I just traveled 30 minutes into the future! Yes, this is not a hoax, I really did. No need of special engines, wormholes, time machines or any contraptions. I just kind of did.
Yesterday:
I was crossing the street when suddenly my cellphone fell and scattered itself in the middle of the road. I was embarrassingly picking up the pieces of my phone and quickly rode a jeepney home.
At home I reassembled my phone and being a Nokia 1208 classic model, it is still alive, this is one of the models that doesn't easily give up unless you throw it in fire.
This morning:
I woke up and check the time in my laptop it was still 6:47. I'm not late until 9 so I took my time. Ate breakfast, took a bath, dress-up, check email. When I was outside waiting for my ride, I checked the time. Oh my! it's already 8:35!
So instead of waiting for the jeepney I immediately took the first vacant taxi I saw. I don't like being late, I was restless the whole time inside the taxi. And then when I was in the capitol area...
It rang 8:00.
I set the wrong time in my phone.
And I arrived 30 minutes later at work.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Third Birthday
Happy Birthday to my pamangkin, MacLaurence "Lance" Gabucan Petiluna.
Wow 3 years seemed like a blink, I still remember carrying him in my arms when he was so little and just sleeps all day. Now he talks, runs, and doesn't want to sleep anymore.
My wish for you is to be the best person you can be and every success in the world when you grow much older and fulfill your own dreams.
Your aunts and uncle are always here for you.
Learn your ABCs and 123s already. :D
Wow 3 years seemed like a blink, I still remember carrying him in my arms when he was so little and just sleeps all day. Now he talks, runs, and doesn't want to sleep anymore.
My wish for you is to be the best person you can be and every success in the world when you grow much older and fulfill your own dreams.
Your aunts and uncle are always here for you.
Learn your ABCs and 123s already. :D
Friday, August 13, 2010
My Own Demons
No! This is not about supernatural beings. This is about the figurative kind of demons.
Ok, I just want to let this off my system and just move-on from it. Not so long time ago, I was this aspiring young (though I'm still young now, just not as young before) programmer working in a known software engineering company. It has always been a dream of mine to work in a software facility. And to be able to get accepted and work and have salary is enough to drive a young man with a dream to do his best.
But I guess I dreamed too long. I could have just awoken and saw the real world. But I didn't. Inception inspired? Not really.
Enough of dreams, the real thing is that I got carried away by emotions. Emotions that I should have kept at check at all times. Geeks err human as we are we let our emotions get the best of us. And now the tables are turned, I am on the position that I once hated.
All those hardwork, all those years of staying at company E and now a new guy is hired and they are on top of the career ladder ahead of me? Now it's me on that position at company N. I feel a little guilt not because I know someone is against me but because I, many years ago hated this person. Which is me, now.
For those like me whose questioning the capability (hate is just a strong word) of me (if there exists), just give me a chance. I will do my very best to prove myself that I am capable of doing what I sign-up for. Anyways if you find me really worthless, the team leads and or the manager can readily dispose me in a matter of less than 6 months, when I'm still under the probationary period.
Surprised?! Yes I have demons too! I'm not the best "goodest" person you know.
Ok, I just want to let this off my system and just move-on from it. Not so long time ago, I was this aspiring young (though I'm still young now, just not as young before) programmer working in a known software engineering company. It has always been a dream of mine to work in a software facility. And to be able to get accepted and work and have salary is enough to drive a young man with a dream to do his best.
But I guess I dreamed too long. I could have just awoken and saw the real world. But I didn't. Inception inspired? Not really.
Enough of dreams, the real thing is that I got carried away by emotions. Emotions that I should have kept at check at all times. Geeks err human as we are we let our emotions get the best of us. And now the tables are turned, I am on the position that I once hated.
All those hardwork, all those years of staying at company E and now a new guy is hired and they are on top of the career ladder ahead of me? Now it's me on that position at company N. I feel a little guilt not because I know someone is against me but because I, many years ago hated this person. Which is me, now.
For those like me whose questioning the capability (hate is just a strong word) of me (if there exists), just give me a chance. I will do my very best to prove myself that I am capable of doing what I sign-up for. Anyways if you find me really worthless, the team leads and or the manager can readily dispose me in a matter of less than 6 months, when I'm still under the probationary period.
Surprised?! Yes I have demons too! I'm not the best "goodest" person you know.
Friday the 13th: August 13, 2010 Edition
Another post regarding Friday the 13th: November 13, 2009 Edition
My 3rd day at the new office.
I didn't even realize that it's Friday the 13th until one co-worker said that it is.
The early part of the morning was just idle time. I waited for my computer for almost 3 hours. After I had my lunch, I configured my computer and took some of the required courses regarding the company's policies and regulation online. Installation was done in 2 hours, online courses (a 3rd of it) was finished for another 3 hours.
6pm came and it's time to go home.
It's Friday and weekend it is! :D
I love weekends more today than yesterday.
My 3rd day at the new office.
I didn't even realize that it's Friday the 13th until one co-worker said that it is.
The early part of the morning was just idle time. I waited for my computer for almost 3 hours. After I had my lunch, I configured my computer and took some of the required courses regarding the company's policies and regulation online. Installation was done in 2 hours, online courses (a 3rd of it) was finished for another 3 hours.
6pm came and it's time to go home.
It's Friday and weekend it is! :D
I love weekends more today than yesterday.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Orientation
Two-day orientation ended.
It was a nice 2 days for me on my new job. As usual the company's history, founder, early products, etc. were all shown with this catchy music.
We (along with another new hire) were toured on the facilities and also given briefs on each department.
It's a big company employing around 500 people locally in Cebu and maybe thousands more abroad.
I was turned over to my manager, then to my team lead and then to my group mate. They seemed nice, I hope that they stay nice because I will try my best to do my best. Just give me time.
Now off to sleep for my 3rd day tomorrow.
It was a nice 2 days for me on my new job. As usual the company's history, founder, early products, etc. were all shown with this catchy music.
We (along with another new hire) were toured on the facilities and also given briefs on each department.
It's a big company employing around 500 people locally in Cebu and maybe thousands more abroad.
I was turned over to my manager, then to my team lead and then to my group mate. They seemed nice, I hope that they stay nice because I will try my best to do my best. Just give me time.
Now off to sleep for my 3rd day tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The Wife's Husband
A man escapes from a prison where he's been locked up for 15 years. He breaks into a house to look for money and guns. Inside, he finds a young couple in bed. He orders the guy out of bed and ties him to a chair. While tying the homeowner's wife to the bed, the convict gets on top of her, kisses her neck, then gets up and goes into the bathroom.
While he's in there, the husband whispers over to his wife: "Listen, this guy is an escaped convict. Look at his clothes! He's probably spent a lot of time in jail and hasn't seen a woman in years. I saw how he kissed your neck. If he wants sex, don't resist, don't complain.....do whatever he tells you. Satisfy him no matter how much he nauseates you. This guy is obviously very dangerous. If he gets angry, he'll kill us both. Be strong, honey. I love you!"
His wife responds: "He wasn't kissing my neck - he was whispering in my ear. He told me that he's gay, he thinks you're cute, and asked if we had any Vaseline. I told him It was in the bathroom.
Be strong.
I love you, too.
While he's in there, the husband whispers over to his wife: "Listen, this guy is an escaped convict. Look at his clothes! He's probably spent a lot of time in jail and hasn't seen a woman in years. I saw how he kissed your neck. If he wants sex, don't resist, don't complain.....do whatever he tells you. Satisfy him no matter how much he nauseates you. This guy is obviously very dangerous. If he gets angry, he'll kill us both. Be strong, honey. I love you!"
His wife responds: "He wasn't kissing my neck - he was whispering in my ear. He told me that he's gay, he thinks you're cute, and asked if we had any Vaseline. I told him It was in the bathroom.
Be strong.
I love you, too.
Monday, August 09, 2010
Nothing Much
Months became days and now the three months "vacation" will be over. In those three months, a drastic change to my daily routine happened.
Of course the first on the list is cost cutting. No more sumptuous dining. Breakfast hardly comes, not because I have no money to buy something but because I wake up so late that it's already lunch. Talking about lunch, it's a short 10 steps to my neighbor's carenderia and costs between 35-45 pesos if I also include a 500ml bottle of Iced Tea or one banana.
Afternoon snacks is not a problem since I sleep in the afternoons and wake up just before dinner.
Dinner is essentially free because I just eat anything that's served on the table. Either brought by my mother, or cooked by my sister (or her boyfriend).
Aside from food, next comes the gadgets. I just thank myself that I bought all these amazing gadgets while I still can afford them (the laptops, the shuffle, the 19-inch LCD monitor). It doesn't even bother me that my cellphone is "bare" minimum type. Even though I'll admit that I have some serious gadget envy on some devices, I can control myself and will wait patiently until the time I can again afford them.
Travels. No outside of the country this year, though I'm so happy that I pulled that Boracay get away last June. Aside from that, small trips between Cebu City and Cebu provinces is all that I can afford. Not that bad.
Clothes and shoes. I'm really not that into buying new clothes or shoes. But I had a quick check on my apparels and it needs new stuffs. Maybe a pair of jeans, or polo shirts.
Work starts on Wednesday and I hope I can keep it long enough for me to spend again. I miss cash.
Of course the first on the list is cost cutting. No more sumptuous dining. Breakfast hardly comes, not because I have no money to buy something but because I wake up so late that it's already lunch. Talking about lunch, it's a short 10 steps to my neighbor's carenderia and costs between 35-45 pesos if I also include a 500ml bottle of Iced Tea or one banana.
Afternoon snacks is not a problem since I sleep in the afternoons and wake up just before dinner.
Dinner is essentially free because I just eat anything that's served on the table. Either brought by my mother, or cooked by my sister (or her boyfriend).
Aside from food, next comes the gadgets. I just thank myself that I bought all these amazing gadgets while I still can afford them (the laptops, the shuffle, the 19-inch LCD monitor). It doesn't even bother me that my cellphone is "bare" minimum type. Even though I'll admit that I have some serious gadget envy on some devices, I can control myself and will wait patiently until the time I can again afford them.
Travels. No outside of the country this year, though I'm so happy that I pulled that Boracay get away last June. Aside from that, small trips between Cebu City and Cebu provinces is all that I can afford. Not that bad.
Clothes and shoes. I'm really not that into buying new clothes or shoes. But I had a quick check on my apparels and it needs new stuffs. Maybe a pair of jeans, or polo shirts.
Work starts on Wednesday and I hope I can keep it long enough for me to spend again. I miss cash.
Submitted
Finally, submitted my pre-employment documents to the company.
I had only one document to claim, my NBI clearance. I went to the main office and damn, as usual people lining up, patiently (or impatiently) waiting for their names to be called.
The NBI personnel told us to wait on the benches and not on the window where the receipts are taken because it is starting to crowd.
It took almost an hour from the when I got there to when I actually received my clearance, talk about efficiency-government style.
Is excited to go to work on Wednesday. 9:00am call time.
I had only one document to claim, my NBI clearance. I went to the main office and damn, as usual people lining up, patiently (or impatiently) waiting for their names to be called.
The NBI personnel told us to wait on the benches and not on the window where the receipts are taken because it is starting to crowd.
It took almost an hour from the when I got there to when I actually received my clearance, talk about efficiency-government style.
Is excited to go to work on Wednesday. 9:00am call time.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Nagsugod na ug ka nerbyus...
Kay hapit naman mag sugod ug trabaho sa new company.
Mag sugod napud kog trabaho karong Wednesday.
Kulbaan lang ko kay bag-o naman pud nga lugar, mga taw ug uban pa. Pero specially kay bag-o nga programming language for me. Kinahanglan pa ko magkat-on ug kinahangalan makat-on ug dali kay ulaw kaayo nga nagtuga-tuga ug apply ani nga trabaho nya dili mo successful.
Ulaw pud sa akong kaila nga nag endorse sa akong resume.
Maong karon nagbasa-basa ug libro sa C++ para lang ma refresh nya dili kaayo tantong neophyte ang dating ig abot nko didto.
Hina-ot unta nga makaya nako ni, ug naghina-ot nga akong mga kauban mga supportive ug maalalayon ug maayong mga taw.
Kaya nako ni!
Mahibaw-an raman ig hangtud January 2011 (kung maabtan pa) kung successful.
Mag sugod napud kog trabaho karong Wednesday.
Kulbaan lang ko kay bag-o naman pud nga lugar, mga taw ug uban pa. Pero specially kay bag-o nga programming language for me. Kinahanglan pa ko magkat-on ug kinahangalan makat-on ug dali kay ulaw kaayo nga nagtuga-tuga ug apply ani nga trabaho nya dili mo successful.
Ulaw pud sa akong kaila nga nag endorse sa akong resume.
Maong karon nagbasa-basa ug libro sa C++ para lang ma refresh nya dili kaayo tantong neophyte ang dating ig abot nko didto.
Hina-ot unta nga makaya nako ni, ug naghina-ot nga akong mga kauban mga supportive ug maalalayon ug maayong mga taw.
Kaya nako ni!
Mahibaw-an raman ig hangtud January 2011 (kung maabtan pa) kung successful.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Nostradamus Effect
Hello busyness.
Next week's going to be hectic.
Ok, this is just for fun. I don't have, in any way, the ability to "see" the future. I'm just speculating on what may happen next week. Why specifically next week? Because next week is the start of something new.
Vision for Monday:
I have to go to the NBI office to get a renewal of my clearance (this is scheduled by the way). In the morning meeting with my part time job, we may discuss how I'm going to work now that my schedule has changed. The thing I'm most afraid of? If they will ask me what time will I commit to report to them. I just can't simply answer that, since I'm sure that this new job is not strictly a 9hrs (including lunch) job type and OTs are extremely frequent possibilities.
Speaking of my new job, I also need to pass my requirements and documents to the HR by this time.
Vision for Wednesday:
The start. The beginning. My 3rd job. C++. Ok maybe the first day is getting acquainted with the people, place, and the project. I have a maximum of 6 months probation period to prove to them my potential on this "C++" thing. I'm excited nonetheless, I like challenges, and if there is one thing I can say I'm good at, is accepting challenges and winning them (the more when this challenge involves my quality of life).
So Wednesday is the start.
Goodbye waking up late.
Goodbye to afternoon naps.
Goodbye 8 hrs sleep.
Next week's going to be hectic.
Ok, this is just for fun. I don't have, in any way, the ability to "see" the future. I'm just speculating on what may happen next week. Why specifically next week? Because next week is the start of something new.
Vision for Monday:
I have to go to the NBI office to get a renewal of my clearance (this is scheduled by the way). In the morning meeting with my part time job, we may discuss how I'm going to work now that my schedule has changed. The thing I'm most afraid of? If they will ask me what time will I commit to report to them. I just can't simply answer that, since I'm sure that this new job is not strictly a 9hrs (including lunch) job type and OTs are extremely frequent possibilities.
Speaking of my new job, I also need to pass my requirements and documents to the HR by this time.
Vision for Wednesday:
The start. The beginning. My 3rd job. C++. Ok maybe the first day is getting acquainted with the people, place, and the project. I have a maximum of 6 months probation period to prove to them my potential on this "C++" thing. I'm excited nonetheless, I like challenges, and if there is one thing I can say I'm good at, is accepting challenges and winning them (the more when this challenge involves my quality of life).
So Wednesday is the start.
Goodbye waking up late.
Goodbye to afternoon naps.
Goodbye 8 hrs sleep.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
The Thing About Wednesdays
Mondays are lazy days.
It makes me feel lazy because there is a lot of time until the end of the week that everything seems possible. There's a lot to do and a lot of time - or another way of saying it is that there's a lot of time for revisions, and that's where the laziness kicks in.
Tuesdays are insignificant- unless it is a holiday! My brain seems to not remember what I did on Tuesdays (maybe they are the same things that I do on Mondays). Which brings me to Wednesday.
Wednesdays are my favorite days of the week.
Why? Because they're in the middle! And being the middle child, I seem to like things that are in the middle or ... (oops! I digress). Anyways, Wednesdays for me is the time to reflect what I've done so far, and what I need to do for the next couple of days. Everything comes to pace on Wednesday, a lot of movement and progress (or lack thereof which leads to panic).
Well, the title of this post is Wednesdays and I covered Mondays and Tuesdays as well so it ends here.
It makes me feel lazy because there is a lot of time until the end of the week that everything seems possible. There's a lot to do and a lot of time - or another way of saying it is that there's a lot of time for revisions, and that's where the laziness kicks in.
Tuesdays are insignificant- unless it is a holiday! My brain seems to not remember what I did on Tuesdays (maybe they are the same things that I do on Mondays). Which brings me to Wednesday.
Wednesdays are my favorite days of the week.
Why? Because they're in the middle! And being the middle child, I seem to like things that are in the middle or ... (oops! I digress). Anyways, Wednesdays for me is the time to reflect what I've done so far, and what I need to do for the next couple of days. Everything comes to pace on Wednesday, a lot of movement and progress (or lack thereof which leads to panic).
Well, the title of this post is Wednesdays and I covered Mondays and Tuesdays as well so it ends here.
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
The Day of the Rain
It rained at least three (3) times today! But I love the rain, especially today, because it brought good luck to me.
9:00-10:30am Before the first rain:
I was in my part time job. I had this feeling that today would be another disappointing day because my manager would not be happy with the design (which I did not make, but is my responsibility nevertheless)of the website. I was also scrambling to take pictures of the facilities, the rooms, the location to put "real" images on the website. It was cloudy but clear. I got all sweaty from all those photography works, then edited them (using MS Paint, because I'm so skilled in MS Paint).
10:30-11:59 Sullied
After finishing the "editing" I uploaded them to the server. I knew from my previous work that "editing" no matter how simple takes time, and to those who doesn't know, they think that it takes no time at all (disappointing how you try to explain but they just don't or wont get it). I was satisfied with what I accomplished and was waiting for the manager to arrive for further "revisions". 12 noon came and then...
12:00 The RAIN 1st part
Heavy downpour. Since it was already noon, I had to pack up and leave. I made it a habit not to go out of the house these days without an umbrella, so the rain didn't bother me.
Dripping wet, my manager explained to me how she wanted the brochure to look like, about her additional concern regarding the website. These all happened outside, in the middle of the rain. Talk about work dedication, this is the person to beat.
1:00pm Ayala Mall
I wanted to see a movie, but there's nothing new that I haven't seen and that interests me to watch, so I decided to just eat my lunch and go home.
2:30 The RAIN part 2
Just when I was about to get off, another heavy downpour. No problem, umbrella ella is here (yes I named my umbrella).
3:00-5:30 Nap time
The good thing about being "tambay" is that you can sleep in the afternoons, just like when you were a kid. But the difference now is that you're loving it instead of crying your eyes out to your parents or yaya.
6:00 till midnight
I still have to work on the website based on the comments that my manager has told me to fix, at least those that involves content, since they're going to present to the board on Wednesday. So here, full from dinner, is working on it.
About midnight, the RAIN part 3
As my eyes begin to drop, I can hear the rain, whooshing, making noise when it drops on the roof. It is a sound to my ears as I begin to wander in dreamland. Thank you rain for making my day just wet but great.
9:00-10:30am Before the first rain:
I was in my part time job. I had this feeling that today would be another disappointing day because my manager would not be happy with the design (which I did not make, but is my responsibility nevertheless)of the website. I was also scrambling to take pictures of the facilities, the rooms, the location to put "real" images on the website. It was cloudy but clear. I got all sweaty from all those photography works, then edited them (using MS Paint, because I'm so skilled in MS Paint).
10:30-11:59 Sullied
After finishing the "editing" I uploaded them to the server. I knew from my previous work that "editing" no matter how simple takes time, and to those who doesn't know, they think that it takes no time at all (disappointing how you try to explain but they just don't or wont get it). I was satisfied with what I accomplished and was waiting for the manager to arrive for further "revisions". 12 noon came and then...
12:00 The RAIN 1st part
Heavy downpour. Since it was already noon, I had to pack up and leave. I made it a habit not to go out of the house these days without an umbrella, so the rain didn't bother me.
Dripping wet, my manager explained to me how she wanted the brochure to look like, about her additional concern regarding the website. These all happened outside, in the middle of the rain. Talk about work dedication, this is the person to beat.
1:00pm Ayala Mall
I wanted to see a movie, but there's nothing new that I haven't seen and that interests me to watch, so I decided to just eat my lunch and go home.
2:30 The RAIN part 2
Just when I was about to get off, another heavy downpour. No problem, umbrella ella is here (yes I named my umbrella).
3:00-5:30 Nap time
The good thing about being "tambay" is that you can sleep in the afternoons, just like when you were a kid. But the difference now is that you're loving it instead of crying your eyes out to your parents or yaya.
6:00 till midnight
I still have to work on the website based on the comments that my manager has told me to fix, at least those that involves content, since they're going to present to the board on Wednesday. So here, full from dinner, is working on it.
About midnight, the RAIN part 3
As my eyes begin to drop, I can hear the rain, whooshing, making noise when it drops on the roof. It is a sound to my ears as I begin to wander in dreamland. Thank you rain for making my day just wet but great.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Growing Up
My sister left for Australia.
I'm the first one to leave our house to live in some other place to work (which is Manila) but fate has taken me back here, home. It is maybe one of my most daring, risky and memorable experience of my life. In my opinion, living alone and independently has broaden my horizon, and made me a little wiser - not to mention see other places, faces and experience a different culture.
That experience has taught me a lot of things, from little mundane things of checking if the doors are locked after you go to work, cleaning the room, kitchen, CR to major things of controlling finances and expenses. I feel happy when I look back and see myself being responsible and mature enough to take care of myself. No one can take away what I learned from that experience. I am proud of me.
And now my younger sister at 24 is now heading to Brisbane Australia to try a new life. I'm totally excited for her. Hoping that she will have the courage to fight the homesickness and enjoy this opportunity to grow and be mature.
Our family is just here, waiting for your return. Godspeed Ajane.
I'm the first one to leave our house to live in some other place to work (which is Manila) but fate has taken me back here, home. It is maybe one of my most daring, risky and memorable experience of my life. In my opinion, living alone and independently has broaden my horizon, and made me a little wiser - not to mention see other places, faces and experience a different culture.
That experience has taught me a lot of things, from little mundane things of checking if the doors are locked after you go to work, cleaning the room, kitchen, CR to major things of controlling finances and expenses. I feel happy when I look back and see myself being responsible and mature enough to take care of myself. No one can take away what I learned from that experience. I am proud of me.
And now my younger sister at 24 is now heading to Brisbane Australia to try a new life. I'm totally excited for her. Hoping that she will have the courage to fight the homesickness and enjoy this opportunity to grow and be mature.
Our family is just here, waiting for your return. Godspeed Ajane.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Should I Be Honest Enough?
It's been around three (3) months now that I have all these free time to do almost anything. Yet I don't do anything except eat, sleep and just laze around.
One more thing, I have this agreement.
Before I entered into this contract with my part time job, I told them that I need time to figure out if I wanted to do it fulltime. Because of that premise I didn't resign from my previous post and continued my services as part time to them.
As I have written, I was laid off from my fulltime job. And that's where the dilemma comes in. You see I didn't tell my part time that I am now free. And to make matters more complicated I applied for other companies and got accepted. Next month I will be starting there as an employee and will be busy (as a neophytes do).
The reason being is that honestly I don't want to be in a fulltime position with them and would like that I continue my services as part time. There are many reasons why, and the primary reason being I don't have that health care benefit and those other benefits that regular employees receives.
I wish I could just tell them what I honestly feel, but things are not that easy.
One more thing, I have this agreement.
Before I entered into this contract with my part time job, I told them that I need time to figure out if I wanted to do it fulltime. Because of that premise I didn't resign from my previous post and continued my services as part time to them.
As I have written, I was laid off from my fulltime job. And that's where the dilemma comes in. You see I didn't tell my part time that I am now free. And to make matters more complicated I applied for other companies and got accepted. Next month I will be starting there as an employee and will be busy (as a neophytes do).
The reason being is that honestly I don't want to be in a fulltime position with them and would like that I continue my services as part time. There are many reasons why, and the primary reason being I don't have that health care benefit and those other benefits that regular employees receives.
I wish I could just tell them what I honestly feel, but things are not that easy.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Day of July 15
That yellow (or cream colored) long sleeved shirt I wore at Dianne's wedding is my only choice to wear for the interviews. I have two job interviews today, the first one, at 10:00am is in IT Park and the other one at 3:00pm is in Cebu Business Park (Ayala).
It was a nice interview at Company N. First I was interviewed by their HR, and all I can say is that she's nice and I love her voice, it's like I'm listening to a prerecorded message. After some standard HR questions (tell me about yourself, salary, etc..) she quickly forwarded me to my technical interview with the team lead.
They're looking for C++ programmers, and I honestly didn't know how to code C++ for now. But they're lenient for long as I know OOP concepts. And bet I really do! The interview went on like a casual conversation and I felt at home answering questions about Inheritance, Polymorphism, Encapsulation. I know these stuffs, and I felt confident when I answered this particular question "In implementing a list, how do you clear the list (delete all contents)?". It's like a jackpot question for me, since I don't only know the answer I absolutely know how to answer it in a way that they will say "yes that's it!".
I was asked to return after lunch to have an interview with the manager. The way the manager interviewed me, it seems to me like an investigation, scrutinizing details that I put on my resume. For a moment I felt I was being interrogated by a crime (but it was just me). Turns out that somehow he knew an aunt of mine (he even knew that we live beside the road-but I didn't pry more on how he had such knowledge). He told me that I will know the results the following day. After I left the premises the HR called me to return again by 1:00pm the following day.
I was next off to Company L for a 3:00pm interview. When I arrived I was told to go to the 9th floor. After some HR forms I was escorted to the 19th floor where my interviewers were. Again I was relieved that my interviewers were cool enough and not intimidating.
The interview quickly turned into another fun conversation (it felt like I was talking to my long unseen friends) about my past experiences (as a programmer of course!) and about my hobbies, and interests. I had a great time relating to them about my past jobs and my decisions (they asks why I took the licensure examination for teachers). I was getting ready to answer technical questions but they said that it will be in an another interview (if there is another). The position became more interesting to me when they mentioned "our team gets to travel often..." - that's it I was sold. I was a bit disappointed though since I was ready, very ready to answer those technical questions. I was told to wait for further announcement (calls).
I guess that yellow (cream colored) long sleeve shirt I wore at Dianne's wedding is a lucky charm.
It was a nice interview at Company N. First I was interviewed by their HR, and all I can say is that she's nice and I love her voice, it's like I'm listening to a prerecorded message. After some standard HR questions (tell me about yourself, salary, etc..) she quickly forwarded me to my technical interview with the team lead.
They're looking for C++ programmers, and I honestly didn't know how to code C++ for now. But they're lenient for long as I know OOP concepts. And bet I really do! The interview went on like a casual conversation and I felt at home answering questions about Inheritance, Polymorphism, Encapsulation. I know these stuffs, and I felt confident when I answered this particular question "In implementing a list, how do you clear the list (delete all contents)?". It's like a jackpot question for me, since I don't only know the answer I absolutely know how to answer it in a way that they will say "yes that's it!".
I was asked to return after lunch to have an interview with the manager. The way the manager interviewed me, it seems to me like an investigation, scrutinizing details that I put on my resume. For a moment I felt I was being interrogated by a crime (but it was just me). Turns out that somehow he knew an aunt of mine (he even knew that we live beside the road-but I didn't pry more on how he had such knowledge). He told me that I will know the results the following day. After I left the premises the HR called me to return again by 1:00pm the following day.
I was next off to Company L for a 3:00pm interview. When I arrived I was told to go to the 9th floor. After some HR forms I was escorted to the 19th floor where my interviewers were. Again I was relieved that my interviewers were cool enough and not intimidating.
The interview quickly turned into another fun conversation (it felt like I was talking to my long unseen friends) about my past experiences (as a programmer of course!) and about my hobbies, and interests. I had a great time relating to them about my past jobs and my decisions (they asks why I took the licensure examination for teachers). I was getting ready to answer technical questions but they said that it will be in an another interview (if there is another). The position became more interesting to me when they mentioned "our team gets to travel often..." - that's it I was sold. I was a bit disappointed though since I was ready, very ready to answer those technical questions. I was told to wait for further announcement (calls).
I guess that yellow (cream colored) long sleeve shirt I wore at Dianne's wedding is a lucky charm.
Sometimes I Get Extremely Lucky
Yes, for reasons I can't explain, maybe that is why it's called luck.
Case in point: Passing the entrance job examination with a high score
I applied for this company, let's call it company Q. When I arrived there I was shocked that there was a lot (I mean A LOT) of people lining up waiting for their turn to be interviewed by the HR. Thankfully though that was not the line I was supposed to fall-in-line since it was for those applying for call center agents.
I was applying as a network systems administrator.
Ok, really I wasn't applying for a network sysadmin, I was applying as a programmer. There was another guy that was also scheduled to take the test. We casually talk about our past jobs and I knew that I was dead meat compared to this person since he worked with Cisco servers, etc.
The HR told me that she knew I didn't applied for the network sysadmin position, but explained that she just wanted for me to try.
And so the test begun.
And was it hard. No make it very hard!
There were 20 questions, situational ones where they present a scenario and ask what went wrong, how to fix it, what's the output, what's the best topology, etc...
So I went home and cleared my mind that there's any chance I could pass that exam. I mean for real.
And the surprise of my life, I received a call and the HR told me that I have an interview later that evening. So I went to company Q's office and waited for my turn to be interviewed.
During my interview, the admin asked me if I had any previous encounter with a Cisco router or configured any kind of network related equipment - and my answer was a short "no sir". And he had this look on his face that seems baffled, he asked me how can I get such high scores and yet didn't know a thing about Cisco routers or network equipment configuration for that matter?
Of course I did some intellectual reasoning and didn't just admit that it was pure luck.
But I guess my luck ended there. I was not employed by company Q.
I hope that the other person got it, he deserves the position anyway.
Friday, July 02, 2010
The Day of July 2
Woke up early to go to TBI office because it is Friday and I have to be in the office to meet with Ryan our new UI designer for the website.
Planned to go there at 9:00am but because I was hooked up on twitter and facebook and also re-uploading the sample test program from a company I am applying as a programmer, I arrived late - but not so late at 9:30am.
Met Ryan and we talked about the sample theme he submitted 2 days ago and what needs to be revised. I guess my manager wanted a simpler color scheme and uncluttered design. After an hour or so discussion, we had an agreement and we'll see his redesign over the weekend and will be discussed by the team during Monday's status meeting.
Submitted my DTR (daily time record) for the month of June and went for lunch.
Had lunch in Mongolian and had my favorite "check a bowl" meal paired with a bottomless iced tea.
Went home, watched the downloaded "The Tudors" season 1 episodes. I downloaded this series out of curiosity because it has been touted as having many explicit scenes and - they were not kidding, breasts and butts abound on every episodes (yes I skipped to the good parts :p).
Having nothing much to do for the afternoon, I just watched TV, surf the net and eat. It was then that I realized I ate 3 times for the last 4 hrs.
I received email from an employer based on SG about an opening they have, but I am not yet qualified as they need 5-6 years of solid Java EE experience, I'm just currently having 6 years of various IT experience.
Job hunting will still continue until next week.
Planned to go there at 9:00am but because I was hooked up on twitter and facebook and also re-uploading the sample test program from a company I am applying as a programmer, I arrived late - but not so late at 9:30am.
Met Ryan and we talked about the sample theme he submitted 2 days ago and what needs to be revised. I guess my manager wanted a simpler color scheme and uncluttered design. After an hour or so discussion, we had an agreement and we'll see his redesign over the weekend and will be discussed by the team during Monday's status meeting.
Submitted my DTR (daily time record) for the month of June and went for lunch.
Had lunch in Mongolian and had my favorite "check a bowl" meal paired with a bottomless iced tea.
Went home, watched the downloaded "The Tudors" season 1 episodes. I downloaded this series out of curiosity because it has been touted as having many explicit scenes and - they were not kidding, breasts and butts abound on every episodes (yes I skipped to the good parts :p).
Having nothing much to do for the afternoon, I just watched TV, surf the net and eat. It was then that I realized I ate 3 times for the last 4 hrs.
I received email from an employer based on SG about an opening they have, but I am not yet qualified as they need 5-6 years of solid Java EE experience, I'm just currently having 6 years of various IT experience.
Job hunting will still continue until next week.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
So It Has Came To This
That I will spend the next year here. June ends today and six(6) days from now marks my one month of being officially jobless (make it 2 months if we'll count the unofficial start).
I am still waiting for a sign that something will change and will make me rethink about my decision. But time is passing by, cash flow is literally non flowing and I'm getting bored and accustomed to the "tambay" lifestyle.
So I will try to finish the test, submit it and wait for evaluation.
Maybe wait for the week (maximum of one more week) to wait for some calls from other companies that I tried to apply to.
After that, depending on the results it's either I'm off to other lands or I will be here in this full-time job as technical staff for a technology incubator facility.
Just like getting back in school, it's time to improve and study for the next chapter ahead.
I am still waiting for a sign that something will change and will make me rethink about my decision. But time is passing by, cash flow is literally non flowing and I'm getting bored and accustomed to the "tambay" lifestyle.
So I will try to finish the test, submit it and wait for evaluation.
Maybe wait for the week (maximum of one more week) to wait for some calls from other companies that I tried to apply to.
After that, depending on the results it's either I'm off to other lands or I will be here in this full-time job as technical staff for a technology incubator facility.
Just like getting back in school, it's time to improve and study for the next chapter ahead.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Axed
I have no work.
Correction, I have no "full-time" work as of the moment. My stint at Playtech was cut short because they will be closing this year and they are "releasing" employees by batch at a time. And yes I was included in the first batch to get the ax.
It was sad, I will not deny it.
For the most part of my "career" I always see to it that I am "safe" on my job since I don't like to be dependent on someone else for my needs. But sometimes (this time-my first time) life/destiny/the universe just conspires against me (or in some dramatic explanation conspires for me...whatever) and I can do nothing about it.
But I can do something.
For me, I paid my insurance for this year with the money I got as severance fee. And a few trips to some places (smiles a great deal).
And yes it motivates me on some degree knowing that I need to find a job soon and quick.
Looking at this event in retrospect made me feel that I've been complacent this past year when it comes to my skill in programming and this is a loud wakeup call to straighten my act.
It's sad to note that I've let myself be left behind.
Well the first way to recovery is to know that there is something wrong, and I know now. I'm on my road to recovery.
FULL SAIL AHEAD.
Correction, I have no "full-time" work as of the moment. My stint at Playtech was cut short because they will be closing this year and they are "releasing" employees by batch at a time. And yes I was included in the first batch to get the ax.
It was sad, I will not deny it.
For the most part of my "career" I always see to it that I am "safe" on my job since I don't like to be dependent on someone else for my needs. But sometimes (this time-my first time) life/destiny/the universe just conspires against me (or in some dramatic explanation conspires for me...whatever) and I can do nothing about it.
But I can do something.
For me, I paid my insurance for this year with the money I got as severance fee. And a few trips to some places (smiles a great deal).
And yes it motivates me on some degree knowing that I need to find a job soon and quick.
Looking at this event in retrospect made me feel that I've been complacent this past year when it comes to my skill in programming and this is a loud wakeup call to straighten my act.
It's sad to note that I've let myself be left behind.
Well the first way to recovery is to know that there is something wrong, and I know now. I'm on my road to recovery.
FULL SAIL AHEAD.
Moving On
The time has come for me to move on. Yes, it is a choice that I have to make for me. No more annoying delays and irrelevant debacle. Is it easy? The short answer is...no.
For sometime now I was content of mediocrity. And yet day by day mediocracy degrades to ineptness and results to emptiness. A sad life is what you get when you let these things unto you.
But for a moment I enjoyed it.
But that moment did not last long.
So here I am looking ahead. Looking far out into the future, my mind imagining things. Yet I'm still here and reality knocks on me to move, little baby steps, as long as it is constant, soon will get momentum and hope to be in a place and position where I wanted to be.
When I get into difficulties ahead, I draw my strength from my family and my God to always guide me and lead me to the right and rewarding path.
To the future success because there is no other choice.
For sometime now I was content of mediocrity. And yet day by day mediocracy degrades to ineptness and results to emptiness. A sad life is what you get when you let these things unto you.
But for a moment I enjoyed it.
But that moment did not last long.
So here I am looking ahead. Looking far out into the future, my mind imagining things. Yet I'm still here and reality knocks on me to move, little baby steps, as long as it is constant, soon will get momentum and hope to be in a place and position where I wanted to be.
When I get into difficulties ahead, I draw my strength from my family and my God to always guide me and lead me to the right and rewarding path.
To the future success because there is no other choice.
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