Training Progress

How's everyone doing during this hot days of the season?

Ha. Summer is fast approaching and I personally think Manila is not the ideal place to be.. hehe. Not that I meant it in such a bad way, but sometimes I can't bear the heat anymore!! Ok, I'll stop whining now because unlike Australia, Manila doesn't seem to experience heat waves and heat strokes. It's just that when 3PM kicks in.. ay, I would be awake. I always and always.. get to wake up in the middle of my sleep because of the fu**ing heat. Or maybe its just our house? And thus, I wouldn't be able to sleep anymore. Aircon is not an option, we're a classic struggling family.. and so we don't have that, hehe :p

I just wish to leave Pinas soon and experience winter for a change!

How's your week? Mine? it was very BUSY but accomplishing. I am now fully New Hire Certified. Thank You! Actually, while the certification was happening, I had to do some side lines - print some stuff, laminate certificates and other materials, buy this, buy that, do up-training, send emails, update trackers, sign forms, CALL FOR FOOD DELIVERY (which I liked with no complaints at all!!) LOL and so many others.

But at the end of the week, I got a very positive result... I got certified and the rest of the participants too. On top of that, we (training) were able to pull off the biggest graduation celebration to date with the assistance of so many others. I failed to send a THANK YOU note to all of them but I hope they are all aware of their participation. We ROCK!! Thank you for the help everyone.

Last day of the week marks the end of the 10 painstaking weeks of product training. Hay salamat! :p LOL, but just like what I mentioned to my class.. I could have not imagined any other class to supervise but theirs.

At this point, I am all smiles kahit puyat.
No more overtime hours in the office just to finish trackers and action logs, no more class to look after to, no more people to motivate LOL (but I beg to disagree because I love talking to people and sharing my two cents every time)...

Seriously, I am very thankful for every learning experience. No room for retreats... it's all learning.. and its all about progress! success in 2009!

Almost There

The Cincinnati News is finally getting concrete.
We are now just awaiting confirmation as to when to leave, tickets, booking, etc.

... But we are still busy at work. Next week is the end of our 10-week training. After which another certification is set to take place.

... work work work and no play?

Happy Valentines! 09

And yet again.. for another little something... surprise..

Marvin bought some pizza and charlie chan from yellow cab and had it delivered to our office for my sumptuous lunch this valentine! actually, to tell you the truth.. he's not like this. maybe because we always see each other before (as we're in the same company) so he doesn't normally deliver stuff to me. But I liked it, thoughtful enough :p

I took a pic of the pizza because I was laughing my ass off when I saw the pepperonis.. can you see it clearly? tell me what you see. hindi ko alam kung baduy.. or he was just like making valentines day as the excuse to be cheesy and baduy. LOL. But just like what I've said. I love it, I love you!!

PS..
when he saw this pic, he said he didn't request it this way.. he wanted every single pepperoni cut into HEART shape and then distribute it just like a normal pizza. Sabi ko nga, natuwa naman ako eh, i think the ones who made this wouldn't spend so much time cutting/ reshaping the pepperonis right? The outcome was fine.. the only problem was some cuts were highly concentrated with toppings while the others were just cheese :p

..And the rest of feb 14? I just slept :p everyday is supposed to be a love day anyway.

Pre Valentines Special

I was pretty surprised to see what was waiting for me, last night's shift. I can say I was really impressed with the efforts. Not to mention I liked it so much!

First, I thought they're real flowers, but the official receipt (minus the amount, thank gahd), came together with the package and it says '12 pieces rose soap flower'. I'll wait till the time comes that I can use the soap, hehe. It'll stay in my table until after Valentine. I love it. Thanks hon!!

I also got a long stemmed rose from my co-trainer (whose name is actually Rose too)

just don't mind my messy table

if you look closely, you'll notice the petals were carved thinly.. i call it a piece of art

i don't know the source but it says fiore wiz - try fiorewiz.ph

Here's the message from the card:

"And through me, eyes will see
There will be only you
Only you"

an excerpt from Only You by After Image

Happy Hearts to everyone!

Online Marathon: Gossip Girl Season 2

I know I mentioned last time that I have a non working DVD of gossip girl right?, and ETC has started airing the show last weekend. I wont be able to really see it on TV so I had to search the net for some quality videos. It's a little pathetic I know.. Believe me I'm not so much a fan of pirated ones and free internet as its really not right and fair to many people involved in the industry.. but sometimes during desperate times... I have to do this!

Hehe, drama! And so I've seen quite several episodes already. To date I think they have until Episode 18. And while I am typing this I am allowing half of Episode 14 to buffer first before I continue to watch.

La lang, just thought I update you my dear blog. :p

.. and oh dear, sa labas ng bahay namen... VIDEOKE galore ang mga tao.. buti na lang malaki headset na binili ng kuya koh!

First Class for my 2nd Account

Finally! I made it to the very last day of my very first class, Product Specifics Training is nevertheless over.
And what a way to actually end it? Getting drunk of course! err, drinking but not really getting drunk. My class and I spent some time chit chatting outside of the classroom for a change.. for the very first time with them.. holding bottles of drinks instead of the tiresome notebooks, markers and ballpens. Fortunately, everything went well. Nobody was crazy drinking more than what they can take. And of course, nothing can beat a drinking session that's free!! :p thank you!

One of my trainees is leaving Pinas to continue his work abroad. He is actually bound to go there anyway, it just so happened that he was accepted in the company. And that is one of the reasons why the class went out too.

Training has always been a learning experience for me, and the recent one I completed was no exception at all. The class, I think tested me for patience... because I almost lost it during the process.. hay naku!! Fortunate enough, I'm still myself. hehe.

so happy nesting on Monday, and guys? share the pics please..

Point and Shoot

Sigh, I don't have a digital camera.

My family never owned one.. even during the 'film' years way back. During my last trip to the US, I borrowed one. Poor me. Hehe. Yeah I know. I survived without me having to buy. And now that I heard that there's a possibility of going back this March I am forcing myself to scout for a cheap, reasonably priced and quality camera. I want something that's point and shoot, no hassles, no complications :p

I have asked many people about it and I have observed that Canon is a great choice, and so I would like to stick with that. I like the ixus 85is - neat and pretty reliable. I think Cisco has this one and I have copies of all the pics he took.. they're all good. But I want something that won't even reach 10k... meron kaya nun?

... and I found this for 6K, you think this is ok for a starter?

Ohio in March?

GOOD
I'm posting because I can't contain it myself. I have to share it to someone or somebody else. Here it goes...

My manager told me we are going back to the US.

Ok, no screaming, no giggling or whatever. I am happy yes, but I know there's always drawbacks.. consequences. It all happened this morning when I got to talk with my 'MA' (manager) and she told me there is a possibility of flying back to the US and I might be part of the entourage after all. We will just wait for the official papers but until then, nothing is confirmed and official yet.
Here's the current weather condition in OH

Temp: 33°F (1°C) Overcast	Humidity: 70% Wind Speed: NW 5 MPH Barometer: 30.09 in Dewpoint: 24°F Wind Chill: 29°F
Updated at 753 PM EST MON FEB 2 2009

super I say.. super cold. :p


BAD
What is happening in OPS? I say its really unfair in so many ways. You have me 100% guys. If you have to do a dialogue, you can count me in. They might not listen to me as I'm not directly impacted but you can always rely on me.... till the end.

GG Season 2, UFC, 4th week, etc.

TV Update!
After my beloved Veronica Mars was cancelled, I stopped seeing series regularly, no time, not enough passion to see them. I love House, CSI (all of it), 24, Prison Break, Sex and the City, Californication, Nip/ Tuck and Entourage (i'm not sure if I'm missing anything else).
Gossip Girl was created in replacement for Ms. PI, Veronica Mars. I've completed the entire season 1 right from the Television, no help from the dvd. Aren't you proud?!
After season 1 they went off the air for few months to start season 2.

My very last day in the US was the very day that Season 2 will premier there! Arghh, have been dying to see them back pa naman.

But finally, after 5 months the Upper East Siders will be back in no time because Gossip Girl Season 2 Philippine premier will be this February 3 at 8PM, brought to us by ETC.
you may visit http://gossipgirltv.multiply.com for more information.

And of course, I can't watch it GG this season because I have shift during weekdays. So marvin bought me the season 2 dvd during our recent trip to 168. After the frustrating battle with the pc's and laptops, I finally had the courage to conclude that the DVD wasn't working properly. And nope, we didn't test it. I was hoping to do a marathon pa naman yesterday. :( Can you believe that it stopped playing after 10 or 15 minutes? darn!

next

I don't watch UFC (ultimate fighting champion) like my brother but I know what it is. And yesterday, it aired live.. cool. The website gets updated in-pronto! I watched it with the barako's here at home. I just thought of posting something about it. :)

LAS VEGAS – Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre scored a one-sided win in what may have been the closest thing to a true “ultimate fight” in the history of a promotion with that name.

Between St. Pierre and lightweight champion B.J. Penn, you had two of the most gifted champions in company history – St. Pierre the world’s best welterweight and Penn the world’s best lightweight, with both at the peak of their careers.

And while St. Pierre was favored as the bigger man, it was still stunning how he dismantled someone who three years ago he struggled to beat in a controversial split-decision win. -- read more.. YAHOO

Fourth Week Update!

We're done with 4th week and I love just how the way it ended. We are not behind with the lessons, we even had a spare day (which was last Friday) so we did call simulations, mock calls and all that. We are now down to our final week for Product Training, next week is Abay. Hope that everything will still be alright.

Happy Monday everyone.
I'm not sure but I feel like I'm not uplifted at all.

Woot Woot to 2009!!

I heard something earlier from a very reputable person that they are sending off people to the US again! wohoooo!

Sadly though it's not me.. though I would love to go AGAIN, let's give chance to others. :)

This news made me think a little and this analysis really excites me. Few days back I was watching TV and this feng shui expert said that those who were born on the year of the pig are prone to 'distant travels'; meaning they can possibly travel this year. I didn't stop thinking when I heard that and kept asking myself.. hmmmmm, galera? boracay? palawan? hongkong? singapore? thailand? .... until today that US travel is being planned. But US is not distant right? .. so maybe that's the reason why it's not for me. hahahaha.
But of course, I know who's going! And I won't tell you, LOL.

Other news naman

This is the second template after I changed from my charcoal one. I used the birdie's template for a few days but it really doesn't fit my taste well. So I went back to bloggertricks and found this neat layout and thought I'd use it. Very simple in black. Also, I'm revamping my comments - I'd like to have something standard and not use all the labels in the world. So goodluck to me on that.

I am happy with the current run of my lessons. It seems that billing, and so many others are not so bad after all. Parang kelan lang start of the week. It's Friday again guys!!

Happy Weekend you all :)

Monday Errands...

It's another week..

another life to celebrate, challenges to face and successes to celebrate!

I've seen few people changed templates and I was a little jealous looking at my old black one (but it's not yet 1 year) and so i did scout for another one. I'm a little OC when it comes to templates and I don't just change, I always want something unique and simple... finally I stumble upon this popular and really nice art. Hope you like it!

I'm working on the rest of the details... i find the font a little small...
till next time! :)

_______

Whew, bills to pay, banks to go to, things to do.. hay.
i also finally saw marvin today. kakapagod na maglakad sa malls nowadays ha! anyway, end of the 3-day fight.

we went to greenbelt chili's, maiba naman.

triple play

blackened fish with black beans and not-so-regular rice

wala lang, i didn't intend to take pictures of food all the time.. i just do it for blogging purposes and remembrance itself, LOL. so, sorry kung hindi quality. hehe. panakaw pa yan, i know most restaurants don't want their food to be photographed eh. hiya din ako.

Third Week Update!

WORK is alright. I was able to finish my third week of training smoothly. I think my kids are learning naman so that's really great right?. Got my pay too today so I'm kinda happy, with all the OT's and holiday pay. Being in the office last xmas eve and new years eve was kinda alright.. but i wouldn't trade being at home for couple of thousands when its xmas and new year time noh! but i'm satisfied with what i got.. so it's all good.

MYSELF. I am ok. My hair is growing fast and is looking messy again. I can feel the ends of my hair right at my nape... un ung alanganing haba ng buhok, na sana either mas maiksi na lang or by the shoulders na agad. Few people don't like my hair, hehe sayang daw. Sabi ko naman... it will grow back. Before you know it, its long again! Hehe, pero personally, I've been longing for a short hair naman talaga, ung magaang sa pakiramdam. Wash and wear ika nga. Funny, nabuhay na naman si pachuchai. Claudette, my co-trainer suddenly told me one time, 'mae, kamukha mo si judy ann', i don't know if she's joking... LOL. Hindi nio na po itatanong, when I was in college i cut my hair short too.. even shorter and thinner than my hair now.. and during that time me soap opera si judy ann.. so nung mga panahon na yun e pachuchai ang tawag saken. see pic inserted! :p

MY LOVE. It's chaotic. We had a fight. it's been two days he didn't text, show up or anything. Our 41st monthsary was yesterday, with no hi's or hello's.

Inaguaration

Nope... it's not yet inauguration for Obama.. but real soon right?

Today was the day our site was officially inaugurated and launched to the public. The event started at 10AM and ended at 3PM with invited guests from press, private individuals, government and the President herself.

The event didn't actually end at 3PM because food was still overflowing during the night. It's eat all you can!! Gosh, I have 23 students currently and only 6 of them are girls.. so my students were really happy going back and forth to the serving table.

2008 Christmas we only had the head of the pig (LOL, or maybe I didn't see the body because it was chopped already), 2009 New Year, we had one roasted pig... Today ladies and gentlemen.. we had 4 freaking goood roasted pig... yummy! pati ako na hindi mahilig sa litson e nasarapan. :)

this was really gooooooooooooood

Burger Avenue and Others!

We have just completed second week of training.

It was fun, it sometimes goes out of hand (especially the noisy-ness) but everything was just ok. I'll be preparing for third week this weekend and see what third week will bring us.

Nga pala, I saw Naps (my former college classmate) last Friday Morning. I was standing at the intersection of Buendia and Makati Ave waiting for the stoplight to go red so I can ride a jeep. And when it hit red I started walking from where I was. Tapos pagkasakay ko sa jeep, I saw him on the same spot where I was standing, he was waiting for the pedestrian signal to go green. We shared a few good memories back in college so I thought of talking to him, but ... not meant to be I guess. :p It's nice to see him again though.


FRIDAY

Marvin and I tried Burger Avenue at G/F A-Venue Mall, Makati Avenue corner gen Luna St. Marvin was curious about the "Ridiculous Challenge" that they were offering. Ridiculuous Challenge is, you have to finish their Ridiculous Burger in 5 minutes, everything swallowed, and your burger is free! Ridiculous Burger is Php255.00 with 3 grilled patties, oatmeal bun, chees, tomato, and lettuce.

So we made our order and waited. I didn't try it ladies and gentlemen because I am no fan of burgers whatsoever. I just like Wendy's burger, that's the only burger I can finish. Anyway, so when he was called with his order being ready, the supervisor was very kind enough to run him again of the rules, just eat and swallow everything not including the wrapper and he wins! There was also one official timer that sits at the cashier.

When the burger was given, he opened it and started touching it. Hmmmmm, what was he thinking? Marvin is a little weak when it comes to hot items, so I thought, oh-no... yes, the burger is freshly cooked and its really hot. But still, I cheered for him :p I wasn't doing anything (not even capturing a video or photo.. bad momma!) I was there in front of him cheering him to eat and drink and eat some more... but it striked 5 minutes already and he has the other cheek of the bun and some patty in his mouth left. He didn't get his Php255.00 back but it was worth the try. :)

Burger Avenue also delivers, I think they are open on Weekends until 3AM and 1AM on Weekdays. They have a very small dining area.. actually a very small place that is - but it won't hinder you from trying their stuff. And oh - they have a wall and photo book full of pictures who tried their challenge and won. So if you win, you get to be posted on the wall and in their photobook. :)

Go ahead and try it!

Manila, Manila

amazing how Manila could get this cold despite the information about Global Warming.. and that the world is getting hotter and hotter. I'm not sure about what you, but personally I think this January is colder than last year - correct me if I'm wrong though.

I always work night shift, and I would normally leave the office when the clock strikes 6AM, because 7AM onwards will be a little warmer, plus the sun would start to rise, after some time it will then be humid and real hot. But I like the weather this past week, I step out of the office at 8AM.. sometimes even with a jacket on... and it doesn't bother me.. I don't feel sweaty at all.

Nice nice happy weather!

.... drawback for me though, I have to endure the cold water at night,, ayoko maligo ng pinainit na tubig.. makes me lazy.. i feel sick when i do it. :p

So which Training 'Style' again to Use?

i'm super beyond my supposedly 'awake' after hours of shift. it's almost 11am already and I just got home.. why? wala lang.. hahahaha.

i don't know, suddenly when I do things, I can't finish anything at one time. Earlier in the office I wanted to start something at the same time doing something else - so in the end, I can't finish anything! Driving me nuts, and that's the reason why I'm still awake right now... can't focus!

Why?
Because my lessons are in my head. It's like haunting me.. it's like telling me, Mae, what will you be discussing tonight? Krista will be there.. what if you mess up? what if you don't know the questions and you totally embarass yourself?

We're almost in the middle of our Product Class and its getting tougher and tougher. Earlier they did plans, airtime charges, rates, roaming, long distance............. and i totally forgot the exact meaning....!!! later or maybe Wednesday, i will be talking about rerating, prorating, arrears, advance, BILL man... BILL!! I am a technical person...well I'd like to say I'm technical - in terms of troubleshooting DSL, connectivity and a little about PC.. waaaaaaaah, so me discussing BILL? ewan ko lang noh. ano ba tong pinasok ko. This might be the first time in history that I will embarrass myself in front of a lot of people and this might not be the first after all, pero wag naman di ba. So what should I do? hmmm...

I need to put up a good fight. hay. I can do this. I just need to know how to explain it clearly without so much flavor and complications. I need to do it in my own lingo right? so everybody will understand. at least I can do it in style kahit na mali - hahaha.

I just wish nobody from my current class reads this.. I bet walang nakakaalam.. kasi kung meron, nakow! talo na ko sa credibility. harhar!

OK... so I'm done, siguro makakatulog na ko nito. just venting out. :p

and my hair is still... ewwww :p

First Week of First Class

so how's everyone doing so far? me?... I just survived my first week of teaching this new program/ account I'm into. I don't know how I'm doing, I don't know how I'm able to survive everyday.. but I did and will hopefully continue to do so, dahil 8 WEEKS ang training!!

I don't have any updates, just want to tell you I'm alright.

I want to THANK the LORD everyday for always being gracious to me and my family. Thank you LORD for the blessings, because my students are tame, polite and cooperative :p, because my old and old old students/friends remain to be there, thank you for the everyday blessings and safety... couldn't stop myself for appreciating everyday and this might continue on and on, so let me cut myself here...

SO THANK YOU.

You all have a good week ahead!

Let us all count our blessings, not what we don't have.


Love you all. God is Good, All the Time.

.... p.s.
I have a new hair cut, and yep.. its soooooooooo fucking short.. hahaha. but I like it this short, its just that the one who did my hair doesn't know how to cut hair appropriately, or maybe just my hair.. grrrrrrrrrr, will visit another salon this weekend. pagtyatyagaan ko muna to... hahahaha, so lahat ng makakakita saken, you have to bear with me na lang, nayahahaha.

The year that was....

Here's my shout out to year 2008

I felt I need a separate page to highlight my experiences last 08... so here it goes

1. i left my comfort zone - teletech, to find a place where i can grow and find myself again. i felt so stagnant and that my growth has stopped, ive been doing things over and over and over - the only ones making me stay are the people... i need something bigger, brighter and new.
2. i joined an IT company which made me ITIL certified, ayos!
3. i met kim, ed, ness... additional friends.
4. and then i resigned again and transferred to a rising call center company
5. for the first time, i met Ed Mallari - the famous director of teletech before
6. i get to meet new people again... very long list... from our managers, my previous and current students who for not so long, became my friends
7. my hotel and airport experiences here and abroad!! :p
8. my wyoming and denver trips..

.. weird how i can get to summarize all that happened to me in just 8 items :p

MY THANKS
thank you LORD because...

1. i still have a job that provides food for my family
2. i learned my lessons. and i now know where my 2009 is going.
3. i met a lot of friends/ acquaintances along the way, who fortunately still remembers me.
4. i get to fly out of the country for free. the experiences and everything,
   
5. i am safe all the time
6. i am surrounded by people who aren't selfish in teaching me life's lessons.
7. i have friends - inside and outside the company
8. i met a lot of new friends - pinoy at kano!
   
9. marvin and i are still together
10. my family are still here, healthy and alive

There maybe still a long list... so for everything else... THANK YOU!


** sorry, my post was going nowhere, hehe... **

My New Year 2009

How did you spend your New Year?? me? I get to again celebrate at the office...

I was a little sad this time because its my first time to be away from home at new year's eve. But how can I complain? all my students are there, some managers are there, our support group from the US are there (who are truly thousands of miles away from home!).. all I can do is to make the most out of it really. And I'm satisfied to be jumping up and down when it turned 12, making noise with my little torotot all throughout the time we were down at the parking lot, and lighting some.. errr a lot of sparklers.

This is what I was doing before 12 mn
I get to co-facilitate our first Train the Trainer Session with trainers, QA, TL's and OM as participants

our munting salo-salo aside from company food catering
Krista was able to bring 12 round fruits and everyone else brought something round too

And this toy was my best accessory during the midnight!

My Christmas....

You might be aware already, I spent Christmas eve in the office.. and well enough, during the Christmas Day itself.. I was sleeping lang, lame!

I tried to be awake until early afternoon but I couldn't just help it. So let me share what happened.

7AM, Marvin picked me up after office hours then we headed home to have a meal. I enjoyed the night with all the people greeting me and wishing me Merry Christmas. Let me borrow a phrase.. "it wasn't so bad", although I was on call when 12MN striked...


I got the following

• A box of Max's Caramel Bar from my Ninang
  
• Coasters from Johann
• Coffee Cup from Shey
  
• Toblerone from Pat
• KaraNina cosmetics pouch from Rose, Pat, and Brandon
• Mrs. Fields cookies from Milly
• Notepad and Picture Clipper from Hakkai
• Papemelroti notepad from Tin
• Cute pencil from Dette - which is the same pencil I gave to my class, haha
  
• Tomato Bag from my Kuya
• Converse Chucks from my Beau! - I thought I'll get a VS speedy bag this holiday, I didn't expect that he'll get me a Converse... but I super like it! But you know what, I think sakit ko ung, hindi pwedeng isa lang.. dahil maluluma agad pag ginamit ko ng ginamit.. so I wish to get one more next year! **grin**
• ... pahabol - a self made perfume by Dwan (my student), very nice. thanks dwan!
  

Apart from all these, I got soooooooooo many text messages and that I intentionally did not reply. hehe. Sorry! Kasi ung iba, numbers lang, I just couldn't take some time to reply and ask. And I couldn't bring my cellphone anywhere but in my pedestal.

Let me share a space here, to all those who greeted me.. THANK YOU, THANK YOU and THANK YOU. I am truly and sincerely gratified with all of you remembering me... so again, THANK YOU!!

To those who spent time to buy others gifts (including me!), MY SINCEREST THANK YOU as well.


.. now its time to wish ourselves a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

Happy Holidays Everyone!