Another Brick in the Wall

Teachers, mentors and instructors are considered to be the unsung heroes in our present time. They are the ones who mold and nurture the young minds of the future. They provided challenges and create ways to help us get a better understanding in the things we need to know. I still remember my teacher who pushed me to go further not only academically but also in being adept in the real world.

 

But not all teachers are the same. Some loves to terrorize their students with a pop quiz or humiliate them in front of the class. I guess there's something about being superior to the inferior that creates this fondness of terror. Whenever they mention your name in class, there's a severe chill at your spine and suddenly your mouth becomes dry. Either way, we all have our share of this kind of teachers or professors, that loves to be superior above all else. 

I can vividly remember during high school days, I had this professor who taught me subject-verb agreement. I must say that I'm a pretty average student who tries to do extra curricular activities as possible. At one time, whenever I raised my hand (for some reason) she always thought that I needed to go to the bathroom. It's not that I don't participate that much in class but at one point I think she doesn't want me to be in her class at all. She keeps on giving side comments whenever I participate in the class discussion. It kinda hindered me to talk in class since then. I don't have any idea why she thinks that way. It's just frustrating when your professor thinks your dumb. The good thing is that if I messed up my grammar here, especially my subject-verb agreement, I know who to blame. Hehehe. (Just joking!) 

Underdog

We love to think that we are gonna be great at one point in our life. It's not bad to think that way but the disappointment is as well high whenever we did not meet our expectations. It's funny at  times, we feel more safe in the things that are expected. It's what keeps us alive. But the things that we did not expect are sometimes the one that gives the path to start and these are the things that really change our lives significantly. 

I got a new job but somehow I'm not happy enough. Well, I actually considers myself happy but not jumping-up-and-down happy. It's our second week and I can't wait for the weekend to come. All the excitement that I had before suddenly disappeared. Not that I'm complaining but during the past few days have been quite nerve wracking. There's just so many things that makes me wonder and I feel like I'm gonna explode. It's hard for me to adjust and it sucks! I didn't expect that this could be so hard.

I don't know everything but some of the best things in my life are unplanned. From scratch I decided to start all over again. Though I'm still hoping that this fresh start will be better. It's never easy to be an underdog.  I guess in the meantime, I just have to enjoy my training days and put a smile like I mean it.  

Midnight Bottle

Its 2:00 am and I should be sleeping now.... but I can't. I'm really having a hard time sleeping since I started working. Sleeping at night has been a chore for me to do. I tried to avoid using sleeping pills since I heard that there are some side effects. Caffeine and midnight snacks keep me up at night as well. I should be awake by 8 am since my training starts at 10 am. I tried listening to some Corinne Bailey Rae or some Jamie Cullum music but nothings seems to work. Sometimes at night my mind is at its peak, thinking of what might happen at work or who I'm gonna meet. I'm also trying to finish Robert Kiyosaki's book before I sleep since thoughts are endless at night. 

Another reason for having a hard time sleeping is that I'm kinda excited for the training tomorrow. This training is just an orientation for the most part but I just can't wait to work. This excitement in my body is so hard to overcome and it's making me hard to fall asleep. The hardest part is that with all the things I've been doing in the middle of the night, the next thing I now the sun is already rising.

Anyway, as I was browsing here, I stumbled upon Colbie Caillat's Midnight Bottle at the Mile High Music Festival. I'm really liking this song. She's one of the artist today I really admire especially in her songwriting. It has this intimate vibe but also relaxing at the same time. Anyway, I gotta sleep now. Note to self, avoid too much caffeine and sugar. 

My Thought And I Do Have One

Lately, I've been thinking if I'd made a good decision. I happened to have an option between G.E. and Genpact-Wachovia. I promised to myself that the company that I'm gonna choose would be the last and final company I'll be working in. This would be my third company since IBM-Daksh and APAC. Jumping from one company to another is not really my thing. And I do have my own valid reasons why I resigned from my previous jobs. I know that I'm not getting any younger thats why I've decided to really stick to a company that can grow old with me. Yes! It's almost like having a wife....in sickness or in health.

Well..actually I've already chosen to stick with Genpact-Wachovia which is somehow affiliated or a subsidiary of G.E. but since the financial crisis is getting stiff, I'm wondering if I'd made a good decision. Genpact-Wachovia here has been very good in providing benefits to their employees its just ashame how their current status financially is in the downfall lately.

 

I read this article about how Wachovia lost $23.9 billion today. The stability of the company is a bit shaky. But I actually don't know how's it gonna affect my employment exactly but the Human Resource said that there's nothing to worry about. I'm kinda skeptical about it. There's just so many questions in my mind lately. Only time will tell how's this catastrophe gonna end. I'm really looking forward to stay in the company for as long as I can.

First Impression

I never thought this day would come but it did. I finally met my new office-mates / colleague today in Genpact Alabang. They had this "Meet and Greet" idea wherein it includes introducing yourself, touring the new workplace, discussing the contract and a free snack. Everyone is really nice and most of them have a call center experience. 

But do we really have to make a lasting impression? Im not really comfortable in introducing myself in public. But I think that making a good impression is crucial in building relationships. I'm not afraid in talking to a small group of people but if its more than 20 people, I tend to get nervous and sweat a lot and make weird hand gestures. It's really nerve-wracking experience for me. I've met some who are into racing, some are into bands and others that are into online gaming. I hope I made a positive impression to them despite my awkward approach.

Its funny how I find myself starting all over again. At times I get nostalgic about the past experiences I had from my previous company. I'm at the same place, same job but different people. It reminds me of this song called "So Far Away" by Bamboo originally sung by Carol King. You can check it out if your feeling nostalgic as well.

There Will Be Blood

I went to the Asian Hospital yesterday to donate blood for my cousin. I don't mind donating blood at all even if it is my first time doing it. I guess I'm already used to getting myself a medical exam in which includes blood testing or CBC. I've already had two medical exams this year alone so I don't mind someone sticking needles unto my skin.    

It seems like there is a high demand of blood nowadays that the blood hardly remains in the storage. Most of them are used within 24 to 48 hours. I wish all people would donate blood. I happen to be skeptic about the procedure. At first you might feel a slight sting but it usually fades away as you fill up the whole pint of blood. But all the nurses in the laboratory are very accommodating. I had found a greater respect to all diabetic patients who have to face everyday of their lives dealing with the needles. 

Never Say Never

A lot of people assume that once they finish college there is no need in studying again. Some say that its a waste of energy and time. Well, not me. After I graduated college, I promise myself not to stop learning. I graduated last 2005 and got a degree in Business Management. Since then I've been studying things I wanted to do. I signed up for a culinary class here which is a short course program by Chef Boy. It consist of the basics in which it gives you the option to have an on-the-job training at the Asian Institute of Management. I had the time of my life. I've always been interested in cooking ever since I was a kid. I love the art of making great food and meeting new friends that has the same passion as me. I learned the different styles in international cuisines and gave me whole new idea and concept in cooking.

I wanted to learn more and I might put up a small business someday. But for now I still need to practice my skills in cooking. 

Reality Check

I hate to admit it but i love reality shows. I just can't get enough of it. I think its entertaining and informative. But just so you know I'm not really a tv addict. Its sort of like my guilty pleasures. Since American Idol will start its next season next year, I happen to enjoy these other reality shows. And amidst the financial crisis that we are experiencing, I think its best to just relax and watch these shows. So anyway here are some of my favorite reality programs.

My Life On The D-List

I get easily amazed if a woman can make me laugh. I don't know how she does it but Kathy's spontaneity and raw humor will always do the trick. I don't care what others say to her. I love her show and I'm happy she won an emmy -- two in a row! My favorite episode is when she went to Iraq and perform for the troops with Michael Mcdonald and the girl from Jag.

 Survivor:Gabon 

I just can't get enough of Survivor. I know that this show has been on tv for ages but if I have a spare time I love watching this show. They recently aired Survivor Gabon and it's been such a rush. This show actually taught me a lot in making alliances in the real world. Trust has always been important to me and it gives me ideas and strategies in dealing with different people especially at work. 

 Top Chef

Since the show started on Bravotv, I've been constantly addicted to the show. Like all aspiring chef, this show is a dream come true. Another reason to watch are the amazing judges. These are the well respected Tom Colicchio who is the head judge, the beautiful Padma Lakshmi, the editor of Food and Wine Magazine Gail Simmons and Ted Allen from the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. They can be very brutal in their comments especially Gail. I cannot wait for season five to start!

 Hell's Kitchen

I must give it up to Chef Gordon Ramsay for this reality show. Now, I know this isn't a top rated show compared to American Idol but you just got to owe it to the man. This is reality at its best with the swearing, the tension and the burned food.  I think that this is his way of providing great opportunities to aspiring chef to become world class in the culinary world like himself.

 The Amazing Race

This is really the most amazing race, hence the name. They've won several awards and very recently at the Emmy's for the outstanding reality-competition program. Its really heart-pounding and chaotic ( at times) which always leaves me at the edge of my seat. You've got to see those spectacular places they visited plus the drama that goes along with it. If you've been watching this show, you've probably realize that people at the beginning can be the friendliest people but as the race continues, suddenly they become cutthroat to be  the first in the finish line.

And that is what's great in these reality shows. People reveal their true colors when faced with a difficult task or challenge whether it's their stupidity or ingenuity. Either way, that's entertaining! 

The Tarsier.....Bow.

This would probably be the weirdest and cutest animal I've seen so far. Yes....... weird and cute can actually belong in one sentence. Its called Tarsier, the big-eyed insect eating monkey whose size is smaller than a child's fist. Tarsier can be found mostly in Bohol, Philippines. They love to eat dragon flies, termites, locust and grasshoppers. They can actually rotate their heads and necks 180 degrees in both directions.  These furry animals are nocturnals. Who knew? They love sleeping during the day and before  sunset that's the time they search for food.  I just recently found out that tarsiers has the tendency to be suicidal because of stress. These furry tarsiers are so problematic that they want to kill themselves. No wonder their almost endangered. So please if ever your with a tarsier say something nice.

My Hometown

Most of us have one thing in common.....and that is hometowns. These are fantastic places to live in. And if you meet someone new from the same town, you instantly have this connection. Its like you've become a bestfriend to a stranger. We always assume that people from the same place know each other. I don't mind that at all.

I was born in Makati City but I mostly been living here in Paranaque City. At first I thought it was a weird name....sounds like someone is being murdered or something. But amidst all that, its actually a nice place to live in. It's near the Southside where lies Hot springs of Laguna and Nature trippings of Tagaytay and at the same time near the hustles and bustles of Manila and Makati. 

I had a great time here. I've been living here for most of my life. When I was a kid, there wasn't really much anything interesting other than dragon flies and a meat shop. But now, its been totally different. Different in a good way. Suddenly restaurants like Amalia's (Spanish inspired resto), Conti's (Home of the amazing cakes and pastries), Sophie's (Vegan paradise), Pizza Niro and Aveneto (Italian hub) are sprouting like mushrooms. Karaoke bars (or as we prefer Videoke) and coffee bars are the life at night. I love visiting Churrito. It's a spanish inspired bar where you can enjoy churros and their hot chocolate. It's nice just have a conversation and chill. But if you want the loud music and booze, there is always Tides and Central.

 

There's so many great things to do here. And the best part is that I don't have to travel for hours just to enjoy these places because its in my hometown.