I can now go back to dating again. Why?
I finally received my very first Philippine paycheck and can now pay for my share during dates since guys here don't seem to think that they should pay for two people. ;P
Friday, April 28, 2006
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Independence Day
Okay, I don't need to wonder what's next; I already know what's next! I'm moving to a rented condo on Thursday!
I feel that all the traumatizing experiences from 2005 are slowly being redeemed. Was I traumatized about my lovelife last year? Should I be expecting to be redeemed in that department as well? HaHa! Anyway, funny how my life is making sense these days:
Job
Well, you already know the story behind that.
Bank
Back in September, when I visited Kuya Heinz at work, he showed me their bank. I did wonder what the purpose of that was.
Well, months later, their bank is my bank now--that would be as a customer. I'd like to think that I'm employing Kuya H. HaHa!
Condo
Tet and I have always entertained the idea of living in the same building (check out her Friendster testimonial for me!). Now, not only do we live in the same building, we live on the same floor, AND we live one unit apart. I dare anyone to top that one! HeHe.
I got the job. I got the place of my own (in the metropolis no less!). Do I even need to say what's missing? >=D
I feel that all the traumatizing experiences from 2005 are slowly being redeemed. Was I traumatized about my lovelife last year? Should I be expecting to be redeemed in that department as well? HaHa! Anyway, funny how my life is making sense these days:
Job
Well, you already know the story behind that.
Bank
Back in September, when I visited Kuya Heinz at work, he showed me their bank. I did wonder what the purpose of that was.
Well, months later, their bank is my bank now--that would be as a customer. I'd like to think that I'm employing Kuya H. HaHa!
Condo
Tet and I have always entertained the idea of living in the same building (check out her Friendster testimonial for me!). Now, not only do we live in the same building, we live on the same floor, AND we live one unit apart. I dare anyone to top that one! HeHe.
I got the job. I got the place of my own (in the metropolis no less!). Do I even need to say what's missing? >=D
Monday, April 10, 2006
Manila Working Girl
I can now sleep at night and am able to announce it loud and proud: I am now employed! It took me eight months, but really it was only five months; don't ask what I did with the other three months. LoL. Anyway, here's a timeline:
July (a couple of weeks before I left Seattle)
Lisa: Here's the mailing address for the Manila office. Write them when you get there. I'm sure there's something for you to do there.
Me: Thanks! Will do! (Didn't do it, though.)
November (when driving along Eastwood)
Homer: I'm doing work for W0rld Visi0n International.
Me: What?! Are you serious?!
Homer e-mails WVI for me. I e-mail WVI. Nothing happens. (That's nothing new. ;P HaHa!)
January (on the Monday after I didn't leave for Seattle)
I get an e-mail from one of the Executive Assistants in the Ortigas office, asking me to send my resume because of a recommendation from Lisa and her mom. I know this sounds way too cheesy, but I had a tear run down my face at the sight of that e-mail in my inbox. It helped me keep the hope alive when I was feeling down and out about the whole wide world.
February (Valentine's Day)
I had my preliminary interview which led to another interview the day after. When it was job offer time, I was back to square one: they wanted me to have my ACR in my hands before they could employ me. I was told to contact them once my papers were squared away, but no guarantees. (Insert heartache here.)
Last Week of March
After a one-month process, I got my ACR so I called them up. Unfortunately, the position wasn't open anymore. But, a couple of weeks later, I was told that the position was open again. Yeah, don't even ask; it's such a long story. LoL. Of course, life wasn't THAT easy just yet: they wanted me to get a certification letter from Department of Labor (DOLE), stating that I don't need anything else to work legally in the country.
April 2
First day of work, but still in limbo because DOLE has yet to produce me my certification letter.
April 10
One week at work. After calling DOLE every single day during the past week, I was finally told that my certification letter was ready to be picked up...so I did after lunch!
If that's not telenovela material, then I don't know what is. HaHa! It has been a long, rough, painful road overall and hey, I'm still alive. It's true that God never gives you anything you can't handle. And most importantly, if it's for you, God will give it to you...in His time. Yeah, yeah, that's a peptalk for my lovelife more than anything else. LoL.
So there, it's time to celebrate! It's time for lunchdates and dinnerdates in Ortigas (Tet was my first)! It's time for another goal! I wonder what will be next? =)
July (a couple of weeks before I left Seattle)
Lisa: Here's the mailing address for the Manila office. Write them when you get there. I'm sure there's something for you to do there.
Me: Thanks! Will do! (Didn't do it, though.)
November (when driving along Eastwood)
Homer: I'm doing work for W0rld Visi0n International.
Me: What?! Are you serious?!
Homer e-mails WVI for me. I e-mail WVI. Nothing happens. (That's nothing new. ;P HaHa!)
January (on the Monday after I didn't leave for Seattle)
I get an e-mail from one of the Executive Assistants in the Ortigas office, asking me to send my resume because of a recommendation from Lisa and her mom. I know this sounds way too cheesy, but I had a tear run down my face at the sight of that e-mail in my inbox. It helped me keep the hope alive when I was feeling down and out about the whole wide world.
February (Valentine's Day)
I had my preliminary interview which led to another interview the day after. When it was job offer time, I was back to square one: they wanted me to have my ACR in my hands before they could employ me. I was told to contact them once my papers were squared away, but no guarantees. (Insert heartache here.)
Last Week of March
After a one-month process, I got my ACR so I called them up. Unfortunately, the position wasn't open anymore. But, a couple of weeks later, I was told that the position was open again. Yeah, don't even ask; it's such a long story. LoL. Of course, life wasn't THAT easy just yet: they wanted me to get a certification letter from Department of Labor (DOLE), stating that I don't need anything else to work legally in the country.
April 2
First day of work, but still in limbo because DOLE has yet to produce me my certification letter.
April 10
One week at work. After calling DOLE every single day during the past week, I was finally told that my certification letter was ready to be picked up...so I did after lunch!
If that's not telenovela material, then I don't know what is. HaHa! It has been a long, rough, painful road overall and hey, I'm still alive. It's true that God never gives you anything you can't handle. And most importantly, if it's for you, God will give it to you...in His time. Yeah, yeah, that's a peptalk for my lovelife more than anything else. LoL.
So there, it's time to celebrate! It's time for lunchdates and dinnerdates in Ortigas (Tet was my first)! It's time for another goal! I wonder what will be next? =)
Saturday, April 8, 2006
Speaking from Experience
Ninang and Ralph left today for a six-week U.S. vacation including one week in Seattle. As we agreed to when I didn't leave for Seattle at the end of January, I would've left with them had I not gotten a job by now. Do I wish that I am on that plane with them?
I had been thinking about Seattle a lot since end of January. I was thinking of its comfortable weather, my bed, my car, hot water, its convenient lifestyle, my nephews and nieces, my mom's cooking, but somehow they're not enough to get me on a plane just yet. As Kuya Ernie once told me, "Come back when you're ready."
Have things been easy? No way. I can't deny all the near-tears experiences I've had in the last few months. I can't deny that I always wish I have here in Manila the things I have in Seattle just so that life would be a little easier.
So why am I still here? Because I'm learning so much about myself, about my parents, about life in general. I can't wait until my next birthday so that I could list all the things I learned just in the last year. Being here has also made me appreciate why my parents (and other immigrants) bring their kids to the U.S. for a better life-a privileged life that I have taken for granted in all these years. Also, by doing the things that Filipinos here do, I have gained a better understanding of my people. Okay, that sounds so cheesy, but it's so true. I was telling Zara the other day how horrible the VAT is because it makes everything so expensive. Imagine, I'm complaining about VAT when I used to complain about the rallyistas on TV protesting about it. HaHa!
What would I say to people wanting to do what I have done so far (*ahem Jo Anne)? I say go for it. Do what you've always wanted to do. Get it out of your system. There's no doubt in my mind that you'll come out a better person at the end. Just don't tell your parents that I told you to do so. HaHa!
I had been thinking about Seattle a lot since end of January. I was thinking of its comfortable weather, my bed, my car, hot water, its convenient lifestyle, my nephews and nieces, my mom's cooking, but somehow they're not enough to get me on a plane just yet. As Kuya Ernie once told me, "Come back when you're ready."
Have things been easy? No way. I can't deny all the near-tears experiences I've had in the last few months. I can't deny that I always wish I have here in Manila the things I have in Seattle just so that life would be a little easier.
So why am I still here? Because I'm learning so much about myself, about my parents, about life in general. I can't wait until my next birthday so that I could list all the things I learned just in the last year. Being here has also made me appreciate why my parents (and other immigrants) bring their kids to the U.S. for a better life-a privileged life that I have taken for granted in all these years. Also, by doing the things that Filipinos here do, I have gained a better understanding of my people. Okay, that sounds so cheesy, but it's so true. I was telling Zara the other day how horrible the VAT is because it makes everything so expensive. Imagine, I'm complaining about VAT when I used to complain about the rallyistas on TV protesting about it. HaHa!
What would I say to people wanting to do what I have done so far (*ahem Jo Anne)? I say go for it. Do what you've always wanted to do. Get it out of your system. There's no doubt in my mind that you'll come out a better person at the end. Just don't tell your parents that I told you to do so. HaHa!
Thursday, April 6, 2006
Brotherhood
Condo owner: Ikaw lang ba titira sa unit? Single ka pa ba?
Me: Opo. Single pa po ako. Ako lang po ang titira duon.
Condo owner: Ay, ang brother ko single pa din!
Me: Condo po ang pinunta ko dito, hindi boyfriend.
Condo owner: (laughs)
Why is everyone trying to make me a part of his/her family?! Kuya Heinz, do enlighten us on the matter. ;P The condo owner also offered to take me with her to Cavite when she goes home to her family and to Bulacan when her family goes there for Holy Week. She also treated me to dinner and told me that I was pretty. Soon after, she dropped the "Brother Bomb." Yes, I have a term for it now. LoL.
I'm starting to think that I'm more appealing to be someone's future sister-in-law than to be someone's girlfriend. What a sad, sad world this is! ;P Regardless, I really do hope to finally find "The Brother" someday; I just hope he doesn't belong to a church. HaHa!
Me: Opo. Single pa po ako. Ako lang po ang titira duon.
Condo owner: Ay, ang brother ko single pa din!
Me: Condo po ang pinunta ko dito, hindi boyfriend.
Condo owner: (laughs)
Why is everyone trying to make me a part of his/her family?! Kuya Heinz, do enlighten us on the matter. ;P The condo owner also offered to take me with her to Cavite when she goes home to her family and to Bulacan when her family goes there for Holy Week. She also treated me to dinner and told me that I was pretty. Soon after, she dropped the "Brother Bomb." Yes, I have a term for it now. LoL.
I'm starting to think that I'm more appealing to be someone's future sister-in-law than to be someone's girlfriend. What a sad, sad world this is! ;P Regardless, I really do hope to finally find "The Brother" someday; I just hope he doesn't belong to a church. HaHa!
Monday, April 3, 2006
Unang Hirit
6:30 a.m. - Woke up
7:35 a.m. - Left the house/rode the jeep
7:45 a.m. - Arrived FX Terminal
8:05 a.m. - Left FX Terminal
9:05 a.m. - Arrived Meralco Ave./Hauled ass to J.Vargas Ave.
9:15 a.m. - Arrived office, sweaty and late
First realization: I'm not in Seattle: I don't have a car to just pull out of the driveway and drive to work in; I can't predict what time I'll get to a given place; Manila's weather ain't for walking (I swear, I can't understand that concept. HaHa!).
9:45 a.m. - I got introduced as a Fil-Am. Ugh! I hate the title. I just want to be known as a regular Filipino. Though, according to the Bureau of Immigration I'm a foreign national slash alien in the Philippines.
While I got introduced as such, my male co-workers (Note to self: the Manila term is "officemates") introduced themselves using their name and civil status as adviced by a female co-worker...and so they did!
Second realization: I think my "pagkasawi" is so strong now that people can detect it a million miles away. HaHa!
10:00 a.m. - Start of orientation, ie. workload begins now.
Third realization: Office workers are spoiled in the States. I can't remember a job wherein I couldn't just go to a cupboard and grab pens, highlighters, paper, paperclips, and everything I needed in order to work productively in an office. At my new office, I was using my own pen and felt demanding when I had to ask for a pad of paper to take notes in. I miss office supply rooms!
Fourth realization: Hello Dilbert Life! I've never had a cubicle ever. Partitions galore, oh my! LoL. Though, at the office, they're blue (my favorite color!) and clean.
12:00 p.m. - Lunch at the seventh floor cafeteria
Fifth realization: I would rather brave the heat and walk to Jollibee any day. HaHa!
1:00 p.m. - E-mail and Lotus Notes are still not set-up yet
Sixth realization: I miss Mike and his murse (man purse) over at the City of T, Lisa!
2:00 p.m. - Roy complains that I'm quiet
Seventh realization: Man, I *am* quiet at work! Do my friends know this?! LoL.
3:00 p.m. - Ramil suggests for me to take a break.
Eight realization: I love the Philippines! I love how co-workers care about eachother...regarding eating. HaHa! No, seriously, this was something I found out and cherished when I interned in the Philippines in 2002.
4:00 p.m. - I called Department of Labor and Employment
Ninth realization: Just when I thought I was over the hurdles, here I go again. I need my certification letter, guys! If the Bureau of Immigration did their thang to make me happy, can I expect you to do the same soon? My sanity is now in your hands.
5:00 p.m. - "Jun, where's the FX terminal to San Mateo?"
Tenth realization: This is where it has been all this time?! I could've saved so many gallons of sweat at the MRT station last year had I known about this! God is good.
6:00 p.m. - Rode FX back to San Mateo
7:00 p.m. - Bought a pizza to bring home to Manang Luz and Manang Tess...they didn't eat a single bite, though. They suggested that I eat the rest for breakfast instead. *Sniff. But I wanted to celebrate!
7:35 a.m. - Left the house/rode the jeep
7:45 a.m. - Arrived FX Terminal
8:05 a.m. - Left FX Terminal
9:05 a.m. - Arrived Meralco Ave./Hauled ass to J.Vargas Ave.
9:15 a.m. - Arrived office, sweaty and late
First realization: I'm not in Seattle: I don't have a car to just pull out of the driveway and drive to work in; I can't predict what time I'll get to a given place; Manila's weather ain't for walking (I swear, I can't understand that concept. HaHa!).
9:45 a.m. - I got introduced as a Fil-Am. Ugh! I hate the title. I just want to be known as a regular Filipino. Though, according to the Bureau of Immigration I'm a foreign national slash alien in the Philippines.
While I got introduced as such, my male co-workers (Note to self: the Manila term is "officemates") introduced themselves using their name and civil status as adviced by a female co-worker...and so they did!
Second realization: I think my "pagkasawi" is so strong now that people can detect it a million miles away. HaHa!
10:00 a.m. - Start of orientation, ie. workload begins now.
Third realization: Office workers are spoiled in the States. I can't remember a job wherein I couldn't just go to a cupboard and grab pens, highlighters, paper, paperclips, and everything I needed in order to work productively in an office. At my new office, I was using my own pen and felt demanding when I had to ask for a pad of paper to take notes in. I miss office supply rooms!
Fourth realization: Hello Dilbert Life! I've never had a cubicle ever. Partitions galore, oh my! LoL. Though, at the office, they're blue (my favorite color!) and clean.
12:00 p.m. - Lunch at the seventh floor cafeteria
Fifth realization: I would rather brave the heat and walk to Jollibee any day. HaHa!
1:00 p.m. - E-mail and Lotus Notes are still not set-up yet
Sixth realization: I miss Mike and his murse (man purse) over at the City of T, Lisa!
2:00 p.m. - Roy complains that I'm quiet
Seventh realization: Man, I *am* quiet at work! Do my friends know this?! LoL.
3:00 p.m. - Ramil suggests for me to take a break.
Eight realization: I love the Philippines! I love how co-workers care about eachother...regarding eating. HaHa! No, seriously, this was something I found out and cherished when I interned in the Philippines in 2002.
4:00 p.m. - I called Department of Labor and Employment
Ninth realization: Just when I thought I was over the hurdles, here I go again. I need my certification letter, guys! If the Bureau of Immigration did their thang to make me happy, can I expect you to do the same soon? My sanity is now in your hands.
5:00 p.m. - "Jun, where's the FX terminal to San Mateo?"
Tenth realization: This is where it has been all this time?! I could've saved so many gallons of sweat at the MRT station last year had I known about this! God is good.
6:00 p.m. - Rode FX back to San Mateo
7:00 p.m. - Bought a pizza to bring home to Manang Luz and Manang Tess...they didn't eat a single bite, though. They suggested that I eat the rest for breakfast instead. *Sniff. But I wanted to celebrate!
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