Vacation For Them, Work for Us

We all get so annoyed every time we encounter traffic, and so many people while we are in a hurry going to work. But last August 29-30 (Monday and Tuesday) was a different case. I actually yearned for the busy streets, jam packed buses and crowded Makati underpass. 

While the rest of the Philippine population was either staying at home on a very rainy day or having out of town vacations...we were at the office, sweating our butts out. It could have been just a typical day, but friends' 'vacation' FB posts  and empty streets made all the difference. I can't express the feeling exactly..so let me just show you pictures.

This is in Regalado near SM Fairview.

 Here's the almost empty bus I was telling you about. On a regular day, this would be jam-packed.

Noticed the empty seats?

Here's the Makati underpass that's usually very crowded on a typical working day. 

 Another one. I had it all for myself.

The stairs.

..and the not-working elevator at our building (The Enterprise)

While I was climbing this steep elevator...I felt so lonely, the same way I felt when I had a nightmare about the world meeting it's end. It was like I was the only living person in the planet and the rest of the world has perished.

It was so surreal...in a negative way. 

Since it was raining cats and dogs, I opted for a loose sweatshirt-turned top paired with warm black leggings.

Something to Ponder About My Sister

I've posted here several times how my relationship was with my 'ate'. It wasn't totally bad. But disputes and arguments with her were inevitable. I was the breadwinner for an older sister and a younger brother. At the same time, I was juggling thesis, work and bills. A social life was never even an option. It was very hard on my part. Seeing them have all the free time they wanted while there I was, a sleep/social life-deprived 20 something year old NBSB. I felt like 'it' had taken something away from me. I always blamed my sister but still I couldn't help myself but still help her find a job.

Fortunately, she found a job she had always wanted. It wasn't a downhill struggle. She had to cope with a lot of rejections but she was strong. Now she's starting to regain her lost honor. She is studying while working. Somehow she thanks me for my 'insults'. She said somehow it made her stronger and struggle more. I am happy that in a way though in a bad way, I served as a catalyst.

Now of course she is still the eldest among siblings, but I play that role (financially) for the mean time. But I am genuinely happy that she's starting to take the pieces little by little.

By the way, enough of the drama. I've been thinking what provoked me to write this post. And I remember one incident where I think was a great insult to her. It was during my vacation in my hometown (Sorsogon). When I was about to leave for a ride back to Manila together with 'ate', my parents knew that I had no extra money for any kinds of emergencies. They were giving me some amount but I refused knowing that they'd be penniless again. They insisted but I strongly refused again. Then 'ate' took it which made my parents take it back and offer to give it to me again. That to me is an example of a gesture that my parents favor me way more than my sister. And I could just feel 'ate's' pain that time. I've only realized it just recently. I don't know why just memories of yesterday are only appreciated when it's already too late.

It's always a REWIND for me. I never get to enjoy the moment, which makes me really sad. But somehow I'm thankful that I remembered.

THESIS(?) - A Thing of the Past.

Before, whenever I heard the word THESIS..I immediately got overwhelmed with so much dread & laziness...but now..

It is just a thing of the past.

*****

The grueling THESIS has finally come to an end. [weeehw!] That was really something. It is more than a requirement to graduate. I think it is the last challenge every college student should experience to mature. I've encountered a lot through it.


I've learned how to deal with really difficult people.[or so I thought?]

I've come to understand how different personalities can work as one.

I've known how 'kapal ng mukha' one can be.

..and I think the most important thing I learned is that I've come too know more deeply my alter-ego.MYSELF.

I was pushed to the limit..I even thought of giving up. I've learned how one's perception & way of thinking can change his/her fate.

Although I consider it a CURSE I am still thankful that I didn't skip this one.

When I finally saw the hard bound copy...I didn't know what to say. I was a magnificent by-product of our sweat, blood, sacrifice & hard work!
I was like a new father seeing his new-born child.




[picture not mine]

It was so surreal.



So enough of the drama.

The road to a new life awaits.

Thank you so much Lord! [tears]



[standing from left to right: Ervin & our THESIS adviser Sir Carl.seated from L-R: ME, Te Rea, Wendy.]

Another group mate named Mae is not in the picture.so sorry.

So GROUP 8 of BS Psychology Major in Industrial Psychology bids goodbye to the grueling past & excitedly awaits the future.

Anyway, our thesis just to give you a little info about our THESIS, it was about the relationship/implication/correlation of Employee Job Satisfaction to Their Absenteeism.

OJT Diary: 09/07/10

Although it's a bit late already..& I have to leave home at 5:40am tomorrow [now it's 11:11] I just really have to write about my OJT which I first had today!

As stated on my previous post...I have my OJT at JOBSTREET SELECT..an affiliate company of JOBSTREET.COM. It's a recruitment company catering for it's BPO clients..

Anyway I went there early this morning..left the house at around 6am & reached the office which is located in Madaluyong at 08:00am exactly! Just in time. We were really happy we made it!

The trip forth was a challenging experience. We braved the long lines of FX passengers.

Next was the MRT which I think is an overwhelming scene especially during rush hours!

Employees clad in different office uniforms flock these stations.

There you'll see elegant & classy women badmouthing another for stepping on their toes & etc. They almost hurt each other with their piercing words.

Oh My!

and this will be a usual scene in the future...

but this doesn't stop me.

I was so excited to have my OJT so I braved it all.

***********

in the office:

I learned a lot.

There I've realized I've chosen the right field.

I got to see how aplicants are processed.. got to witness an interview! Got to see how competetive people can be!

I felt like I belong to something I've been looking for all my life.

I feel like a void inside me is just filled up with something really wonderful.

This really is it!

Thank you Lord for all the blessings!

My OJT!

I am just so excited about my OJT. I will get to experience variety of areas in HR. I will have it at JOBSREET SELECT.



THE WOMAN IN WHITE IS my boss there. She is really simple but you can feel that she's oozing with confidence,professionalism & elegance. I'm so excited to work with her.



I am so glad I happened to chance upon their ad. They are so considerate with my schedule! The even allowed me to just render 10 hours a week. but I'm planning to extend that after I settle my schedule with some of my professors.

I will start this coming Tuesday!

And so the Journey goes on!

This is my last year in college..but as I go along with my endeavor to graduate in time along with my batch mates..everything seems to get more more difficult!

Before, the path seems just a little elevated, but now it is an uphill climb! It's dragging me to my limit that I almost get sick!

I have to attend 9 classes a week, work full time, render my OJT, and do our THESIS! It's getting more & more unbearable. I don't even know what to do anymore. I hope I can have Hermionie Granger's time-turner necklace so I can travel through time & accomplish what has to be done!

kung pwede lang di matulog ng weekdays at itulog lahat sa isang araw gagawin ko!

right now I'm planning to buy eyeglasses & use it to conceal my eye bags. I hate concealers.

But inspite of all this I love my life. It's not perfect, good or even comfortable but it's something I don't regret going through in life!

..and Here comes The Late Comer!!

..since my freshmen year..I've always been a late comer in the class. My classmates would even be more surprised if I happen to be in class ahead of time. They'd say "wow ang aga naman" which I'm not sure if that was a compliment or not! Anyway, I think I'm already used to it! hehehe.

although I've always been late...but honestly(I think my classmates would be shocked to hear this) .......I dread the moment I hesitate entering the classroom for fear of the professor. It's always been the case. But what can I do?

I'd rather come to class late than be there early & sleep along the heated discussion.
oh the lazy me...strikes. Anyway I've thought of posting this because this is just what happened a moment ago. I'm now in a PC shop while the class is having a discussion. I wasn't able to gather the courage to enter my Economics class 1 hour 15 mins late. I think it's too much!

uhh!! I went home at 2 am, slept at 2:30 & have to go to class at 7:00?

ding ang bato pls!! I badly need it this time.

.new.coMeBack.

HELLO!!! I'm back!! with a new LAY OUT!! I am so happy to be back..hehhehe..

New LAY OUT comes with a new ME. not that I am more feminine now or something..the flowers..butterflies..clouds...doesn't reflect WHO I AM now..but what I want!!

Things are getting more & more complicated as we age...our body age as well as our soul but there are times that I wanna go back to being a child. Where I can just pLAy all day without any worries.

I so loved to be in this kind of world (manifested by the layout)..peaceful, idyllic for the mean time of course. coz..inspite of all the complexities of the world I live in..I am still happy & grateful of it! I like the challenge..maybe I just need a break(?)..

speaking of a break..hmm...

It is now our vacation from school..thanks God!! I can now have time to sleep longer..

that should have been the case..but here I am...planning to have another homebased job similar to what I'm doing right now...

...coz every single day..I've been longing to support/assist my parents financially. Since I'm studying I couldn't help them with the finances. I hate myself for being incapable. I so long to give my younger siblings a baon...a pasalubong..be with them..live with them in just one roof..see how they all grow up..so that at least they recognize me as their sister.

My youngest brother who's now 3/4 years old(?)

I want to do a lot of things at the same time...and I keep doing something about it. But it just worsens the situation..I should do these ONE STEP AT A TIME.

...so sentimental..

... "family is an integral and major part of one's life."
"yeah right!!" -- I'd been hearing this numerous times from different people, friends & teachers. I just shrugged it off... "okay!!" I said.

in short I was apathetic about these things about family.. of course I have a family.. they were always behind me..and they made sure to just stay there...andun lang talaga sila palagi. sa likod.. they never bothered to look after me... .

"we trust you!"

"whatever you do we will support it"

they always say that... but instead of feeling good.. i felt bad. I took it negatively. So I struggled on my own..for my own. and just these days I realized it's importance.

I never would have been the girl that I am now...(independent & steadfast)

I used to think they exist so as for me to have something to call a family...para di ako mapahiya sa friends and classmates..ganun

now they served as my inspiration... i should prove that I'm worthy of the trust!

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


haissst....I'm just being so sentimental about these things coz my Mom will soon go back to the province again..she'd been staying with me for just a week...

ayun lang! not enough time for her to compensate for the times she missed to look after me. naglalambing lang naman ako..heheh anyway...

change topic bago magkaiyakan.

woooshh! katatapos lang ng fire works s alabas ng building... may dragon dance pa!! nice pero may traffic jam din..kaya masaya na inis mga driver..

gotta go!

My love named volleyball

I feel like a 60-year old lady right now. I can't walk straight. I can't be my bubbly self. I can't laugh hard without hurting my muscles. I can't jump & stretch like the way I used to here in the office. I can't visit my colleagues/friends' stations & annoy them. I can't even take my seat in my station without having cramps all over my body... o sakit ng buong katawan ko!!

And that is in exchange of the thrill, excitement & fat-lessening game called volleyball!

I played volleyball all weekend after my classes in school. It is in preparation for our Intramurals. Although I barely have enough sleep because of my studies & work schedule I still made sure that I can play for this year's intramurals. I love the game! actually...very much!! since I was like in gradeschool. But I wasn't given the opportunity. I chased oppurtunities then but they were evading me. Plus I didn't get any support from my parents so I was truly frustrated and discouraged. The game I loved soon left me. But after few year, the passion came back & making it's way into the limelight. not exactly. Now that I am fully independent from anyone I think I can now pursue it. But still obstacles come along. I have work and midterm exams but I will not let it again pass without even greeting me. I'll sacrifice some of my time & supposed to be rests for this. I don't wanna regret again that I did not try. This time I wanna make sure I failed after trying not failed to try.

I am not getting any younger you know... maybe in the future I'll have all the time for it but it wouldn't be the same. I will not be more energetic & vigorous in the future. I have to do this now.

It s now or never.

T.G.I.F.????????????

Friday..friday...friday....that's what my colleagues have been waiting for all week... they are so excited! they can have time to party & have a social life.

ME? I'm restricted to it. who says so? It's me of course. you know I have to do 'what I have to' than 'what I want to' - it's been a sad picture but I found a way on how to creatively deal with it.

Although weekends are supposed to be spent for fun & relaxation -- I have to spend it the other way. To learn! I just little by little incorporate the 'social life' necessity in the clasroom. what choice do I have?

Ah...my korean manager is already closing the lights.. i gotta go! I still have a 7 am class tomorrow & that will be until 7 pm! wish me luck!

although things don't go the 'typical' way...I am still happy! really..

.how to ace your college classes.

As a working student I find it really hard to focus on my some of my subjects.especially when it is a bit unrelated to the course. I find myself memorizing futilely. time, energy & efforts wasted. So I've been really trying my best to focus although my eyes are already heavily lidded... from insufficient sleep. (just like what happened a while ago) you know I really wanna learn..but my body limits me. that's really sad right? I have the determination, drive & good intentions but I have to compromise them to provide for my own keep...ANyway --- why am I getting so sentimental again about this thing. This desrves it's own post.

what I want to really emphasize is the helpful tips I read from Psychology Today website about effective learning. Here they are:

Here are a few ways you can use this concept in the classroom:

By: Joseph Cardillo - ( the author of Can I Have Your Attention? How to Think Fast, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Concentration )

1. Listen actively; making connections to other contexts and
within that day’s material—i.e. perhaps a story by John Steinbeck contains
themes that can be applied to something you are learning about Carl Jung or
Joseph Campbell. Or something you are learning in physics or biology could be
applied, for example, to Virginia Woolf or a philosophy class. If your professor
mentions a text that is related to the topic, seek it out; witness the
connections, and draw your own. You may even bring these observations up in a
future class or individually with your teacher.

2. Restrict your
mind from wondering. Keep participating no matter what. Just like when
your coach is telling you, “Don’t stop now—pour it on. “ Create words or phrases
you can think to yourself during such moments like: stay with it; strong; focus;
create a mental image of a goal you have in mind that is connected to that
course’s context and use it during such moments to guide you back on task.
Practice using these techniques regularly and they will become automatic. Do,
however, give yourself a breath every now and then and lighten your focus.

3. Identify your professor’s goal—if he or she doesn’t
state it outright. Ask yourself: What is the professor’s role in meeting this
goal? What role does my teacher expect me to take on? Make sure you meet this
goal.

4. Think of ways to relate the class’s contexts
as closely as possible to your personal experiences, especially important ones.
Outside of class, think about how the material can be used to help deepen your
understanding of other personal life situations, problem-solve, and enhance your
own life.

5. Daydream, incorporating what you are
learning so that it scaffolds into your future.

It’s up to you to make
the strongest connections here possible. You will notice that when you make
strong matches between class materials and daily life not only will your
academic interests perk, time will move much faster, and studies, in general,
will become a lot more enjoyable. Your mind will become more creative, and thus
more energized, interesting, and complex. And just like runners high, these
characteristics feel good both mentally and physically. As such, you feel
rewarded. And this pattern of activity will begin to feed upon itself. Grades
will come easier. You will feel more secure, confident, and happy. The best news
is that you will start transferring this mindset over to other areas of your
life, deepening the connections there as well.

I found these really applicable in my studies so want to share this to the world!

Civil Service Exam 2010

The schedule for the 2010 CSE hasn't been formally decided yet but I am certain that the first test will be given at around March. I am really anticipating for this coz I'm planning to take the said test & pass it.

I wish I'll pass it on my first take. I don't wanna retake. Oh God Help Me Please!

The guidelines, requirements & some other information necessary about it is listed below from http://www.csc.gov.ph/cscweb/cscweb.html.

Forms are available on their website so you can just download it from there.

Here's a copy I have obtained: (You can download it from HERE - just click the DOWNLOAD on the screen then save to your hadr drive)
CSEForm100ARev2008

A. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE CAREER SERVICE EXAMINATION(CSE)
• Career Service
Professional and Sub-professional examinations are open to applicants regardless
of educational attainment.
• Applicants for both levels must:
– Be
Filipino citizens, at least 18 years old, and of good moral character;

–
Have no criminal record or have not been convicted by final judgment of an
offense or crime involving moral turpitude;

– Have not been dishonorably
discharged from military service or dismissed for cause from any civilian
position in the government; and

– Have not taken the same level of
career service examination within three (3) months from last examination taken,
or for those who have repeatedly failed, have not failed the same level of
examination for four times since October 2002.

B. MODES OF TAKING THE
CSE
The Career Service Examination (Professional and Sub-Professional
levels) may be taken through either of the following modes:

1. Paper and
Pencil Test (PPT)
The CSE-PPT is conducted nationwide thrice a year. Filing
of applications for the CSE-PPT is through the CSC Regional or Field Offices.
Applicants are advised to refer to the Examination Announcement, which the
CSC officially issues for each schedule of the CSE-PPT.
2. Computer Assisted
Test (CAT)
The CSE-CAT is conducted in Civil Service Commission Central
Office (CSCCO), IBP Road, Batasan Hills, Quezon City, and in selected CSC
Regional Offices (CSCRO) such as CSC-CAR, Baguio City. For the schedule of
conduct of CSE-CAT, applicants are advised to coordinate/get in touch with the
CSCCO, or the concerned CSCRO. Please visit the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph for
the directory of CSC Central and Regional Offices.
C. APPLICATION
REQUIREMENTS
1. Properly accomplished application form (CS Form No. 100,
Revised 2008);
2. Four (4) copies of identical I.D. pictures with
specifications, as follows:
a. 1.5" x 2" (Passport size)
b. Colored or
black-and-white
c. Printed on quality photo paper
d. Must show the
subject applicant in standard close-up shot (from shoulder level up)
e. With
full name tag
– The name tag must show the applicant's First Name, Middle
Initial, Last Name, and Extension Name (if any).

– The name tag should
not be computer-generated, meaning, the applicant should have his/her picture
taken while holding his/her name tag.

f. Taken within the last three
months prior to filing of application

Note: The following pictures are
NOT accepted:

– Scanned, computer-enhanced, photocopied, and cut-out
pictures;

– Pictures showing subject applicant not in close-up shot
(lower than shoulder level);

– Pictures with incomplete and/or
computer-generated name tag; and

– Pictures without name tag.

3.
Original and photocopy of any valid I.D. card with name, picture and signature
of the applicant, and name and signature of the issuing officer (i.e. Driver's
License, BIR ID, GSIS/SSS ID, Postal ID, Voter's ID, current Office/School ID,
or valid Passport); and
4. Examination fee of P350 for the Paper and Pencil
Test (PPT), or P400 for Computer Assisted Test (CAT).
D. WHERE TO SECURE
& FILE APPLICATION FORMS
• Application forms may be secured from any CSC
Regional or Field Office, or downloaded from the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph.
• For the CSE-PPT, applications must be filed at any CSC Regional or Field
Office. The CSC Central Office in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, does not accept
and process applications for CSE-PPT.
Deadline for filing of applications is
usually one month before the scheduled date of examination.
• For the
CSE-CAT, applications must be filed at the CSC Central Office, or at the
concerned CSC Regional Office.
• As a general rule, acceptance of
examination applications for both CSE-PPT and CSE-CAT is on a first-come,
first-served basis. Failure to come on the scheduled examination date would mean
forfeiture of examination slot and fee. No request for re-scheduling is allowed.
E. FREQUENCY OF TAKING THE CAREER SERVICE EXAMINATION
(Based on CSC
Resolution No. 021279 dated Oct. 7, 2002)
• Taking the Career Service
Professional and Sub-professional examinations via paper and pencil test (PPT)
or computer assisted test (CAT) shall be once in three months and up to four
times only.
• An examinee failing on the 4th attempt can apply for the same
level of the career service examination only after two years from the date of
the 4th examination taken.
F. SCOPE OF EXAMINATION

Professional
Level
In English and Filipino: vocabulary, grammar and correct usage,
paragraph organization, reading comprehension, analogy, logic, and numerical
reasoning.
Subprofessional Level
In English and Filipino: vocabulary,
grammar and correct usage, paragraph organization, reading comprehension,
clerical operations, and numerical reasoning.
Both levels of the examination
will have general information questions on Philippine Constitution; Code of
Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (R. A. 6713);
peace and human rights issues and concepts; and environment management and
protection.
G. PASSING RATE: Eighty (80)
H. EXAMINATION RESULT

1. CSE-PPT
Results of the CSE-PPT are usually released from three to
four months after the examination. The names of passed examinees shall be posted
at the CSC website www.csc.gov.ph.
Those who passed the examination must
personally claim their Certificates of Eligibility at the CSC Regional
Office/Field Office upon presentation of required documents. On the other hand,
those who failed the examination may secure a copy of their Report of Rating
through the CSC website. No Report of Rating shall be mailed to those who
failed. To secure a copy of the Report of Rating, an examinee must key in
his/her name, date of birth, examinee number, examination date, and examination
type. Thus, examinees are advised to safe keep or remember their examinee number
until receipt of the examination result.
1. CSE-CAT
Results of the
CSE-CAT are usually released within two to three hours after the examination.
Examinees are strongly advised to wait for the examination results. Those who
passed shall receive their Certificate of Eligibility, while those who failed
shall receive their Report of Rating. Should an examinee fail to claim/receive
his/her examination result on the examination day, he/she has to personally
return at a later date to claim either his/her Certificate of Eligibility or
Report of Rating.
The names of passed CSE-CAT examinees shall be posted at
the CSC website.
Meanwhile, a copy of the Report of Rating of failed
examinees may also be secured through the CSC website. To secure a copy of the
Report of Rating, an examinee must key in his/her name, date of birth, examinee
number, examination date, and examination type.

Heroes of the Modern UCC - The working Students

Credits: Sorry I randomly searched the pics above from google images.

Lurking around UCC, observing students, eavesdropping & roaming the streets & mall have awakened my mind about my fellow UCCians dillema. They or should I say WE are all crying for our expenses.

Majority of us is poor. We pay a maximum of 3,000 pesos & a minimum of 800 pesos tution fee yet we still cry for help. Fortunately , we have learned not only to ask for tissue paper to wipe our tears but also to wipe it & worked it out. We are the working students, who I think is becoming a major hero of our own lives. We learned that nothing can take us out of the situation unless we do something about it & we do it vigorously. The heroes I'm talking about are found in SM supermarket, hypermarket, Jollibbee, McDonalds, call centers & on the streets late at night or nearly dawn struggling to survive, & brave the way to classrooms with so little sleep. Sometimes we pride ourselves as those experienced in jobs even before graduation but on the other side we are "missers". We miss a lot of school activities which are supposedly harnessing our talents & gifts. We miss the bonding times with our friends & classmates. We miss some lessons due to absences & tardiness. We miss a lot. But we are still thnakful that we are given the chance to change the path to take in the future.

Happy ME - Sad I

I miss the times when I greet & text every body a "gudnyt" & asleep afterwards. Since I worked here as a phone english teacher to koreans I've been sending them "goodmorning" & sleep afterwards. That's been one of my sentiments. A lot of my friends, classmates, schoolmates envy me for that. They are missing something so simple & unnoticable yet very significant to me. The time to do everything & at the same time have some time to savor them so that the memory lingers.

Everything in my world now is under time pressure. There's this alarm clock that keeps ticking inside my head whenever I'm in school. I have to hurry. There is no single minute to waste & appreciate little things that really makes me happy. When I get some so liittle free time, I have to spend them with my bed. I have to rest my tired body. Even the 30-minute break which should be used for some quality time with classmates should be used to compensate for my lack of sleep.

I know that I'm doing the right thing. But not all right things make us happy. I am happy with where I am now. But I'm sad for what I've been missing the whole time. I never get to enjoy any of my time in school. I am so deprived of that. WHAT I HAVE TO DO THIS is always the priority than WHAT I WANT TO DO!

That's the sacrifice I have to make to finish my studies.

Buhay Working Student

I miss the times when I greet & text every body a "gudnyt" & asleep afterwards. Since I worked here as a phone english teacher to koreans I've been sending them "goodmorning" & sleep afterwards. That's been one of my sentiments. A lot of my friends, classmates, schoolmates envy me for that. They are missing something so simple & unnoticable yet very significant to me. The time to do everything & at the same time have some time to savor them so that the memory lingers.

Everything in my world now is under time pressure. There's this alarm clock that keeps ticking inside my head whenever I'm in school. I have to hurry. There is no single minute to waste & appreciate little things that really makes me happy. When I get some so liittle free time, I have to spend them with my bed. I have to rest my tired body. Even the 30-minute break which should be used for some quality time with classmates should be used to compensate for my lack of sleep.

I know that I'm doing the right thing. But not all right things make us happy. I am happy to where I am now. But I'm sad for what I've been missing the whole time.