Moments, Mints, and Me

Shindigs

2011-11-10T05:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the "shindigs" of the team at the office, I get to eat at really yummy restaurants. The latest was a dinner at Chef Laudico Bistro Filipino. It's Filipino food Top Chef version. It's your most nostalgic local dishes made fancy and utterly unrecognizeable. A bit pricey but yummy nonetheless. Will I go back? Probably.

How to look busy without ever really trying

2011-08-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

Here ere some useful strategies that I have actually observed from somebody. Sad but true.

1. Sigh regularly or let out loud grunts and sounds of frustration due to work overload. Alternate this with sighs of relief to give the impression that you are accomplishing a lot of challenging work. Make sure you do this when everyone else is quiet to ensure maximum audibility. Try this trick also during meetings and group presentations for maximum audience coverage. The louder the better. Do this every 5 minutes.

2. When spacing out during discussions or presentations, learn to use the dead air technique. Every time the presenter pauses, use this short silence to talk. You can do one or more of the following, all of them if you are a fast talker:
i. Repeat words that the presenter just said. The more difficult the words the better. Do this with while nodding your head to give the impression that you understand exactly what was being discussed
ii. Rephrase sentences or phrases that you were able to remember, understanding them is not a requirement. As long as you have a proper sentence construction, this would work.
iii. Make emphatic sounds like grunts, “uh huh”, “hmmmm” (like in deep thought), “Tsk,tsk,tsk…” (if there was a debate during the discussion), “But what if…. (pause as if thinking)… ah, ok” (as if you have solved an impending problem about the item being discussed all on y our own)
iv. Remove your glasses (if you have one) and put them on again. Do this every minute as this gives the impression that you are deep in thought.

3. During presentations or every time an image or document is being projected on the wall, point to random images on the wall during the presentation. Just make sure that you are pointing to the image area only and only when the presenter is discussing.

4. Tell everyone you meet how busy you are. Do not go into details because you might get busted. Keep it high level and do pantomime of keyboard typing if necessary. Do also tem number 1 with this for full effect.

5. When being asked a question that you do not know the answer, do not answer right away. Cases are listed below:
i. If you are on a one on one discussion, you need to say or do something. If the question is a yes or no question, this is easy, but may also be a double sided sword. First, pause for fifteen seconds and pretend to be deep in thought. This delay will buy you time and will prompt the other person to expound or to further explain the question. Next, rephrase the question using the most words that you can think of related to the context as much as possible (this is assuming you understand the question). Use complex words and keywords that makes you sound technical and smart. If this is difficult for you, you may make use of your idiom stash – ex. Carrot technique, blue sky point of view, apple to apple, etc. Remember, any other word other that “I don’t know” is acceptable. If you blank out- just grunt.
ii. If this is during a group discussion or brainstorming, dodging questions that you do not know the answer to is easier. When asked a question, just pause and pantomime that you are deep in thought. Do this until a.) the person who asked the question gives clarifying and leading statements. If he does this, just vaguely agree to whatever he is saying. This is only safe if you see the others nodding or agreeing as well, b.) the other individuals in the room will get impatient in waiting for you to answer and they will answer for you. When they do this, rephrase their answer and make it sound more original by delivering it with more gusto, hand movements and examples.

6. When you come back from a vacation or a leave, make sure to tell everybody of the amount of work that you will be putting in to catch up because of the humongous amount of backlog that you have.

7. Learn to delegate. Everything. Just make sure that when mentioning it to the bosses or to peers (make sure you do not let the co-workers or the subordinates that you have passed on the workload do not hear you) that you use the word “I did this”, or “I thought of this”, if you are feeling like a team player, exchange WE for the word I.

8. Before responding to queries of the boss, get the comments from your co-workers or team. When you get all their answers, consolidate or choose a best answer and send to the boss, replacing their name with yours so that you will get the credit. Make sure that you do not CC your “sources”.

9. It is okay to answer a non-open ended question with a “yes and no”. This is a noncommittal answer that doesn’t blatantly say that you have no idea what they are talking about. Make sure that you do not explain. Oh, and put a smiley face for more effect. The smiley face will imply that you are expecting them not to ask anymore confusing questions.

10. Do not read your emails as the effort to understand them and think will only add to your already nebulous workload. When you need answer to anything just ask your subordinates. Better do this verbally so that they cannot use outlook to symbolize your “inability to comprehend”.

11. Limit and control the email that you forward to your team. In doing so, you can control what they know and leave all the information to yourself. Worry later on what you are going to do with the information. Remember, the more information all to yourself, the better. So that when your teammates ask, YOU can give them answers for a change. This will give you a sense of power and superiority and add buoyancy to your already overinflated sense of self (ego?)(It doesn’t really matter if your answers are right or wrong, they have no idea about what your talking anyway.

12. When you see a bunch of people huddled together discussing, immediately squeeze in to the clump of people and do number 1 or 2, sometimes even 3. Heck, even try doing 5 if you are feeling good.

13. When you hear a phrase or even a word for that matter, about a topic that you actually know something about, talk you ass of and milk it. Milk it, baby.

14. When spacing out and doing absolutely nothing (i.e. staring at your laptop screen to pass the time) make sure that you move your mouse at least once every 30 seconds.

15. Organize meetings and trainings apart from the scheduled employee trainings. Attend all trainings as much as you can. This helps bide the time. It is not important four you to take into consideration your co-workers’ workload or schedule because they are unimportant.

16. Read every other line of your email out loud so that everybody can hear. Do this only for work related emails.

17. Reply to every email with “thanks”, this will ensure that your co-workers know that you are actively using outlook. Remember, there are some companies who uninstall software due to lack of usage.

18. In between bouts of spacing out, do follow ups on your co-workers. It doesn’t matter if you are CC’d in all their correspondences. It is your self imposed responsibility to make sure that they are doing your job for you.

19. Arrive early before everyone else (to have more time for internet browsing) and leave only after the boss leaves.

20. In attending meetings and brainstorming sessions, DO NOT GO ALONE. Always make sure you have somebody a co-worker with you h=who you can expect to pay attention to the discussion. Afterwards, you can just your co-worker to explain the issues and resolution to you. When they do so, reply by saying “Yeah, yeah…” as if you already know what they are talking about.

21. During discussions, do not hesitate to veer out of topic. Remember, you are still being paid by the hour and the company assumes that all your inputs are relevant.

Robomouse

2011-06-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

Who would've thought that a mouse can fly?
They can't, but this one glows!
Haha! My boyfriend always finds it funny how I get attracted to lights and colors when it comes to choosing new gadgets. Sure we debate endlessly on specs, pros, and cons, and price but add a glowing colorful light to any gadget ( or anything for that matter) and you got me. I will even tie a leash around my back and hand it over to you. I will even give you my wallet. (Do not exaggerate, I think the point is quite clear). I'm just saying that my purely visual sense of judgement kicks in.
Check out the Razer Naga Epic mouse! I'm not going to do a tech review here because I would just be insulting the item. Just know that I am an average tech savvy person who loves computers, who can usually troubleshoot but would also pick up the phone to call a friend for help. I do games but my choices range from the simple bejeweled to the sims to a cute mmo rpg angels online. Still, this mouse rocks!

Love the 12 programmable buttons on the mouse, the configuration software with cool macro recording, the glowing light that cycles the color spectrum, the wired/ wireless capability, and the ergonomic grips that are changeable. I use the claw.

It's agood thing that there are vendors of Razer products here. Two days after, I got the Kabuto mousepad which is just awesome for mobility use.

So now that I don't have time yet to play games and do combos and record macros, I just programmed the buttons for basic keyboard shortcuts and app launches. Sometimes I just turn off the lights and stare at the mouse. It's now one of the contenders in my happy thoughts list...

Goodbye prs. How dare you die on me?!

2011-06-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

My trusted prs 505 just said goodbye. Wait, it didn't even say goodbye. It just flopped upside down like a fish. After almost three years, it gave up. I'm guessing it's because a friend sat on it in the car. Next day when I turned it on the screen is split into two. Good luck to me in having it repaired here in the Phils. I got it when I was in the US and I left everything, box, cd, receipts there. Also, based on feedback from users with similar cases, Sony sucks when it comes to support and customer service. So now I say goodbye to you prs. I will lovingly caress your blue leather cover that has tons of scratches as a result of being headbutted by my keys and pens and pointy things in my bag because I bring you with me all the time. *tear*
So now, moving on... Hello Kindle!

As fast as the polar caps are melting

2011-04-18T22:04:00.000-07:00

Wow I am blogging at a glacial pace. I just read my last post... and this just means that my rate is one post per year! No rush. Taking my glorious time. Fabulous!
Got a new job. Have the same qwerty slide phone. House burned down. Lost everything. Saved the phone. Ok, so not " everything". Moved to a place in Makati. Saved up again. Financially stable again. Whoopee. What a ride! All with me yelling from the top of my lungs with both arms raised going " aaaayyyyyyeeeeeee! Let's free fall!" Kinda insane but I got stronger after all of it. Had to.

I lasted two years in that previous job... The one where I had to wear suits, skirts, and heels all the time. It was an incredibly stressful and tiring job. Top it off with obnoxious bosses. Now I have a new job and the workload is like candy compared to the old job. It's like unicorns and fairies. Ooooh, and there's also free coffee.

30th birthday is coming up! No use in ignoring it anyway. Come on! Give it to me!

Marriage bandwagon, I am locking you inside a cage as you wait for me. I wrapped the key in a soft taco shell, sprinkled it with cheese and had it for dinner.

Hello stranger

2010-02-21T01:19:00.000-08:00

Hey stranger.

Wow. Last post was 2 years ago. This only means one thing. I'm 2 years older than I was when I last blogged. Booo.

Oh and yes, I am now working in Makati (again). The place that I previously swore off is now laughing its ass off and stabbing me at the back. Back at you becaue you're the one who is paying me big time for this. Reality check.

My job is hilarious. It's challenging both mentally and physically and to top it all of I have to strut my butt in a uniform and high heels. Who would've thought... HEE LAR YUS.

Oh well... I am learning a lot though.

As for the marriage bandwagon... more friends are tying their knots up and getting married. I am still picturing that wagon to be up and running for at least 5 more years... just waiting for me to catch a ride. Stay, wagon. Stay. I will whack you up so badly with a bat if you do not wait for me. Seriously.

And after occasional marathons of Fringe, Leverage, and American Idol, I manage to squeeze in downloading some DVD rips of new movies via torrent.

Got a new laptop. Got a new Phone. Lost a fine colleague. Gained some new friends. Drifted off with some... Rehashed my game plan for my life.

Easy does it.

PEYUPS SURVEY

2008-04-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

Student number? > 98-01591 - swerte sa descending first three digits. =)

College? > Eng'g

Ano ang course mo? > BSIE

Nagshift ka ba o na-kick out? > Nope.

Saan ka kumuha ng UPCAT? > Yikes! Nakalimutan ko na.... NEC yata.

Favorite GE (General Education) classes? > Creative Writing, KOM II (hehe)

Favorite PE? > Street Dance.

Saan ka nag-aabang ng hot guys/girls sa UP? > ??? Hahaha focused ako nung college! Sa Eng'g?

Favorite Professors? > Crisostomo, Tolentino, Ocampo, Roldan

Least favorite GE (General Education) class? > KAS series. elk.

Did you sign up for Saturday classes? > I think so... waaaah i don't remember... pero malamang lamang!

Nakapag-field trip ka ba? > Sa Banahaw.

Naging CS ka na ba or US sa UP? > Once upon a time.

What Organization/Fraternity/Sorority were you a member of? > UPCIEM, UPREP, SVCF

Saan ka tumatambay palagi? > Ciem tambayan. Rep tambayan. 2log sa lib. haha!

Dorm, Boarding house, o Bahay? > Bahay. SM. =)

Kung walang UPCAT test at malaya kang nakapili ng kurso mo sa UP, ano yun? > Uhmmmm... yun pa rin cguro.

Sino ang pinaka-una mong nakilala sa UP? > blockmates- Pero half of my blockmates were hi-school friends

First play na napanood mo sa UP? > UP REP play. =)

Saan ka madalas mag-lunch? > Ciem tambayan - cart.

Name the 5 most conyo orgs in UP. > No comment.

Name 5 of the coolest orgs/frats/soro in UP. > Ciem. Rep. SVCF.

May frat/soro bang nag-recruit sa yo? > wala.

Masaya ba sa UP? > of course!

Nakasama ka na ba sa rally? > yes, once lang.

Ilang beses ka bumoto sa Student Council? > Every time nagvovote ako kasi we need to support the representatives of the org...

Pinangarap mo rin bang mag-laude nung freshman ka? > Laude? Haha hindi pumasok sa isip ko yun... weird.

Kanino ka pinaka-patay sa UP? > Haha... kay ____

Kung di ka UP, anong school ka? > Ateneo. UA&P

Even my eyebags have eyebags.

2008-04-02T00:46:00.000-07:00

I've been losing so much sleep lately (hahaha!) but I don't mind one bit. I just got hooked on this online game.

As for work, i have spent my last two weeks with the patience of a 2 year old. I have already written 2 "reprimanding" emails this week. (not because of lack of sleep, mind you...)

These are the things that I have learned these past few days:

Do not be scared to escalate your concern as long as you have a valid reason to do so.
Validate all claims first and be sure to document everything you do or say.
Trace the source of the error (or the seed of the problem). Check first if all reasonable efforts from your end has been exhausted before proceeding to scrutinize other parties involved.If the fault is yours, do not be afraid to take the blame but be sure to indicate an action plan on how the problem can be solved.
Once a lapse/ error has been proven, reprimand accordingly and get the involved party's commitment to improve.
Once done, go to a spa or eat ice cream or watch a movie with your friends.
The following morning, kid around with the person that you have reprimanded to make him feel that work is just work. =) (because it is)

Three days before the weekend. Yipee! I'm gonna bone grind till then.

Makati Magic

2008-02-15T05:14:00.000-08:00

I was in Makati today. I won't tell you why I was there though.

I've worked in Makati before... uh, three years ago. Walking in the sidewalks as I hurry to my destination building in Ayala Ave, I got a bit noastalgic. Then I got a bit nauseated.

It amazes me how there seems to be some magic in that place. I just watched Spiderwick last night and somehow these two are connected.

For those who have watched the movie, remember the toadstool circle of protection? It's like Makati has that too. When you're inside the circle (in this case, when you go turn right from edsa), you're safe... as if there are no worries in the world. People go to work, dressed in fancy clothes, eating fancy food, talking fancy. It's as if they are in a new place where they are unaware and unaffected of the problems of their lives and the problems of this world. Once they start packing up to go home after their 8 hour work shift - they step out of the toad stool (for some they may get in the bus to go home, for some it may be dragging their tired bodies in their cars and driving themselves home). Once they step out of the toadstool circle of protection- they go back to reality... back to their personal problems, back to the goblins, and chaotic life.

Oooh ... to much Spiderwick.

* I liked the movie. The effects are nice and just right and the storyline is intact and visible. (unlike the Golden compass... boohoo)

I HEART U

2008-02-14T02:01:00.000-08:00

Today is valentine's Day.
Whoopee.
Big deal.

A girl can always say that today is no biggie. Some sould may continuously mutter to themselves that "Valentine's day is so commercialized!".

But when your boyfriend gives you a HUGE BOUQUET OF ROSES. You take it all back.

I love this day!

Stumbled accross this while browsing

2008-01-25T11:40:00.000-08:00

Pet back from the almost dead

2008-01-21T06:06:00.001-08:00

I decided to visit my neopets. I've had them since 2004 and the last time I fed them was 2004. It's amazing why they didn't die. I'll probably feed them after this post.

Species: Elepahante Color: Blue Gender: Female Health 2/13 Mood: content Hunger: dying Age: 1,130 days Level: 8 Strength: Immense Defence: Very Heavy Move: Lightning Intelligence: Clever

How can I feel sooo tired???

2008-01-21T05:42:00.000-08:00

How can I feel so tired when I didn't do a single ounce of work in the office today?

When you're not in the mood... you're not in the mood.

I can make up tons of excuses:

1. Last week was stressful - meetings and presentations left and right.
2. Only about 2-4 hours of sleep per day (what can i say? I just got DSL at home!)
3. Blah
4. Blah. Darn, I can't think of any more excuses!

Bottom line, I wasn't in the mood. A person always has a choice. I chose to be unproductive today.

Not that I am complaining.

Tomorrow's a new day. Who knows? I might just go to a work bit early. It's either that or I go home late.

The price I have to pay.

Addiction

2008-01-19T05:19:00.000-08:00

It's an addiction.

.... well, not really. So what if I like gadgets? Sue me.

Here is a list of some recently acquired toys that really made me shriek with joy once i opened the box.

1. Motorola Razr V8 2G - got this a month ago. Love it. Although the menus are really messed-up it still looks good! The RAZRs converted me from an S. Ericsson to a Motorola drooler. I still have my old, old RAZR with me and I am never giving it up. Ever.

2. Logitech VX Nano Wireless Laser Optical Mouse - It's a good thing that it was ingrained in me during my elementary days that adjectives come before the noun. How to arrange the adjectives, if there are more than one, that rule I already forgot. I love this mouse. I even went to the bathroom and was moving it against the bathroom wall while I ask my boyfriend if the mouse pointer on the laptop screen was still moving. It was. Now THAT, was happiness.

3. Netgear Wireless Router - Just got DSL at home. I should have done this sooner! I'm not talking about work right now because I just breeze through my office hours like a zombie. Once I get home though I transform to miss perky and stay up until 5 am. I wonder if this will motivate me to blog more? Hmm....

4. Phillips Headphone - If by some freak of events, someone is reading this, get yourself a Phillips headphone! I have been using my old one (over-the-ear type) for more almost two years and it just got broken a week ago. Isn't it great?! I mean, if you have seen how i use it and how i tug it out of my bag everytime I want to use it then you will probably get around ten of these quality headphones. If you'll be using it the same way I do then you will never need to buy an earphone again for the next twenty years. My boyfriend got himself a Sennheiser and my reliable Phillips outlasted his. Goody!

5. Transcend 128 MB Flash Disk - I got my first memory key last 2003. I have bought 3 more ever since ( another 128, one 512 and one 2G). Now I only have the old Transcend in my bag (maybe because I can't find the other three). I call it old reliable. Although this has a very small capacity, I included it here because I still am using it and it's the only one I have left. Boohoo.

6. Mailbag Laptop Bag (in Purple) - This is not a gadget. So what? I want to include it on the list. Well, it's still a bit bulky but it looks cool. Makes me look younger too... like I'm on my way to school or something. =) After I wear this out I am getting myself a ladies laptop shoulder bag! (here I go messing up the adjectives again!)

My list ends here.
I also remind myself that if I go hungry I can't eat all of these things.

Arrggghhh!

2007-07-03T01:45:00.000-07:00

"When you keep saying you are busy.. then you are never free" - got this from pravsworld

... just because this has been a hellish month! Aaargh! And i still had time to play badminton every week, spend time with my parents, have dinner with friends and watch a movie with my boyfriend. How can anybody be so productive! I'm feeling lightheaded. Nope, not tired... just lightheaded.

I guess the most important lesson I've learned these past two weeks is that it's ultimately easy to stop whining about work. The solution? shut your mouth and work harder.. hence, you finish earlier. Also, you're less stressed, hence... you look better. Hehe

Birthday Boos

2007-06-06T02:43:00.000-07:00

No, this was not my cake. It was a friend's impromptu cake. We were just trying to make a point. Point was, "do not burn your friends inspite of your age". Hehe. She turned 28. Obviously, the number of candle = your age rule starts being dangerous when you go past twenty.

I have been very irritable lately. Everybody says so. Maybe it is my period but i bet it's because of my upcoming birthday. I simply refuse to get older. I refuse to acknowledge the fact how i let time pass by without sucking the fun and good out of it...

What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do. - John Ruskin

2007-02-22T22:33:00.000-08:00

"How was i supposed to know what you were thinking, what you wanted to do, what you were intending to do when all i can see is what you actually DO?!"

It's 2:17, Friday, and I am bored. Geminis can be really productive when they put their minds to it. Right now, my mind is elsewhere and is refusing to focus. Hey, It's a friday...
It blows my mind how people expect to be let off the hook simply because they have come up with pretty excuses.

Too many weddings to go to, same set of clothes.

2007-02-18T18:15:00.000-08:00

Imagine, I have already been to three weddings and it has just been three weeks!!! Oh, and yes, I wore the same set of clothes to all the weddings! Wahahahaha! Yeah, I know, that dress was a very good buy.

I honestly am hoping that that last night would be the last wedding i have to go to this year (although from the looks of the couples in our table, i think they'll be keeping it coming). My friend and I were computing how much we need to raise just to get married... and we came up with at least 200K for a decent wedding. Wow, that's a lot of money. And no, that was not the reason why i got irritated last night.
What i don't understand is why do people have to blow up that much money just to get married? I mean, being wed just entails a marriage contract (technically) and a church blessing (in whatever way.. for those varying religions out there) right? What bugs me is that everything else is really not for the couple... but is for everybody else. It's for society. It's for the couple to butter everybody up... just to convince people to give out oohs, aaaahs, and awwwsss...It's to set up a recall in people's minds so that everybody will look at the couple with positive eyes. What an expensive way to please everybody, huh?

It's just sad that more than half of the people go straight to the reception venue, skipping the church ceremony entirely. I am sure the invites that they were holding stated "WEDDING" in some fancy bold letters. Maybe they thought that their lining up at the buffet table would symbolize their sincerity and best wishes for the bride and groom. Oh and maybe they thought that getting all the centerpiece bouquet arrangements and taking it home can serve as a remembrance of the celebration.
I hate saying things out bluntly. It's a waste of energy. I still put people in high regard and I believe that people are really smart... if only they are not so full of themselves.

My boyfriend and I are starting to save up some money. If ever we do get married then we can use whatever money we saved up to buy stuff that we need.. for us. I am sure that real friends and family will be there. I only hope we can limit the guest list to them. =)

Before i end this i just have to tell you about the nice centerpiece that they had on the tables last night (aside from the flowers). They had tall, water-filled crystal vases with fruits in them...like pears, oranges, and apples. I almost laughed my head off while we were heading out of the party venue. I nearly bumped into a guy whose both hands were dripping wet. Judging from hi grin, he was very pleased with himself... pleased with the mixture of fruits that he was carrying home.

Day 1 at the blog

2006-09-04T02:39:00.000-07:00

So this is a blog....
I have to commend this sitethough. It said "in 3 easy steps" and who would've known it would be this easy.So i guess i can write anything here, huh? I guess this is what extreme boredom in the workplace does to a person... I AM SO BORED!

This particular blog goes out to all those peoplewho arecramped up in thier swivelly computer chairs and absorbing the full glare of thier monitors while wasting company resource by spenind compay-paid time on the internet which was supposedly for "reserach" purposes only. I fully encourage you to make full use of your minds by stopping whatever routinary task you are doing right now and clicking that IE icon on your desktop.A dose of two hours on the net everyday would surely slow the rotting of our brains! If you have no net access.. do minesweeper. It does the same thing...it stops brain degradation in the work place! Hahaha.
Now, let me explore what this website can do...