trabajo

A few days ago, my girlfriend asked me why I still haven't written anything about my job. I told her it's because I've nothing to say about it. I wish I were doing something like reviewing the newest resort in the Indian Ocean, or perhaps tending to injured Tapirs in South America, or even starring in the newest West End musical. Trust me, if that was the case, then you'd hear nothing else from me but my job.

I am a Night Supervisor in a four star hotel in Kent. Emphasis on the word night because although I pretty much do the same things as a normal supervisor, I, however get to deal with a diffrent breed of guests. Drunk guests. And man I hate them. Kara, one of my staff, told me that I should loosen up and just laugh at them, after all they're drunk and just having fun. Well, I am all for laughing, but when they start acting obnoxious, I get really wind up.

Excellent customer service tells you to just be patient and not take them seriously because they're not thinking clearly. And that's precisely why I can't stand them. When sober, I'm sure they are rational but once their alcohol levels reach a high point they act all stupid. And I hate it. They have a valid excuse for acting stupid. I don't. I can't smack them in the head, hit them in the gut or even scoop their eyeballs out! It really is a wonder why they haven't fired me yet. Hehehe!

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Last night, my boss talked to me and told me I have to do a performance review for my 2 staff. He added, that I need to discuss with them career possiblities and a development plan for them to achieve their work goals. I like it when people ask me to do grown up things. It makes me feel responsible. But having said that, it won't stop me from moaning about my job. I mean, that's more work!

belat- ed

It was a feeling I could not forget. On my first year in college,the UST Growling Tigers won another championship title against the La Salle Green Archers to complete it's legendary four-peat record. I, together with at least 10 of my classmates finished our finals exam in Chemistry in 15 minutes so we can rush to Araneta to catch the deciding game. Nevermind that I was just doing a Nostardamus (hula-hula ng sagot), I just wanted to get the exam done and over with so I can rally behind my school's team.

The Araneta Coliseum was packed by a multitude of gold and a throng of green supporters. It was crazy! As a probinsyano, I was ovewhelmed by the whole experience. I was excited and at the same time nervous because it was a tight game. If I'm not mistaken, it was Angelo Velasco who sealed the win for the Tigers. And when the buzzer sounded, the Thomasian community erupted into a frenzy. It was crazy!

Naturally, a year later everybody expected the Tigers to win again. But it was not to be. Year after year, the team struggled even to be in the finals. Until about a week ago.

After 10 years, the Tigers defied all the odds by defeating perennial favorites; the Ateneo Blue Eagles; and showed what champions are made of. It was indeed a Cinderella story. I'd be the first to admit, i know no one in the team because I've been away for a few years. Despite that, I salute coach Pido and the whole team for a job well done. The championship was really well deserved. Ours may not be the strongest and the best team, but you guys showed a lot of guts and fighting spirit. And for that, all Thomasians, home or away are proud of y'all!

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I am such a terrible cousin for forgetting to wish one of my favorite-st cousins, Lorraine a very happy birthday! Don't worry, you'll get it all. Just not everything at the same time.

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Also, best wishes to my cousin Lala and her husband, Pen who tied the knot last Sunday. May you guys live happily ever after.

i'm sooo happy, it's wicked!

Maintaining a long distance relationship is hard. Making a 6,000 mi relationship work is even harder. So imagine my delight when my missus flew over from the arid Arizona desert to visit me here in the Garden of England, Kent.

Here is a video collage taken from our visit in Wales, Somerset and Wiltshire.

I am sooo happy. It's wicked!



On Wednesday we'll be off to London. I can't wait.

toilet confessions

"Yes, I am one of them. I read in the loo."

Upon hearing my revelation, my flatmates started their tirades against me. Unbelievable, disgusting, a sacrilege and unholy were some of the words they used as they persecute me for being guilty of doing something disgraceful. I should be ashamed, one of them said. For a couple of minutes, I sat still on the couch as I listen to them rattle on non-stop. Their words piercing my chest like arrows from a battalion of elves.

Before you start typing obscenities and crucify me for committing something distasteful, hear me out first. Please.

Like most of y'all, I believe reading is such a great thing. I also believe that we can only learn so much. And that most of the time, we won't come upon the truth when we don't do anything. Sometimes, we have to read those boring and dull compilations of printed pages to learn something new and discover something different.

It was The Alchemist that started it all. Paulo Coelho's fable about following your dream is as powerful as it is inspiring. I was an instant fan. And immediately after reading it, I longed for more. Soon, I met Kurt Vonnegut, Jack Kerouac, Truman Capote and many others.

I can read anywhere. Dim lights don't bother me. I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at four in the morning with very little light. As a result, I'm now wearing glasses. The poor road conditions of Mindoro did not stop me from finishing Da Vinci Code in sixteen hours as I journey from Manila to my hometown. Having said that, I don't see any reason why I can't read in the loo.

The toilet, and I can say this with utmost honesty, is one of my favorite places in the house. Other than my bedroom, it is a place where I find peace. With its immaculate white walls and gleaming tiles, I consider it a sanctuary. Shoot me for saying this, but I actually think, it was a wonderful idea reading One Hundred Years of Solitude while sitting on my throne.

Besides, how many of us can take pride in saying, we've shared a toilet with Albert Camus, F. Sionil Jose , Banana Yoshimoto, Isabel Allende and Bill Clinton?

where is the love?

The love my friends is in Pinoys like me who are proud of Pinoys like Apl.de.ap. Who in spite of being a member of the world's hottest pop/funk/hip-hop group, the BlackEyedPeas, never forgets where his heart is.

Click on these links and be proud to be one of the Lahing Kayumanggi!

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