One of the Best Weekends in Pampanga

These photos were randomly taken during our trip to Pampanga. Had a three-day consecutive off then so I took the time to unwind. Thanks to my closest friend Fhadzralyn for the invitation, it was not really planned actually but it turned out to be one of the best weekends I ever had.

Outside Clark

At Nayon Pilipino riding the old-style Pilipino Jeepney

With Aeta, The old katutubo (also in Nayon Pilipino)

At Fontana Village

Stayed overnight in an affordable hotel

Had dinner in Gerry's Grill in SM Clark

A Movie to Remember

This film was referred to me by Jigz, our trainer in Dell. It's a Korean love story whom he said was really a tearjerker. Jigz said that he cried his heart out with this film. I don't really watch Korean film or any foreign films that much (aside from Hollywood movies of course) but because the review was really good I took time looking for it. So I looked for the film and searched it in torrent. Luckily, it was available and downloaded it completely after an overnight download (apparently, it got lesser seeds, and my connection was a bit slow, so it really took time).

The movie is about a young couple whose love was tested with the wife ended up having an Alzheimer disease. The plot was very simple, but it was how the story was presented in general that made the movie very sweet but really sad. Actors were really good, especially the husband. His different facial expressions from the part that he met her to the part of almost loosing her was really shown on his face. Most scenes towards the end would really make you cry from the inside. Though you would know somehow how the movie will end, there are still scenes that are unpredictable, especially the very last scene which will really make you sigh and would make you wipe your cheeks one more time.

I bet Nicholas Sparks is really envious about this film 'coz the movie shows what his The Notebook somehow missed. It was indeed a wonderful movie, worth remembering. A Moment To Remember film marks the fourth Asian film (excluding Pinoy Films) that I watched this year. So far none of them disappoints me. 'Til next great movie experience, have a great Sunday to everyone!

Slice n' Dice

Two weeks of training is over, four weeks more before we hit the production floor. I'm excited but nervous at the same time. I honestly don't feel so confident handling customer's issue yet, there are a lot of stuff that I have be acquainted with first. Hope everything will be covered in four remaining weeks.

While training, I still have time to relax, coz it's not much tiring. And besides we are on a day shift, so my life is normal for six weeks hehe. No more lack of sleep, the only drawback is there is no Night Differential, so my salary is 30% lower compare to what I normally receive. But it's ok, as long as I get to pay my rent and buy personal stuff. Anyway December bonus is just two months aways hehe.

Yesterday I skipped again the drinking session with my team. They know that I don't drink anyway, though it's awkward to always decline their invitation, I don't have much a choice but to turn it down, 'coz it involves my religion and they know it, so I'd rather handle the awkwardness. So me and my fellow agent who chose not to drink went ahead and I invited them instead to try the T-bone Steak in Slice n' Dice. And it was very satisfying. I also like the Stir Fry Kangkong with mushroom. I wish to be going back there sometime and try the other menu.

Me and Queenie with our order T-Bone Steak (with unlimited rice) for just Php 119.00

Bob with beer-float and T-Bone Steak

Stir Fry Kangkong. This has mushroom too, and it's very satisfying for just Php 95.00

I Love Sony

Got a new headset for myself finally after planning to buy one for almost a month. I got a Sony Headset which cost Php 2,500.00, the most expensive headset I have. It's pretty cool that I could put it on the whole day without feeling my ears. I don't even feel it on my head after wearing it for an hour. It really sounds great and works perfectly with my Sony Erickson Walkman phone.

I was planning to buy just a thousand-worth of headset and was eying for Pioneer or Philips. But when I tried the Sony, for some reason, all of a sudden, I decided to buy it, maybe because of my phone which is also under Sony. I feel so attached to Sony Brands now, maybe my next laptop is Sony and I will get a Sony HD TV and Blue-ray player in the future. Who knows?After all it's Sony, one of a reputable brands. We work hard to earn more and to improve the quality of our lives and that should manifest in everything we do, with everything we have. So there is no such thing as expensive, only 'quality'. Good night everyone!

There is nothing so exciting than doing what your heart really desires

I love my schedule this week (day time shift 7am to 4pm). I reached home earlier today 'coz Jigs (our trainer) sent us home 30 minutes earlier, since we finished the module ahead. I was able to skip the traffic and the peak hour for MRT. My head is not aching anymore like yesterday too. Maybe because I slept for more than ten hours last night.

We started with the training in Dell (did I already mention this?) last Monday and I'm really enjoying it. New people, new workplace, new stuff to do everyday, new learning, which means new adventure. It was easier for me to be at ease on training since I'm with some my colleagues from u-verse. The learning environment is comfortable and our trainer (Jigz) seems pretty cool.

Dell is really a tough account 'coz you need to do a hardcore troubleshooting with the customer over the phone, more than doing diagnostic on the problems, you really need to dismantle and reassemble the pc (both laptop and desktop). I honestly know a little about troubleshooting since I worked with old computer units before, but I'm confident that I will be able to learn a lot during the training. So far we were exposed to different computer models and peripheral that we will be supporting. It's really cool 'coz most computers are really new and highly advanced. And as what Jigz said, if you have worked for Dell, it's really a feather on your cup, since it's a big company, and if you do good, any Dell companies world wide can hire you and I'm looking forward to that.

Transferring to Dell was a bit rough for me at first, I had to apply to other company thinking I won't be admitted. I really thought I was gonna be transferred to a Sales account, which I strongly disapproved ever since. But God is really good for me (Alhamdulillah!), He gave me to Dell 'coz He knew it's what my heart wants. That's why no matter how far my place to Libis - Eastwood is, I'm still excited to go to work everyday. There is nothing so exciting than doing what your heart really desires. And as long as you believe that you can do it, there is nothing impossible, just let your self out there and always keep the faith. 'Til next time, great Tuesday night to everyone!

Thank you Sitel - U-verse team.

The end had come. For the very last time, the at&t u-verse team spent time together for a farewell party. Though the last working day was last Thursday, Sitel organized a night for everyone to be together and celebrate the great job that the team accomplished for previous months. It was indeed a wonderful journey for everyone.

Though I don't hangout in a place like pub or bar (or whatever you call it) where everyone drinks alcohol and get drunk, I still joined the team, of course I didn't drink (Audhubillah!) and glad that my supervisors and the team respected that. Actually if there is one thing that I have gained from the team, aside from the skills and knowledge and the friendship, it's their respect for my religion as a Muslim. Though at first they were so surprised that someone like me don't really eat pork, drink at all or even smoke, which is really different from what most Manila people do (despite of their religion), they never made me feel unwelcome and different. Although there are times that there were jokes about me being terrorist or selling pirates dvds (lols), but that was it, I know those were jokes and you can feel that they didn't mean it and it's part of being comfortable to one another.

And during Ramadhan (I spent two Ramadhan in at&t u-verse) where I had to take my breaks so early and sometimes so late 'coz I need to follow a certain time to eat, I didn't need to explain myself much and they just let me observe Ramadhan without struggling, they really made it easy for me (Alhamdulillah). And there are a lot of instances where everyone gets to eat pizza and food for free, and of course it's natural for them to have pork in the menu (which I really understand), my bosses exerted their effort to have a separate food for me that I can eat, which is really very touching. I didn't expect them to do that, not at all, but to my surprised, they did and it was heartwarming, really a beautiful feeling.

There a lot of things that I'm always thankful for, but the above instances are the most important to me, it always has a great impact to me. To my coaches and trainers, from Nathan, my very first trainer, to Coach Melai, my very first coach and my real mentor, both inside and outside work, to Coach PV, to Candy (who always takes care of my locked password, and my trainer as well) down to my last Coach Luther, you guys really rock. To all the RTAs and to the rest of the at&t u-verse team that includes my teams and other agents, thanks to all of you guys. You made my very first call center job very meaningful and full of colors.

It's just so hard to say goodbye, but we say it anyway, not because we are ready to end things at once and put them in the box we call it "past", but because memories are best treasured and well-kept if it's in it and we always carry it with us through times.

Actual pictures during the Party will be posted here soon, enjoy these two photos during the last two days for the mean time

the very last u-verse call in Sitel, taken by Jaime

the whole team posed on the floor for the last time