CH07: A rude awakening

A lot can happen in a week.
Not being self centered - but with the weight of the things that have happened the past week - the world has lost its bearing somehow.
Out of place. Forcing me to question...I need to get away - somehow. Symptom of burn out. -> Forgetfulness. I hate it. Shit.

Still smiling though. Defense mechanism.

I entered this world equipped with a knife. After all - they said it was cut throat.
"Look whose throat is cut now."

Now this is what I'd call - a rude awakening.

CH06: Life as a self-supporting student.

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So far...so so.
Hahaha.

So busy!
For the past week. I had 3 days of shadowing Asia (7am - 4pm) - and I am proud to say, not one late! Now, that's a feat for someone who's been leaving the house for the last 3 years of college 5-15 minutes before class...and arriving in class (0-15 minutes late) - it depends on the heavy the traffic is/was. Then, 3 days of shadowing EMEA (3pm - 12mn), and, not one late as well. Well, I was late for about 10 minutes in our training last friday (well, sorry, I came home late from the late night shuttle) but to say the least, I was already in RSC before the 3pm start.

After 6 days straight of shadowing/working - Sunday (today) arrives, and I have a review in 7 hours. A review that will run for 9 hours (inclusive of breaks) and will culminate with a mock exam in the evening. (3 hours? - im not sure). Then come monday, my supposed day off - but what have I got planned for that day? Studying. Hitting the powerpoint presentations. Reviewing different transaction codes for SAP, as well as commands in unix...blah blah. I will be having an exam this coming thursday - Duty Manager exam for HP. (heart beats faster - hahaha). With all the trainings we've undergone...oh shucks. Burn out.

Then come Tuesday evening, I will start shadowing for the NA shift (11mn - 8am) till Saturday 8am. Then come June 16...I will no longer a be trainee. I will be starting 7 straight days of EMEA shift work...hohoho. I'm losing my social life.

Well, this isn't a rant post whatsoever. But, I just gained a new perspective on how hard it really is to be a....

SELF-SUPPORTING STUDENT.
"Oh diba. Sa kakasabi ko sa inyo mga T'gangers na self-supporting ako...totoo naman!"
Well, the only difference with other self-supporting students, the work I'm doing is more mentally draining than it is physical. (I'm assuming that most self-supporting students go to work as service crews)....

So having dawned on the reality that I am now a self-supporting student till the board exam finishes - (I REALLY PRAY I PASS. PLEASE LORD BLESS ME THIS OPPORTUNITY. PLEASE.)...I realized how opportunities in our country have now become a privelege.

I'll be missing a lot of review classes because of a shifting schedule...NO - I am not a call center agent (hahaha - defensive - but it's a natural mechanism against false assumptions), but my chosen career path is called - BASIS ENGINEER / ADMINISTRATOR. (I hear it earns. hyukhyukhyk. "secret nalang natin kung gaano talaga kalaki ang eventual earning"). Anyway, I have already planned on how to work around this. During my OH (office hour week - which isnt really an office hour week because there are as much days off as there are office hour -flex time- days. 4 is to 3) I will try to study as much as I can from the materials being given by excel as well as from the books I plan to buy...hmmm...later?...

I guess, it is true - what they say - that your life as a student will never end - unless you choose it to be -OR NOT. I thought I chose to stop being a student - but lo and behold. Well, I have accepted it since I knew going into IT would really mean a lot more mental exercise trying to absorb all the different concepts and solutions to IT problems (SAP, OS - unix/windows, database - oracle/sql)

I just hope and pray that there will be no complications with this work around. I have been planning this. I thought to myself that I should wait for a regularity in my schedule before taking the review seriously. For the past 1 month and so so days (turning 2 months come June 16), I had trainings here and there and shadowing, so I never really had to chance to focus my attention on other things - like the review. I haven't even opened my DS-lite for like a month or so now. Well, I did open it, but just opened it to check if it was still working....or tried to play it but ended up quitting 10-20minutes into a game.  "Grabe, kakalabas pa naman nung hinihintay kong game - tapos darating pa yung FF strategic game...buti nalang masyado na akong busy to use such little idle time on gameplay"

Hopefully, I pass the board exam. I am now setting my plans after I pass...so hopefully I do pass. Career oh career. hahaha.

Still, the goal for everything is clear. (I did mention it in one of my previous posts).

Earn as much as my brother (hmm...not sure how much my sister earns...so I don't know whose is bigger....but! since my brother is in IT, I'll set it up as my benchmark) in a shorter period of time. 

---on to other things:
1. I still havent found the time to bring my laptop to a repair shop...The power button is having problems. So with that, I am having a hard time turning my laptop ON. - Thus, I can't use my laptop to download via torrent new albums. (Usher, etc etc)....

2. I still havent found the time to get the car stereo fixed.

3. I haven't even found the time to drive the car!!!!!

So....in short....I don't have enough time on my hands - FOR THE MOMENT. Come the week of June 23 - OH week. Maybe I could get all of these done as well as start my serious review.

PS: I should start going to church as well. Rekindle my faith with the church and strengthen my faith in God. I need a stronger connection with God...=) I'm starting to los/ I'm afraid to lose faith in myself because of what's to come (missed review classes). "Insecure pa naman ako kung may mas nakakalamang sa akin ( for this case - in terms of naattendang class etc). Kasi iniisip may alam sila na di ko nalaman...eh sa board exam pa naman competition since yung upper something percentile lang ng board takers ang kinukuha even though lahat pumasa/papasa" So...if the burden of self-doubt comes to a point where I can no longer carry it...As I learned during one of our retreats back in highschool - God/the Lord will share your burden... "Lord, sana di niyo pa po ako nalilimot..."

CH05: Bottoms Up!

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So far so good.
--
Last night, my friends and I went out to watch Sex and the City.
And it was SSSUUUPPPERRBB.
Very satisfying.
I mean, it brought closure to the whole of Sex and the City.
No loose ends (IMO).
The characters' plot were unique from each other and I loved how things played out for them.
But of course, the central character, Carrie, had the spotlight.
But the side story were, as i said, unique and particularly interesting to watch as well.
Hehehe, not so much details here.
I don't want to spoil anyone who plans to watch it.
BUT.
Here's just some things.
I was sad how things turned out for Samantha - I wished it didn't end up that way. Sad sad. SHE DIED! Hahaha Just kidding.

Miranda, I was particularly awed by the scene on the bridge connecting brooklyn and new york. There were a lot of literary whatnots that were played out. How, as Carrie pointed out, poetic that "scene" was.

Charlotte. Her scene at Mexico was such a laugh trip. I was laughing my ass off. AS IN! Partly because it was like "oh no she didnt! (add the black american chick accent)" hahaha.

Carrie, well, as much as she was trying to avoid the cliche of proposal (with the kneeling and stuff) - well, it played out well for her in the end. Although, as my friend pointed out, a particularl someone went like "ACK!" and spoiled the moment for some. But I was to focused on how things were playing out that I thought somebody just coughed or something hahaha. Well, apparently, some was "kilig" and let it out then held it back the last minute.
--
It's hard overcoming becoming materialistic and all that.
Hahaha. I think I'm about to slip.
I asked my mom last night, because I have been wondering about this.
Tipz: "Ma, para saan ba ang iniipon ko?"
TIpz: "Anong pinag-iipunan ko?"
Tipz: "San ko naman gagamitin?"
She just told me that it was savings. For eventual use when the time comes that I need it.
It's like. I want to spend it! Hahaha. Although...I don't know where to spend it to.
Last week, at trinoma, as I was about to go home...
On the MRT I thought to myself...

I think I'll go buy myself a new polo shirt. (this one was particularly ringing inside my head)
I'll drop by McDo to order Fries Float Combo. (this one was particularly ringing inside my head as well)
I'll window shop around and try to find myself a new bag for the board review.
I think I want to buy myself new pants.
I think I want to buy some more casual shirts
I think I want to buy some casual shorts
I think I want to buy myself new slippers
I think I wan to buy myself new shoes - sneakers. (this one was particularly ringing inside my head as well)
...(the list went on and on when I was going around Trinoma)

But...none of them were accomplished.
I said to myself. "Ano ba yan gastos na naman. Nakakatamad gumastos"

But then, like I said, last night, I was wondering why I am saving in the first place!

Hahaha. RELAPSE!
Well, I am not a "gastador" or what. But...it's just tempting to see 1/3 of my pay just sitting there...without interest.

CH04: I'm in love...=)

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...................
...................
...................

I'm sorry for the things I said the last time.
I was a man who lost faith.
But, this morning, my love for you has been rekindled.

I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you....














EDSA@630.

I left the house the other day at 630am.
I got to the office around 735am.

<at na depress naman ako kasi ibig sabihin kung ganun parati - eh di kelangan ko pa mas gumising ng maaga at mas umalis ng maaga.>

I was not only depressed due to the above mentioned. I was also depressed because I felt I would lose control of my own time...I was depressed that I would have to hand over control to public transpo. For someone who hasn't commuted as religiously as I have the past (1 month - yey! It's already been a month at work) 4 years...thanks to learning how to drive....well...that was a little hard to take for me.

So I contemplated last night on my way home. =) I rode a bus instead. MRT has scorned me. "that bitch!" haha.

So...

as of writing (brimming with self delight)
I left the house today at 630am.
I got to the office around 7-705am.
Thank God <tinamad ako> to commute because my legs were a little sore from badminton the other day.

I love you EDSA@630. I love you. 

Although, I have to say that's your only incarnation that I admire.

PS: Don't betray me.

CH03: The Exodus

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Okay...breathe in...breathe out....let it all out...

F*CK Dan Humphrey! Sh*t. I hate him. Weird though. I like Georgina's character - but not Dan.
He's like a protagonist in some telenovela who gets spun around in a web of lies and yet fails to realize it. Wait. hahaha. it's not actually "like" because - that's what's actually happening.

-Gossip Girl rant.

I realize what I like about Gossip Girl. The show doesn't leave you hanging for too long. It doesn't dwell too much on something. They serve you a hot dish - then serve another one better before the previous dish gets cold. At least, although, episode 17 is still such a cliff hanger -they've already cleared Serena's issues. (Well, this is in comparison to Heroes season 2. It became stale. Kristen Bell brought the fire to it though). And now I anticipate how the "non-judging breakfast club" will crush Georgina.

I loved the scene where Blaire approached Chuck to go and crush Georgina. Friends to the rescue. Hahaha. Friends to the rescue - but with more malice and ill intent.

----And from a comment threaded (From multiply):
"I actually take back what I said about Jenny and Blaire. Hahaha. Blaire's got the moves. It's like, hit me and i'll stab you."

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Exodus 1: The march
Last monday, I brought the car with me to the office. I thought the strike was large scale and I would have had serious trouble getting to the office...But, during the morning - well, the usual traffic was present.

FYI: Because of the construction of the elevated u-turn - the C5 flyover from pasig to makati/guadalupe has become quite a crawl. I hate it. Everytime I go through there - it's like - "MEHN! IS THERE NO OTHER ROUTE?!" I have serious trust issues with EDSA. It's like, everytime I decide to give EDSA a chance to get me through without much delay - get that delay and multiply it by a hundred. I hate it. And now - ohhhohohohoho - C5! WHY?! 

So - because of the crawl at the C5 flyover - I decided to go up the ramp just a little past the ramp near green valley. But then - the way was closed!!!!!!

FLAAASSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHBAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKK.

School Bus days. I remember that there was a bridge linking pasig to (im not sure if this is right->) pateros (taguig). So i decided to explore (sorry asia. I had to come up with something - else - risk getting there at a later time. =) )....Our school bus serviced someone who was a daughter of hardware shop owner by the bridge (pateros side)

FLAAASSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHBAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKK.

And I got lost. In Pasig. In a place that's now unfamiliar. In a place where my judgment was clouded by the presence of A LOT of jeepneys and the thought equation <jeepney=traffic>. Luckily - a jeepney saved the day! Hahaha. I decided to risk it with a jeepney that has the sign PASIG to MARIKINA. WHO KNEW it led the way? I didn't. I was spared. Hooray. (And I found that the hardware shop was still there)

MARCH 1: Celebrities.

So after work - I decided to hit the gym - for the sole reason that I wasn't feeling that much pain. I longed for that pain (now I don't though). It was a constant reminder that I was "working" some muscles out. And at the gym. It was raining stars. (figuratively speaking. fyi). So there. I won't elaborate. I don't want to seem like a die hard groupie or something (hahaha i had to get that across). But what I did get from it - is the appreciation of the reality - that those people (models, actors and actresses) worked hard to achieve those results. (Well, unless their metabolism is fast and they're slim by gene - go die! hahaha joke. ENVY).

MARCH 2: People unite!

On my way home. I was greeted (upon exit from UP and entering Commonwealth) by hoards of people. I was even shouting to myself "AAAHHHH! Wag kayo diyan mag hintay ng masasakyan!!!"

FYI: Upon exit from UP and entering Commonwealth - the way was "expanded". So now, people exiting UP to commonwealth have a lot more turn radius to choose from.

And it just so happens that where the people where waiting for a jeep/fx/taxi - lacked lighting. In short. MEGA SHORT VISIBILITY. There was no street lamp yet (because the widening --road widening -- that's the term not expanding =) just finished).  And it also just so happened that a lot of the "TURN RADIUS" would cross the path where they were waiting. Plus. Add a dose of rain-lets to that....and...it was just an accident waiting to happen.

But, upon finishing that obstacle - I found a lot of people walking the length of commonwealth. I couldn't see though how far it reached (there's a steep up after the Shell gas station that would impede your sight of the rest of commonwealth).

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Exodus 2: The PushI still can't get over how whenever I try to get into the MRT - I end up pushing somebody. NOT BECAUSE I am the instigator of the push. But I am being pushed as well. Change language.

"Sobrang weird lang para sa akin. One second no pushing. The next second tulakan from the left side. The next second tulakan from the right side. (Repeat steps 2-3) I HATE IT. i've actually counted. Since I started going to work - I've tripped more than ten times upon entry into the MRT. WELL. Not the tripping in the sense that I fall face flat on the floor. But rather. TRIP (because there's a gap between the train and the platform) then RECOVER. Hahaha. Recover with a nasty look at whoever I thought was the cause of my tripping. Well, just look but I don't actually think ill of them. Mamaya misdirected pa. HAHAHAHA. JUST LOOK at who I thought caused my trip to somehow get my point across to - that person (if he/she was the cause) - or to the rightful person (if i mistakenly look at someone else)."


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Exodus 3: The Pull
I just could not stop myself from being pulled into listening to a man (of late 40s) ranting. It went like this.

"Kasi naman kayong mga babae - Hindi kayo makatiis na mahiwalay sa mga boyfriend niyo. Para namang hindi kayo magkikita pag labas! Kaya tuloy sumisikip dito. Eh may eksklusib na nga na tren sa inyo di niyo pa sulitin."
----------MY COMMENT: Sexist!!!! Or just plain insecure. hahaha. Maybe he's just "tigang."< Sorry - T'Gang is only accepting young adults age 18-26>

Scenario 1: THE MRT WAS VERY FULL (as expected). The said man was by the door (Boni station i think) and people kept pushing and pushing to the point where it was crushing him - and a friend (hey keen!) - so the man retorted:

-fyi: this quote may not be accurate. I was distracted. My bag was a stuck between two people and I was holding on to it (like for dear life) because I was afraid someone may snatch it.

"Ano ba kayo! Tulak kayo ng tulak. Parang hindi kayo mga Pilipino! Hindi niyo ba nakikitang puno na?!"
----------MY COMMENT: Was he in fact trying to say that he was the right Filipino? But then - are we people who rant out loud for people to hear? (From high school I remember being thought that we Filipinos are resilient. But in our resilience - we tend to stay quiet - until the point we actually break ) --(the latter part I made up based on my opinion hahaha)

Scenario 2: I forgot how the next commentary from the man arose - but I think it was because of the continuous pushing from people who want to get on the train.
"Talaga tayong mga Pilipino. INTeLI-JENT." - in a tone I interpreted as saracstic. "Kita na ngang puno nagpupumilit pa ring pumasok."


****************
My Conclusion:
****************
Well, everyone has a right to free speech. BUT. People should know when to shut up. I am actually beginning to understand the reason why people push to get in...and try to be the best contortionists just to be able to find space for themselves inside the train. It's because - of poor management. (Hehehe. Blame it on someone. OH YEAH!)

I think - that the MRT management should start finding out ways to resolve the different issues:
1) "Sa north avenue - pag morning rush hour - almost kalahati ng edsa and inaabot ng pila GALING TAAS PABABA ng flight of stairs" at bakit ganun? Kasi they don't want too many people on the platform and ticketing area waiting for the train.

2) "the tulakan issue to get in." IT ISNT SAFE. I've actually seen someone's foot slip through. At talagang nadapa siya."

3) BROKEN TRAINS! "SHIT talaga kanina. May nasira raw na train sa kamuning and they had to move it out of the way (OBVIOUSLY) before any train can proceed. IT TOOK 20 MINUTES OF MY TIME. AND IT WAS HOT AND CROWDED."

Only three right now that I can think of.

But by studying the three - one can find something in common. =)

And it's something the management can solve.
Why don't they invest in a few more trains? Aba! Saan naman napupunta ang pera galing sa mga tao pati sa mga advertisements na nakapaskil sa train at sa station.

Hmm - that's the only solution I can think of thus far....More trains = more space for people. More space for people = less time waiting for trains to fill up. etc etc. I mean, kahit mahal yung train - if they want to serve the people right - then give them what's rightfully theirs.

And for the man who loves to make "parinig"
-Well, stop it. You're not solving anything. Just adding to the noise. Don't preach. I'm sure you don't practice what you preached. Nobody does (well, follow it as sternly)

CH02: I killed someone...

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that was the bomb that rocked my world two days ago...
SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!
xoxo - Gossip Girl. True to it's campaign "OMFG." Very very true. Though - I'd stick to just saying OMG.

I won't be spilling too much details. But...MEHN! Shet! I never expected that!! I was thinking that perhaps it was only a sex scandal or whatnot...But COME ON?!

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$$$$$$
My first pay slip! Yey! 
$$$$$$

I still haven't decided what to get myself though.
Isn't it like some sort of tradition to get yourself something really really nice and expensive on your first pay?
Well, whatever. Come what may. I'm just happy right now....too happy to not touch the money. hahaha.
Weird.
Nope - no "libre" hehehehe.

On Work.
-Still, a little dose of anxiety. I'm not yet sure of the expectations set upon us. I mean, expectations in terms of how fast we can learn everything. Everything in terms of managing the tickets and resolving them. SLAs mehn!

-And - hahaha. But what I'm loving about things though is the relatively stress-free experience I'm still having. Although, I don't expect it to last long, after all - board reviews are coming up. I almost forgot about it. =)

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Just a thought that came to mind - Maybe I could use my first pay for cosmetic surgery. Hahaha. Fat Fat Bye Bye.

Just kidding. Diet pills instead. Hahahahaha. joke.

Money is too important to spend on vanity =) excessive vanity =).

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Quote:
Don't look too high up. You might end up tripping on something small. But don't look too far down. You won't see where you're heading.

CH01: Cutting Down...

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on unnecessary expenses.

NO. I haven't gotten my pay yet ($$$). And -
NO. I haven't any plans what to do with them yet.
Although, I did think about getting myself a heater - or something - or probably a new phone - or something - or perhaps a couple more slacks and polos - or something ....

-Hahaha - 
talk about cutting down.

Aside from cutting down unnecessary expenses - I think I should try cutting down on other things like:
1) Unnecessary wishes/dreams that are materialistic by nature. Which, we should be reminded, a fire is no fire without something to keep it going. And, for my part, materialism is such a drag.

2) I will now try to regulate upsizing my fries and drink at whatever fastfood chain. For, like....I don't know how long - it has become imperative that when I order a meal - I get the upsize. I mean, why allow the possibility of shortage - when you can guarantee satisfaction.

3) On carbonated drinks.

I guess, that's all that I have in mind for now. Although, I must praise myself for managing to cut down on using the car. Hahaha. I would like to believe that I no longer am, car-dependent! Well, it is inevitable.

But, I can't promise it will last until whenever. I promised myself that when we move to mckinley - I will start bringing the car (only during the asia accounts) - and hopefully by then --- I will be driving a car/? (hehehe. it's still a secret) that runs on diesel.

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On to other things. Just today, I experienced my first gym experiences. I think I should research about the equipments on the net. I don't know what some of the things are for and how to use them. I don't want to injure myself fore the sole reason of not being aware. (I think it's a stupid reason)...So, the only thing I made the most out of ---is the threadmill. I ran 5km at...at speed of 6. It didnt have any units so....6....I was in a running/jogging pace though.

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I accompanied my parents to go see the manila ocean park. Not much to talk about. I was never really a fun. I enjoy the interactive shows. Like dolphin or whale shows...I think looking at over-sized aquariums is boring. Although, I made the most out of it by just taking pictures (i havent seen them yet...later I will). So, if I were to rate the place, I'd give it 1/5 stars. Ocean park at hongkong gets about 4 (the amusement park/thrill rides are inclusive with the pay). Guam Underwater Aquarium (?) gets about 4 as well. The underwater tunnel for both were longer than the one we have.

What I didn't like about the manila ocean park - is the lack of airconditioning. It's pretty evident. "Pagpapawisan ka talaga." I don't think the equipments were able to cope with the amount of people. Also, the place, when you get there - feels totally unfinished. It's like...hmm...unfinished. I'm guessing - they needed to get a source of income to source what's left of the construction.

Also. I think their ticketing queue is pretty shitty. They had 4 cashiers. But, only certain cashiers could be allowed for this and that transaction. So, the progression was pretty slow. Well, we were going for a discounted lane (horray senior citizens! - more on this later).

But, if it's a place to bring kids - I think, they will appreciate the place.

To be honest, I think, it got that rating, because to me, it was such a let down. Having seen ocean park hongkong - and the underwater aquarium in guam - I was expecting so much.

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My dad got his senior citizen card =) . Yesterday, when my parent and I went to trinoma to watch a movie (forbidden kingdom - No, not iron man - I watched it ahead) the lines were so long...luckily...those with senior citizen cards get special treatment.

Tada!
In front of the line.

Served.

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On BigOli. I was thinking, from the outside that it will be some sort of fine dining. nope. Hahaha. Another let down. When I got inside...nyekers....fast food. And when I saw the menu...I was thinking...wow...."mura". They had pasta which cost about 135 for large serving and 80 something for regular. The prices were not steep. All in all...I would say...if you're with a big group. Yes, this is a good place to go. But - don't expect the food to WOW you. It's ordinary.

Another analogy.
The dinner we had there - for three people - cost less than the breakfast we had (for three people) at banapple.
In terms of satisfaction - by more than a mile - banapple gets the two thumbs up.
So...
From here, you can formulate a relationship between cost and satisfaction (for food):
^cost = ^satisfaction.

Hehehehe.

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Hmmm

I should start cutting down my expectations on things.