Skype Me!

The VTECH Hongkong Team came to conduct a Train-The-Trainer session for a new phone that will soon be released in the Market.

Jackqueline facilitated the training. She said she was nervous since this was her first time. That's okay... everyone has to start somewhere. Hmmm... I wonder when I can attend training outside the Philippines - say Hongkong or US? Hay... dream...

Keith also gave lots of feedback that are useful. We had our share of questions but he told us that he would voice out our inquiries and provide us answers immediately once available. That's good!

They only stayed here for 2 days - just to teach us. Thank you so much!

Having Fun at Thirty One!

Today's my birthday. Yay! I'm already 31. But honestly, I don't feel like 31. I'm always a child at heart... Hahaha!

Well, I'm a bit sleepy coz I had a previous celebration with my officemates. But I have more guests and it's just proper for me to entertain them. Since I have relatives and lots of friends, I need to schedule them so that I can attend to them effectively... (Nuninuninu... still a training coordinator even during my birthday)

Lunch time is for my relatives. I'm so touched that my lola - Nanay Sianang as what I'd call her - came to my birthday. She has always been in a wheelchair after a stroke but she insisted to come. That's one rare gesture from her as she would often just be contented in staying at her home. Love you Nanay Sianang!

It was also my relatives who cooked my handa. I'm blessed to belong to a clan who can cook! (I wish I could learn that too!) My handa - Chicken Pastel, Hamonado, Embotido, Itik, Ube Halayan and Ref cake. I didn't invite many people since I was so busy at work that I had no time to prepare. And so since I didn't have many guests, I had fewer handa. I guess it's just enough.

After relatives, 7:00pm is for my friends. Acie and Rowny came first, followed by my UP College friends Marc and Lily. Shortly, my church friends Amor and Jonathan came. After eating, I got them to play Scattergories. Serious! My UP friends are always verifying the validity of the answers (unlike our kind of game in the office where we allow the "duck" rule --- ops... this rule can only be understood by the Training Team... Sorry...). But they had fun.

As my guests continue to rest, we watched "The Mask" and remembered how it made Jim Carrey a hit and Cameron Diaz be noticed.

Around 11:00pm my guests already went home. But wait! There's more! My C-Cube friends Paul (Papaps) and Melay (Mader) came. They will be getting married on Dec. 9 and are very busy lately. But I'm so touched that they still came to my birthday. That was probably around 11:30pm. We had meaningful conversations until around 1:00am. And, we were able to take a picture (as seen above).

Whew! Another year for me. I thank God that He gave me life and I do hope that I would spend it to bring glory to His Name...

Birthday Eve

November 26 - Saturday. It's the eve of my birthday, and there's so many things happening.

First event is the Battle Of The Bands. Our company will be participating in the nationwide competition for the best bands among Call Centers. We had an elimination round - to know which band will represent ICT. This was held at BG's Grill in Pasay Road.

Since our department has always been in the frontline, this event was organized by Training and HR. Our Daddy Mark was one of the judges of the said contest.

Grabe, our Training Director is also a Master Show Man (he can now replace Kuya Germs). I wonder where he gets all the energy? Gosh, you should have seen him dance!!!

This is Acie and Rowny with Mark & a cute guy... Cheer to a job well done!

And of course, who was not surprised by our very own Jon San Pedro? We never knew that he can sing well! Isa siyang "kantatero"! And his efforts weren't in vain. Their band won! Go "Juan"!

Now, this day is the eve of my birthday. It was really embarassing that it was announced! I was even asked to dance! Well, I have my VTECH "babies" to escort me...

And I don't know if someone just want to flatter me coz it's my birthday but a lady server at BG's gave me a note saying "You're So Charming!". She told me it was given by someone. Now, this is the first time I got a compliment and I didn't know what to do! I should have asked who gave that note but since we were almost about to leave the place, I didn't inquire who was that person. Sob! It could have been a potential "new friend". :(

Second Event: Mark's Birthday Bash. He told the Training Team that after the Battle of the Bands, he would treat us out for Dinner. He first ordered some food at BG's and we got to see a band perform. And it seems like "Daddy" had some drinks that he started dancing in his seat... His "daughters" Lois and Me plus "son" Ralf were in a state of shock...

After BG's, we went to Eastwood Libis. We rode Ms. Jamea's CRV going to Mark's condo since they have to change cars. Mark also got some board games. We celebrated Mark's birthday at Something Fishy. The Guests? Jamea, Dwain, Ethan and cousin Luigi, Mathet, Acie, Rowny, Lois, Ralf, Jon and gf Mai, Norvin, Jhellie and me. Here's some pics taken on the said place.

Alright. Third Event: My birthday. After Libis, the group went to our house for a simple celebration. It was around 3:00am. Too bad Acie and Rowny had to go since they were very tired organizing the Battle Of the Bands. They promised to come the following day for the continuation of my birthday celebration.

Everytime I would have my birthday, I usually have a theme. For this year, it's "Having Fun at Thirty One".

When the group arrived at my home, I ushered them to our terrace and let them rest first. Soon, Daddy Mark introduced us to a cool board game called Apples to Apples. It's a good game that will enhance your convincing powers especially for sales. We had a great game! Then, I just served Ref cakes, chips, coffee and Coke "Sakto".

Before the group parted ways, we had some picture taking ceremony (as always!).

I had my birthday kisses (ehem... okay, pagbigyan nyo na ko. It's my birthday!) and soon had to say goodbye to my guests. I'm happy and thankful that I have people who shared their time to celebrate with me... Made me feel special and loved...

Need to rest... Another batch of people will be with me tomorrow... or should I say, in a few hours...

Deep Inside This Armor, The Warrior Is A Child...

This day, Wednesday, I cried... Something that I haven't done for a long time...

I don't know if the reason is mababaw... But maybe I was hurt and questioned my capabilities... It seems like I don't know my strengths...

I cried to someone... let my guard down... I cried to God... like a weeping child...

And admitted that I still needed Him...

WARRIOR IS A CHILD

Lately I've been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I'm amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don't see inside of me
I'm hiding all the tears

CHORUS:
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I'm amazing
Never face retreat
But they don't see the enemies
That lay me at His feet

CHORUS:
They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and and cry for just a while
'Cause deep inside this armor
the warrior is a child

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down
They don't know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and look up for a smile
'Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
The Warrior is a Child

To the one who listened and witnessed my hurt... Thank you...

Mark and Ashley's Birthday

This Monday, Acie and I (plus the RCBC Ret-Ret Team) gave Mark and Ashley a simple birthday celebration.

At first, we had so many plans - like having balloons, hotdogs, spaghetti, etc. However, because we don't have much time, we had to improvise. I asked Acie to buy party hats (because I know that my boss is sooo young at heart - parang kid talaga!). At the same time, Ashley is also the type who would enjoy crazy things

As for me, I bought 2 cakes. Dapat sana just 1 cake but I'm thinking that it's best to have 2 para they each have cakes with candles to blow. Maybe a little bit ouch with the budget, but hey, I am a firm believer that birthdays are to be special. At the same time, I'm a "lover"... (okay... paki-relate ba?) If you are a lover, you give love di ba? For me, "You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving." Since I love them both, giving is something natural and intrinsic plus I didn't mind the cost... (And thanks to Credit Cards!) Pero in fairness, ang bigat palang dalhin ng 2 cakes! Good thing nag-cab ako but bringing it to the office still required some muscular effort huh! (And about the "lover" thing, maybe a more appropriate term would be "I'm a loving person". Better? Hope that's clear... Baka ma-misinterpret. Pasensya na...)

So what we did is we asked Ms. Elaine to call our Bossing and tell him that we have an emergency situation for one of our programs. He had to go to Windy City. We turned off the lights and when he entered the door, we said "Surprise!" and started singing the traditional birthday song! I guess he was touched with what we did because I could almost see the tears trying to escape his eyes... (okay, exagg...di naman yata... but he was speechless). As for Ashley, we kept telling her not to look at the cake as we set them up. And I know that she's also touched with our surprise. Here's our celebrants, blowing the candles on their cakes...

I hope they enjoyed our very simple surprise for them. Look at the next picture... Ashley seems okay... Mark? Hmmm... Boss, are you drunk or are you drugs? (Okay, that may sound gramatically incorrect but that's how we would usually ask each other if they are feeling fine or not... You may call it our terms of endearment)

Iba na talaga kapag may dating... ehem... Hihihi..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK & ASHLEY!!! Peaches loves you!!!

The Visit...

We had a client visit in the office on a Sunday... Can you believe it? Well, I'm not really required to attend but it wouldn't hurt if I go to the office (since I'd like to clean up my station). At the same time, just in case something is needed, I might be able to assist. (Martyr! Martyr!)

I never got the chance to see the Japanese clients but that's okay. I went out with some friends... I was with Ralf and Jhery and we ate at Tropical Hut since that's the only fast food that's still open in our area.

Feeling like tourists, here's some pictures at the corner of Buendia and Ayala - night mode...

My eyes wide shut... because of fog? (or was it smoke?)

Here's me and Jhery...

Battle of the Brainless

It was a fun day today even if I wasn't feeling well when I came to work. I went home late yesterday since I have to assist Jon with some technical problems in class. My body was on the verge of deteriorating since I've been working like there's no tomorrow for the past... years?

I'm super dooper glad to see my boss Mark today (uy... intriga! hehehe...). Whenever you get to talk to Mark, you would feel better. Elaine, Acie and I had a meeting with him and we started talking about office matters until the topic reached Xenical weight loss while eating Hany and Chocnut! Then, he was talking about how he doesn't like children and having "sexist" thoughts about children's toys! Grabe... Buti na lang he's kagalang-galang with his dark green polo! :)

As usual, trainers are inside the Windy City (the Trainer's Pinoy Big Brother House) and we're doing our normal work when Mark visited us and he saw the new board game my parent bought for me. The game is called "Scattergories". How to play? First, each player is given 16 "Lists" of Categories (12 categories per list). We roll the dice to reflect the Letter to be used. If the letter is C, we are given 3 minutes to provide answers to the categories starting with that letter. For example, if the category is "Color", you may answer "Cyan". Once it's times up, each will say the answer per category. If your answer is similar to another player's answer, there's no point for that.

Our Training Director became addicted to the game... He got us to play with him (I think 4 rounds). But we really had fun - especially on how we defend our answers. Question, do we have Ducky Gummy? (Like Gummy Bears?) Dinaya lang yata kami ni Boss... Hmmm... Palibhasa the answers should start with letter "D". We had the "Duck" series for letter "D", and the "Ice" series for letter "I". And would you agree with Ralf's answer on the Category "Reasons why you can't go to school/work" - IMPOTENT Boss? Hah! No Bonus for you Ralf!

I would have to admit, that game was a stress reliever. Even if we felt so "Brainless" , it was fun! Hope we have more board games to play!!!

Torete Tuesday...

I came to work early due to the Staff Meeting with Jennifer Bremer. It wasn't that long because the Hollywood room was scheduled for a client visit.

I was so tired because I had to decorate the training rooms (2nd time around). Then, I have lots of reports to make. Every trainer was actually busy like me.

Ashley seems busy... Check out the golden Christmas flower decor...



I almost can't find Rowny in those pile of documents...

And I'm soooo tired and needed to sleep....

Manic Monday...

Ralf and I bought some Christmas decors at Tiendesitas - a new shopping place similar to Market Market that's near our place. We were given a budget to decorate the Training Rooms. Uhm... did I also say decorate Trainers?

Check out Jhery...

A happy me because my trainers are happy...

Jhery still obsessed in being a Christmas decor...

The Windy City Ceiling Christmas decor...

Well, after decorating, Ralf and I went to Sta. Lucia mall to eat lunch. We tried French Baker. While waiting for our meal, we took a picture of the Center Christmas Tree (as seen below).

And of course, we have to take pictures of me eating... By the way, the blue blouse came again from the Balik-Bayan Box.

Smile!

Center Mentor

Our Bosses in the office have new titles... Client Services Director and Client Services Manager!!! My gosh, we miss them a lot because they were spending too much time being GROs to our Clients and Guests that they don't have time for us in training anymore... (Sob! Wail!)

Well, gotta put on a different role - I'm a Center Mentor!!! Whew, I did a lot of counselling, coaching, coordinating. etc. It's a good thing my blouse is presentable that day (special thanks to my Tita Socky from the States. The black blouse I'm wearing was given by her and it just came this morning inside the Balik-Bayan Box of my parents).

Here's some of my "clients" for the counseling stint...

Jon is questioning why he looks like Jestoni Alarcon...

Jhery is too excited for the coming of his hubby Lester...

The Center Mentor (for 1 day) wearing a new blouse

Okay... gotta look serious...

Superwoman Needs To Sleep...

I conducted training Tuesday night shift. It's about VTECH Toys. Wow, I haven't taught that module for a long time but I guess it will all come back to you once you start teaching it. My only disappointment is that I don't have a training room that could have made my discussion more comfortable and efficient. Well, you've gotta learn the art of flexibility!

I haven't gotten a good sleep for the past weeks (or months? or years?). If you work in a Call Center, you would understand. Anyway, my head is aching and spinning that I have to practically put a pillow in my head while working.

Being a "Superwoman" in the office is a tough heroic lifestyle. And I have reached the point that I need to relax and sleep... You know, I wanted to just check- in a hotel and have my own private room just to sleep... (But a SPA treatment will be better... Ahhh... Just daydreaming about it already relaxes me).

Here's a room at Oakwood. This was the former haven of our ex-Vice President John Crews. I (along with my friend Jacquie) once used his room to freshen up because we don't have shower rooms before in the office.

I have to test the bed too... Wow, so soft!

Wanna sleep with me? Ooppps... That doesn't sound so wholesome!

And since I'm wishing to get some sleep, here's a sleeping moment with my pet Bochog...

Okay, I'm really sleeping in this shot. One of my trainers Jon (aka Bedroom), took a picture of me while taking a power nap in our Windy City Trainer's room. It's a good thing that he didn't have an audio or video clip of me snoring as well... (hehehe...). But I'd have to give credit to Bedroom for a very artistic shot...

Time to Wake Up!!!!

Rowny: Krang-Krang (another one of my aliases), Krang-Krang! Wake up!!! Gising na!!!

Krang-Krang: I don't want pa!

Just for clarification, Rowny's not my Boyfriend. Maybe the picture above is Parental Guidance for some but don't worry. His gf Acie (my partner in Training) is aware of Rowny's sweetness and candidness. We are really that close in training and this is just one typical scenario that we have. The next picture is Acie & Rowny so Happy Together (Happy 1st year Anniversary to both of you!!! Wahoo!!!)

It's nice to have a team to share a part of yourself... I may not have a boyfriend now (I'm talking of a physical boyfriend - what I have is Cyber... Hmm... It's kinda complicated) but I have an outlet to the overflowing love that I have within me... I guess I make a lot of people happy... and they can feel the love I'm giving them - maybe not romantic love... but unconditional...

When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E because the essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves.

--Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

My motto? Just keep on Lovin...