Whenever people ask me how I'm finding my new job, I always say that I am not having fun--yet.

IT'S BEEN CRAZY!

I am almost never at the office.  My days are booked with meetings and client presentations, minimum 2 a day.  I sent an email to my sales team last Thursday asking them not to set any appointments on Friday afternoons so we can all meet and talk about what happened during the week and what our goals are for the coming week.  My skin is breaking out, I'm not used to wearing make-up everyday.  Gladly, my feet have gotten used to running in heels.

The upside of all this is, I'm meeting so many great people face-to-face.  My old job entailed talking to different people too, but it's usually just over the phone (as my clients were mostly abroad).  I am also learning so much from my colleagues who actually work for the other subsidiaries but have been helping out with the project.  Although I feel like I am still walking on eggshells with the people I work with, I am slowly warming up to them. Just the other day, I had a laugh out loud moment with my boss in the pantry and she jokingly slapped me on the arm.

I also had a one-day crush on someone at the office but I found out he's married after I stalked his Facebook (Dear Married Men, please wear your wedding rings!). No way in hell I'm going that road. What's funny is that I had a couple of friends over for drinks last week and I was telling them about this guy and they asked to see a picture.  When I showed it to them, one of them said "Oh Shit, it's ____!".  Turns out one-day crush is my friend's brother's bestfriend.  The world is too small.

Also, I finally got to take advantage of the cheap beer at work.  In all my years of working, I have never left the office buzzed, until yesterday.

I guess that's it. I'm sorry my life has been so blah.  Pray it gets more exciting in the coming months, yes?

Ciao!

ES EM CEE

I started my new job last Monday and it has been one hell of a week--in a good way. 

I'm really excited about our product which we will formally launch in September. In a nutshell, it's going to change the way you  pay for products and services, and manage your money. 

I've been in back-to-back meetings all week and just this morning, my new boss appointed me to work with our contact center in forming our helpdesk group. It isn't really a part of the job I signed up for but I am more than happy to do it because it's an industry I am very familiar and still comfortable with. 

The travel time to and from work has surprisingly been manageable (average 45mins). As soon as I drop Joaquin off at school, I head to my office in Ortigas (although technically, it's in Mandaluyong). I always arrive at least 45 minutes early which gives me ample time to have coffee and spend time by myself. 

I cannot be more relieved that it's Friday tomorrow. I miss baking. My mom recently sent me and Joaquin cookie cutters for every shape imaginable, baking pans (I finally have decent baking pans, whoopee!) and a really cool dessert decorator. We will put those to good use this weekend. 

This is where I work now, by the way. For those of you in the Philippines, the building should be familiar. Joaquin loves that I now work for the company that makes his favorite hotdogs. On the other hand, I'm thrilled to be working for the company that makes my favorite beer. Haha! (Our canteen sells beer after 6pm, how cool is that?)

That is all, for now. Will update soon! Toodles! 

BEEN BUSY

I've been busy.

It's my last week at work so the past couple of weeks have been spent turning over everything to my colleague.

I also went to my new employer yesterday for a meeting and everything looks promising. I officially start working for them on Monday and I am very very excited!

I wish I could share more on my new job and I am itching to write about it, but I have to keep mum until we launch.

P.S.
My 2nd half marathon turned out okay. I can't say it was great because I was undertrained. I'm just glad I finished at a decent time and I kept my pace all throughout.

Joaquin took this photo of me when I got home. He insisted I hold my medal.

 

MOVING FORWARD

A very good and wise friend told me that you can't move forward without leaving something behind. 

I wrote my resignation letter today crying. I couldn't even muster the courage to hand it to my boss, so I left it at her desk before I left work.  After 9 years, I'm leaving a company filled with people who matter to me. 

I am sad and excited all at the same time. 

THE OFFER

Oh God, oh God, oh God.

I'm in a bit of a bind.  A good one. But still, a bind.

Last week, a friend of mine called me and told me about a job opening in a new subsidiary of one of the Top 10 5 corporations in the Philippines and she said, "E-mail me your resume now. No ifs, not buts."

And just for the heck of it, I did.

A few hours later, they called and scheduled an interview between me and the daughter of the CEO.

And the interview went really great.  So great that I was assured they were making an offer.

To tell you the absolute truth, prior to the job interview, I didn't have plans of leaving my current employer.  I just wanted to shop around, see how much I was worth.

Apparently, I am worth more.  I received a call from their HR person a couple of nights ago and she discussed the offer with me and while I was not astounded, it was still an offer I will not refuse.

Normal 9-6, Monday to Friday schedule, exciting product, super stable company, wonderful allowances. The only setback is the office is in Pasig but I have a gas allowance which will more than make up for it.

I don't know how to tell my boss.  I'm scared of what she will say, what she will think.

Please pray it all goes well.

Interviewed an applicant today,

Me: What do you do during your free time? Any hobbies or interests? Do you play a sport?
Applicant: I like to read e-books.
Me: Oh that's nice.  What kind of books do you read?
Applicant: Real-life stories and romance novels.
Me: Ah, so you're a lover or fiction and non-fiction. So what's your ultimate favorite book?
Applicant: Fiction.

*facepalm*

Eventually (after much prodding), she said her favorite book was entitled "The Diary" and she did not know the author.

Labo, men.!

WHY I HAD A GREAT WEEKEND

I haven't told you guys but I've been working the night shift the past couple of weeks. To be honest, I am still adjusting to the time and I sleep an average of 4 hours a day which sucks but on the good side, I get to spend more waking time with Joaquin.

I left work at around 6am last Saturday and went straight to the wet market (in jeans, wedge sandals, bangles and all. Haha!). And because I was so early, I got first dibs on the freshest fish and the best cuts of meat.

Apart from that, here are the other things that made my weekend:

1. BANANA

One of the things that I want Joaquin to love is reading. I noticed that kids today rarely read books. Everything is online or on their game consoles and I think that's just sad. The only books they probably read are those that are required by the school. So, whenever I can, I buy books for Joaquin.

A couple of weeks ago, we stopped by booksale and Joaquin picked this book out by himself. I wanted to get him a different book but he would not let go of this one so we bought it.

A couple of nights later, we found him doing this and it's funny! And cute!



And yes, he loves bananas!

2. DINNER AT 1521 with PAKNERS

1521 has great, hearty, homey food and we all swore we would back. You must must try the Kamias cooler--unbelievably refreshing, it made me regret cutting down our kamias tree at home. A dish we all loved was the sinampalukang manok, a dish I think I will crave for when I need some cheering up. Next time, I will try the binagoongan because the server said it was a specialty.

And then of course, there's the company. It was an all-girl dinner with just me, Kookie and Charo. It felt good to be out, catching up with great friends. We also got to see Kookie's new place which, like our dinner, felt like home.



3. TEMPTATION ISLAND

I have been searching for a dvd/vcd copy of this crazy funny cult classic by Joey Gosiengfiao for I don't know how long and finally finally scored one. Thanks, Kooks!!!

*If you don't know how hilarious this film is, watch this clip.

4. ARKAN MELON VODKA

It's been yeaaarrsss since I had a taste of this. So, when I found it standing on the top-most shelf of Market Market's Liquor Area, I grabbed it. A few village friends dropped by Sunday evening and we finished it. Hehehe!



5. MANGOSTEEN

Just because it's yummmyyy!



6. DANGGIT

Received this as pasalubong from Bea and Mark during their recent trip to Cebu. I had this for breakfast 2 days in a row. Hehehe!



7. PISTACHIO AND CASHEW ICE CREAM

When it comes to ice cream, I usually stick to my favorites--Cookies n Cream, Double Dutch or Plain ol' vanilla.

Now, my Aunt who does set design for print ads came over last Saturday to borrow our XBOX because she needed it as props for a photo shoot. When she returned it the next day, it came with 3 tubs of ice cream--2 Vanilla Macaroons (which is just too sweet for my taste) and this--Pistachio and Cream, which taste like heaven!!! Great job, Selecta!

MANIC MONDAY

Important day at work today. A big big prospect is arriving and everyone will have to be at their best. I hope we bag the account because my boss has offered me a position in that account if we get it. God knows I need something new.

Speaking of things that are new, has anyone tried Lipton's Milk Tea? It's yuummmyyy!

Okay, it's not as yummy as Coffee Bean's Chai Tea Latte (which I will trade for Starbucks anyday) but it's good! If you're a coffee drinker like me, I don't think it will replace your jolt of morning caffeine but its a substitute for your mid-morning and afternoon coffee breaks.

I am wishing that Lipton starts selling this in the Philippine market:


Anyone here who works for Lipton? hehe!

Have a productive Monday, everyone :)