30-minute Office Makeover

Nah, it is not really a complete makeover that I have to put on new furnitures and equipment in my office but just a re-arrangement of my working and side tables. 

It's actually the original arrangement when I first moved into this office.  A year after, I felt some eye inconveniences and  blamed it to the window glare reflecting on my monitor.  So I arranged the whole office setting to avoid it and experience a new face of my quarter.  

But still I wasn't happy.  I just don't know if this comes with the Feng Sui by the chinese or something else on proper arrangements or putting on stuff in the right direction, etc.  I have no idea about it but I felt stranged on how the 2nd arrangement was made so I finally decided to have my office arranged back as it was.  I just gave more room on the back part making it wider and comfortable for my rounds and to be a bit distant from the window. 

Surely this setting will last. I hope :)

Still with that annoying too bright light on the window

And this is my outfit today.  I know, I know it does not look super but please be good to me because of what I have mentioned on this post.  I really hope next time to come up with a not-so-boring looks when I will be off to go a bit slow on my work outs.

Much love ;) xxx

Monday Thoughts

I feel productive and accomplished today.  Nothing much to brag about it but I was able to completely organize my files as I planned long time back.  I started this project almost a year ago and didn't have much effort to finish in one setting because of the ad-hoc type of works I have to do first rather than  those ones I have in my to-do list.

Everytime I feel to continue this filing on my PC, I easily get bored so I have to entertain myself a bit to be motivated to work back 'til the last working hour of the day (*wink). But that rarely happens. I normally ended spending my last hour at work on reading news, blogs, more reading, a lot of reading of anything, etc. and etc.

That probably could make you think I'm wasting time while at work, but it isn't.  I can recall with one of my superiors told me before (which I completely agree) that most of employees utilize only 50% to do official work and the remaining 50% of working hours goes to several activities either for personal or for any other purpose.  My way of reading and knowing things is a self-help method of acquiring knowledge (I hope) that somehow brings good result to productivity and effectiveness at work.

It's just a simple logical equation.  I learn from what I read and so I apply what I learn to what I am working at.  Yes, this is serious.  I can figure out a good example here.  I was asked to present a survey form on an excel sheet with drop down menu, a lot of formatting to be done and should be secured that should not allow alterations on the form.  How should I know this stuff ?  Take a guess!  Funny isn't it? 

***

My heart broke as I was browsing the photos of Japan tragedy. None of the japanese surely had thought how powerful and deadly an 8.9 magnitude quake followed by a Tsunami that had caused several loss of people's lives and major uncertainties that still await Japan, Asia and the rest of the world brought about by this disaster. 

Another heart-breaking moment to see the political instability in Libya.  Our sympathy to the citizens who have lost their families defending for what they believe in, expats who have lost their jobs and struggled to free themselves from the political unrest in the country.  We hope and pray that this crisis will come to end very soon.  

***

I am planning to have a 2-week vacation at home in few days to see mom and the rest of the family.  Please don't judge me with that distasteful look yet if  I say that I am not really excited to go home.  You can't blame me 'cos I myself don't understand why I feel the same.  Is it because most of my relatives and friends are overseas too? Maybe?

I am not too keen as well to drop by SG or BKK to see other friends because I know they aren't be available and I would not like disturbing them when they have more important thing to attend to - job and take a rest after work.

Well, I hope I can make the most out of my mini-vacay. 

***

I am going for an hour and half run again later in my usual attempt to cut the fats which I didn't want eversince. 

Hugs! hugs!

xxx

An Open Letter to my Family and Close Friends

Dear everyone,

I am not really sure if I may be of worth to remember when I am no longer free to wander in this beautiful universe. Worthy or not, I want you to know that you all are and I have loved and will always be all of you in my heart.

The time now has come. It is just so sad that it will be happening on the season of Advent, when the spirit of Christmas, of giving love and peace to one another should be the thing happening. But what can I do, when I am no longer able to tolerate the pain it's causing me? It's hurting me a lot, physically and psychologically.

I know I have never sought for any advice regarding this situation. That's maybe of me being eccentric at times. I will not disagree on this. But you might agree with me that if you were on my side, you will do the same thing. No more second thoughts, you will just do because you know that's the right thing to do.

I think I am now prepared for whatever circumstances that may occur after. I am ready to accept whatever consequences that will be given to me to pay for my deeds. I will ask no more whys, no disagreements and no stopping...for I will embrace whatever it is, my Lord!

I am now in time as well to confess.

It's been causing me blood, weak body and strength in chasing every possibility to catch you but still of no success! I can no more think of anything diplomatic way but came up with taking back somehow of what you have taken more, before. Before when I just let you.

I can no more wait to get rid of you bunch of killer BED BUGS!!!!

Hmmn, what have you been thinking, huh?

******

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr......yes, my early morning today at work went bad. I just met a bunch of killer (as well) idiots at work!

but now, I am fine! for I will not just let these bunch of "i" ruin the rest of my day.

******

Have a nice weekend ahead everyone! Hope you'll enjoy the 3-day holiday!

The Arraignment

What's going to be the verdict?

Tomorrow, I will be going to be in the courtroom to attend the second hearing of the case that has been running through past one and a half years now.

Will I feel frightened as I face and hear the verdict on me tomorrow? Or rejoice cos I am going to win over the forces I have always thought as a threat on my existence but will just turn out as instruments while I become the tigress of the Planning Department? :-))

Think of this legend:
Hearing : one-sided interview by "the boss"
Case: My situation here being employed for one and a half years now
Verdict?: Appraised performance

Apologies if you won't understand what the heck I am bull******** around!

The Boss Resigned!

The rumour that had been passing around in the company a month ago was proven true yesterday. The rumour that "The Boss" resigned from his post already.

I wasn't happy when "The Boss" told me that he finally passed his resignation and that his last working day will be on the 18th December, just in time to celebrate the upcoming Christmas back home in the UK.

I had thoughts that he will leave the office like everyone else if they find something that will offer them of wider opportunities. But not as quick as what he told us just yesterday. I felt sad and still I am! For he was not just my superior but he was a good friend to all of us - his subordinates, to everyone else even to the tea boys and cleaners :-)

Most people know "The Boss" might agree with me to say the least that he is a good man. Knowing him not even a year I can profess that he is. For it is his nature and capable of:

- Making people smile on his own way
- Maintaining a friendly conversation even if it's almost reaching the highest temperature boiling point
- He's everybody's friend
- He teaches us in so many ways. Even it's beyond work knowledge.
- He crack jokes a lot
- He calls me Lourdey Lourdes (which by the way, only him thought of that) and the little pumpkin of the group ;-)
- I can throw a devilish look at him when I am already bit pissed off with his jokes and he still smiles and run away telling "I should go now before somebody hit me"
- He tells me that he will set a blind date with a smart, good looking and rich guy for me, LOL!
- He plays bowling and billiards with us and gives passes to play bowling again some other time, for free!
- He dines with us at the food court in the mall
- He shops playing cards because he wants to play with us
- He wants to learn more Tagalog words
- He never stops asking what are the disgusting nicknames / codenames we call with other department managers (hmmn, good we have not baptised him yet with one!)
- He bets who will win in the recent world cup
- He introduces his shooting hobby and even taking us to the club
- He teaches me "patch up lines" that I can use to speak to a deserving guy, hahaha!
- He always sits in front my desk to let me start talking anything and makes me almost not to stop ;-)
- He advises me like his own child

These are just few things that JAW does capable of doing and I will add more whatever I am going to observe for the last 6 weeks that he will still be with us in the office before he finally say goodbye to us.

Have a wonderful weekend, folks!

Skittles....(in a green packaging) Anyone?

How many of you have been victimized by this little “soury-devilish” candy as pointed out by those who were caught in the office just today? LOL!

Although I am not much into sweets or chocolates that much, I can’t get myself off being attracted on the colorful packaging this stuff has. So I did grab one sachet of Skittles yesterday while I was on my grocery shopping. Who doesn’t know Skittles? Is that the one packed in red? Yes, that’s normally we picture Skittles. But there’s one that comes in a green pack too. And the taste? Whew, super duper sour and you can't imagine what sort of facial expressions each one who unfortunately were victimized by the taste behind that attractive packaging! Let me have them on the list:
1 – Lourdes Sason
2 – John Willims
3 – Paul Davies
4 – Lai Soon
5 – Rowena Francia Tirao
6 – Majah Camarao
7 – Gulshan Kumar
8 – Khillar W.
9 – Florence David
10 – Carlos Peronilla
11 – Walied Fouad

Couldn’t imagine all of ‘em made such funny faces infront of me, LOL!

Ok, so to give justice to those above-mentioned names, here’s how the first victim face looked like after having one tablet of this Skittles (in a green pack) …no other than myself…lol!

Dared to Make and Speak

Who dared make my stuff like this?

The culprit? Who else other than “the boss”!

I thought he was up for an official something asking me if I could give him a piece of paper, scissors, tape and a red pen. Without hesitations and no questions at all, I gave him what he asked for..except the red pen which unfortunately mine wasn’t in good writing condition anymore.

I really like this cute little miniature on my desk. It at least gives me the feeling like having a real one (am I not that obsessed?)…or could help me imagine closely how “mine” will look like once this little precious is given to me.

In as much as I like this miniature, the boss seems not pleased. That it scares him and will likely to give him a nightmare when he’s staring at it. Funny, isn’t it? Anyone can have a wildest imagination over anything. And never I knew, he planned something to change the way it looks!

My poor little cutie, I’m really sorry :-(



------


I was a bit disturbed with these lines.



As I mentioned in some of my posts, I am truly blessed having superiors I am comfortably working with. I was trained (thanks former bosses) to voice out anything that I have in mind, to be outspoken. I was put to believe that there is no right and wrong suggestions / opinion and even the silliest idea I can mention.

Having mentioned that, early morning today, we’re on the mood of tiny little jokes (seems everyone is in good mood for the weekend) about our expressions calling everyone in the office “boss”. While finishing off my never-ending manpower report (an 80-page report which is really giving me huge headache), we planned (and that means myself with my blah, blah, blah) to have the format simplified and sit with HR to have it revised and come up with an agreed form for the subsequent reports. The current form multiplies the effort in doing individual insertion of reports from the site and departments. Yes, my report depends from their submissions.

Apparently, the month is about to be over and I have not completed the report yet. Coz I still have to wait (maybe until Christmas) for two more reports coming from the most outstanding site and department (this is exaggerating!). Informed “the boss” about this. How lovely it is that they got one and I wasn’t copied in the mail! So “the boss” with his gesture (I don’t know if I was just unconscious), and said “so boss, please tell me what to be done” (that is actually to forward the mail with the report attached to it) thought really that the joke started early in the morning was just carried out. But I don’t know why it seemed like it was different to what I have understood. It was real different and became more when I received that message.

I really hope it was just a joke, “boss”?

Skipped Lunch!

Planners are just driving me crazy. So much delays in submitting reports and really need to chase them and worst, beg them to remind doing their responsibilities – in updating and sending their reports.

I am supposed to finish off the weekly reports yesterday so can start off for the manpower’s. However, thanks to some of our dear planners who are really submitting their reports without fail (to be delayed) that only now I am able to finish it. Skipped my lunch break at 12noon just to finish off to submit the same on time – as in this hour.

Gush too hungry, really! And when am really in the mood to spoil my appetite a bit, I crave for a heavy meal. But this time I couldn’t get into such coz there is no way I can order food aside from the usual food Sunday through Thursday regular menu we have in the canteen. Can’t get such coz I am working 45 km away from the city, in the deserted area of Abu Dhabi City of UAE!

So I have to stick to what I have brought in for my lunch today…..


Care to have some?

Bon a petit!

That boss screaming.....

If there’s one thing I should be thanked for in my almost 10 years working, it should be having wonderful superiors, if I may describe them. The four of them, including my current manager, are the type who consider themselves not the literal “boss” who you look up and praise to...but as a team mate, leveling themselves accordingly on how a certain situation calls for them. They represent their individual departments to the management without taking the sole credit for himself for a job well done and never forgetting to mention that the recognition goes to his entire team.

Today at 7:15AM, I heard somebody screaming from the north wing side of the building. I thought not to be bothered anymore as I normally hear myself the same thing previously aside from hearsays how this particular manager talks / screams at some point. But this time got worsen. The voice became louder that it made me to lift up from my chair, together with some staff sitting opposite to my office to have a glance where the loud voice was coming from. I stepped in at my manager’s office and showed him some gestures “what the h*** is he shouting for?” Are we having a 3rd world war or something? He’s not the only guy in the office and own the entire place to have his voice raise like that. Ugh, I just pity his people under him. And I really salute their patience to stay longer working with a kind of “boss” they have. Life must’ve been really tough, huh?!



Good, the screaming didn’t last that long. And I heard a very good news (am I bad to say it really a good news? Oh well, I apologize for that though) that he had his resignation tender a month back, which means that there are only few days left and no more shouting and swearing we will hear from the north wing side of the office. Well, I’m just trying to put my feet on the same shoe of those who are working for him right now. I feel the stress too, my friends.

Good luck to a new boss!

and……

Thank God for keeping me always have the best class of bosses in town. Hmmn, am not exaggerating things here for sure! LOL!

July 2010 Happenings

I have not been beside my pen for couple of weeks now. To use it to write something. To post something in my blog.

And now it’s time to be back with my precious little pen with me ;-)

It has been a month I was not really in the mood to pen down something that has been happening around me. Because it was almost 3 weeks that I was not feeling well. Yes, 3 weeks in July 2010.

I don’t dread of the burning temperature of the hot summer in the UAE. It just annoys me, lol! I can go and walk under the basking sun provided I have the right dosage of sun block with me ;-) well, avoiding from having sun burn! It’s the summer colds is what I always trying to avoid from. It’s so ironic that during winter season in the UAE, I don’t get sick, have cough and colds which always happen during summer time.

I was on and off in the office for a week. Have taken various home medications which I think made me more sick. And was feeling a bit ok, although the occasional cough was still there, I was already off for some small gathering with friends and staying up till early morning. Since I was not completely well yet, and with the spending hours of socializing and not having enough sleep, I was back in a much worse condition. Totally sick. It was almost 3 days lying in bed and feeling sorry for myself. Ohhh, it is so difficult to get sick and nobody’s around to take care of you. You get to miss everyone back home.

Thank God I’m a bit better now. But it’s weekend and my friends start giving me a call planning where to spend the weekend. My roommies are planning to have a small party tonight at our place then head to the bar. Another couple of friends are dragging me out to attend another birthday party. And on Friday to spend couple of hours at the iconic F1 race track in the UAE – The Yas Island! I wish I could really make it to all these events but I’m quite reserving myself to stay back and just enjoy my weekend indoors and go for my usual run in the park in the afternoon. I don’t want to get sick again, please.


Weekend mode in the office ;-)

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Socializing does not literally mean meeting new people, making new friends face to face. In fact, I can socialize more online.

I always check my mail everyday coz this is just the common and the cheapest way to keep in touch with family back home, my siblings who are living miles, miles away, my friends I don’t know where on earth particularly they are staying now are once in a while sending me message. And it really makes my day reading a message from people who only send me once in a blue moon. And much more exciting when I receive a mail from someone whom I do not know but I enjoy reading it. That there is something they want to imply of getting to know “you”….more? I just don’t count the spams I receive coz it will just ruin the good mood ;-)
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Six months ago, I pointed out small suggestions to my manager that could probably be implemented in the company we’re working for. Well I could not just go to the General Manager or Managing Director and tell “hey boss, could we do something like this and like that in the company?” I won’t be surprised if I’l be kicked out next day from office if I do that, lol!

With that list I sent to my manager 6 months ago, he reviewed and updated me the points that were already taken care of and the rest in progress. Emphasizing that the company is yes, attending to suggestions and cares the well being of their employees (I hope). I felt that my concern and suggestions are really being valued. That is because I have a manager that supports and listens to what his staff would feel about. Thank you very much.
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Should I be concerned that until now, my heart doesn’t beat for someone else yet? (I know this sounds being corny. Please bear with me, I can’t just hold it, lol!)

Should I let the horrible past experience torture my future happiness? I know deep in my mind, I won’t allow it. I know I have already recovered well, but why I still feel I am not?
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Have a nice weekend, everyone ;-)

After Work Party

What: Dulce's Bday Party!

When: 22 Apr 2010

Venue: Goto King in Khalidiya Mall

Great Food....

Cool Colleagues...

Fun games...laughs and a lot of laughing stock!!

Happy Birthday Engr. Dulce Ilustre!

Lunch Break....The Filipino Way!

Who would say that you'll be missing fun when you're away from home, country?!

Here it shows the fun and unity of Filipino staff at work being away from PI. Especially on a lunch break ;-)

This is the Filipino way....lol!

The Truth...Behind a Busy Schedule

I am yet to begin writing few lines about the title and I am dead laughing at loud already :-))

Ok, let me do it quick before I continue these week and month's reports lying on my table.

When I was still in a relationship 4 months ago, I just assume I really was :-), the other party would always show me his very colorful calendar implying that he was too busy and even behind schedules with his projects, client appointments, etc. Never I complained about it because if there was one person who was proud behind his career growth, that was me. As we claimed to be partners, we helped each other in several ways. Professionally-wise, the relationship was ok. We can discuss and I can relate to what the nature of his work because I was once in the same field as well. That was actually the chance how our relationship beyond professionals developed.

By merely presenting to me that eye-catchy calendar signals that "oops, there is no time for something else". Whatever that something else or activities, will not have to compete with all what were scheduled in the calendar. I was just too nice that I never did. Being too nice is not really nice :-)

...and will never and ever compete coz there will be no more chances to see that calendar again.

Anyway, that was past! and past should remain in the past.

Now, here comes the truth behind a busy schedule. I was amused when I looked at my boss board and thought of taking a photo of it. You analyze what the photos say. The personality of my boss and all :-) Hmmn, I ain't lucky to have a wonderful boss who draws like this? No stress and head ups, purely casual and motivational.

....the busy board with Tender submission dates reminders


.... and the not-so-busy board with his true personality reflected on it! lol!

Understanding The One Who Does Not Understand

It was a not-so-good day for me yesterday :-(

Waking up at 5AM on working days has been a year round activity for me. No harm, I'm now used to it. It's always in the beginning that you don't feel comfortable whenever you work or do on something new. Yes, it's almost a year since I joined in a Construction industry.

Since our Headquarter is stationed in Mafraq - approximately an hour bus ride from Abu Dhabi City Center, an hour preparation must be required for me to get ready before the bus service picks me up at 6AM. Literally, I have to be down at my residence building a second or a minute before the service arrives.

So I normally do that without a pre-advise that our pick-up timing is already changed to so on and so forth because of change as well of the pick-up sequence. Employees shifted to another pick-up station.

Anyway, yesterday was quite an unpleasant timing and arrangement. It was already 6:05AM and the bus did not come yet! I took out my phone to try to give a call to the driver but found out that it was out of battery so I asked my colleague who happened to be room-mate as well to give a call instead. So she did.

All I thought, it was a clear communication in between. Merely assumptions and not clarifications do not really help! Don't expect that the bus driver completely understands the entire conversation you make. Looked like they both spoke in different languages! Well we really do :-)

With that "assumption" that we will be waited at 200 meter-distance from our building, I walked with my newly-bought high-heeled shoes on! Oh goodness! and found out that there was no bus forward waiting for us! Lovely, isn't it?

Another call from a colleague advising us to take a taxi and be at 5-10 minutes away where we were standing up. Oh for goodness sake! I suggested that there was no need to chase the bus, let them go and make others not to wait for us.

So, another 200-meter away walk for me to go back to my building with my high-heeled shoes on! Made phone calls as yesterday was the cut-off date of our department's weekly report submission and the entire data were with me. Instructions here and there were given to my colleague aside from a bit of shyness while talking to my boss on the phone because I will be late! Why I was late? Shall I convince my boss that it isn't my fault?

Anyway, another bus service was arranged to pick us up! Reached the office at 9AM and my 2-hour work was compromised because of inappropriate attitude of this driver...poor boy! Oh sorry, hearsay that he was advised by his dear fellow I*d**n to leave us! Grrrr!

Whoever fault that was, it was still a not-so-good day for me. However, situation like this happens. It happened and nothing can be done about it. Clear communication to ensure that the other party understands what you are trying to say is the key to avoid the recurrence of this.

Have a good day, folks! :-)

Staff's Incapacity to Project Professionalism in the Company

Quite pissed off a bit early this morning while on board at work. So time to pen down again whatever thoughts I have at this point in time to at least lessen before it reaches the maximum boiling point of my blood pressure :-P

No wonder that staff or should I say low rank and file employee in the company remains to be just what they are, meaning no chances to be acknowledged for what they are being there because of the attitude and incapability to project the very least of company's goodwill. And 'mind you, they are the ones who are even demanding that they should be like this, salary increase, aknowledgement for an immaterial stuff to consider, etc. Well, not all (that includes me when it comes to initiative-wise, efficiency of work performance stuff! I'm far different enough!lol!) to mention but most are like them.

Anyway, it's just a sort of "how the h*ll this little boy sit down in that office without knowing his functions and undergoing teamwork orientation?" Come on boy, you need to grow up a little bit. I know you're too young at age but it's not an excuse not knowing the SOP of the office!

Have a nice day, folks! :-)

New Office

I did some small decorations on my new office and thought of showing it off :-P...well, well, well. I know how bad I am trying so hard when it comes to putting interior decors. You might have some suggestions you can share with me, perhaps?