Workaholism

I never really classified myself as a workaholic. But I realized that I am. Even when I was working as an event planner, I used to dream about table cloths and table settings. And now as a marketer, my mind is forever churning out ideas. I still dream about work (this time about merchandise and collaborations and creatives and a whole lot of other stuff) and even on vacation, I can't help but check out some work stuff. And boy oh boy, troubleshooting on weekends is neck-breaking but a girl's gotta do what she has gotta do.

It's not that I'm complaining that I got loads to do, I was just a bit shocked that work indeed has become ingrained in me so much that I get antsy when I just relax and do nothing (even on weekends). But come to think of it, because of this affliction, I was able to rise up the ranks in less than three short years. I'm no hot shot in the corporate world and hey, I started as a rank and file employee but I'm pretty proud of my accomplishments. I may have skipped a couple of night outs and I can no longer drink til I drop but I'm still generally happy with where I am right now. Even though I did not start as a management trainee, I wouldn't be where I am right now if I did not make the decisions I had then.

Money. I admit it. I was a bit perplexed before since I felt like I was doing a great job and I was not well-compensated. All the other people around me were making double or thrice than I did and I felt like a failure. But let me tell you this, a person's salary is not the only measure of a person's success. I've been hearing that it's natural that you start with a small salary and eventually, after some years, it will get bigger, blah blah blah. And I was like "What?! Why not start now?". But believe me, it is indeed true. Yes, some people land great jobs right after college but most people, as the bell curve shows, will get an average job and their worth will get bigger if they perform at their best over time. Now with three years of experience under my belt and three promotions, it's kind of nice to know that my hard work has paid off. And oh, I'm not yet done with the hard work, it's something that will be forever with me I guess. Other opportunities have sprouted along my path and I can't wait what the future holds.

So I guess it's not that bad to be a workaholic. I'm happy with my career, I still see my friends from time to time and I still get to spend time with my family and be a wonderful "mommy" to my spoiled little Shakti.

Now, back to work. :)

Happy New Year!

First post for 2013! Hello year of the water snake!

So I just posted my New Year's Resolutions a couple of days ago and boy oh boy, I will do my best to do everything on my list. After all, those are pretty easy and are good for me. I just need constant presence of mind! One of my resolutions was to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Pretty easy right? But I only realized by 7pm that I only drank 1 glass for the whole day! I have to drink up! And after 4 glasses of water, I think I'm gonna burst! Drat. I guess it would be best to drink a glass per hour.

Another resolution is to go for a jog twice a week. I was still feeling a bit lazy to tie my laces even though I was already wearing my cute pink running shorts so I just spent my time on the stationary bike. Woohoo! Biking may sound easy but it's not! My legs feel like steel and I had buckets of sweat!

Alright, alright, enough with my resolutions. My first day of 2013 may have a little bit of a setback but I won't let it affect me in a negative way. I am still determined to make 2013 my best year so far!

And boredom caught up with me today so here are some things I did today:

• relived my tetris battle
• cleaned my makeup brushes
• read trashy novels (hahaha)
• mastered tower madness
• spent time with my Shakti baby

Anyway, I'm just glad that tomorrow is still a non-working day! I have time to do more important stuff. Haha.

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Quotes from New Year's Eve movie

It only happens once a year: New Year's Eve. It's a time when hopeless can be romantic, and a resolution can become a revelation. And when one night can change everything.

Claire Morgan: "It's suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the New Year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. To remember both our triumphs and our missteps - our promises made, and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures - or closed ourselves down, for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what New Year's is all about: getting another chance. A chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about 'what if' and start embracing what would be. So when that ball drops at midnight - and it will drop - let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight but all year long."

Holiday Ramblings

So this holiday season got me realizing a few things. But what caught my attention was that I've been worrying and panicking so much that finding myself not being able to breathe is a load of crap. And it's all about nonsense things. Well, maybe not all-nonsense but I shouldn't worry about those stuff so I won't be that uptight, too serious girl anymore.

For one, I've been worried about my company not recognizing my efforts, I've been suffocated by my salary not being enough, I've been eaten by the green-eyed monster when I see my younger siblings' accomplishments, and their friends as well. I look at my friends with their babies and how their life looks so complete. But you know what? Nothing is perfect. I've been driving myself insane for what? I want to snag that perfect job with the ginormous salary and have a perfect loving partner. But really, for what? So I can relax after doing all those things (my so-called goals) and enjoy life. But who says I can't do that now? I don't need to be on top of the world to enjoy what I have now.

Another thing was I got to stop comparing! Sometimes, it's difficult to do it but not everyone is in the same situation, same circumstances, etc. I was actually surprised when my friends pointed out that I already did so much. It made me feel like a pig to be complaining about feeling stuck when my friends' concerns were about finding a job and other more serious stuff. 

The bottom line is to be thankful for everything I have. Yes, I know I am grateful to You for all my blessings but I got to let go and stop noticing other stuff that will meddle with my thoughts and make me feel like I'm not doing enough. I mean, how many more overtime hours do I want and how many more times do I want to feel overfatigue before I cut myself some slack? So from now on, I will be that merry little girl who will embrace life and be more mature, considering I'm turning a quarter of a century next year (sounds old, huh?). No need to be antsy about turning 25 since there is no need to hurry, no need to feel pressured and the "finish line" is still far ahead and there is so much time to accomplish the things I have in mind.

Bye all BVs and welcome all GVs! Thank You for 2012 and bring it on 2013.

Balancing on a Tight Rope

I know. I should be reading and working on my paper due on Monday. That's what I've been telling myself for the past week. I even took a one day leave from work so I can work on it. Sadly, I'm still staring at a blank document for the past hour.

It's all about balance they say. Work + family + friends + me time = non-existent for me. Lately, it's been all about work. I was out last Wednesday with Khalil and Tani, buying a gift for our dear goddaughter Lexi. It took us HOURS just to pick the right gift and a long time waiting for it to be wrapped. Anyway, Khalil noticed that I was too workaholic. In the few hours that we spent together, I made more than four work-related phone calls and I was busy typing away messages on my phone. Yes, it was a fail leave.

Or at times, it's been work and friends or work and family only. I've never accomplished balancing everything at the same time. Good thing I'm on the last two modules of my Digital Marketing thing. But it made me start to think about my plans to take my master's degree. I don't think I can manage working and studying at the same time.  Just thinking about it is giving me a headache. So what to do, what to do? It's like I've been contemplating about this since forever. It's exhausting. 

So I found a resolution. I will stop worrying and just see where the road will lead me. I'm sure the universe will not give me a situation I can't handle. It may be difficult but I'm sure I will learn something from whatever challenges I will encounter.

So for now, I have to get back to writing that paper on eCommerce. After all, I'm so near the finish line, I can't afford to slack off now. 

Hello again blank page!

Today, I Decided To Take an Adventure!

It's been raining non-stop for the past few days - weeks, actually.

Yesterday: The chaos was unbelievable. Many streets were already underwater, there were more people who needed saving than volunteers, it was madness!

6:30 AM: I received a text from our HR informing us that only government work was suspended. So that meant we had work.  Since it was still raining really hard, I already texted the office that I cannot go to work but I will try to do so once the weather improves.

10:44 AM: I woke up with the sun shining! :) I will go to work today. Took a shower, had brunch and headed out without checking the news. It started raining a bit in Q.Ave but I thought it was just a little rain. It will be over soon.

12:40 PM: I arrived at the office. It was drizzling.

1:30 PM: How wrong was I?! It started raining really hard = worry.

2:30 PM: Regretting that I decided to go to work. But still continued answering emails, fixing files, etc.

4:30 PM: I can't take this anymore! I want to go home, I don't want to be stranded in Makati! There's no cab outside the building and since I heard that EDSA is already flooded, I decided to take the jeep and the train. Boy, the line was really long.

5:30 PM: I'm at the Q. Ave station already. Cars were starting to counterflow on the northbound lane of EDSA. Know why? Yes, Centris is flooded already (EDSA side)! And the funny thing is, the underpass was not even flooded. After minutes of contemplating whether I will wade in the flood water, I decided that it's time for me to go home. What would happen if the rain worsens? It means that more streets will be submerged underwater and the flood would start to rise even more. Last I heard was that Philcoa was waist-deep and Maginhawa was chest-deep. Come on, I have to pass Philcoa in order to get home.

5:40 PM: I was able to get a cab after insisting (almost begging) that I have to go to UP (about 20 minutes away from Q.Ave). He probably felt pity in his heart because he agreed to take me but we have to go around Mindanao Ave, Visayas Ave and go out at Central in Commonwealth. City Hall and Circle were super traffic according to the previous passenger as the flood is really bad.  I immediately said yes despite the long route.

6:30 PM: I'm still stuck along Mindanao Ave. Traffic would literally move inch by inch = flood. Good thing manong driver still went ahead. He must have sensed my desperation. There was also a bit of a flood along Visayas Ave. but we were able to manage.

7:00 PM: I'm at the Commonwealth (Central) gate of UP waiting for my mom to pick me up. We were supposed to pick-up my brother at Ateneo but he said someone will bring him home. We ended up at MiniStop buying bottles of booze. If the rain continues tonight, I have no plans of going to work tomorrow. I will drink myself to oblivion.

So there goes my day, not much of an adventure but it definitely is one-of-a-kind. I also learned a couple of things. First is to listen to the people around me. Several people were already telling me not to go to work but the minute I saw the sun, I rushed to work. Second is I have to think of myself. I've been thinking about my unfinished work in the office that I forgot to check if I will be ok, if I can make it home without any problems. And lastly, I found out that I can be strong and I can think of a way to solve my problems. When things get difficult, I always call on my mom and expect her to fix things/ situations for me. This time, I only called her when I was in the cab already. And I'm so proud that I was able to wade in flood water. I was already thinking of crying and complaining but I did not do that. A friend told me that I have to be more careful when walking in flood water as I may step on something sharp or fall into holes. Thank God none of that happened.

Anyway, this day has not been a total waste. Yes, I could have spent time helping out in a shelter or a relief center, but that's where the universe led me. It's still a learning experience for me.

And by the way, the text I was waiting for yesterday never came. But I received it today. Thank you, you made my day. :)

Top Things To Do While Waiting For This Rainy Situation To Pass

I know. The rain is pouring non-stop and there's nothing I can do but sit and wait. Being at home with an internet connection and cable TV is apparently not enough to keep me occupied. The news is starting to depress and worry the $%^# out of me.

So anyway, here's a list of what I could do (maybe you can do these as well).

1. Check on your pets. Make sure that they are ok. In case you need to evacuate, please think of their welfare. Will you bring them with you? If not, make sure to leave them in a safe and secure place. Thinking of the pets that drowned during Ondoy just makes me sick.
2. Pray. Thank God that you are safe. Or if you're on the lashing end of mother nature, ask that help will come your way and those who need it.
3. Check on your friends. You might find that one of them really needs help.
4. Master your Tetris skills. I really suck at this game. I need to be at a certain high in order to win in this game. Otherwise, I'm probably the lousiest player ever. (Looks like I still have it, I'm still winning.)
5. Put your speakers on full volume and dance like crazy. Can't go out for a run or to the gym? This is one of the best ways to burn calories. Plus, you get to practice your mad dance moves in private.
6. Sing your heart out. Well, except for me and all the others who are tone-deaf. Let's not make the weather worse.
7. Start reading or finish Fifty Shades of Grey. Find out what the craze is all about. (I still don't get it.)
8. Stalk your crush on Facebook, Twitter or whatever social media site. Find out if he/she is ok despite all the heavy rains and flooding.
9. If you still got nothing to do, stalk your frenemies. (But you can skip this part. We can always do with a little less negativity.)
10. Watch Enchanted on Disney channel. Who knows what a little magic can do?
11. Sort your clothes and stuff. Lord knows you got several tops and bottoms that you have no plans of wearing anymore. (Well, I know I do.) Do a good deed and donate these to those in need.
12. And while you're at it, go clean your room.
13. Wrestle with your siblings. My brothers and my sister used to run around the house chasing each other and tickling and teasing each other to death. (Are we too old for that? We rarely do it nowadays.)

And if the list above is of no help, just put your phone beside you and wait for that person to text you.

Note: No need for your heart to jump or skip a beat every time your phone beeps. I bet it's 1/10 that it's the person you are waiting for.