Company Recognition

Last night, the company prepared this little recognition dinner while our CEO is in town. Only those who have been with the company for five years and above were invited and of course the management team.We were given this TIMEX watch with our names and date hired engraved at the back plus three thousand pesos worth of gift certificates. 

It's amazing how the management has finally decided to recognize employees who stick it out with the company all these years. It has always been the top performer or those who bring in moolah to the company a.k.a. the Sales people they always pamper with lotsa perks.The backroom support, just like my department never gets to receive incentives. So, it's such a pleasant surprise that they started this kind of recognition to tenured employees.

Looking back all those years, I can't imagine how we've survived. I mean, it has always been very difficult to the point of quitting. We've been through so much --- the change in management, the office transfers (3 offices at that), our boss leaving us with me holding on the fort in our department, facility dilemma, all the drama, all the mess, all the nasty people you've worked with, the office politics, all those SH*T. I guess we're made of strong stuff. I know I have always been complaining on the side but at the end of the day, we cannot deny the fact that this job, this company brings in the food to our table, pays for my kids education, pays for the house amortization and takes care of our other needs.

In 4 months, I will be celebrating my 7 years in the company. I'm not certain though if I'm still around when that time comes. I guess I've reach that point when you said to yourself that it's time to look around and move on...not necessarily to a greener pasture but to something different, new environment, new people to work with, new challenges. When I get there, I know it will be a tough decision to make. 

But for now, allow me to bask in this feeling of being appreciated and wanted. 

Thank you XLIBRIS-ASI Management!

If the world will end TODAY...

I think I am READY. 

I've said SORRY.

I have FORGIVEN.

I have LOVED.

I have LIVED.

Photo taken at the shores of Pintuyan, Southern Leyte

Prodigal Blogging Daughter Is Back...With Rants & Raves!

I am back to writing again in this blog site and I’m taking a break from facebook for a while. I posted in my FB status “…will be on silent mode until further notice!” I feel that the more I linger in FB, the more I get lazy and leave things unfinished. So, I am reviving my love for writing and blogging. After all, blogging really helps me release whatever emotions I am feeling right now. Just allow me to release them here...

 

The past week has been toxic with my trip to Manila to attend the PAS National Convention, our Cebu Chapter AP Week Activities and some work-related issues. I was a walking zombie with dark circles under my eyes due to lack of sleep. My laptop and sun wireless broadband have been my best friends as I was answering emails nonstop and working on presentations like mad for our PAS activities. Then there were the speeches to prepare. I admit I am not good at impromptu speaking so I have to have something to read to guide me through. Then, there were coordination with committees, purchasing errands and some decisions to make. At work, our GM has questions that I cannot answer and it’s such a shame because I am supposed to know. We have issues with office maintenance, office expansion and government compliance. At the home front, I have some domestic duties left behind such as the enrollment of my daughter. SIGH! I tried as much to remain calm and composed amidst all these. I said to myself that I am made of strong stuff and that I will survive this.

 

But I guess I reached my rock bottom when I have to deal with people issues. I just lost it and broke down in tears in front of my husband while reading through an email sent to me by a fellow PASer. It was for me the last straw and I feel all my strength being sucked up. I told my husband that cannot do this anymore and that I cannot work effectively with people who hate me. But I got the shock of all shock because he was encouraging me to just let it pass. Until now, I still receive the cold treatment, the raised eyebrows and probably the talks behind my back but I will continue to endure. People you consider friends will hate you, will turn their backs on you, will ignore you but the world doesn’t’ end there. I still cry every now and then reading over that email and mourn over a lost friendship but I look forward to that day when I can no longer shed a single tear. 

Well, so much for these drama... uuhhmm yeah...the prodigal blogging daughter is back. I hope my reader of two (or three) will welcome me again into their browsers.

What We Did on Mother's Day

First, there was the PAS GMM that I shouldn't miss.

Second, there was the PACMAN-MOSELY fight that my husband was definitely watching. I can't compete with that.

But we're not really big on celebrations including birthdays and mother's day. So, I thought of just staying at Maribago Bluewaters after our meeting and let the kids swim and enjoy what's left of summer.

It was really raining hard and seemed like a typhoon was brewing but we had fun nonetheless. We were joined by my sister Magee (who is now an official PAS Member by the way) and my brother Christian (who we call Dodong or Shaki depends on our moods hehehe).

It turned out to be an afternoon of posing and projecting behind the camera...and lots and lots of fun.

Among the many roles I portray, being a MOTHER is the best role ever. It's the best gift a woman will ever have...it may be a tough role to play but somehow I managed to get by because I have sweetest girls in the world who looks up to me with so much love. 

Anyway, I am sharing some photos below...and some are all over my facebook account.

Thirty Two Today

Today I turn 32 and thank God for Social Networking Sites, you don’t get to celebrate your birthday alone. Messages on Facebook are flooding here and there. But the best part of it is celebrating it with my family at Harold’s Hotel. I got an invitation from a fellow-PASer for a simulation exercise of their new hotel. We get to experience the facilities and the services that the hotel offers before it opens to the public soon. 

It is hard to believe that I am already off the calendar. Yeah, sometimes I find myself too old to do stuff that the younger generations do and enjoy. Pathetic, isn’t it? But the truth is, we are not too old for anything. We should not be held by those numbers, damn it! So, yeah being 32 is surreal --- it still hasn't sink in at this very moment. I still feel twenty eight at heart. They say that to feel young, you choose an age and stick with it. I choose 28! 

I used to be melodramatic during my birthday but now, no more dramas, no more mushy stuff, just pure and simple FUN! (although a message from my sister made me teary-eyed)

CHEERS!!!

Conquered My First 5K at the Cebu City Marathon 2011

I started running in 2010. Since then, I made a vow that my first race has got to be something BIG even if I will only be running 5k. Several races have come and gone in 2010 but my feet only aims for no less than the Cebu City Marathon 2011. As early as October, my husband and I already registered for 5k then we started running around IT Park two to three times a week together with my running buddy and colleague, Judeelou. My distance always remained at 3k so 5k was like an ambitious goal. 

Last Sunday, we were among the thousands of braved souls who woke up as early 4am to conquer the streets, break personal records and raced with ourselves. It was a first time for both me and Earl. We don’t belong to a group of runners so it was like a couple date. 

 When we reached IT Park, there was a festive mood as runners from all ages prepped up for their respective races. As first timers, we were amazed at the excitement of each and every runner and spectator we met. 

Below are our pre-race photos.

  

At exactly 5:30am, we hit the road --- it’s true that thing called “adrenalin rush” as the runners were running like mad. When we reached JY Square, I was already running slowly and Earl decided to just go ahead of me. I was on solo flight from km 2 until the finish line. So many thoughts went through my head as I was finishing the race -- what if I will be the last runner to finish the race? What a shame! What if I stumble in the midst of all the running enthusiasts? What if I collapse and die? Morbid thoughts, alright, but I think these thoughts helped me pushed hard and motivated me to just finish this race. 

I was running behind the mayor who was running side by side his son at km 4 but I went past him near UP. 

Here's the personal record of my first race (click photo to enlarge):

We did it – I say not bad for first timers really.Till the next race!

  

My Babies Turn A Year Older Today, Together

...last year, I wrote Alex and Zabbie a birthday note. It was one letter addressed to both of them. This year (and probably onwards), I want to make it personalized and I will write them birthday notes separately.

So, here's my birthday note to my adorable daughters who are celebrating their birthdays today - January 7 (please click to enlarge).