I just got back from getting my body measurements taken - the second time this year. Yes, folks, I will once again be part of a wedding; I will be a secondary sponsor for Mayie's wedding this January. Kinakareer talaga ang pagaabay! When one of my cousins found out, she said, "Ate Min, grabe, ikaw na siguro yung next na ikakasal!" Please let me know also who the groom will be and maybe I will believe you! LoL.
Zara and Jerwin. Mayie and Dennis. Tet and Jason. Kuya Heinz and Ate Ambie. What do they all have in common? I'm their token single friend. Hmph. LoL. It was funny nga earlier because Mayie asked me if I wanted to watch Nina live daw. So it's going to be Mayie and Dennis, Dennis' sister and her boyfriend, and me. So sabi ko, "OP na naman ako diyan!" LoL. Though I don't mind hanging out with couples because I do get all warm and fuzzy seeing them all happy, but syempre, it makes me think about what I'm missing out on, right? Slightly jealous lang naman. HaHa!
Anyway, it turns out that Dennis' family and my family know eachother. What's funnier is when Dennis and one of my cousins were still in their pre-teens, tinutukso pa daw sila dati. It's such a small world! But if it's such a small world, bakit hindi ako makahanap ng papa? Lintik, ilang years ko na yan sinasabi?! Gasgas na! LoL.
Hay, so the topic of going to the gym came up numerous times tonight. I want to na talaga. It's just that I don't know how to get my butt to Fitness First's Cainta branch on a regular basis. Man, I want to be so pretty in that fuschia dress in January! Sana lang nga din, pogi ang ka-partner ko. Sana lang, Mayie, sana lang. Ayusin mo yan. LoL.
Sunday, September 4, 2005
Friday, September 2, 2005
I Liked The Way You Worked It, No Diggity, No Doubt
Butterflies in my stomach. Check. Fear of the unknown. Check. Trauma from last interview. Check. Advice from everyone. Check.
I had another interview (but with a non-media company) this afternoon. Maybe God wanted me to prove to you all that I'm not stupid for thinking the way I did when I went to my TV station interview on Monday and that's why He made sure that all my expectations were met this time around. Thank you, God...and HR Girl (for having a copy of my resume in front of you).
Result? I have a second interview with the HR Manager next week for salary negotiations. Having worked for governments all this time, I never had to negotiate salaries. Hence, I need all the help I can get because I don't want anything to go wrong this time around. Please pray your hearts out for me.
I had another interview (but with a non-media company) this afternoon. Maybe God wanted me to prove to you all that I'm not stupid for thinking the way I did when I went to my TV station interview on Monday and that's why He made sure that all my expectations were met this time around. Thank you, God...and HR Girl (for having a copy of my resume in front of you).
Result? I have a second interview with the HR Manager next week for salary negotiations. Having worked for governments all this time, I never had to negotiate salaries. Hence, I need all the help I can get because I don't want anything to go wrong this time around. Please pray your hearts out for me.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
It's Like That, Y'all
I will not stay up until 2 a.m. to talk to Pen again. I will not stay up until 2 a.m. to talk to Pen again. I will not stay up until 2 a.m. to talk to Pen again. Thou shall be in bed by midnight forever and ever and ever.
Anyway, I needed therapy because of what happened yesterday. After 24 hours, I think I'm in a better state to talk about it in a civilized manner.
I’d like to think that I’m open-minded. I understand that we’re all different and that we have our own ways of doing things. Yet, time and time again, Filipinos have a way of showing me that I’m not open-minded enough. Let me give you a timeline:
1:30 - I arrived at a TV station
1:40 - HR Girl asks me if I had a copy of my resume. I said no. She said to fill out an application form
2:00 - I turned in a completed application form
3:00 - I was still staring at the walls unattended
3:45 - After two whole hours, I was led inside to take a psychological test
4:05 - I finished answering 156 questions; I was led outside again
4:20 - HR Girl finally gives me the time of day
4:40 - "I will call you"
First of all, I didn't know that I had to bring a copy of my resume. American Girl thought that if a company asked her for an interview, then they already had a copy of her resume. Okay, I learned my lesson.
Second, let's talk about the application form. Most notable "what the hell are these questions for?": blood type, height, weight, Pag-ibig number, sketch your residential address (as in, draw!), and two 50-word essay questions on the back. All together now, "The hell?!"
Third, I was told that my interview was at 2 p.m. I even confirmed it via text the day before. Why the hell did I spend two hours staring at the walls?! I understand Filipino Time, but this was in a professional setting! Do we not care about the company image?
Fourth, why did I have to take a test before I got some lip service? Why are you using a test booklet from 1975? Why did it have questions about pre-marital s3x and falling in love?
Fifth, the interview questions were just traumatizing: "What are your parents' and siblings' occupations?", "Do you have a boyfriend here or in the States?", "Why didn't you major in 'Mass Com'?", blah, blah, blah...
If the Philippine corporate world wants to be like this, then okay, I'm willing to submit to it regardless of how "old school" their practices may be. What I'm pissed about is the two hours of wasted time. It’s one thing to make me wait; it’s also another thing to make me take a test for nothing. If you don’t think your time is worthy, I think your time and mine are.
For the record, I’m here because I want to. I traded my whole life to be here in the Philippines because dammit, I love this country and its people (itayo ako ng monumento, please!). Don’t doubt my sincerity when I say that I’m here to stay and work my butt off. Yes, I didn’t major in Communications (because we don't have "Mass Com" in the U.S.), but I’d like to think that I have the skills to do well in this field. I’m here because I’m passionate about the work that I'm trying to get and I think that’s worth more than getting any entry-level “Mass Com” graduate who is applying anywhere just to earn a living (in my very biased opinion, of course).
If you work in Human Resources in the Philippines, care to enlighten us all? I'd like to understand your processes. Please make me understand your ways. Please, oh, please!
Anyway, I needed therapy because of what happened yesterday. After 24 hours, I think I'm in a better state to talk about it in a civilized manner.
I’d like to think that I’m open-minded. I understand that we’re all different and that we have our own ways of doing things. Yet, time and time again, Filipinos have a way of showing me that I’m not open-minded enough. Let me give you a timeline:
1:30 - I arrived at a TV station
1:40 - HR Girl asks me if I had a copy of my resume. I said no. She said to fill out an application form
2:00 - I turned in a completed application form
3:00 - I was still staring at the walls unattended
3:45 - After two whole hours, I was led inside to take a psychological test
4:05 - I finished answering 156 questions; I was led outside again
4:20 - HR Girl finally gives me the time of day
4:40 - "I will call you"
First of all, I didn't know that I had to bring a copy of my resume. American Girl thought that if a company asked her for an interview, then they already had a copy of her resume. Okay, I learned my lesson.
Second, let's talk about the application form. Most notable "what the hell are these questions for?": blood type, height, weight, Pag-ibig number, sketch your residential address (as in, draw!), and two 50-word essay questions on the back. All together now, "The hell?!"
Third, I was told that my interview was at 2 p.m. I even confirmed it via text the day before. Why the hell did I spend two hours staring at the walls?! I understand Filipino Time, but this was in a professional setting! Do we not care about the company image?
Fourth, why did I have to take a test before I got some lip service? Why are you using a test booklet from 1975? Why did it have questions about pre-marital s3x and falling in love?
Fifth, the interview questions were just traumatizing: "What are your parents' and siblings' occupations?", "Do you have a boyfriend here or in the States?", "Why didn't you major in 'Mass Com'?", blah, blah, blah...
If the Philippine corporate world wants to be like this, then okay, I'm willing to submit to it regardless of how "old school" their practices may be. What I'm pissed about is the two hours of wasted time. It’s one thing to make me wait; it’s also another thing to make me take a test for nothing. If you don’t think your time is worthy, I think your time and mine are.
For the record, I’m here because I want to. I traded my whole life to be here in the Philippines because dammit, I love this country and its people (itayo ako ng monumento, please!). Don’t doubt my sincerity when I say that I’m here to stay and work my butt off. Yes, I didn’t major in Communications (because we don't have "Mass Com" in the U.S.), but I’d like to think that I have the skills to do well in this field. I’m here because I’m passionate about the work that I'm trying to get and I think that’s worth more than getting any entry-level “Mass Com” graduate who is applying anywhere just to earn a living (in my very biased opinion, of course).
If you work in Human Resources in the Philippines, care to enlighten us all? I'd like to understand your processes. Please make me understand your ways. Please, oh, please!
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Missing You
It’s been a month, people. I don’t know if I should congratulate myself for making it this far or I should start cursing myself for still sticking around.
Reality has kicked in, though. Nowadays, I have to beg people to take time out of their usual (and normal!) lives to hang out with me. Flashback to a month ago, I had to pull out my planner to schedule people’s invitations. Simply put, people don’t think I’m going away anymore. LoL.
I miss the family (but not the drama). I miss having a car. I miss the convenience and cleanliness of Seattle. I miss my DVD collection. I miss biatching to Pen each and every day. I miss having a position in a familial hierarchy. I miss only taking half an hour max to get to places. I miss seeing different ethnicities (whenever I see white people at the malls here, I start smiling!). I miss Target and Costco. I miss not being criticized about my clothes, weight, quietness, my whole being. I miss VH1. I miss the comfortable weather. I miss doing everything myself. I miss the public library. I miss hip-hop dance classes. I miss not being needy and KSP. I miss not feeling poor and not having to budget my money. I miss being content with just being at home. I miss conversations with strangers. I miss not having my cellphone tied to my hip. I miss buying stuff on eBay. I miss snail mails. I miss not being eaten by mosquitoes whenever I’m wearing shorts. I miss being confused because I’m finally here to make things happen.
I’m now more scared than confused these days. I’m scared that I only have a few places to apply to and when I have exhausted those options, there’s nothing else to do, but move on and accept that things were not meant to be. I’m scared that what I want isn’t what God wants for me (yet again).
I kind of gave myself this timeline of one more month to do the unthinkable-one month to be a Kapamilya, Kapuso, or something else. I don’t think I have the heart to stay unemployed for six full months in this country, nor do I have the heart to say goodbye to the nice people that I’ve met here after six months.
So to those who are willing to lend a helping hand (or know someone who can), here are the job sectors I’m aiming for:
- media (tv stations, music companies, magazines)
- advertising agency
- marketing position in a multi-national company
Any contacts or job leads would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to Kuya Heinz, Bajeng, Mayie, Alessa, and Pon who have done their share already.
Reality has kicked in, though. Nowadays, I have to beg people to take time out of their usual (and normal!) lives to hang out with me. Flashback to a month ago, I had to pull out my planner to schedule people’s invitations. Simply put, people don’t think I’m going away anymore. LoL.
I miss the family (but not the drama). I miss having a car. I miss the convenience and cleanliness of Seattle. I miss my DVD collection. I miss biatching to Pen each and every day. I miss having a position in a familial hierarchy. I miss only taking half an hour max to get to places. I miss seeing different ethnicities (whenever I see white people at the malls here, I start smiling!). I miss Target and Costco. I miss not being criticized about my clothes, weight, quietness, my whole being. I miss VH1. I miss the comfortable weather. I miss doing everything myself. I miss the public library. I miss hip-hop dance classes. I miss not being needy and KSP. I miss not feeling poor and not having to budget my money. I miss being content with just being at home. I miss conversations with strangers. I miss not having my cellphone tied to my hip. I miss buying stuff on eBay. I miss snail mails. I miss not being eaten by mosquitoes whenever I’m wearing shorts. I miss being confused because I’m finally here to make things happen.
I’m now more scared than confused these days. I’m scared that I only have a few places to apply to and when I have exhausted those options, there’s nothing else to do, but move on and accept that things were not meant to be. I’m scared that what I want isn’t what God wants for me (yet again).
I kind of gave myself this timeline of one more month to do the unthinkable-one month to be a Kapamilya, Kapuso, or something else. I don’t think I have the heart to stay unemployed for six full months in this country, nor do I have the heart to say goodbye to the nice people that I’ve met here after six months.
So to those who are willing to lend a helping hand (or know someone who can), here are the job sectors I’m aiming for:
- media (tv stations, music companies, magazines)
- advertising agency
- marketing position in a multi-national company
Any contacts or job leads would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to Kuya Heinz, Bajeng, Mayie, Alessa, and Pon who have done their share already.
Friday, August 26, 2005
So Close
After a day of Divisoria, we ate dinner at Edsa Shangri-La last night. I’ve noticed that the hotels in Manila always have their dining areas right as you walk into the hotel. Tells you what the priorities are around here. HeHe. Anyway, I wore my new green skirt with matching necklace. You wouldn’t have guessed it was me had you seen me. Besides, I blended in with all the Chinese people there. Whatever happened to Ongpin being the place for Chinese people?! HeHe.
Tonight, I thought I would have good news to tell. Today was definitely the epitome of “So close yet so far away.” I was so giddy when I set foot in that office, but my giddiness disappeared after two hours of waiting for nothing. Perhaps I have more details to this story by next week or the week after. Cross your fingers!
And before I forget, let me just say “Lecheng Hale!” I’ve been complaining to my cousins that Hale is friggen everywhere these days. Their video is on every five minutes on every channel; they’re the artist of the week/month on every channel; they’re Smart endorsers; even sa Jollibee, tugtog pa rin yung song nila; and today, well, I finally saw the boys in the flesh. I was sitting quietly when they all walked in. If I hadn’t been sitting on my butt for at least an hour and I wasn’t trying to look professional, I would’ve asked for a picture. Marunong din pala akong mahiya. HeHe. However, if Pen was with me, I have no doubt in my mind that she would’ve exclaimed, “They look poor!” Sis, si Bamboo lang naman kasi ang conyong rockista. LoL.
Tonight, I thought I would have good news to tell. Today was definitely the epitome of “So close yet so far away.” I was so giddy when I set foot in that office, but my giddiness disappeared after two hours of waiting for nothing. Perhaps I have more details to this story by next week or the week after. Cross your fingers!
And before I forget, let me just say “Lecheng Hale!” I’ve been complaining to my cousins that Hale is friggen everywhere these days. Their video is on every five minutes on every channel; they’re the artist of the week/month on every channel; they’re Smart endorsers; even sa Jollibee, tugtog pa rin yung song nila; and today, well, I finally saw the boys in the flesh. I was sitting quietly when they all walked in. If I hadn’t been sitting on my butt for at least an hour and I wasn’t trying to look professional, I would’ve asked for a picture. Marunong din pala akong mahiya. HeHe. However, if Pen was with me, I have no doubt in my mind that she would’ve exclaimed, “They look poor!” Sis, si Bamboo lang naman kasi ang conyong rockista. LoL.
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