Happy Birthday Bestfriend Lei!

A few weeks ago, we had a seminar on self excellence and the latter part of it made us list down our long term & short term plans. That time my short term plan was to reconnect with my bestfrend Lei. You see, she was a 15-minute drive away from our home and yet we didn't manage to hang out as often as possible. I can honestly say that we've grown apart. We have our different set of priorities and work schedule. Now that she has her own family, it's given what should be given utmost importance which I totally understand.

It's just that there are things that I want to tell her because I know that she's the only one who could understand me at that point. But I chose not to bother her. I was the one who slowly moved away thinking that I don't want to add up to any disturbances that she was having. In the end, I found myself scared that I might lose my bestfriend forever which I can never stand.

Last June 13, I finally had my short term goal fulfilled. We had our last hurrah
(hopefully not the last) before she left for Singapore. Dinner was great. We had talked about almost everything. God I so missed her! She was the same person that I've treasured all these years. She's my best friend in the whole wide world.

Now, it's been weeks since she left and I'm missing her terribly. She may be physically away but in my heart she will always be with me. (sniff, sniff)

We've been bestfriends since I moved to San Mateo. From spiked bangs to Aquanet sprayed bangs; from bulldog shoes to babydoll shoes; from knitted socks to almost knee-high socks; from oversized shirts to babytee shirts; from quarrels to reconciliations; from new loves to break-ups - we've seen each other through. We've cried and laughed together. With just one look, we knew what each one of us was thinking. I just love making her laugh. She had this high-pitched tone of a laugh. Weird but distinct!

When we were younger she never failed to give me small notes, even cards that she made herself. And during summer when she's not allowed to go out, she would send me letters just to let me know that she misses me. On the night befire I left for UPLB, she called me up crying because we won't be together as much as we wanted to. When I told her that I was planning to transfer to UP Diliman, she was very excited. When I was in UP Diliman, there was time that our schedule would not just meet. Then one day we surprisingly bumped into each other. She said that she bought a card and was planning to mail it to me. She reached inside her bag & handed me the card. She added that it was a good thing that we saw each other because it saved her from the expense of mailing the card, then she left. The card said that she was missing me a lot. Soon enough our schedules jived. We found
ourselves commuting in the afternoon. When we can't get a ride & bored waiting, we made fun of anything or anyone we'd see. We'd laugh till our sides ached.

Then we found our own careers that almost made us impossible to meet up. But we would always pick up from where we left off. When she told me she was pregnant, I supported her all the way. I knew that was the best thing that I could do for her.

I have to admit that I was not the best bestfriend she deserved. For several times, I have let her down with the choices that I made back then. I knew I should have spent more time with her but I didn't. When the time that my choice ended, Lei was there to catch me with open arms & to assure me that she'll never leave me. Last year, I made a terrible decision. I thought she'd get mad but all she did was listen and extend her support.

I have so many fond memories of her. I wish we could build more in the future. But for now, I'll let her spread her wings and soar high as I pray for her continued success. My promise of love and friendship stands forever my dear Lei. Happy birthday! As you said, no more tears 'cause I am here!

OVERLOOKED

I may be all smiles and jolly all the time but man I am extremely pissed right now. I thought I was okay but I am really not.

I've been doing my best, exceeding goals and expectations. One step forward that I take, I was turned down. I hate to say this but I sure am qualified. With the qualifications listed, I've met those and may haVe exceeded in some areas. I don't wanna sound arrogant but, was that a just decision?

Maybe it wasn't time. Maybe it wasn't for me. Maybe I was OVERLOOKED! I've been told several times about my potential and that has helped me build my confidence in trying out another opportunity. I surely wouldn't have tried if I didn't know that I was up for it. The qualifications now look like a big BS to me!

I'm not questioning the people who got in. I'm questioning the people who decided. Oh yeah you may say I'm a soar loser and sourgraping and all that shit! What the heck! I'm pissed. I am looking for an explanation which I don't hink I would ever get.

To me, myself and I, GOOD LUCK!

Complaints of a Constant Commuter

I used to bring Teepee to the office during the end of the week. This is to give me a break from the hassles of commuting (like traffic, pollution, waiting for the train or bus to arrive, etc.).

I've been a certified commuter since college but having Teepee around the last four years gave me the luxury (naks!) to drive and roam around at my convenience (sometimes at my expense!). But with the weekly gas price hike, bringing Teepee with me to Makati at least once a week is not the wisest idea these days.

I have adjusted to the perils of commuting but of course I get to experience inconveniences once in a while. Commuting can be a big pain in the A.. sometimes. Living in the M vicinity of San Mateo is already a burden since my address is as long as the travel time that I take from San Mateo to Makati. Believe me, I see and experience a lot of things just sitting inside the vehicle. I don't really sleep when I commute (except for the commuting experience that I had with Kath when I was still in St. Paul) that's why I can't help not be affected (and most often that not be irritated) with what I see.

I've discussed horrible commuting experiences with my officemates and we somehow share the same views and opinions (naks parang political!). Here are some of them:

Eksenang jeep at bus:

Mga pasaherong unang nakasakay sa jeep at uupo sa pinakadulo ng jeep. Mag-aantay ng ibang pasahero para lang magpaabot ng bayad.

Yung nagpaabot ng bayad na hindi man lang nagpapasalamat.

Yung antuking pasahero na halos higaan ka na.

Yung nagyoyosi sa jeep. Nakita na ngang kulob yung jeep eh (sayang effort kong maligo noh!). Minsan pa, yung mga nakaupo sa harap at nagyoyosi, syempre pag nagyosi sila at umandar papasok yung usok (minsan yung ash pa) dun sa likod.

Yung pasaherong dumedeadma sa nagpapaabot ng bayad (fine minsan guilty ako dito!).

Yung mga pasaherong ayaw umayos o umusog ng upo. Minsan nakaupo yung bag nila o anak nila (na di naman bayad).

Yung pasaherong walang pakialam na may matamaan o matapakan sya basta lang makupo.

Yung jeep O bus na pacman. Yung tigil ng tigil kahit wala namang pumapara. Di ba papara/kakaway naman yung pasahero kung gustong sumakay?

Yung jeep na halos durugin ang eardrum mo sa lakas ng tugtog.

Yung jeep o bus na nagcucutting-trip kase ikaw na lang pasahero. Obligado kang bumaba at lumipat sa ibang sasakyan.

Yung mga jeep o bus na bumubusina sa harap ng simbahan. Di ba nga may "no blowing of horns" signage sa mga simbahan? Ay baka di na intindihan.

Yung jeep o bus na smoke-belcher.

Yung jeep o bus na akala mo makina ng jet plane ang gamit. Minsan oks yung mabilis pero most of the time hindi kase masakit sa katawan.

Yung jeep o bus na nagsussukli ng mali. Kunware mali bilang ng sukli. Style nyo bulok!

Eksenang MRT/LRT:

Yung mag sumisingit sa pila. Parang mapapatanong ka sa sarili mo na "San nanggaling yun?" eh nauna ka sa pila.

Yung ayaw din umayos ng upo.

Yung train nasisira pag malelate ka na.

Yung majohong katabi mo. Waah breathing through the mouth ka tuloy!

Yung mga pasaherong akala mo sa kanila yung train na kung makapg-usap eh napakalakas.

I know I should just let go of what I see when I commute cause I'm the one who gets stressed. But let's face it, that makes commuting a challenge and makes you tough in the next commuting experience. Don't ya agree?

PS:
Don't you hate seeing commuters carrying their thermo mugs? I have several questions: Don't they have lockers or drawers in their office where they can keep their mugs? Are they too busy to clean their mugs at the office that they'd rather wash it at home (pro may nakikita din ako na mukhang papasok pa lang tas dala nila yung thermo mug nila!)? Are they taking out coffee from their office? Can't they use a bigger bag to put ther mug inside? We'll I'm just concerned. It's difficult to commute when you have both hands, or at least a hand, full. According to my friend, it has become a status symbol for call center agents. If you see one carrying a thermo mug, for sure, taga-call center yun. Ganun?!

Now I'm a SME

I'm going on my 10th month at the office! Bilis noh?! My boss just informed me that I was chosen to be a SME or subject matter expert. Who? ME? What's a SME? A SME is a process training assistant. On the fourth week of process training, the trainees start working on live accounts. The SMEs are there to assist the process trainer if there are questions from the trainees or they need assistance in handling an account. It's like sharing what you learned and what you do in production to make the job easier. You also evaluate each trainee's strengths and weaknesses.

Honestly, I'm overwhelmed. I am the first in our batch to be chosen as a SME. To be given such trust that I do know the process enough to be able to share it to new hires is such a huge responsibility. I was not the best in our batch when we finished are process training. In fact I was one of the slow workers. I worked my way to achive my goals up to this very day and I believe I have delivered what was expected of me. When I was a trainee I wanted to be a SME because our SMEs back then were so good. We looked up to them. In our career plan, I mentioned that one of my goals is to be a SME. A few days from now, I'm gonna be one. Now I have to pay forward. I'm scared but I was assured that I was chosen because I met the criteria. Let's just hope I don't screw up.

Kal-el's 7th Birthday

Hangin Out w/ Joyce on July 4