:: Tears of the Moon ::

:: Saturday, January 26, 2008 ::

I love it when John Cusack has breakdowns in his movies.

Lovely. Yummy.

Serendipity
America's Sweethearts
High Fidelity
Pushing Tin
Con Air
Say Anything




I wanna marry John Cusack.

:: D said @ 6:50 AM [+] ::
...

As I've predicted, everyone important I know is looking at 2008 as the Big Year. Standing where we are now and looking back, all of us knew that we can let go now without feeling guilty or having regrets. Or that if we saw old office members in public, we wouldn't be afraid to face them and have a short chat. I know that I've helped contribute to the success of the team. I gave my best, and didn't hold back. I joined projects, I volunteered. I saw a lot of people grow and move, and leave. I stayed and helped make things better.

For the tenure that I have (and with this industry, being in one place for more than 18months is a rare thing), it's only but inevitable to stop and try to look ahead. The five-year milestone is always a time for reflection (If I knew at twenty that I'd actually have a five-year tenure in one office, I'd be surprised with myself). What do I want to do with the next five years? Will I say in this industry? Do I want to stay working at night (every respectable call center manager will never get out of graveyard)? I won't get off the evening shift unless I become a VP, or work a local account (pfft). Which leaves me with the question: do I want to stay in this industry? Does that fit in my life plan? Should I start moving into 'normal' industries? And if so, will I be over/under qualified? And, will I be paid well? Because, despite all protestations to living a simple life, I do have bills, and a loan, and I need to start thinking about seriously investing on property.

My mind is calm on this: whether or not I stay, I know that I'd be okay with leaving this year. I've made good friends out of my officemates - I think my relationships with them can outlast any changes in office environment I'd have in the future. I think I'd be invited to their weddings, baptisms (if that ever happened, again I have friends who are determined to be single and thriving. Thus, no marriage/significant other-stories, or children-stories, etc) and birthdays. I'd like to think I can reach out to them wherever I'll be if I felt like crap, or when I'm happy.

A year or two ago, I would've been really jittery about the idea of what-if. Now, I think I'm brave enough to actually follow through on a good deal, and go.

Which not to say that I will, or I'm keeping my options open and available. It's really more that I know I am ready to take the next step. I've discovered enough about myself and who I am that I can deal with an office-full of strangers, and a new environment.

This is a Big Year. We'll be celebrating five years of being in Manila. So, all of the other pioneers I know (and am friends with) are thinking along the same lines as me. Regardless of where they are, if their work is fulfilling/not, if they have bad bosses/teams, or they're doing fabulously well, five years of working in the same place will make you stop and take a breath.

What are my milestones?
Have I created a good legacy?
Do I have friends?
Am I a better, stronger, wiser person?
Have I done well and served both my superiors and subordinates?
Did I get to help people?
Have I championed the cause of the company and convinced others to do the same?

I know it looks like the Rotary questions (haha) we see by the road, but seriously. I hear the same questions echoed in my friends. And I feel that we're all bracing ourselves this year to make a decision and understand where they stand and what they want. Some will be happy where they are because their personal lives are more important: being married, having children, settling down. They're okay with staying longer and Year Five is more about celebrating that they've done well. There are others who will be looking at what's next? Is there more to this? Can I do better? For lack of any immediate personal life-decisions (to marry, have children, help family members), I belong to the group that's trying to see where this all fits into our careers in the future.

Anyway.

:: D said @ 4:46 PM [+] ::
...

The song is deceptively simple, the music easy to listen to. The lyrics are very very apt. Once sung, even the emotions are lighthearted and cheerful.

The new addiction, secretly looping on my iPod, is Ingrid Michaelson's The Way I Am. I rarely plug the loop on speakers coz it'll drive my family and neighbors crazy ("ONE freaking song, over and over!"). I discovered the song while watching Grey's Anatomy. And I think it played on a commercial while I was in the States.

The Way I Am
Ingrid Michaelson

If you were falling, then I would catch you.
You need a light, I'd find a match.

Cuz I love the way you say good morning.
And you take me the way I am.

If you are chilly, here take my sweater.
Your head is aching, I'll make it better.

Cuz I love the way you call me baby.
And you take me the way I am.

I'd buy you Rogaine when you start losing all your hair.
Sew on patches to all you tear.

Cuz I love you more than I could ever promise.
And you take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.
You take me the way I am.

:: D said @ 4:20 PM [+] ::
...

So. I didn't get to spend the holidays in Singapore. Neither did I get to spend time with Chi in Singapore for her birthday. A notion that absolutely kills me and breaks my heart, because this is our first time as a family to actually be separated over the holidays. And the first time for Chi to be alone for all three Big Events: her birthday (12/22), Christmas, and New Year.

But I have a perfectly good reason for not going to Singapore this holiday season.

I was hit by chicken pox.

Yes, folks. Adult chicken pox is alive and kicking. And very contagious. I went out partying with the Workforce team on Sunday night (12/17), felt sort of sick Monday morning when I got home. I assumed it was because of all the liquor I imbibed (and maybe the food I ate?). I thought I had an allergy attack (where I'd be breaking out in hives) until I looked at myself in the mirror before I had a shower.

So, after a checkup at the office clinic, and a trip to the ER at Medical City, I was positively diagnosed with the 'pox.

As I've said to one friend, "I never really understood how bad of a curse it was when you say 'A pox on you!' until I had chicken pox". So, I had chicken pox three days before my flight to Singapore. It was a tough phone call to make for Chi, but there it was. I called Cebu Pacific to tell them that I got diagnosed with the 'pox, and I had to rebook. Good thing is, once I request to change the flight details, they won't charge rebooking fees as long as I present my medical certificate.

Anyway, I was out sick for the entire duration of what was supposed to be my "Vacation Time". Doc gave me the all-clear for Jan 2 (I was supposed to be returning from Singapore on Dec 31). I looked like I was beset by ants on my face and mosquitoes on my upper torso. It was a miserable experience. I was ok by the time Day 6 rolled along, but I had scars that needed to heal a few more days. Didn't want to freak the office folks by showing up with facial scabs.

In any case, I was Patient 12 when I checked at the office. There was an outbreak at the site, and they had to disinfect the office.

Spent Christmas eve at Mama Mening's when Tita Tess/Tito Pem booked a room at the Oakwood, aka Ascott. Spent Christmas Day at Peace Village with Dad's side of the family (the Rosals were our faux family). I went shopping at the malls alone (I've been cooped up since Dec 17) on Dec 26, and spent a lot of time shopping online from Dec 27-19. Spent a huge amount of time web-camming with Chi (yay!). Snuck in some work-time and downloaded email from home through VPN.

Went to Tagaytay Highlands and ate lunch at Sonya's Garden with the Rosals. Had some sketchy moments there about who pays the bills, but it went down fine.

Had merienda with Tere in Eastwood where we talked about our year, and where we want to be next year. Talked to Maan at length about her current career crisis.

New Year's Eve and NY Day we spent at home!

SO. I am now munching After Eight chocolate mint thins (YUMMY!) while alternately coughing my lungs out. My parents have had coughing fits for days. And, typical of old stubborn people, they refuse to take 1)meds regularly, 2)drink LOTS of water, 3)load up on Vit C or eat fruits, or 4)drink. So, unlike me who's been chugging water like fish and munching on the decor-fruit at the table (the holiday fruit display), my parents (particularly Dad) have been hacking like barking dogs.

Which brings me to my current annoyance: three days post-pox, I should be fine. But I'm not. I have a bad case of coughing up my lungs because my parents refuse to self-medicate. I've coughed so much but I've had no phlegm. Which means I am close to losing my voice with sheer coughing fits. NOT good for someone who works in a call center.

Muchly annoyed.

Happy new year, everyone. :)

:: D said @ 12:15 AM [+] ::
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