Starfish Diaries

Sentiments of a Contractor/Consultant

2006-04-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

I am having a crisis right now. I don’t know if what I am feeling is right or I just don’t have enough faith in Him and fear for the things that can possibly happen. I’ll be totally depressed if not for the Smallville marathon I am having or the giggles brought by my daughter every time we go home or the success my wife is achieving in her career.

It seemed perfect for me at first but as it progressed, I learned that it’s not that of a good thing after all. I prayed that I made the correct decisions. Is it my fault at all? Or maybe I am wrong. Or just being pessimistic and blinding myself from the good ones in front of me. I don’t know.

Disheartened Daddy

2006-02-28T09:17:00.000-08:00

After a long weekend at my parent's house, visiting a new SM mall in Sta. Rosa and a Jollibee birthday party of my wife's niece, our weekend was very funfilled, at least for my daughter. We always make sure that around this time of the week she enjoy outdoor activities, eat out, go to play areas to interact with other kids and try out new things.

It was however disheartening when we heard her playing that Sunday evening. She got hold of two plastic containers of contact lens cleaners, one big and one small, and labels it as "Daddy" and "Baby". She toys around with it and murmurred dialogues for the two containers.

Baby Container : "Sama Ashley ha..."
Daddy Container : "Ok cge..."
Baby Container : "Yey!!!"
[The Daddy and Baby Container runs off]

Im not overacting at all if it seems ok reading it. It's ironic how it reminds me of the numerous times we have to leave her when we go to the office. It's pretty obvious that these things happen because parents need to make a living but it is saddening to know that it really meant a lot to the kids. I grew up having the same memories of my parents leaving me in the house with our good old household help but I grew up okay (that's what I think). Someday my daughter will understand this things and hopefully get used to it. For now, it's comforting enough to know that she will never ran out of people who will give her love and attention.

FENDER BENDER, MMDA, What more can you ask for?

2006-02-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

Just this morning I got up a little too late compared to what I was used to. This is my second morning alone since my wife left for a one-week training in Malaysia. It was disappointing because I planned of reporting for work early today to make up for my absences but watching a reality show late last night and sleeping late the other night ruined it all.

I encountered the same usual traffic in EDSA near Taft Ave. today since a bridge is under construction for centuries now (1 century = 1 month). This traffic has really got in to my nerves and became a pain in the ass too. To add to this daily misfortune, I saw a car and a bus collided just in front of me while trying my best effort to traverse the traffic. I was stunned as if I was the one hit by the bus. They were both in front of me so I thought of backing up immediately and ignore them because I am getting late for work already. Being all disturbed by the scenario ~~and forgetting common sense of looking at the rear mirror first before backing up~~, I did not notice that there was a jeep at my back that was really close. I guess a sound of collision will really wake up my ~~common~~ senses. And so it happened! I was the second car who met an accident after seeing another accident before me [what a good entry for Wow Mali! or America’s Funniest]. I know it was my fault so I got down and inspect if I have inflicted damage on the full metal bumpers of the jeep and settle charges if there’s any. I was delighted to find out that the jeep’s bumpers were newly welded and seemed so sturdy (no more charges from the jeep) and I was so gloomy to see my poor fender with new rustic designs created by the welded metal. I reaffirmed that everything’s ok with the jeepney driver on his side and I went back the car at once so as not to prolong the indignity that I suffered. [Just a little history, my first car collision/accident is also a fender bender situation on a gasoline station parking area. Yes, you heard it right, a parking area, where there is very very slight traffic or none at all. The cause would be the same – not looking at the rear mirror while quickly backing up.]

And so, I went on with the traffic and contact my wife to find some comfort. I put her on speaker phone to have a good grip of my driving while talking to her. It was not long after when an MMDA caught my attention and wants me to pull over. My wind shield is not tinted at all so I got the idea of what my violation is already. I am used to speeding and driving off the MMDAs when I know that they have no motorbikes with them. This time, no motorbike, but I was not in the right mood to just speed off. I surrendered my license while they were lecturing about the hazards of using your phone while driving. They also demanded an explanation why my 2005 sticker is not on my plate even though I was registered. I clarified myself humbly and I pleaded that I just went through an accident minutes ago. I am willing to bribe them though, since I admit that I was caught red handed and the cost of that violation is only 200 Pesos. Another problem pops in as I have no more cash in my wallet! Meaning to say that if they get my license, I have to go to their office and absent myself from work again (which I committed just last week for a job interview). This couldn’t possibly be happening! After another argument of why not to get my license, they finally decided to beg me off. Haaaaaay. And then again, I had no time to celebrate because I’m still wondering where and when to get the paint job for the fender and I am late for work AGAIN as always.

Bits and Bytes

2006-01-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

My First Task

Just when I thought I will be bored here in my new work for a month, my boss suddenly gave me a task last week. This explains why I failed to update this blog despite the commentaries I gave before. The task was a little new but nothing that I could handle (yeah! that’s the spirit!). Though I admit going on a slight panic upon learning what I was to do, maybe it was just because of the terms my boss used in explaining it to me. My solution was fuzzy at first, but after the analysis of the problem phase (wow! so teacher-like no?) I came up with a number of inquiries due to the vague instructions given to me (blame it on him!).
Doing the task was so exciting that I forget its time to leave the office already. I was used to exchanging text with some friends and consuming my entire load I have before but after the assignment given to me, I was on my own again. The feeling of doing something that will be used by the our division is big time for me already as opposed to before that I am used to preparing lectures, exams, and set ups for my students only. Not that I am undermining it, but back then, I was the boss … to my students, plus setting up something or doing a project was always based on my decisions. It’s sometimes scary here when they ask me about something that I haven’t encountered yet. It’s just a matter of pretending you encountered it and saying, “Sige sir, try ko!”
Just finished the task in hand so I am back to “feeling” busy: writing blogs, taking phone calls, texting friends, and reading pdf manuals again.

The Chronicles of Narnia

My wife and I got to see Narnia last weekend when we headed to Binan. It was sort of a date to the movie house since our daughter was always held up by my parents when we’re in town. My wife got to shop a little as she always grumbles that she is running out of clothes. I just smile when she says her dialogues because I know for a fact that the ratio of her clothes to mine is 3:1. Shoes not included there (for shoes, its 4:1). Anyway, she was not that happy of her choices even though we bought a total of 3 blouses already. There was really not much good buys as stores are in sale that day. Shopping made us lose track of time so we arrived in the cinema exactly at the time of the screening. Good thing we bought guaranteed seats (no sure seats available in this place) and managed to be seated. Unfortunately, we ate our ‘baon’ - funnel cakes (crunchy, yummy and sweet) apart because no two adjacent seats were available already (…so anti-climatic).
Narnia was good. It’s comparable to the Never Ending Story to me only with better effects. My wife liked it too though she brags about her all time favorite – Return to Oz is better than this movie. To add to her addiction to the RTO, it became one of our life’s goals to find a copy of this movie. Hehehe.

Mall Discovery

It was also last weekend when we discovered a nice mall in Cavite. It’s another SM branch in Dasma but with zero traffic, windy parking areas, wider spaces to lurk around and good boutiques. This is also where we had a part two for the shopping of the woman who is running out of clothes (hehehe peace mom!). We had a good buy and brought home five additional blouses (for a grand total of 8 blouses) for my beautiful and sexy wife (hehe retribution). Don’t get me wrong, but it always feels good to make your woman happy.

Finally...

2006-01-07T01:20:00.000-08:00

After almost 5 years of teaching, I was lucky enough to have a break and finally work again in the industry. Of course, I have to thank ----- for sending me to trainings that I could also apply in the "real" IT world. This would be my 5th day at work in a private company as a consultant to a government office. I think I will have a lot of time writing something for my blog after experiencing one whole week of reading, reading, playing computer games, getting bored and waiting for the time to strike 5 pm.

Reasons for Leaving
Despite the contract that I have with my previous company, I dared to leave it because I cannot take it anymore (hahaha! sounds so bitter...). The friends that I have come along with during my stay there either resigned or just left one by one. We were fulfilled being instructors for quite some time but we came to realize that it would all be better if we settle for a real career as IT professionals or businessmen. Just to give you ideas on why you cannot really stay in that institution, here are the top reasons:

1. We have 3-month contracts that are renewable subject to the approval and prerogative of our immediate superior. So if ever you did something wrong or just the fact that he does not like you, just resign so as to avoid being ashamed.
2. Our basic salary did not increase at all from the time we applied up to the day we resigned. There’s an ongoing case with the labor union and the management which prevented the process of rating the employees. Too bad.
3. “Bilog ang mundo!” It will not be always in your favor. When there was a change of management, not everybody liked it but it became a good break for some. We were lucky enough to have a position and the new management kept us and made our work miserable at times.

What I will surely miss are some of the friends I left. Though I’ll still be reporting part time, it will never be the same as I pledge not to care about matters concerning the company that could affect me.

The Big Leap
I consider myself very lucky finding a job that I like and where I was trained with. I’m excited to experience the real action and encounter real problems. Though the skills came into practice while teaching, being here is not the same (I hope). I was given the pay that I asked for and that was the deciding factor to leave teaching. I want to be ready for the future and I just hope that this would be a good training ground for me.

New Year, New Office, New Experience
I started immediately on the first working day of the year; I had some great expectations but just took it easy on my first day. The first impression given to me was so candid I could create a long list for it. Hehehe. Take a peak on their lives I tally down the things that transpired during the week.

Worker A:
1. Browse for the location of all relatives, friends and places via Google Earth (once is a while is ok but all morning?!).
2. Play NBA live during lunch break or anytime he feels.
3. View pictures on the internet and read some emails.
Average Number of Hours Working per Day = 3 hours

Worker B:
1. Play Text Twist all day! (and I’m not kidding!) Stands up and chat once in while. Take calls then go back to text twisting.
2. When drained tries Need for Speed or Google Earth.
3. Eats lunch as early as 11:00 then sleeps through lunch break for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Average Number of Hours Working per Day = 30 mins to 1 hour

Worker C:
1. Just came from a long vacation. Proved that silent rivers run deep and could be the most technical person here.
2. Accommodating and loves to work around his non-Windows machine all day.
3. He said he’ getting tired here so he’s currently looking for a better job.
Average Number of Hours Working per Day = 7 hours

Worker D:
1. I actually have no view of his machine from where I am seated so it’s from the sounds and a little peeping that I know what his working on.
2. Also sleeps through the lunch break.
3. Busy with handling clients on the phone sometimes.
Average Number of Hours Working per Day = 6 hours (giving the benefit of the doubt)

Worker E:
1. Works on something he accesses with DOS prompt. Does some paper works.
2. Looks the kind type of person. Reads some pdf files sometimes and practices it over another machine.
3. One time, he played Counterstrike during the lunch break.
Average Number of Hours Working per Day = 6 hours

I have nothing against these guys. My boss said they are all ok here. It’s just the culture shock that makes it fun for me to observe their daily routines. Plus knowing the fact that this is where our taxes go, tsk tsk tsk… During my academe days, panic was a daily routine especially when you haven’t prepared a lecture or forgot to do something that your boss asked of you.

Amongst all of these, I still think I did the right thing this year. Hope everything will turn out right and just pray that I do the right decisions. It has been a very long time since this blog was updated, guess this would be a good start.

Happy New Year to all!