one year

Today marks my first year anniversary of being employed with my present employer. Career-wise, it seems like nothing has improved and that I was stagnant for the past year. There are some new things that I have learned though but it was far beyond what my previous employer can offer.


I left GS after having been employed for almost five years mainly because of financial reasons. My current employer, being an American company has offered me almost twice the amount of what I have been receiving in GS. I also have no qualms having to go back to staff level and earn this much. I have made my mark with GS and climbing through the corporate ladder --- I was almost there but then the money motivated me more. My family is growing and I still have some obligations to my parents and my siblings, I accepted the offer with a heavy heart. It was tough leaving behind the company whom I have learned to love, whose culture I have learned to embrace and whose direction I am certain with.


Right now, I am uncertain what this company has in-store for me aside from the 10-digit salary that I am earning monthly. I just realize that in this rat race, money isn’t the “it”. It’s a motivation but will never be a satisfaction. I have longed to work again in the HR field. I miss the fulfilling role of working with people --- facilitating trainings, working on employee benefits, conducting interviews, company events, performance reviews, managing feelings. I miss the role of being the “employee champion” again.


I have a wonderful team in the executive support services department. I have a great boss we call Ms. O. But I just hate it when some people in the company misconstrue us of being “just the secretary” or simply somebody people can boss around with --- telephone operator, call for taxi, call for food delivery, supplier of tissue paper, sometimes the utility. It’s not that I’m complaining but sometimes it’s just too much and what they’re asking is no longer in my job description. Of course, there’s what you call “going the extra mile” in everything you do. Whatever!


So, it’s my one year anniversary in this company. I appreciated the fact that the company recognized our presence during our monthly general assembly. Oh yeah, and having to put our resume pictures in a powerpoint presentation showing our colleagues how we look like one year ago…it’s so sweet of them huh!


Pardon me if I’m like complaining a lot --- I’m just not happy anymore. Cheers to my one year anniversary…I’m glad I’m still alive!!!


The Graveyard Look

being happy...

"Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means you've decided to see life beyond the imperfections. So, don't say you're happy because everything is alright. Be happy because everything sucks but you're just fine..." -- Anonymous

While it’s true that I complain a lot about my life right now --- about the way I look, about my job, about my marriage, about our country, about our government --- it just dawned on me that there’s a lot of things to be thankful about. My life has been a roller-coaster ride for the past 26 years. I was faced with countless battles which I have won over without me realizing it.

Why am I writing about this? Because I came across that quotation above which really hit me.

There isn’t any person in this world that has a perfect life. Agree? Some may be successful in their careers at the expense of their relationships with their family. Some may have a great family but may be striving to make both ends meet. You see rich people flaunting their riches but are they really happy in the true essence of the word? You may see people who may have almost everything that money can buy but do you think they’re the happiest people this side of the planet?

I didn’t realize how lucky I was. I know my life isn’t perfect --- as I said, I’ve had my share of challenges and struggles yet I came out victorious. I simply slew the dragons of my life. You see, there will always be problems in my job, in my marriage, in our country, in our world but I know I’ll be okay. With my family as the source of my strength, I know I’ll get through this life unscathed.

Sometimes, life really sucks but I’ll get by especially when there’s family and friends around to share life’s bittersweet presents.

it's the time of the year...

Halloween...it's one of those events in a year that i look forward to!

it's the time of the year that i get to apply my wildest imaginations in coming up with the coolest and weirdest costumes. just for the record, i have always won "best in costume" awards during costume parties to include halloween and not to mention christmas parties and gs hour during my gs days...

'nuff said --- we don't have a grand halloween party planned in the office. but our hr turned our reception area into one spooky place --- we have cobwebs all over the place with rubber spideys hanging in them. we also have a miniature coffin on the side with lighted candles. we covered our visitor's chairs with white cloth and we got the orange pumpkin right on top of the reception counter. while the rest of cebu are having their holiday today and are heading to visit their dearly beloved departed in the cemeteries, most our us in the office are heading for work. since most of us will be working, we simply called it a spooky day --- thus, we come to the office in our spookiest halloween costume...let me share some of the pics.


me, alex and herbelle

nina, jenny and me -- biting off jenny's shoulderrrrrr

is that me??? takot akooooooo....

and this time with my boss - ms.O and belai

more pics to come...

until next halloween...watch out for me! hehehe

Way to go...BEACH ROOTS!!!

Now that Beach Roots is almost ready to fly, we just realized that we have abandoned our first business, the primary source of our living – our Pharmaceutical business. Having spent almost 100% of his time in the construction of the kiosk, government registration, purchasing and manpower sourcing, my husband just felt so overwhelmed. I’ve seen how passionate he was for the business. He thinks of it as his baby. He actually coined the idea which he shared with his friends. I’ve seen how excited he was for his idea to materialize.

Finally, the construction of the kiosk is close to finish. We’ve purchased almost all utensils and equipment needed. We just lack one more waiter to complete the service crew. We’re just counting the days and off we go.

I’m just saddened by the thought that we have exerted double effort on this business – that of my husband and mine. I, myself became involve in small ways. I find it unfair. I could have stayed in the house and spend some quality time with my daughter over the weekend. I wouldn’t have miss going to church for the past 3 consecutive Sundays. I would have rested my mind and body and brace myself for another work week. My husband often tells me that I shouldn’t involve myself much in the business because he would only get hurt because I shouldn’t be doing things his business partners or friends is expected to do. But my mantra would be “if I won’t do it then who else will?”

But why am I spending my vacant time at Mango Square when in fact I would have nothing out of this? Having 10 owners, it would take years to regain our investments not to mention the efforts we’ve exerted.

Maybe because we’re here for the fun, the camaraderie and the experience of putting up a business we so long wanted to have. It won’t be easy I know --- just like in any business that’s starting, there will always be birth pains. But it’s worth it especially when you see it thrive and grow into something grand.



ALMOST FINISH


WITH THE ARCHITECT

Kawatan

We've been staying in our new home for almost a month now and so far, so good. It's just that we haven't completed organizing our stuff yet. We've been busy with the business my husband and his friends are putting up thus setting aside some of our domestic priorities.

Anyway, the previous house we've lived in Ma. Gochan, well, should I say was a nightmare. Actually, the place was conducive for dwelling. We had a vast garden where my daughter could run all day. We had a huge garage that can accommodate two vehicles. We had 3 large bedrooms and a basement that was more than enough for 10 people to live. Not to mention our spacious living room and dining area.

The place was almost PERFECT...EXCEPT for some thieves living just a few blocks from where we are. From time to time, we always experience our hanging clothes or some junk items in the garage being stolen. There were also instances where our light bulbs in our garage were stolen.

Just yesterday, my husband visited the house to return the keys to the owner. Much to their surprise, upon entering the house, a disgusting odor welcomed them. There were human waste scattered all over the place. The ceiling was totally wrecked. The circuit breaker was taken out and all the wires and bulbs were removed. The sink was on the verge of being uprooted. In the basement, all our junk monitors and keyboards were stolen and even my daughter's crib, stroller and walker were gone. And to think, our very own barangay hall and police station is just 5 meters away from our house.

I couldn't help myself but gasp in disbelief. How cruel of these people to do such a nasty thing. Why can't they just work their butts off and not steal from other people? It's also sad to note that our very own police and neighbors are just watching all these looting unfold before their very eyes. What's new???

On to the lighter side...

Beach Roots is opening NEXT WEEK!!!

After all drama and hysteria --- the dream would finally come true.

Well, this is just the beginning of more drama and hysteria...there's more to come!