Ehem.

Yep, I'm still here. I've been busy with work since my last post. No time to seriously blog.

Oh wait.

BRB.

My Quarterly Update

Yes, I am able to post something here again because... tantanaaaan... I'm on leave. Yep, I'm not at work, and will only be back by June 4, 2007.

I'm in another place, a place where work won't get to me unless they call my VDN (and if I decide to answer it). I'm in Tacloban, at my aunt's place, with my mom. We arrived yesterday at 12:35 PM, after two delays in our flight. Cebu Pacific is not so great after all, hmph. We had lunch by the sea a few minutes after we landed; we ate seafood, of course. And today, we'll be on our way to Cebu en route to Bohol!

Yippeee! We're going to Bohol. I can't believe my good fortune. Of course, there will be pictures posted here when as soon as I get back. :)

*As a side note, a few of my teammates sent me text messages to tell me that I am missed at work. Some big changes at work have been announced and things are starting to get more troubled at work. I think things are going to be interesting when I get back at the office. Hooo boy...

The Morning After

When I woke up this morning, I found it very painful to move, even while I was in bed. My back, legs and arms hurt. It was unbearable to even try to sit up. This is what I get for joining the Gawad Kalinga build in Agudo (Hinahon, Mandaluyong City) yesterday, after almost two years of having a sedentary lifestyle.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not ranting about the build itself. On the contrary, I literally did not feel pain (except for the one that my skin got from the sun) for the whole duration of the build. It was one of the most fulfilling things that I did in my entire life. I forgot all about work, my insecurities, and almost even my boyfriend while I was there. The people I worked with were fun, and I'm not just talking about my other officemates who joined the activity. My only problem is I did not prepare enough for it. So now I'll have to deal with a lot of muscle pain and a terrible sunburn.

I was under the sun for almost six hours that day, trying to make myself useful to the REAL workers. It doesn't help that March 16, 2007 was considered the hottest day of whenever. Everyone was commenting about my suddenly red skin, and by the end of the day, our company driver told me I look like a Spanish mestiza.

I felt ALL of the pain today, the muscle pain and the sunburn. Terrible. But it all seems worth it when I remember the faces of the people who welcomed our team and appreciated our efforts that day, even if what we did was not much. I'll try to find the strength (and the right gear) to go back there and help out some more.

**********

Things at work are not too peachy. People are ACTUALLY leaving, and having issues with each other. I could not mention specifics as I've learned from one of the cases that I handled. In her blog she mentioned the name of the company and her account, and all of the issues in it, and this got her into trouble. The case hit close to home, which is why I'm taking extra time to proofread this entry before finally publishing it.

As I was saying, the team is under some stress lately, and it doesn't help that our schedules are getting more hectic as well. The workload, more often than not, adds to the strain that we are experiencing as a group. With talk of people leaving, it won't be a distant possibility if I see more of my teammates deciding or at least thinking to leave. Every year has its so-called "Dark Ages" where the team runs on near-empty fuel. It may also be considered baptism of fire to our newbies and "a chance to shine" for those who've been around for some time.

I sincerely hope we can hang in there and get through this, still as a whole team.

As Usual...

As usual, it's been a while since I last posted an entry here. So I'll try to finish my backlog of updates and will see what else I can cram here:

January

• My tita got married on January 5, 2007. She actually got married on civil rights on July 20, 2006 but decided to have a church wedding here in the Philippines as well. The wedding was held in the Chapel on the Hill, in Batulao. Reception followed at the Evercrest, which was right in front of the chapel. Everyone in the family (except my Tito Jun, who was in the States for his classes) was there and all dressed up, including me. Hahaha, you should've seen me, I was in a pink gown with curly hair. I think I actually looked pretty, considering that I went there straight from work (graveyard shift, without decent sleep). Pictures will be posted soon.
• We had our planning session at work, and we now have projects lined up for the rest of the year. In terms of work assignment, I moved back to PSC after staying in JG for nine months. Looking back, I still miss the people I've worked with in JG and I still can't help but feel that JG is still really my "home."

February

• I celebrated Valentine's Day at home during the day, and at work by nighttime. My schedule at work now changes every week, as opposed to the monthly shift arrangement that I had with my former partner in JG. As of the moment, it's still working out for me. I think my parents are actually just glad to see me at home every night, even if it's only every other week.
• I got a 10k payout for my remaining leave credits. It made me realize how I did not maximize the use of my paid time-offs during 2006. I then made a promise to myself that I'll make sure to go on a vacation within the year, as in on weekdays and not just on one of those long weekends.
• I had my performance appraisal, and it was good. Above average, even. And it made me renew my promise to go on vacation/s within the year. I think it will make me healthier.
• Rumblings at work, particularly talk of people leaving and people actually leaving. Especially if it's someone you know, departures drain you of your energy and sometimes leave you more tired than you seem to be. I'll talk more on leaving on one of my next posts.
• Speaking of people leaving, my sister Anne left her current company and moved to a new one. She's now works somewhere near North Edsa and she seems a lot happier now.

March

• Graduation time. My brother will graduate on the 18th and will be a La Sallian soon.
• People still talk of leaving, and the thought has been on my mind as well. I have nowhere else to go, but recently I have actually entertained the thought that I might be happier in another company than where I am now.
• Mama already resigned from her current job, effective April 30. She'll go home to Tacloban on May 28-June 3, and I'm going with her.
• Planning a trip to Bohol within the year... :D

I have something to look forward to later during the year. I hope to give you real-time updates real soon.

From Cholo's Blog...

Never Date a Leo

Dramatic, egotistical, and emotional - a Leo is way too high maintenance for you!And forget about a quick fling with an alluring Leo. It's either everything or nothing with this sign! Instead try dating: Virgo, Capricorn, Pisces, or Cancer

What Sign Shouldn't You Date?

Before the Year Ends...

Grabe! Year 2006 will be over in a couple of days. Time flies so fast when you're having fun, or when you have tons of stuff to do.

I haven't had the opportunity to post something within the month. December was filled with work, Christmas parties, reunions, get-togethers (meaning tons of food!), minus the time using the PC here at home.

Nevertheless, December was fun. Here's to more months of fun and meaningful relationships.

Happy New Year!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Christmas is almost here, and I'm starting to feel it in the air. As usual, I have yet to make my Christmas list and do my Christmas shopping. However, I already got my Starbucks planner after 3 weeks of endlessly sipping coffee. It's all thanks to my graveyard shift, which gave me a legitimate reason to drown myself in at least a cup of coffee a day. Oh, and just in case you don't know yet, I'm back to working day shift until the end of the year. Let's all pray for my partner, that he won't have a relapse of his vertigo episode this time.

Yes, I have made my second lasagna and it was a LOT better than the first. It was a big hit with my family (again!), the boyfriend and his mom and sister (that's "good shot" points for me), and that's really all the feedback I need to hear. I hope to score a repeat during the holidays. Hehehe...

Starting last week, and for the rest of the year, my work schedule is from 6AM-3PM. Working day shift actually gives me more time to take care of myself. I get to go to the gym, spend more time with my family at night and during rest days, sleep a LOT better (early to bed, early to rise) and have an overall healthier routine. My parents and the boyfriend particularly like this schedule, and they feel it's about time I have a taste of "the normal life" again. To my college buddies, let's have dinner again because this time I'm sure I'll be there!

You know what else is good about December? A lot of holidays! Tax refund and 13th month pay! Birthdays of people very close to my heart! Reunions and get-togethers! This month, I also get a leave of 2 and half days! Our first year ANNIVERSARY! Oh wow, GV (good vibes) galore!

Breathing Through the Mouth

Literally, yes, I am breathing through the mouth. I've had this cough n' cold combo since late October and it's been on and off ever since. I've been told to take meds, see a doctor, drink vitamins, etc. but I always keep forgetting. I've never been the type of person to take care of myself that way, not if I can avoid it. I'll probably die a lot earlier because of that, but I can take it.

Work is kinda okay. I'm still working night shifts, but I'll probably work days starting next week, since my (work) partner committed to cover the night shift for the rest of the month. I'll probably have a more normal social life (nights-out, etc.) until December.

My tita's wedding is in a couple of months, and I'm still chubby. If only I had a sure-fire way to lose weight, with all the time I've been spending at work. The rest of the time, I'm at home, sleeping. The weekends are spent with family, friends and the hunny, a.k.a. QT (quality time) with the people that matter most. What I need is time... or maybe I just need to manage my time better. Whatever.

I made my first lasagna to "practice" for my hunny's birthday gift. It didn't taste quite right, maybe because I was not able to tweak the sauce properly, but it wasn't a disaster as well. It was gone after a couple of days, thanks to me, my dad and a few others who were brave enough to sample it. It is an achievement for me still, because I seldom make anything in the kitchen and something as tedious as lasagna is no small effort. I'll make sure the next lasagna I bake will be a lot better, because it will be my birthday gift na. Haha.