silver stands in my pensieve

I'm so ******* tired!!!

Gawd! Bakit ba ang mga Hapon, ayaw umuwi ng maaga galing sa opisina?? Sus, alas-medya na, sangkatutak na email pa ang pinadadala. Ayan tuloy, inabot ako ng 12 hours dito sa opisina.

I just started some more new work this week, the bulk of which is Japan-related...which is ok, since that's what I'm paid to do, anyway. But, there's this one thing that I simply refuse to do, because it's too time-consuming, and I still don't get why I have to do it...I'm still trying to work
things out with my team leader and see if we can get out of doing it altogether. E ngayon nga, kakatapos lang ng call ko sa Japan...kala ko may nagawa akong mali...yun pala, ganun lang sila magsalita, parang nagpapanic. Hehe. Pero nice naman sila, especially Yamaguchi-san. Pero wala pa rin tatalo kay Yokota-san!! Woooo , idol!!! :D

Anyway, buti at tapos na ang linggong ito...nakakapagod, sobra. Di na nga ako nakakapaglaro ng DS ko gabi-gabi no. Hehe. Nakakasawa na rin minsan, lalo na medyo olats ako pag ang race ay nasa 150cc na...e pang-50cc lang ako no. xD

Kahit sobrang pagod na ko sa trabaho, OK lang, masaya pa rin kasi after a looooong wait, I got my language allowance! Yesh! Somebody in HR made a super booboo with my salary; even
the adjustments weren't made on my monthly salary...but my manager and I managed to sort it out with them so I'll be getting whatever is due to me starting on next month's payroll run. Thank God for that ^_^ Nothing like money to make you feel better after a busy week, huh?

Soooo tired!

Labels: career

Posted by Unknown at 18:45 0 comments

Career blah

I officially started my new job yesterday (checks time)...on Friday, May 4th. But I already reported to the office on the 2nd and 3rd for trainings. I can't say much about it since I am only a few days old into the job. Will post more probably after my first week. All I can say is that...freedom is so good! We have YM!! And MSN! And iTunes! And a lot more! Wipee! Goodbye proxies. ^_~

Speaking of careers, I had a chance to think about what I really want to do with my life. And that is to teach Japanese. I know that there is absolutely no money in teaching. I know that people actually expected me to be some big-shot banker, economist, corporate planner or a CFA but I am only 75%-80% convinced that I can be happy being any of those. I mean, really happy. I know people will say that if I pursue the teaching path, my economics degree will go to waste and that the cum laude (kung laude?) thingie would mean nothing.

So what?

Right now, I do not care about those things anymore. I am in search of my 'best place' (Refer to the anime Shaman King) and I have a pretty good idea of what it is.

However, I don't have any immediate plans of quitting the rat race. Not yet. I still want to save some money. Maybe work for the next couple of years with the teaching job on the side. I will be teaching anyway starting next year so I have a weekend part-time job too. Before I go 100% into the teaching world and quit the corporate world altogether, I want to move into a decent place of my own, have 'respectable' savings...the loose change I keep doesn't count.

I know that I am heading for the right direction. I am always happy whenever I am involved with something related to Japan or Nihongo. Whether it is something for Japinoy.com or something for school, I never feel that I am being forced.

If I can't logon to Japinoy at least once a day, I'd feel deprived...forget GirlTalk and PinoyExchange. I'm going to channel all my energy and resources into the site I love most in the entire WWW: Japinoy.com ^_^

At school, I am always bibo, enthusiastic. I go over the moon every time sensei says something really nice about me...like that time he called me the 'go-go-go' type of teacher. ^_^

As early as now, I am already trying to come up with things to make my lessons more interesting: great looking visuals, funny anecdotes, Japan trivia, songs, whatever. I (mentally) prepare them for every lesson. Like this one: Ben Affleck to Wentworth Miller to dochira ga hansamu desu ka? Hek-hek-hek.

As early as now, I am already thinking of what I want my students to call me:

• Ramos-sensei - No way. It ages me at least 10 years.
• Catalina-sensei - Nope. Not cool enough.
• Cat-sensei - Pittari!!

As early as now, I am already picturing what kind of teacher I will be...I want to be the cool one. ^_~ Someone like Alfred-sensei, maybe. Someone who's ready to go to karaoke after class. Someone who enjoys pop culture. Someone who is funny. Someone who makes impossible-to-answer exams...not!

As early as now, I am already thinking of how to improve name and face recall. I am bad at remembering names and faces and if I were to become a good teacher, I should at least be able to tell who's from my class and who is trying to stalk me!

So many plans for next year...andI still have eight months to come up with more. ^_^

Ok, this is the part that I say oyasumi and mata ne. I have to rest and catch up on sleep. I just hope my diarrhea has stopped already. I got it from drinking too much coffee...I so badly wanted to stay awake in class!

Oyasumi! Mata ne! (Whenever that is)

Labels: career, j-wave, japanese, japinoy, language, nihongo center, nihongo center foundation, philippine institute of japanese language and culture, PIJLC

Posted by Unknown at 01:02 0 comments

The resignation issue

I'm disappointed. To say the very least.

I was planning to keep my resignation a secret from majority of my colleagues until I actually start my new job. I only told my circle of friends, plus Liza and Rico (because they need to know). In fairness to Rico, he never told anyone, unlike what happened with Babes.

Last Friday, I was at the 21st floor to submit my letter of resignation when I saw Pat. I was so surprised when he asked me 'O, mag-reresign ka na pala?'

Take note that this was before I even gave my letter to HR. Panong nauna pa sila kesa sa HR?!

I didn't know who told him, or how he found out (he won't tell me). He even had a clue about the new company.

Monday this week, Bry told me that this person (Person A) was broadcasting to their group about my resignation, including where I am going to transfer to. Again, Bry had no idea how Person A found out.

Then Person B enters the picture. Apparently, Person B, a new employee, used to work with the company I'll be working for. That's probably how Person B got information.

I was able to talk for a bit with Person B today. I asked how Person B got 'juicy' information about me. Person B won't talk. Secret daw. Secret kung sino yung source, pero yung information ay for public consumption, ganun ba? Person B even knew one of the people who interviewed me!! Kakaiba talaga!!

Take note that it was my very first time to be meeting Person B face to face.

Granted that Person B is good friends with someone in the new company's HR department. Still, it does not give Person B the right to 'share' information about me in my present company. Also, Person A has the option NOT to tell anyone about what he/she found out from Person B, but told others anyway.

The funny thing is, their group in the 21st floor already knew about my resignation, including the new company's name, but my own teammate (who is just a couple of workstations away from me) still does not know anything yet.

ありえないつの！

I was really mad about it, especially when Person A told Bry that the information came from Liza. The friggin' nerve.

But right now, I'm just disappointed. Disappointed because I (used to) regard Person A highly. Disappointed because I never got any apologies from both of them. Disapointed because they won't even friggin' admit to it.

Pagpiyestahan daw ba ako. Aalis na nga lang ako, may ganito pang pabaong sama ng loob. Nakaka-bad trip.

なんでそんな人達がいるの？ なんで世話を焼いたの？ ぜんぜん関係ないでしょう？！

そんなに暇なの？？

暇なとこ、なにをしますか？　他の人のことについて、喋ることです。

Don't say that I am making a big deal out of nothing. For me, it is something important.

For the record, I'm moving to IBM Business Services. But then again, you probably already heard of it from them.

Labels: career, i me mine, work

Posted by Unknown at 18:23 3 comments

模擬授業　- Trial/practice class

Mojica-sensei (Edwin-sensei) told us that Kouchou-sensei (Betty-sensei) wants our class to have a 模擬授業 as soon as we finish Chapter 5 of the book. As expected, everyone was surprised with the announcement. We weren't happy with it...we were scared! Besides, we thought it was too early to be doing practice classes. Those usually come in the second semester. But Kouchou-sensei insisted that we have it. ASAP. We did bargain that the practice be moved to after the Holy Week, so we have the long vacation to think about what to teach and how to teach. Wipee...not.

Why am I scared? I suppose it's not because I'm scared of teaching...I'm scared of making a fool of myself in front of Kouchou-sensei! Her presence is always so intimidating. If she weren't there, it wouldn't be so bad, but the thing is, she wanted to be there and observe everyone. 校長先生がいなければ、大丈夫かもしれません。でも、模擬授業は先生のアイデアです。ですからいるはずです。恐い。。。

But why should I be scared? Shouldn't I be proud that one of the best Nihongo teachers in the country will be observing me in class? I do not exaggerate when I say 'one of the best'. Kouchou-sensei has been recognized by the Emperor of Japan for her contributions to Nihongo education in the country. Together with Edwin-sensei and Ogata-sensei, they are the pioneers of teaching Nihongo in the country. I am proud to say that I am studying under the very best people in Nihongo education in the Philippines. Reading this speech by Ambassador Yamazaki during the conferment of Kouchou-sensei's Order of the Rising Sun made me really happy and proud....Teacher ko yan!

Geez...if only it was so easy to measure up to the three of them...just as it is easy to feel proud that I am their student. ^_~

PS: Pag ako naging teacher na, sure ako na magiging mabait ako sa mga estudyante ko...hindi ako mahirap ayain sa gimik. Pag gusto nila ng karaoke, papayag agad ako. Yun na! ^_~

Labels: career, japanese, nihongo center, nihongo center foundation, philippine institute of japanese language and culture, PIJLC, teaching, 日本語

Posted by Unknown at 15:17 2 comments

Post-Valentine's random ramblings

Para sa aking sarili

Today, I was formally introduced via conference call to the Singapore consulting office as new the Singapore team leader. Hooray? Today, I attended my first ever team leaders' meeting. Hooray? I wonder if I should be genuinely happy with the 'promotion. For one, it's not a promotion in the real sense of the word. More like, I inherited it. Bonnie is leaving, so I'm getting the team lead post. But I suppose that it's also a promotion, because I am given 2 teams to manage (not just one, as in the case with a lot of the other TLs). According to Bonnie, I managed to bypass a lot of people who were in the company longer than I have. Hmmm...

Second reason, I didn't receive an increase. Di naman sa mukhang pera ako no, but I think it's but natural to expect a some addition to your salary once you get promoted because your responsibilities are certainly greater. I guess in this company, the salary is inversely proportional to the responsibility. Wahaha!

Oh well, salinc or no salinc, I still intend to be a really good team leader to my 2 teams (until I can get a better paying job. Bwahahaha!). I'm going to show them that I'm worth a band upgrade AND salary increase AND a hefty bonus. So help me God. ^_^

Also, it's been 3 weeks into my teacher training course. I'm actually going to become a teacher by next year! Wow. I myself can't believe it. Sure, I still have classes until October but it's not like the school is letting me quit. Hehe. I'm studying for free, with a 5-year teaching contract with the school. Fine with me. Actually, we're not planning anything for the next six years. Nothing drastic like leaving the country anyway. :P

One major thing I realized that it is so much harder being a teacher than being a student. As a student, you only need to worry about your own grades, and whether you actually learn anything. As a teacher, you worry about whether everyone is learning, whether your teaching methods are working, whether your next lesson requires some special teaching aids, and a gazillion other things. It's crazy, but I am having fun in class. I think this is really something I would love to do in the long term. I just hope I can be a successful teacher in the future. ^_^

Para sa aking irog na si Elvin Ray

I can never thank God enough for making me the happiest girl in the world. He brought us together in the weirdest way and we may be a quirky couple, but we are a sweet couple. I guess people weren't expecting us to stay together for so long...especially his some of his former colleagues at his job in Manila. (Get over it, people! This is for keeps!) As with other couples, we've been through a lot. But no matter how hard, we still managed to emerge as a stronger couple, with resolutions to try harder to be better. It has always been like that, and I am proud to say that. We don't end at just 'I'm sorry for what I've done'. ^_^

I really am lucky because my boyfriend is an angel who keeps me and BB very happy, who gives me a positive outlook, who never lets me lose faith.

Mein Schatz, I love you so much! Happy 2nd year anniversary to us, and happy Valentine's day! MWAH!

Para sa aking kaibigang si Babes

It's final; Babes already handed in her resignation letter. The ops manager prematurely announced her resignation last week even if he didn't have the letter at that time. Excited po ang lolo namin.

But just this Monday, Babes told me she already gave her notice. This is really going to be real. She's leaving for another country, where she and the hubby will try to live a more fruitful life, and hopefully, they can already start having kids. *wink, wink* It's sad but they have all the right to do whatever they want to do with their lives, and if they think they will have a better future at Middle Earth, then I'm all for it.

Nakakalungkot lang kasi mababawasan na ang aasarin ko sa office. Wala na magha-half day kapag napag-usapan ang 'pagbubura ng kalawang'. Di ko na makikita yung lunch box nyang 'Cheeky Rabbit' na sabi ni Danjae ay parang porn star name. Wala nang mega action-action tuwing nagsasalita.

Anyway, I wish Babes and Papa Joey all the best! I hope you keep in touch...mag-blog ka sana lagi at sana gawin mong ninang si Mara at Arol sa unang anak mo. ^_^v

Para sa kagalang-galang na Pangulong Corazon C. Aquino

Haha! Nakita po kita kanina sa Greenbelt! Di ako na-starstruck a. Gulat lang ako. Hehe. Wala lang, kasi kakapanood ko pa lang dun sa YouTube ng The Buzz nung Sunday. Sapakin mo po si James Yap. I know how much you wanted to strangle that guy. Hehe. Who wouldn't? Di daw ba magbigay galang sa kanyang mother-in-law na dating pangulo ng Pilipinas?

I actually didn't recognize her at first because she was wearing pink. I was expecting she'd be in yellow all the time. Nyaknyak. She seems really nice; I think even Father Jun Cescon was surprised when he had to administer the communion to a former president of the republic. He even shook hands with her after the mass. Konting chika chika at natawa pa si Ma'am Cory. Close sila? Di ko alam yun a...

For those who missed last Sunday's The Buzz, let's all thank YouTube (and whoever took that video) because we're updated with the latest on the Kris-James rocky marriage stage. :P

Some interesting stuff to look for in the video:

• Kris wasn't too happy when James was called out from the backstage.
• Kris turned away when James bent over to give her a kiss.
• James didn't have a special message for Kris. Instead, he gave one for baby James. What's up with the 'buo ang pamilya' thing? Ibig sabihin, may aalis...o may paaalisin. Hehe.
• James didn't even greet Madame Cory Aquino. Haller, dating pangulo ang nasa harap mo. O baka natatakot sya na tirisin sya ni President Cory pag nagtangka syang lumapit?
• James was looking at Josh all the time, keeping his face averted from Kris.
• Di sila sweet sa isa't isa! Di daw tulad last year na may kanta-kanta pa. Sabi ni Mara yan. Fan kasi ni Kris yun e.
• Di daw binanggit ni Kris na birthday din daw ni James (Feb 15) pagkatapos ng birthday nya (Feb 14)

Para sa mga nagsasabing di pwedeng magsulat ng blog na gamit ang iba-ibang wika

Echos! Wala kayong pakialam! To each his own. As if di kayo ganyan magsalita sa totoong buhay. E kung sabihin kong jologs ang magsalita ng halo-halo? Kung Filipino, Filipino lang. If you have to use English, use straight English and stop saying things like "Where are you going na ba?" or "Ay actually, andun kami yesterday".

Ganun din sa pagsusulat ng blog. Kanya-kanyang trip lang yan. I will use Filipino, English, Japanese, Spanish, German and even gay lingo and nobody can crucify me for that. E sa gusto kong pagmayabang na marunong ako ng iba't ibang wika e. Hehe. Also, it's for my personal improvement, in terms of language learning. I may not be able to practice my oral skills, but at least I can prevent my writing and grammar skills from becoming rusty. 日本語能力が錆ないように、練習が必要なんです。Richtig oder falsch? ^_~v

Labels: blogging, career, deutsch, english, espanol, filipino, friends, language, mein schatz, philippine showbiz, 愛, 日本語

Posted by Unknown at 18:28 1 comments