than the space allotted for one. He was instructed to park inside instead. After booking the date, on the way out, he was asked to pay for parking. Now, even malls have this rule that if you don't spend more than 15 minutes in the parking area, they'd waive the fee. He asked for a little consideration since he didn't stay more than 10 minutes in there and yet they insisted on making him pay for parking. They refused to validate his ticket, saying that the validations were for guests who have checked in only. Do they mean that he was not a customer just because he hasn't checked in? He booked a reservation, for crying out loud! How inconsiderate.
I don't think this is a petty case, and since this is not our first time with the hotel, I would've expected some courtesy. Of course I don't expect them to remember us, but I do believe they owe everyone the same consideration, regardless of how many times they've stayed, but all the more for those who have actually booked with them.
This is so very disappointing. There won't be any more next times for us... nor for our families... and I'd really tell my friends about this, lest they get taken advantage of. If this scheduled stay wasn't already paid for and non-refundable, we would've chosen some other hotel instead.
I have recently done a blog post on serving others, when I encountered this on Facebook:
Full story may be read here.
Now, having a boyfriend who worked for a while in the media, I know and understand how stories get tweaked or twisted by the industry for better ratings and stuff, but if this were true, I am so disappointed at the Binay clan. For one, you are public servants, in other words, you are supposed to serve the people, not the other way 'round. Second, last I checked, Dasma Village is privately owned, you do not have the right to dictate nor force your way through. Third, what kind of officials are you if you couldn't follow rules as simple as this? The fact that one of you had the balls to blurt out the ever famous sablay line "Don't you know me?", is embarrassing enough, you even had the guts to have the guards arrested? Shame on you people. Guns were loaded... really? Were the guards being threats or were your security thugs just maangas and trigger happy?
To the public, I encourage you to fervently pray for these officials as they have already been put in place. For the future elections however, please do not base your votes on last names that just sound familiar.
This month, I had been accidentally tasked the job of organizing our Christmas party. It started with everyone asking me whether we’ll have one this year or not. I decided to ask the boss who replied something to the effect of “We could, if you want.” I forgot the exact words. Anyway, I sent the compromising e-mail asking them if they want to have one. From there, everyone kinda assumed I’d step up and arrange it for them.
Being a part of last year’s committee, I knew off bat that this won’t be an easy task. I just thought people would want to volunteer and help. Boy, how wrong I was. Everyone, with the exception of a select few just wanted to pay up and have the party without helping with the arrangements. This stressed me out a few times. I mean, you want a party, you’d better help arrange it. I do have a point, don’t I? Yet, this logic doesn’t seem to apply to them.
Two weeks after that dooming e-mail, the frustration, irritation, and impatience are taking their toll. It’s like being pregnant, when the contractions are getting closer to each other. There were people who confirmed their participation, but backed out when it was time to pay. Then there were those who can’t decide if they’re going or not. What could be so hard? It’s a yes or no thing. Probably the worst ones are those who wanted to go to the event unwilling to contribute to the funds, telling me things like, “Hahabol lang kami” or “Sige, hindi na lang kami kakain”. I mean, come on, really?! What are we supposed to tell you when you get there? You can’t have any food or drinks because you did not pay your designated fee? Seriously?!
Anyway, that and a series of petty issues came up, like we need a tent because the old one is too ugly to repair, like the lights used last year are missing so we need to make new ones, yada, yada, yada. You can then imagine steam coming out of my ears, but then somehow God reminded me that as a Christian, I am supposed to serve others. I was created to serve others for the same way I serve them, I am serving Him.
Matthew 25:40 (NASB) The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.”
I kept thinking that this is so hard, not to mention unfair, but then again the world isn’t fair. It isn’t about being fair. It’s about loving. Each other. As God loved us. Sure, I could just drop everything and justify that it isn’t part of my job description, it isn’t my responsibility, but that isn’t loving, that is not serving in love.
Galatians 5:13-14 (NASB) For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
John 13:34-35 (NASB) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
After all, Jesus Christ came to serve. The Highest of High came, served, and gave His life as an ultimate sacrifice to save us all. Who am I to complain?
Mark 10:44-45 (NASB) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
So I’ll suck it up and remind myself that aside from doing this for them, I am doing this for the Lord. Let there be joy in my heart while serving, and to God be the glory for all this, especially the enlightenment.
In the spirit of Christmas, let us serve one another, and let this Christ-like attitude last even after the season.
Spent the day at the hospital yesterday. Still irked at the endo's secretary. You see, we actually scheduled an appointment with her almost a week before. When we got there Saturday morning, our names were #1 and #2 on the list. It had a note however that the endocrinologist with whom we were hoping to have ourselves checked was unavailable and a reliever was there to see us. Strike one. We should've gone to another endo right then and there. Anyway, Marc and I, being rookies and all, decided to stay. After all, we only needed clearance. So we waited... and waited... and waited. After a few hours, we started to wonder what's taking the doctor so long to arrive. Marc decided to ask inside. Apparently, the doctor was already there! The secretary told us that usually the patients go in to ask so she doesn't bother calling out people's names anymore. I was like, what?! We were waiting for hours right outside the clinic. Everywhere else calls out people's names! What the hell is wrong with you? I was really really irritated, but then, what else could we do? Strike two.
We were then accommodated by the replacement doctor who admitted right off the bat that she wasn't licensed to sign as an endo yet, or something to that effect. She then proceeded to rattle off disclaimers on how she wouldn't want to incriminate herself by issuing clearances, etc. Strike three in bold, all caps, flashing red lights! Long story short, it was a wasteful 800 pesos worth of professional fee. I mean, if you really knew what you were doing, then there wouldn't be any need to "protect yourself" as you claim. What. The. Hell.
I'm not sure if it was due to the stress or the frustrations or both, but my period came as well as the dysmenorrhea that always came with it. This time with wave after wave of pain and discomfort.
Fortunately, when I visited my new ob-gyn, the experience was redeeming. The ob-gyn was straight to the point and very professional. There were no disclaimers and no vague statements. Now this was a doctor who knew what she was doing. I had my check up done and an ultrasound.
To control my blood sugar, I need to take Metformin twice a day after breakfast and dinner for around 45 days. I also need to take pills for my Polycystic Ovary Syndrome for 3 months. They said that the PCOS could have caused the elevated sugar in my blood. I am scheduled to go back to the endo by first week of December with a full set of blood test. Hopefully the real doctor would be there to check my progress. Then back for check up with my ob on January for the PCOS.
It's one of those days again when you hate almost everything and everyone. Aaaarrrgghhh. It feels like falling into a well that isn't at all wide enough to let you climb back out. Everywhere you turn, it's walls, walls, and more walls. I know life as I have it now isn't really like that, but it sooo feels like it anyway.
And then God reminds you just how much He loves you with something big. Something miraculous. Something you couldn't have achieved on your own. Something that shows His divine protection on your whole being. An assurance of His everlasting love and faithfulness. So you smile again and pick yourself up.
Ashamed of your rants and grumblings, you start to count your blessings starting with a wonderful boyfriend who has lately been going to church with you on Sundays even when it means not really spending time with you, but actually learning about God. He understands that you are struggling to put God first in your life and is willing to take the back seat to support you with that. Then you realize how despite the imperfections of your family you have a caring father, a very loving albeit nagging mother, a supportive brother even though you don't understand him most of the time, and a brother who takes care of you when nobody else does.
All is right in the world again.
Finally, my BDO credit card arrived yesterday. Although I am undeniably happy at the arrival, I was less than satisfied on the whole process. Before I walk through it, let me clarify though that it was not entirely BDO's fault and I am by no means condemning their services to hell. This is more or less a petty grievance rant vent thing. So those avoiding a teensy bit of bad vibes, go browse someone else's blog. Ok, here we go.
December 2012, (yes, it was that long ago) if I am not mistaken, I decided to apply for a BDO credit card. I have recently terminated my Metrobank credit card due to their unsatisfactory service and their audacity to bill me for the annual fee, which they promised to waive for a lifetime --an altogether different story and I'm not in the mood to get into. Anyway, the lady at the counter said that since I had standing savings accounts with their bank, I could be recommended for the card instead of applying for it from scratch. She assured me that this would entail a shorter processing time. True enough, by January 2013, taking into account the holidays, etc. the recommendation was approved and my card was supposed to be enroute to my billing address.
I usually use my home address since I do not want bills coming for me at the office. I was not aware, however, that BDO has a strict credit card delivery policy, wherein upon unavailability of the card holder to personally receive it, they do not deliver/release the cards without proper authorization and/or endosement. Moreover, even if the receiving party does have a letter of authorization, it is still upon the courier's judgement whether to release the card or not. Since during their delivery hours, nobody's at home to receive it and they won't trust the condo's guards with it, the delivery kept being deferred... for months.
Now this rule speaks volumes of the importance BDO puts into their customers' security and I was really impressed, albeit the hassles I was about to go through to change the delivery address. I had an HSBC credit card before, and as previously mentioned, a Metrobank card as well. Both cards were delivered without needing any authorization note. I can just imagine the horrors of going through endless hours of trying to sort out a fraud.
To change my delivery and/or billing address, I needed to email them a formal letter of request as well as a billing reference to prove I am indeed working at my office. Since all my my bills are being sent home, I did not have anything with my name and office address except for my mobile account statement. The hurdle? Since it's being sent to me online, the billing team did not have the correct floor on the address. I had to have it changed. They told me it would reflect on the next bill... a month from then. After a month, I was finally able to sent the email request to BDO.
In less than a week, I was able to receive a response confirmation that my request has been processed and to expect the adjustments 10 working days after. This would have been more impressive had the card been delivered to the new address. Guess what? I received it at home (original address provided) yesterday.
To add to the confusion, I distinctly remember wanting and ticking the BDO classic mastercard black on the application, simply because the black card looks sleek and elegant. Yeah, I'm shallow that way. So, which one did I get? The white shop more card. I'm guessing this might be because I went through the recommendation path instead of the usual apply from scratch path. Luckily I've been on a fancy-white-feeling-classicly-clean phase for a while now so I did not throw a fit.
I wonder what my first unjustified purchase will be.
Edit: By the way, they also sent me a complementary SM advantage card. I already have one. So I guess I would have to go to SM to sort the cards out. I don't know whether to be happy or sad about it.
Yup, that's right, we broke up. I actually mentioned it, but that's about it. No details on what went on between us. I never did share anything about that kind of stuff, and I'm not about to start now. It's called respect... to him and to what we had.
The aftermath of it all is that I'm currently trying to keep myself sane, normal, and really really busy so I do not have to think about it. As opposed to popular demand of bawling anywhere and everywhere, I have opted to go to work with almost no evidence of ever having go through any personal problems. When I feel the need to breakdown and cry, I do take the day or the half day off and hide in the comforts of home. Sure, I do have the unpredictable moments of remembering once upon a times, and the tears overflow, but then I get a hold of myself and tissue everything off. Unfortunately, society apparently dictates that I have to show them how miserable I am else they go judging me with god-knows-what. So to you pathetic losers who have nothing else worthwhile to do other than that: GO TO HELL.
Yes, I'm pissed, and as much as I would want to be the Piolo Pascual of this scenario, I do not have the patience nor the strength left in me to endure these unworthy brats' criticisms.
Moving on, I've turned my autopilot mode on, and have been living on routine the past few weeks. I wake up early and go right back to sleep for the lack of motivation to go through another day. When I finally find it possible to drag myself out of bed, I arrive late for work coz I simply don't care anymore; this will probably entail another memo for my excessive tardiness for November. Then I work through the day, a task at a time as though it's the only thing I know how to do. I don't try to feel or think. I laugh when something's funny, I rant when projects get delayed, I work. If this mechanical existence means that (1) I temporarily forget the loneliness and the pain, and (2) the insensitive so-called-friends will think I have gotten over things, then so be it. I'm tired of having to understand them and their opinions, when in fact they should have been doing this for me and Tan. For those people who actually think we owe them any explanations on what happened, you can go curl up and die.
So that's about it. I'm basically trying to keep myself incessantly productive; I'm just not sure yet if I'm succeeding or not.
A significant amount of brain cells just died about fifteen
minutes ago, and I have officially stopped working. Thus, now blogging about a
clutter of thoughts floating like amoeba in my gooey grey matter.
After almost six years, I am quite sure that I love my job –
handling provisioning databases and platforms as well as signalling transfer
points and international gateway facilities. What shatters my otherwise happy
contentment is the wrinkle-inducing 9.6 hours a day work schedule, the way below liveable salary and the
nearly non-existent benefits.
It baffles me how a guy can stomach considering (how much
more actually making plans of) having his wife pay for his tuition to study
graphics design, at the same time have her provide for their family as well. Pathetic
excuse for a man. I honestly don’t know why I even tried to help.
Thirtieth birthdays and engagements. A single lady friend is
turning thirty this month. Colleagues who to me are chikitings, are getting
engaged. I am pressured, and yet I am not ready. Crap… I just had a momentary
light bulb moment. This is probably why God hasn’t granted my prayers of
settling down. He knew that at some point in my life I’d be having these mid…
um, quarter… ahh, third life crisis (does that even make sense?).
Me likey Lenovo android setup. Borne of a boring Sunday afternoon,
I downloaded a simple white theme for my android service unit. I know I don’t
use it anyway, but hey, me still likey.
I really really really like puppies.
I really really really need to get back to work.
I want to go out and try stuff, experience things. I want to
run, jog, bike, swim, and roll on grass… ok, maybe not that last one. I want to
snorkel, parasail, and feel the wind in my hair. I want to roller skate, ice skate,
surf, and wakeboard. I want to go on a food trip, on a picnic, on a weekend
getaway, on a hike. I want to watch movies, fireflies, plays, fireworks. I want
to ride planes, hot-air balloons, yachts, sailboats. And right now, I can’t.
I found out yesterday that they feed dog food to fighting
cocks. Also, they give them yoghurt, because they can’t have milk. Apparently,
they’re lactose intolerant.
There’s an itch on my big toe that’s been bothering me for
three days now.
Crap. Waiting for end of business day.
it's a particularly dull friday morning today, which is why i'm blogging about stuff i haven't had the chance to blog about, instead of slaving over projects, presentations, and whatnot. kinda expect this entry would be a bit of a soup of unrelated stuff.
let me start with a not-so-recent discovery of pan de manila's chocolate con leche. another one of my simple joys.
it's far from tablea, farther from xocolat, but hey, it works for me. it gets me through my coffee ban days and the hot chocolate smell helps me survive the everyday stress. it has a rich flavor without being exceedingly sweet; simply perfect with a warm pandesal and kesong puti.
moving on.
after two weeks here at my new office space, i'm bored out of my wits half the time. the other half, i'm walking back and forth to the area where i used to be. my new, ummm, cubicle is simply so far away from civilization everything else. it's not all that bad though. i get some privacy, and i'm farther away from my (biting my tongue here to refrain from inserting an insulting adjective and/or expletive) boss. unfortunately, the distance does not deter him from coming to me for every little thing. here's a sample email i got:
every. little. darn. thing.
next.
it's summer and i've been looking forward to a road trip ending at a beach. lots of sun, sand, and water! first up: outing with tan and friends. (insert game show buzzer tone for incorrect answers here) timing was off and it simply is not practical nor enjoyable to travel to baler with my red flag up. next: office outing. this is supposedly scheduled tomorrow. haven't had any announcements on the final details yet. might not push through. crap. there goes my summer.
where do i get the christmas joy and cheer i hear so much about?here's how i picture a perfect christmas setting:
minus the fireplace of course. a small but fully decorated tree, perfectly wrapped gifts (and patience not to open any of them 'til christmas eve), cozy couch with pillows and a blanket, and soft instrumental music. very inviting, very relaxing, sweet, and simple.so, santa, here's what i want for christmas:
if you can't, this will do:
no gift wrapping necessary. ^_^ok, back to reality. it's the 11th, and i haven't the slightest clue on how this year's christmas will turn out. having a stressful work environment (despite the buy-out) sucks so i'm looking for ways to make this december better. been calling my saturday overtimes "sacrificial saturdays" already. it's a crazy rat race and i can't even see the finish line.
dear bosses: you're scrooges, every last one of you!
somebody, somewhere, has to know the answer to my question. i need a serious boost on this chirstmas spirit thing!!
sunday is a day for catching up. catching up on my much needed sleep, catching up on doing laundry, catching up on blogging updates. catching up on some social networking for updates on friends, events, and what nots.unfortunately, this supposedly peaceful moment is bound to be ruined somehow by some people who seem to be catching up with their pity wagons. i'm not sure if it's just me, but i'm not really a fan of pity. i'm particularly irked at those who do paawa especially on social networking sites. sure, i do get the venting rants; there's only so much frustration a person could take.. i even understand the whole "spreading the happiness" or "too good to keep to myself" thing, but for the death of me, i can't seem to understand the "i'm so kawawa, you'd have to pity me" posts. that someone would have to be pretty desperate and a hundred percent of a loser to actually solicit pity or try to get people on your side through facebook. i try so hard not to judge, but really, some people are just begging for it.dear facebook friend, i know we are not that close for me to even try and give you an advice you'd probably be too stubborn or ksp to listen, but here goes.. yes, i do realize that you are starved of attention, and yes, you're probably used to having your way or getting what you want, or so i've heard, but then again, whatever you got is what you deserved. in the first place, you knew the person was attached, yet you stupidly cling on, what, wishing everything would be given up for you, an attention hungry, thisshort of a home-wrecker? apart from this weird craving for people's sympathy, and of being noticed and/or being the center of attention, God is fair, so you probably have some good traits to balance that corrupted part of you. i suggest you stop the emo thing and move on. there is a difference between can't and won't. stop wallowing in people's pity, you'd most likely drown in it. and for goodness sakes, stop posting sh*t, or so help me, i will unfriend you.if you really do have to let it all out on cyberspace, please, please, create a blog. give us the option of whether or not to read it, and not force flood our facebook updates. come on.
