Tia Nene and Boy
Posted by Hello
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Christmas 2004 part 4
I was on board Christmas Eve. I was also on board Christmas Day. Considering everything these were easy days. What made them hard was that I would have preferred to be at home for the Noche Buena feast held after before midnight of Christmas Eve. Also traditionally, we have a prayer of Thanksgiving prior to partaking of the meal. This year the table motif was "Green Christmas." That was Adora's idea. She masterminds the food during family celebrations, parties and other gatherings. There was vegetable salad (with choice of dressing, the tomatoes were on a separate plate from the rest of the vegetables, and with more than ample lettuce), buko pandan salad, pica-pica, (quartered) tuna sandwiches, hotdog and marshmallow on sticks, and, of course, ham and edam cheese. (I don't remember the brand but it was not the traditional dry, flaky, semi-hard edam cheese ball, but moist and soft. I am not complaining; on the contrary, it has always been my opinion that I have never met a cheese I did not like.)
After the feast the family members exchange gifts and then open these amid a lot of merry making, laughter and picture taking. During the past several years, there have been absent family members because they have to be at work during Christmas Eve. Last year I was able to beg off work, at least during the first part of the shift, and was allowed to login at 5:00 in the morning. I was then present during for the Noche Buena. This year, because of lousy schedules, I had to be at work, and so I had to leave the house before 10:00pm.
The pictures were taken with Jonas's Canon digital camera. I was not able to get the model number. With 3.2 megapixels, it has more than enough resolution for 4x6 prints. The picture quality is not bad, not bad at all.
As usual, pictures were taken while the gifts were being given. And then also afterwards while these were being opened (and, at times, worn immediately). The kids danced until 3:00, and almost everyone present were still awake at 4:00 in the morning.
Just for the curious, as is usually the case, I don't think there was any alcoholic beverage that night. Not that we would say no to wee bit of a drink, it's just that there wasn't any.
--andoy
28 December 2004
After the feast the family members exchange gifts and then open these amid a lot of merry making, laughter and picture taking. During the past several years, there have been absent family members because they have to be at work during Christmas Eve. Last year I was able to beg off work, at least during the first part of the shift, and was allowed to login at 5:00 in the morning. I was then present during for the Noche Buena. This year, because of lousy schedules, I had to be at work, and so I had to leave the house before 10:00pm.
The pictures were taken with Jonas's Canon digital camera. I was not able to get the model number. With 3.2 megapixels, it has more than enough resolution for 4x6 prints. The picture quality is not bad, not bad at all.
As usual, pictures were taken while the gifts were being given. And then also afterwards while these were being opened (and, at times, worn immediately). The kids danced until 3:00, and almost everyone present were still awake at 4:00 in the morning.
Just for the curious, as is usually the case, I don't think there was any alcoholic beverage that night. Not that we would say no to wee bit of a drink, it's just that there wasn't any.
--andoy
28 December 2004
Christmas 2004 (13): (seated) Kenneth and Darwi, (crouching) Raul, Tatay, Irene and Dong
Posted by Hello
Monday, December 27, 2004
Christmas Party
We were supposed to have a Christmas Party last night Sunday, December 26. This was for the team at work, and the team leader volunteered to sponsor it at his residence. This was also supposed to be the despedida for our OM. I am not sure what happened. Only that there were no invites, no location maps or directions to the venue and no reminders.
So just as suddenly, without a bang, but like a shadow passing by, there was no more mention of a Christmas Party. Which would be very much in character for the team leader.
--andoy
27 December 2004
So just as suddenly, without a bang, but like a shadow passing by, there was no more mention of a Christmas Party. Which would be very much in character for the team leader.
--andoy
27 December 2004
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Old Friends
I called up some friends from the old days. (I wanted to say that "I called some old friends" but then again, these friends might think that I think they are old.) The only thing I can say is that if you want to get the most of your money, call a friend whom you have not seen in a long, long time. Better to call by cell phone, so that you can jump up and down while trying to carry on a half-decent, giddy, almost sober, definitely ecstatic conversation.
I contacted Rach over the phone and we had a short chat. From her voice she was still feeling the after-effects of the Christmas Noche Buena celebration. She's quite happy with her life right now. She was also very proud of her two daughters in college. They seem to be doing well. The eldest would soon be graduating with honors. And the second daughter, my goddaughter, would be going on OJT in the summer. Both of them are studying in UPLB.
Surprising someone with a phone call on Christmas morning, before they are really awake, is not something I have experienced before. I guess before they were surprised, I was surprised myself that I was going to do it. A day after, and I can still feel the novelty of the experience.
After Rach, I got in touch with Maricel. From what I can hear, she was shocked that I called. At the very least, she was shouting over the phone. I could swear if I was any nearer, I didn't need to use the phone. But if we were standing on the sidewalk on a chance meeting, I know I'd get a mouthful of cuss words, and some painful kicks on the shin, so that would not be surprising.
She's doing well, I guess, and she doesn't want to discuss her research work. She's finishing her PhD, which is not a trivial task. Twenty years ago, if there was someone who I'd thought would pursue a PhD, I would not even consider her for a short list. But this girl is full of surprises. When she took her Board Exams for Chemistry, she got into the Top Ten list. And nobody would even think she can do that.
She has a good memory for remembering most of my shenanigans. Better than I do, from what I gather from our short telephone conversation. Considering that most people would long remember things with which they have strong feelings about, I think she just might really hate me. She remembers a lot of things about me and the things we did 20 years ago. There were several points in the conversation which I need to research on. Did I do those things? Or worse, did I not do some things? She mentioned that I gave her a character sketch and I likened her to a tiger. Come to think of it, it would be something I would have done. And she, at that time, would have been very close to a description of a tiger. No she is not a prowler, lurker, nor a predator. But she is very feline, and like a tiger, at the time, she was quite aloof with "male admirers." A tiger is a solitary creature, mates, and then wanders off from the mate while the tiger cubs grow. Much like her -- at the time. Not really mate, as in mate, but more with how she treated the "boys" around her who wanted to know her better. She was also a pretty college girl amid a whole group of pretty girls, and somehow, she just slipped under the radar, barely being recognized for what she was. She blended into the background. And I think this was what she wished then. She was intelligent, but I doubt very much if anyone knew how intelligent she was.
Frankly speaking, I don't remember what I wrote about her in that character sketch, twenty-odd years ago. Now that she mentions that tiger description, I would agree that I would have described her so. That being said, then I don't think she's lying about that paper. She says it still exists at her parents' home. Maybe one day, she can send me a scan of that paper.
I wonder, if I ever sent her a poem. If I did, I would have a record of that somewhere, because I still have the original drafts for the poems I wrote. Most of them at least. But a character sketch! For crying out loud, was I that stupid? Whatever could have happened that I would write a character sketch? Me, of all people, write a character sketch! That would be suicide on my part! And about Maricel, too! Crazy! What was I thinking? Now I'm surprised I'm still alive. I encountered a tiger, and I survived, twenty-odd years ago. Man! I must be one lucky S.O.B!
It was great talking to her though. Sounded like a time warp or a back to the future thing. We were talking like we last met yesterday. Current family and status being a non-entity in the discussion, it was fairly glossed over. Except that I mentioned that even if I had not met her husband, I can't help but say that I like the guy. I really do admire his husband even if I had not met him, simply because he married Maricel. I like his taste. She also mentioned, again, that I have beautiful kids, and that it's a good thing they did not take from me (or did not look like me, for that matter). Of which, I can only answer that that is everyone else's comment. Of her and her kid, I can only say that the mother is a long, long way prettier.
I wanted to call some other people, it being Christmas morning and such. More as a gift to them. Or in lieu of a Christmas card. Just so happens that I ran out of (prepaid) load for my cell phone. Next time then. New Year perhaps.
--andoy
26 December 2004
I contacted Rach over the phone and we had a short chat. From her voice she was still feeling the after-effects of the Christmas Noche Buena celebration. She's quite happy with her life right now. She was also very proud of her two daughters in college. They seem to be doing well. The eldest would soon be graduating with honors. And the second daughter, my goddaughter, would be going on OJT in the summer. Both of them are studying in UPLB.
Surprising someone with a phone call on Christmas morning, before they are really awake, is not something I have experienced before. I guess before they were surprised, I was surprised myself that I was going to do it. A day after, and I can still feel the novelty of the experience.
After Rach, I got in touch with Maricel. From what I can hear, she was shocked that I called. At the very least, she was shouting over the phone. I could swear if I was any nearer, I didn't need to use the phone. But if we were standing on the sidewalk on a chance meeting, I know I'd get a mouthful of cuss words, and some painful kicks on the shin, so that would not be surprising.
She's doing well, I guess, and she doesn't want to discuss her research work. She's finishing her PhD, which is not a trivial task. Twenty years ago, if there was someone who I'd thought would pursue a PhD, I would not even consider her for a short list. But this girl is full of surprises. When she took her Board Exams for Chemistry, she got into the Top Ten list. And nobody would even think she can do that.
She has a good memory for remembering most of my shenanigans. Better than I do, from what I gather from our short telephone conversation. Considering that most people would long remember things with which they have strong feelings about, I think she just might really hate me. She remembers a lot of things about me and the things we did 20 years ago. There were several points in the conversation which I need to research on. Did I do those things? Or worse, did I not do some things? She mentioned that I gave her a character sketch and I likened her to a tiger. Come to think of it, it would be something I would have done. And she, at that time, would have been very close to a description of a tiger. No she is not a prowler, lurker, nor a predator. But she is very feline, and like a tiger, at the time, she was quite aloof with "male admirers." A tiger is a solitary creature, mates, and then wanders off from the mate while the tiger cubs grow. Much like her -- at the time. Not really mate, as in mate, but more with how she treated the "boys" around her who wanted to know her better. She was also a pretty college girl amid a whole group of pretty girls, and somehow, she just slipped under the radar, barely being recognized for what she was. She blended into the background. And I think this was what she wished then. She was intelligent, but I doubt very much if anyone knew how intelligent she was.
Frankly speaking, I don't remember what I wrote about her in that character sketch, twenty-odd years ago. Now that she mentions that tiger description, I would agree that I would have described her so. That being said, then I don't think she's lying about that paper. She says it still exists at her parents' home. Maybe one day, she can send me a scan of that paper.
I wonder, if I ever sent her a poem. If I did, I would have a record of that somewhere, because I still have the original drafts for the poems I wrote. Most of them at least. But a character sketch! For crying out loud, was I that stupid? Whatever could have happened that I would write a character sketch? Me, of all people, write a character sketch! That would be suicide on my part! And about Maricel, too! Crazy! What was I thinking? Now I'm surprised I'm still alive. I encountered a tiger, and I survived, twenty-odd years ago. Man! I must be one lucky S.O.B!
It was great talking to her though. Sounded like a time warp or a back to the future thing. We were talking like we last met yesterday. Current family and status being a non-entity in the discussion, it was fairly glossed over. Except that I mentioned that even if I had not met her husband, I can't help but say that I like the guy. I really do admire his husband even if I had not met him, simply because he married Maricel. I like his taste. She also mentioned, again, that I have beautiful kids, and that it's a good thing they did not take from me (or did not look like me, for that matter). Of which, I can only answer that that is everyone else's comment. Of her and her kid, I can only say that the mother is a long, long way prettier.
I wanted to call some other people, it being Christmas morning and such. More as a gift to them. Or in lieu of a Christmas card. Just so happens that I ran out of (prepaid) load for my cell phone. Next time then. New Year perhaps.
--andoy
26 December 2004
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Christmas 2004 part 4
Irene invited Adora and my parents to another trip to the tiangge. Last time, around, Darwi and Kenneth went with them. This time, Kenneth opted to stay. Darwi went with them but she forgot to bring her wallet. They were not able to buy anything much. Although when Dong arrived home, he sent several messages and followed them to the tiangge. Adora, Roger, Mama, Tatay and the kids went home around 11:00pm, but Irene stayed awhile with Dong to do some last minute shopping.
This time, Adora forgot her daughters' hats so Roselle and Naomi had to borrow from Darwi and Kenneth. Naomi had a cap which was several sizes too large.
Two more days to Christmas. One more day to the midnight feast.
--andoy
23 December 2004
This time, Adora forgot her daughters' hats so Roselle and Naomi had to borrow from Darwi and Kenneth. Naomi had a cap which was several sizes too large.
Two more days to Christmas. One more day to the midnight feast.
--andoy
23 December 2004
Jayce
I have not seen Jayce since 1991, I think. That is a really long time not to see someone. That was when she was still a teenager. After 14 years, I didn't notice any difference. She still looked like a teenager, being of slight build.
Lilia and I were walking towards Sta. Lucia Mall when I saw her walking in the opposite direction. It was funny, we were both surprised. During the short chit chat, it was almost all "ahh" and "oohs" as we still did not believe this was happening. We exchanged cell phone numbers and I asked for her email address. I was hoping I could get some resumes from her, for some job requirements I have. The real clincher was that when she sent her email address to me (via text message) I found out she was working at a call center, where my brother also works. No more resumes from her then.
Great Christmas surprises continue.
--andoy
23 December 2004
Lilia and I were walking towards Sta. Lucia Mall when I saw her walking in the opposite direction. It was funny, we were both surprised. During the short chit chat, it was almost all "ahh" and "oohs" as we still did not believe this was happening. We exchanged cell phone numbers and I asked for her email address. I was hoping I could get some resumes from her, for some job requirements I have. The real clincher was that when she sent her email address to me (via text message) I found out she was working at a call center, where my brother also works. No more resumes from her then.
Great Christmas surprises continue.
--andoy
23 December 2004
Christmas 2004 part 3: Last minute shopping
We did our last minute shopping yesterday. These are for small Christmas gifts we were not able to buy last time around. Only thing remaining is for these gifts to be gift-wrapped.
For the Noche Buena meal, I still have no idea what the menu will be. That's my sister Adora's job. I can do some of the cooking, schedule allowing. Then I'd be off to work as I am onboard on Christmas Eve, the whole Christmas weekend. Next days off are on Tuesday and Wednesday.
I promised the guys at work I'd be sharing something from the Christmas table. Again, surprise, I don't know yet.
At least this Christmas should be better than those for the last three years. Thanks God!
--andoy
22 December 2004
For the Noche Buena meal, I still have no idea what the menu will be. That's my sister Adora's job. I can do some of the cooking, schedule allowing. Then I'd be off to work as I am onboard on Christmas Eve, the whole Christmas weekend. Next days off are on Tuesday and Wednesday.
I promised the guys at work I'd be sharing something from the Christmas table. Again, surprise, I don't know yet.
At least this Christmas should be better than those for the last three years. Thanks God!
--andoy
22 December 2004
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Christmas 2004 part 2
My wife, Lilia and I went to do some Christmas shopping yesterday. Instead of going to the Greenhills Shopping Center tiangge, we went to Divisoria. The long and short of it, I got a migraine afterwards.
We left prepared to leave home almost immediately after the kids went to school for their exams. Commuted by jeep to Katipunan and took the LRT from there to Recto. Judging by the number of people at Katipunan station and comparing that with the volume of passengers getting on and off the train up to Recto, I can say with all certainty that the majority of the passengers came from Marikina (or thereabouts) and went to Divisoria. It was not a very crowded train, but the crowding really started when we tried to get a ride at the Recto Station.
Maybe within the whole of the City of Manila, this strip of commercial district saw the most changes during the last year or two. Avenida (Rizal Avenue) from Recto to the Isetann, has been closed and made into a promenade. Which is an improvement of the area. Makes the area a whole lot cleaner. Jeep plying Avenida have been rerouted. The old Odeon theater has been demolished to give way to a new building (mall) also called Odeon. The LRT train station stands in the middle of Recto with walkways, currently still closed, affording pedestrian crossing. There is also a walkway from the Recto LRT station to the Doroteo Jose LRT I station. This on top of the finishing touches to the Recto LRT station. All in all a bustle of activity.
From the Recto LRT station, everything turned normal. The traffic was normal, the drivers were normal. The bustle was normal. In short, we got off just short of the Tutuban Mall. Unlike before, however, we did not head for Tutuban Mall, instead we went to one of the other buildings in the area where the clothes were sold. Cheap. We needed to buy several children's clothes. After a relatively early lunch at 11:00am, we went to Tutuban Mall in search of more goods. I consider ourselves lucky as we finished our shopping around 2:30 in the afternoon.
Parched, drenched and perspiring, we hastily beat a retreat with our mission accomplished.
A funny thing we saw while at the Tutuban Mall.
There were several Mulawin items for sale. This has been ongoing since the television show became a hit. Everything from T-shirts, calendars, posters and masks. Well, there was a guy standing in the middle of the walkway in Tutuban Mall selling Mulawin masks. And he was not just wearing a mask, he was also wearing Mulawin wings. Full-size wings. Considering everything, the masks are impressive because these are hand-made from native chicken feathers. The wings were also hand made, and the only reason they did not look impressive enough was because they did not enough texture or body. These were just a pair of cardboard with feathers. Large wings for sure. But just lacking in body.
Well, that just makes my day off fun. In a way.
--andoy
19 December 2004
We left prepared to leave home almost immediately after the kids went to school for their exams. Commuted by jeep to Katipunan and took the LRT from there to Recto. Judging by the number of people at Katipunan station and comparing that with the volume of passengers getting on and off the train up to Recto, I can say with all certainty that the majority of the passengers came from Marikina (or thereabouts) and went to Divisoria. It was not a very crowded train, but the crowding really started when we tried to get a ride at the Recto Station.
Maybe within the whole of the City of Manila, this strip of commercial district saw the most changes during the last year or two. Avenida (Rizal Avenue) from Recto to the Isetann, has been closed and made into a promenade. Which is an improvement of the area. Makes the area a whole lot cleaner. Jeep plying Avenida have been rerouted. The old Odeon theater has been demolished to give way to a new building (mall) also called Odeon. The LRT train station stands in the middle of Recto with walkways, currently still closed, affording pedestrian crossing. There is also a walkway from the Recto LRT station to the Doroteo Jose LRT I station. This on top of the finishing touches to the Recto LRT station. All in all a bustle of activity.
From the Recto LRT station, everything turned normal. The traffic was normal, the drivers were normal. The bustle was normal. In short, we got off just short of the Tutuban Mall. Unlike before, however, we did not head for Tutuban Mall, instead we went to one of the other buildings in the area where the clothes were sold. Cheap. We needed to buy several children's clothes. After a relatively early lunch at 11:00am, we went to Tutuban Mall in search of more goods. I consider ourselves lucky as we finished our shopping around 2:30 in the afternoon.
Parched, drenched and perspiring, we hastily beat a retreat with our mission accomplished.
- = 0 = -
A funny thing we saw while at the Tutuban Mall.
There were several Mulawin items for sale. This has been ongoing since the television show became a hit. Everything from T-shirts, calendars, posters and masks. Well, there was a guy standing in the middle of the walkway in Tutuban Mall selling Mulawin masks. And he was not just wearing a mask, he was also wearing Mulawin wings. Full-size wings. Considering everything, the masks are impressive because these are hand-made from native chicken feathers. The wings were also hand made, and the only reason they did not look impressive enough was because they did not enough texture or body. These were just a pair of cardboard with feathers. Large wings for sure. But just lacking in body.
Well, that just makes my day off fun. In a way.
--andoy
19 December 2004
New Olympus Camera
With the Japanese visit, they were supposed to be instructing us on a bundled software which came with some of the newer released Olympus cameras. However, due to one thing or another, the box (or package) the camera came in did not arrive on time. So the Japanese have come and gone, and two days later the box arrives. On my day off!
The other agents must really have enjoyed themselves with the new camera.
And next year, we would also be supporting software bundled with Samsung and Ricoh. And there would be new cameras for the team to use.
Nice toys.
--andoy
19 December 2004
The other agents must really have enjoyed themselves with the new camera.
And next year, we would also be supporting software bundled with Samsung and Ricoh. And there would be new cameras for the team to use.
Nice toys.
--andoy
19 December 2004
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Christmas 2004 part 1
Christmas is one week away!
Although Philippine Christmas celebration officially starts on December 16 (which also happens to be my parents wedding anniversary) the "real" Christmas feast is on the Christmas eve, or after the midnight mass of the 24th of December. So it is customary NOT to wake up early on Christmas day because you were wide awake feasting and exchanging gifts till the wee hours of the morning. It is a Christmas party in every house.
Anyway, I've uploaded some early Christmas pictures taken these past two weeks. The Christmas tree is ready, though not yet lighted. And everyone is just waiting for the Christmas to keep rolling along.
--andoy
18 December 2004
Although Philippine Christmas celebration officially starts on December 16 (which also happens to be my parents wedding anniversary) the "real" Christmas feast is on the Christmas eve, or after the midnight mass of the 24th of December. So it is customary NOT to wake up early on Christmas day because you were wide awake feasting and exchanging gifts till the wee hours of the morning. It is a Christmas party in every house.
Anyway, I've uploaded some early Christmas pictures taken these past two weeks. The Christmas tree is ready, though not yet lighted. And everyone is just waiting for the Christmas to keep rolling along.
--andoy
18 December 2004
Bad Weather
Another low pressure area is building up near the Philippines. And there might be rain this coming Monday. At least according to satellite pictures and forecast. Hopefully this will be the last storm for the year.
At this point it looks like we'll have a wet Christmas.
--andoy
18 December 2004
At this point it looks like we'll have a wet Christmas.
--andoy
18 December 2004
Dragons!
At the account we have callers who keep on calling for one reason or another. These may be because of a continuing problem or concern or in some instances they just can't get any support from other help desks. There is one caller, though who has been in touch with us since the middle of the year (as far as our records go). She is a lady from Oklahoma, USA who went scuba diving on a live-aboard dive cruise in Indonesia last August/September this year. Her real problem is, and she keeps on reminding us, is that she has a poor memory and is not computer savvy. Since August or July she has talked to practically everyone on the US shift. Last night, she called around five or six times. Although handled in Manila, these are long-distance calls routed from Los Angeles, California.
If you know the software, then you'd know that these are simple questions. And in some calls, she just needs to confirm what she's doing is the same as what was discussed in an earlier call. She understands the concepts and the instructions, but the software itself is not very user friendly. However, I doubt very much if she can handle other (more advanced) software. I also doubt very much if she would be entertained (or tolerated?) as much by the help desks for these other softwares.
There are days when we feel we are just frustrated with handling her calls, but she's just so sweet when she talks over the phone and not so demanding that she is a breather from other calls. Think of it as break or a vacation, even.
And she promised to send me a picture of a Komodo dragon. That is, if she remembers.
--andoy
18 December 2004
If you know the software, then you'd know that these are simple questions. And in some calls, she just needs to confirm what she's doing is the same as what was discussed in an earlier call. She understands the concepts and the instructions, but the software itself is not very user friendly. However, I doubt very much if she can handle other (more advanced) software. I also doubt very much if she would be entertained (or tolerated?) as much by the help desks for these other softwares.
There are days when we feel we are just frustrated with handling her calls, but she's just so sweet when she talks over the phone and not so demanding that she is a breather from other calls. Think of it as break or a vacation, even.
And she promised to send me a picture of a Komodo dragon. That is, if she remembers.
--andoy
18 December 2004
Schedules
The ugly work schedules finally got released this week. And it is really ugly. In fact, ugly does not begin to describe it. There are a lot of agents on the weekend shift! And a lot of agents on during the critical days. Of course this means that the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday shifts would look practically shorthanded in comparison, in fact just the opposite, these low-volume days would still have regular complements.
It's ugly because almost all of the team members have loaded their days off and leaves in lumps here and there. Meaning that some of them would be working the whole week and practically be gone during the other week. Something like that. One agent has regular work days and also half-days on her days off. Because these arrangements are fixed, the other agent scheds have to get adjusted. No problem with me, as I already knew beforehand that I'd be onboard during the weekends and all the "critical days." At least there is support for one another's schedule within the team. These people volunteered for their days off, anyway so if there would be any grumbling, it would be because they chose to have these scheds and not because they were forced to adhere to any schedules.
Four people on a weekend? That would be just fine by me.
--andoy
It's ugly because almost all of the team members have loaded their days off and leaves in lumps here and there. Meaning that some of them would be working the whole week and practically be gone during the other week. Something like that. One agent has regular work days and also half-days on her days off. Because these arrangements are fixed, the other agent scheds have to get adjusted. No problem with me, as I already knew beforehand that I'd be onboard during the weekends and all the "critical days." At least there is support for one another's schedule within the team. These people volunteered for their days off, anyway so if there would be any grumbling, it would be because they chose to have these scheds and not because they were forced to adhere to any schedules.
Four people on a weekend? That would be just fine by me.
--andoy
The Japanese Visit
Our Japanese principals arrived this week. And there were some changes in our already lousy schedules, through no fault of our visitors, of course. During our first day meeting, our Team Leader was conveniently absent, having opted to attend the evening training session. There were several goofs on our part, but all in all, it was a productive meeting. Pity though that the box which contained the new camera and the Mac did not arrive on time. (It arrived when I was on day off, and now the people in the office have the opportunity to play around with it.)
Several things also happened. Our guests asked for a physical inventory of the cameras, which we did, and there were laughs associated with that. It was a messy cabinet. And then afterwards, I was informed by the Team Leader that one off-shoot of the meetings was that escalations would now be officially coming from me, and then if there is a need for translation, this will be forwarded to the TL and then afterwards forwarded to Japan. If there is need for urgency or immediate response, these I can send directly to other Japanese guy. Also, some of the reports would now be coming from me, although the source data would still be coming from the TL's desk. More work for me then. I was also informed by the Operations Manager that the Japanese were impressed by me. I can only shrug because in an earlier visit, the Japanese already gave the opinion that they were not impressed with the TL.
And now the TL is adamant that he will not be doing any technical work because he was hired as a translator anyway. Which is funny because he has a poor command of English and has gaps in his knowledge of Japanese culture and terminologies. And all this time that he's supposed to be managing the team, he's been grumbling that he has not had the chance to practice his management skills. What a laugh.
During the week, the OM gave notice that he will be resigning soon and that the team will be under one of the other shift managers who also handles other accounts. This would be fun. The shift manager actually is a technical guy, and it would be fun to see our TL, who abhors technical stuff, work under this guy.
I also gave notice to the OM that I'm going to give this job another six months. If nothing happens then I'm leaving the account or the company. I don't really like working under the current TL. One of the other agents though asked me if I wanted to be the TL of the account. I mentioned that yes I'd like to be, however current requirements need someone who knows Japanese. Again that is not my problem or my concern right now.
We'll see in six months what happens.
--andoy
Several things also happened. Our guests asked for a physical inventory of the cameras, which we did, and there were laughs associated with that. It was a messy cabinet. And then afterwards, I was informed by the Team Leader that one off-shoot of the meetings was that escalations would now be officially coming from me, and then if there is a need for translation, this will be forwarded to the TL and then afterwards forwarded to Japan. If there is need for urgency or immediate response, these I can send directly to other Japanese guy. Also, some of the reports would now be coming from me, although the source data would still be coming from the TL's desk. More work for me then. I was also informed by the Operations Manager that the Japanese were impressed by me. I can only shrug because in an earlier visit, the Japanese already gave the opinion that they were not impressed with the TL.
And now the TL is adamant that he will not be doing any technical work because he was hired as a translator anyway. Which is funny because he has a poor command of English and has gaps in his knowledge of Japanese culture and terminologies. And all this time that he's supposed to be managing the team, he's been grumbling that he has not had the chance to practice his management skills. What a laugh.
During the week, the OM gave notice that he will be resigning soon and that the team will be under one of the other shift managers who also handles other accounts. This would be fun. The shift manager actually is a technical guy, and it would be fun to see our TL, who abhors technical stuff, work under this guy.
I also gave notice to the OM that I'm going to give this job another six months. If nothing happens then I'm leaving the account or the company. I don't really like working under the current TL. One of the other agents though asked me if I wanted to be the TL of the account. I mentioned that yes I'd like to be, however current requirements need someone who knows Japanese. Again that is not my problem or my concern right now.
We'll see in six months what happens.
--andoy
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Halik Sa Noo
Halik Sa Noo
Papa-alis na ako nang kita’y hinalikan sa noo
Tanging alay sa ating bagong pagkakakilala
Halik na nagpaparatig ng pag-iingat sa paghihiwalay
Labi na haplos sa saloobing basà ng magkaka-dugo
Magka-dugong turing nga
Hindi lamang magkaibigang noon lang nagkakilala
Ngunit magkapatid, mag-anak
At kasama sa salinlahi ng adhikain
Nakikita kita na lumalabay-labay sa aking noon ay pasyalan
Wari ko ay napag-iwanan at napaglakihan ko na itong kapirasong mundong ito
Aaminin ko na hija
Hindi pala
Lagi at lagi na lang na nanunumbalik sa akin
Ang landas na ito na aking natahak na
At natatago ng malalim nitong matagal na panahon
Pareho tayo ng tulak ng puso
Ukol sa malawak na pirasong lupang ito
Itong sangkalawakan ng mga kataga at salita
Na ngayon mo pa lamang natutuktok
Habang ako naman ay nagpapanumbalik
Sa pagdaplis sa iyong noo
Aking pag-sang ayon sa iyong
Isip maglayag at kumawala ng walang takot
Sa mundo ng pahiwatig kuro at himig
Ang pagdampi ng labi ko sa noo mo
Pagsang-ayon ng pareho nating ibig
--andoy
12 December 2004
Papa-alis na ako nang kita’y hinalikan sa noo
Tanging alay sa ating bagong pagkakakilala
Halik na nagpaparatig ng pag-iingat sa paghihiwalay
Labi na haplos sa saloobing basà ng magkaka-dugo
Magka-dugong turing nga
Hindi lamang magkaibigang noon lang nagkakilala
Ngunit magkapatid, mag-anak
At kasama sa salinlahi ng adhikain
Nakikita kita na lumalabay-labay sa aking noon ay pasyalan
Wari ko ay napag-iwanan at napaglakihan ko na itong kapirasong mundong ito
Aaminin ko na hija
Hindi pala
Lagi at lagi na lang na nanunumbalik sa akin
Ang landas na ito na aking natahak na
At natatago ng malalim nitong matagal na panahon
Pareho tayo ng tulak ng puso
Ukol sa malawak na pirasong lupang ito
Itong sangkalawakan ng mga kataga at salita
Na ngayon mo pa lamang natutuktok
Habang ako naman ay nagpapanumbalik
Sa pagdaplis sa iyong noo
Aking pag-sang ayon sa iyong
Isip maglayag at kumawala ng walang takot
Sa mundo ng pahiwatig kuro at himig
Ang pagdampi ng labi ko sa noo mo
Pagsang-ayon ng pareho nating ibig
--andoy
12 December 2004
Monday, December 13, 2004
Tis the Season for Irate Agents
December is usually the season when number of calls peak. And with the increase in calls, the pressure on the agents and the team builds up. Tensions mount and instances of irate agents increase. There is also the increase in requests for leaves on specific days, which leave the teams scrambling for agent loading as well as schedule revisions.
Our Team Leader has been noted to be late in submission of schedules. He has been known to release a week's schedule on the week itself, and not on the prior week as he should have done. Now he goes on and changes the schedule wholesale during the middle of the week. He asked the day-shift to do a double shift, coming to the floor for the graveyard shift. And then he sent one guy (me) from the graveyard shift, to the day shift. With the changes, I went to the day shift with two trainees. In short, I suddently got a half-day off during the mid-week because of the change in schedule. I continued the day off during the weekend, having the graveyard shift on the Sunday. Good thing I did not have any plans for my days off. If I had any, I would have been more irate than I already was. I sent an email asking for the succeeding weeks' schedules. I also, with all civility, mentioned that I did a lot of cussing and swearing during the two days I was on day shift.
The reason for the change in sched was because of the "low performance" during Monday and Tuesday shift. The TL conveniently forgot that one reason for such performance was that we have been cheating for some time now. The cheat method had him, the TL, answering queues, and telling the caller to call back later. This method lessens the number of abandoned calls and effectively manages the queue. This is not illegal, but it is not cricket either. Now he is sent to the day shift and loses this tool. Afterwards, during the week of the "low performance" he is not on the day shift, and not on the graveyard shift either, but on the evening shift, or, rather, part of the evening shift. He comes in past 6:00pm and leaves before 1:00 am. Because the cheat is dependent on his being on board, if he is not onboard, the abandoned calls pile up.
On top of that, one of the trainees, who has not yet passed the final verbal exam was sent to the following week's (this week's) day shift. And yet, I need him to be on the night shift to take the final verbal exams. Great! I need him to take the verbal exams and pass those exams. If he does not pass, we are one person short. And at this point I don't think I'd like him to pass. He does not have a sense of urgency when it comes to coming on time or on going on breaks either. He almost always goes over the allotted time for breaks.
What's even greater is that the team is vying for a team incentive: if all the members of the team qualify for the individual incentive (total of 3,000 pesos for each qualifier) due to minimal absence or late on non-critical days, and complete attendance on critical days, then the team gets 5,000 pesos. The funny thing is that the Team Leader is not even attending eight hours a day! Because he is too busy doing eight hours during the day on his sideline! Great!! Stupid git!
One of the evening shift people is going to do a total of four half-shifts on weekends so that she qualifies for the incentive. She hasn't gotten on board yet and she's already irate. That's 6:00 to 10am, Saturdays and Sundays (or Sundays and Mondays) on two successive weekends. This is to offset two leaves she filed for during the first week of the incentive program. She did not really want to offset these leaves, but since the incentive was still available for her, and since it will have an impact on the team incentive, she agreed to offset her absences, to put it mildly, with a heavy heart.
This should be a fun three weeks. I can't wait to see the scheduling problems piling up. In fact, I also applied for a resched of days off as I need to have some time during the middle of the week to accompany my wife to her errands. The bad news? I'm doing the clean up, because I'd be spending the critical days on shift, as well as the days between Christmas and New Year. We have two agents already listed for leaves during that period. Now isn't that nice.
This will be a Merry Christmas indeed.
--andoy
13 December 2004
Our Team Leader has been noted to be late in submission of schedules. He has been known to release a week's schedule on the week itself, and not on the prior week as he should have done. Now he goes on and changes the schedule wholesale during the middle of the week. He asked the day-shift to do a double shift, coming to the floor for the graveyard shift. And then he sent one guy (me) from the graveyard shift, to the day shift. With the changes, I went to the day shift with two trainees. In short, I suddently got a half-day off during the mid-week because of the change in schedule. I continued the day off during the weekend, having the graveyard shift on the Sunday. Good thing I did not have any plans for my days off. If I had any, I would have been more irate than I already was. I sent an email asking for the succeeding weeks' schedules. I also, with all civility, mentioned that I did a lot of cussing and swearing during the two days I was on day shift.
The reason for the change in sched was because of the "low performance" during Monday and Tuesday shift. The TL conveniently forgot that one reason for such performance was that we have been cheating for some time now. The cheat method had him, the TL, answering queues, and telling the caller to call back later. This method lessens the number of abandoned calls and effectively manages the queue. This is not illegal, but it is not cricket either. Now he is sent to the day shift and loses this tool. Afterwards, during the week of the "low performance" he is not on the day shift, and not on the graveyard shift either, but on the evening shift, or, rather, part of the evening shift. He comes in past 6:00pm and leaves before 1:00 am. Because the cheat is dependent on his being on board, if he is not onboard, the abandoned calls pile up.
On top of that, one of the trainees, who has not yet passed the final verbal exam was sent to the following week's (this week's) day shift. And yet, I need him to be on the night shift to take the final verbal exams. Great! I need him to take the verbal exams and pass those exams. If he does not pass, we are one person short. And at this point I don't think I'd like him to pass. He does not have a sense of urgency when it comes to coming on time or on going on breaks either. He almost always goes over the allotted time for breaks.
What's even greater is that the team is vying for a team incentive: if all the members of the team qualify for the individual incentive (total of 3,000 pesos for each qualifier) due to minimal absence or late on non-critical days, and complete attendance on critical days, then the team gets 5,000 pesos. The funny thing is that the Team Leader is not even attending eight hours a day! Because he is too busy doing eight hours during the day on his sideline! Great!! Stupid git!
One of the evening shift people is going to do a total of four half-shifts on weekends so that she qualifies for the incentive. She hasn't gotten on board yet and she's already irate. That's 6:00 to 10am, Saturdays and Sundays (or Sundays and Mondays) on two successive weekends. This is to offset two leaves she filed for during the first week of the incentive program. She did not really want to offset these leaves, but since the incentive was still available for her, and since it will have an impact on the team incentive, she agreed to offset her absences, to put it mildly, with a heavy heart.
This should be a fun three weeks. I can't wait to see the scheduling problems piling up. In fact, I also applied for a resched of days off as I need to have some time during the middle of the week to accompany my wife to her errands. The bad news? I'm doing the clean up, because I'd be spending the critical days on shift, as well as the days between Christmas and New Year. We have two agents already listed for leaves during that period. Now isn't that nice.
This will be a Merry Christmas indeed.
--andoy
13 December 2004
Team Bowling
The office had an activity last Saturday. We had a bowling socials and family members were also invited. I brought my wife and kids along. As usual, I played lousy. Breaking a hundred only once out of three games. Lilia and Kenneth had better scores than I did. I was pleasantly surprised that Kenneth broke hundred on two of the three games he played. The other older agents brought along their spouses and kids.
Most of my officemates did pretty well. Though the younger men didn't do too well. None of the trainees were able to attend. Only one of the ladies was able to join the game. The other lady agent was a no-show. She has her reasons. There was a noticeable partisanship to the proceedings. There was a show of enjoyment but not enough of "team building." Normally, players would acknowledge others' game, score or bowl. For some players, this "support" was non-existent: the other members not caring to notice some of the other members during their play.
Interesting group dynamics. Or lack of it.
--andoy
13 December 2004
Most of my officemates did pretty well. Though the younger men didn't do too well. None of the trainees were able to attend. Only one of the ladies was able to join the game. The other lady agent was a no-show. She has her reasons. There was a noticeable partisanship to the proceedings. There was a show of enjoyment but not enough of "team building." Normally, players would acknowledge others' game, score or bowl. For some players, this "support" was non-existent: the other members not caring to notice some of the other members during their play.
Interesting group dynamics. Or lack of it.
--andoy
13 December 2004
Sunday, December 12, 2004
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