Extra-Curriculars at Work

I spent my whole Saturday outside today. Most of it are P&G but outside-work related. Get it?

Morning:  I joined the P&G group that regularly goes to GK Baseco for the first time and we held arts and crafts workshop and storytelling - pretty much what I used to do before in college. It was fun, the kids were generally attentive. I've been looking for opportunities to go to CSR activities before, but the weird thing is I've felt a certain level of indifference. I haven't explored yet the reason for it may entail a lot of reflections which I fear might end up breaking myself. There's a feeling of indifference but a calling to do more. I know it's quite paradoxical but perhaps I'm just used to knowing the families of the children and having personal relationship with the people. The fact that this is a one-day, one-time event and the feeling of not being able to sustain what has been done might be the reason of such indifference.

Lunch:  Bonding with fellow new hires. Just plain and simple conversations which made us know each other better.

Afternoon:  The whole afternoon was meant for ballroom rehearsals for the upcoming Pension Plan next Friday.  We will be doing swing, boogie, waltz and pasa doble.  The last time I remembered dancing these steps was during High School when we have to do a school play - so long long long time ago. Nevertheless, it was fun and the feeling that you're doing something outside work makes it more reasonable to engage in these activities. It makes me want to love my work even if it is technical.

Evening:  I accompanied my hugmate as she went home to Las Pinas. That afternoon, she came from UP to arrange some school papers. The time spent together was a bit short but it's better than not meeting at all. She's going to Davao again and GenSan, all for the same week. I know she would be busy in the next few days.  I would be busy too (what's new?) for Lunch&Learn and Pension Plan rehearsals on top of projects everywhere. I'm just hoping I can manage my time and workload better. Surely, I don't want to miss those simple yet most important things in life.

No Tickets to Ateneo-La Salle Game?

Yes, but we're there! And yes again, we won! Go Ateneo!

Good thing we're there live in Araneta that Sunday afternoon.  Funny thing was Jekki and I went there with no tickets at all. Surprised how we were able to get in? This is the story:

3 days before the game:

Ka offered us some Upper B tickets from his officemate that were sold at 500 bucks. Now, that's what you call a scalper's price! I asked Harvy, Jeff and Jekki if they're willing to pay for it. Harvy said yes but he already had a ticket. Jeff is not into live games and Jekki said no. Since I'd be alone, my answer is also no, hehe.  We're just hoping there are other options.

1 day before the game:

I heard from Jaymie that Jem has 2 more Upper B tickets sold this time at 300. Cheaper but I didn't know why Jekki and I still didn't get it. Perhaps, we were just waiting for better prices (to think that the game is already a day away). Wishful thinking?

3 hours  before the game:

Jekki and I arrived in Araneta laughing because we still don't have any tickets. I don't know but personally something's telling we would be able to watch the game live. Well, there's always a Gen. Admission tickets and when we asked how much it costs? Only 25 bucks! Haha, we thought of buying it as a last resort, anyway, we can always go to the ticket lady and buy them.

2 hours before the game:

We found a scalper selling Upper A tickets for only 300 bucks! Unfortunately, they were just sold out when we approached her. Damn it! And then we found Bro. Ryan. Eager to find tickets as the game was drawing near, we strolled around the coliseum.  At the back entrance we found Fr. Nemy and the Blue Eagles and there we got a free Upper A ticket! Yipee, one more to go! We found another scalper selling Upper B tickets at 400. Jekki and I just divided costs hence it's like buying an Upper B ticket worth 200.

An hour before the game:

We found ourselves seated at the front-most row of Upper B (It's like Upper A already!). Thanks to Ka, Nina, and Rox for reserving the seats as early as 10am.

Haha, I told Jekki, "Getting an AdMU-DLSU ticket isn't as hard as we thought, right"?

After the game:

Hurrah! Ateneo won! Another miracle shot and we're definitely proud of it. I miss the company of this kind of people. This is officially my first UAAP game as an alumnus. I met many Atenean friends, it looked like a reunion for me. Go Ateneo!

Let’s Get Physical

Finally last Friday, I found myself working out in the gym. Actually, I've been wanting to run and lift weights to take excess calories out of my system, especially now that my face became rounder and my tummy grew bigger. (Do you know that I gained more than 10 pounds after graduation?) Well, it was only last Wednesday that I was able  to buy our gym privilege card in Mandarin Oriental Hotel. And apparently, the reason for both the purchase delay and the gym card is my work.

Yes, it's part of our privileges at work and I know that the company has been stressing a lot about work-life balance.  The price you pay for the card is way cheaper than, say, Golds Gym or Fitness First, but you get to experience high quality service.  What I really enjoyed about going to Mandarin Gym is that you're treated as a hotel guest! The gym personnel are very friendly and accomodating and the whole place is admiringly peaceful. I was even thinking now that if I do this regularly, I might as well do it every morning, so that everyday, I can do morning exercises, then take a shower and wear work clothes in the hotel and after that, walk my way to the office which is only one block away.  So then I get to experience hotel quality mornings and avoid heavy Manila traffic!  We'll see.

It's Saturday today and I spent the whole time playing badminton with my officemates.  We had this tournament for the whole Supply Chain Finsol Group for bonding and of course work-life balance purposes and I really enjoyed the day. Even if I can feel muscle pains right now, I am looking forward to more games because I know this won't be over yet. It's good to know I'm playing badminton again! Thank you guys! Work is more fun with this.

Tomorrow, I might drop by Mandarin again after going to mass in Greenbelt. I'm really getting physical now and I hope this is only the beginning.

Ateneo Blues

Well, this is just a simple test for Ateneans of all seasons. At one point or another, we all have experienced these school blues that make us all proud to say, "Win or lose, it's the school we choose!" Makes me reminisce my good old college years.  Thanks Ros, I copied the questions from your blog:

Freshmen Year
[x] got brainwashed in orsem
[x] had at least one gay fil or english teacher
[ ] you really know that you're in college when you begin reading gay lit
[x] went to NSTP with 4 or so hours of sleep.
[ ] went to the Big Blue Eagle Cheer Rally, and realized that it sucked.

Score: 3/5

[ ] panicked when you forgot to get your exam permit
[x] never told your parents about the lab breakage
[x] joined at least 3 or more orgs, because they all sounded pretty.
[ ] joined at least one business org, since you wanted to go partying.
[ ] never knew the difference of each SOA org

Score: 5/10

[x] panicked that you got low grades in your freshman advisory.
[x] thinks that AMS is there just to give you sample exams.
[x] went to different restaurants along katipunan on a daily basis.
[x] tried to get in ADS and CADS, only to get yourself humiliated.
[x] thinks that Celadon is only for Chinese people.

Score: 10/15

[x] voted for this guy coz the friend of your friend's friend says he's good.
[x] never really knew what the difference was with Partido Agila and that other sanggu party.
[ ] thinks that Mr. Abstain is a very influential person in campus.
[x ] Realized that your research topic in english sucks.
[x] Discovered that your blockmate smokes under stress.

Score: 14/20

Summer
[ ] realized that your random number could go to as high as 2000.
[x] blamed everyone for the crap that is reg.
[ ] attempted to take a class with airconditioning.
[x] took two long tests in a week, in just one subject.
[ ] regretted summer just because you wanted to take subjects in advance.

Score: 16/25

Sophomore Year
[ ] Knows who Jimenez is and vowed to do anything in your powers to avoid him..
[ ] … But you failed to do so.
[ ] Tried to get either Tirol or Lozada for history.
[ ] you didn't take the Guidance Test seriously.
[x] Have considered shifting.

Score: 17/30

[x] Already has a favorite spot in the Lib.
[x] Knows the best place to get a xerox copy.
[ ] Knows the best place to take a dump.
[ ] Realized that many Povedans don't know how to speak Spanish. (same goes with Chinese schools)
[ ] you (or your friends) don't smoke in Sec anymore.

Score: 19/35

Junior Year
[ ] Took Fr. Dacanay
[ ] Spent the whole day studying for an oral exam, yet you forgot most of it in the end.
[ ] Still has no idea what Meron is exactly.
[ ] Began writing long rants in your blog.
[ ] Got screamed at by Fr. Dacanay for whispering in his class.

Score: 19/40

[x] You meet new friends in your favorite pocket garden/ tambayan
[ ] Never went to Manang's ever since.
[x] You realize that the book you just borrowed had nothing to do with your research paper.
[ ] Didn't care to vote anymore.
[x] Despite the calamities elsewhere, you still wish that the school will cancel classes.

Score: 22/45

Senior Year
[x] Resisted going to a Call Center
[x] You end up thinking of the lamest idea for your Creative Pic
[x] Found out that there's actually a hell month.
[ ] Didn't care what your grade is so long as it meets the 2.0 QPI requirement.
[x] Felt like killing yourself after 2nd sem is over.

Score: 26/50

Bonus (1 pt each):
[x] Was/is a dormer
[x] Your flashdrive got STD thanks to a visit to any comp lab
[x] Stalked someone in Friendster or Multiply.
[x] Thinks that Wikipedia can be used as an online source.
[x] Got addicted to Dota, or any other online game.
[ ] You didn't notice that there are other sports in the UAAP besides Men's Basketball.

Your Grade: 31, Well at least I suck in a nice way. Haha!

46-50 (A) : You're Hardcore!
43-45 (B+) : Pretty hardcore.
39-42 (B) : Not bad!
35-38 (C+) : The typical Atenean! yay!
30-34 (C) : You suck in a nice way! *hugs*
25-29 (D) : You buy A-Shop merchandize so that people won't notice!
Below 25 (F): You're from Lasalle! why the fuck are you taking this survey?

An Inspiration from Mr. Chris Gardner

I just finished watching Pursuit of Happyness.  It features the struggles and success of Mr. Christopher Gardner who now owns a big stock brokerage company.  I'm sharing below a synopsis of the movie from his own website:

In The Pursuit of Happyness, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) is a family man struggling to make ends meet. Despite his valiant attempts to help keep the family afloat, the mother (Thandie Newton) of his five-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) is buckling under the constant strain of financial pressure. No longer able to cope, she reluctantly decides to leave.

Despite his troubles, Chris continues to honor his commitment as a loving and caring father, using the affection and trust his son has placed in him as an impetus to overcome the obstacles he faces.

While watching the movie, I can't help but reflect his life on mine. I am not exactly homeless and I do not have a son but I am financially challenged.  I absolutely earn my own money, live on my own, and help sustain the needs of my family while working in one of the most esteemed company that is pursued by many. And like Mr. Gardner, I also wanted to be a good father and a philanthropist someday. He once said to his son, "Don't let anything or anyone stop you from achieving your dream. Protect it and make it possible."

As I go on with life,  I am looking and pursuing my own state of happiness.  I'm having this movie as my inspiration.