My Name Is Fernand Yim: September 2008

The Sunday When We Were Four

Yesterday was...I don't know. I can't tell here how tiring it was, yet I was happy to help a friend. I was with Carmelite in Festival Mall in Alabang. We were there to buy hundreds of balloons in different colors! We had some of it inflated already. We also looked for the perfect shoes she had to wear today. We also bought a Teddy Bear from Bear Cuddler. We even had her name customized on the bear's sweater. It was all for her date to win her almost-former boyfriend back! I was impressed with the kind of dedication she had for the sake of 'second chance'. I don't agree with the idea at all but as her friend, I decided to support her anyway. Let us just see what would happen. Now I am curious what just happened? Their date was today after lunch at El Cielito Three-star hotel in Sta. Rosa City. My cellphone just ran out of battery so I am totally clueless.

Anyway this day was so beautiful. It started with me waking up a little late today.

I was running so late for church but that never stopped me from going. I was standing on the bus from Turbina to Lipa. It was not really okay, however, there was a beautiful surprise which definitely made our day so special! Jhe sent me a text message telling me that she wanted to attend the church today! I was all smiles on the bus, really excited to pick her up in Big Ben and went together to the church. We are growing in number! I can't wait for the day that all of my friends will be with us attending church every Sunday. God will do that, I know. In Jesus Name, Amen.

As usual Comy had to have his regular practice with the Musical Ministry. Gracia and

I went with Jerlie in Malvar. Jerlie cooked a delicious sopas. I finished three bowls of it! We had a good time together again. When Comy arrived, we went to Tanauan, in Plaza there was a Korean-style isawan place where we ate again. We came up with the idea about how-to-celebrate-the-birhtday-of-Fernand-Yim, we tried to control ourselves from planning in details so that to avoid any grains of omen. (Wow, what was that?) Anyway let us see what will happen...

Ang Dilaw

Gracia and Jerlie in Tambo

Fernand Yim with Masked Rider Black

First Week In Product Training

Surviving this whole month (Oops, three more days to go!) with my new life at Sykes is something I could claim as an achievement already. Adjustments were a bit tough. Finding the chemistry, or the right chemistry there, has come naturally, though. I am okay. I am happy with it. So far, things are okay. Although schedule and where-to-stay concerns are still a challenge up to now.

Anyway last Monday I was a bit upset. Of course there was a reason to it, however, I better keep it to myself anyway. Now it is Friday, still there is a day in this week that I can't remember. Arg, is it memory gap or something?

Training is okay. I got sleepy most of the time. We had fun. Mine was so kulit, and so was Kris. Cherie was funny. And Lohany? She is the funniest! It never was her intention to be funny, still, she's terribly funny!

There is a plastic toy which looks like a mini-megaphone beside my computer. I was sitting in the front row while Lohany was two rows away from me. Whenever I felt sleepy, I took it and turned around to Lohany's direction and pretended I was a police, asking her to surrender! (Lani, sumuko ka na!) That was so funny!

And there is Mimi! The ghost girl in the training room. Some people are saying that there is a ghost on the floor, she even lingers in the training room, I decided to call her Mimi because it's like 'mamaya' nandiyan na siya to 'mimiya', so it's mimi...ya. There, arg, why should I explain that?

Later today I have to meet Carmelite in Alabang to help her with her date. I feel like a big brother taking resposibility of his little sister here. But it is okay, though.

Next week our new schedule will be 9PM to 6AM. Let's see what else will happen.

Jerlie Finally Works At Teletech

Jerlie is now working at Teletech in Lipa. We are very happy and proud of her. Yesterday after the church service, Gracia and I paid her a visit at their home in Malvar. Around 5PM, Comy finally joined us from his practice with the Music Ministry. Everything went fine, we could feel that Jerlie was so happy about it.

Gracia and I were doing good yesterday. I don't know why but I always feel like high school every time I am with her. Anyway I don't want to rush things again. I would like to take things one at a time.

There is just one small thing that is giving me a bit trouble here at Sykes. I don't want to mention name, though. But this person is really offending and this person is being used by the devil to try my patience. Well, I know I am safe because I have God to protect me all the way.

I am looking forward to better days here at Sykes. (Or better nights.)

The Eleven Funny People At Sykes

>> Thursday, September 18, 2008 – Batch 68

I am still here at Sykes, in the Break Room, we are waiting for 5:01PM to finally log out. We are done with the exams, I got 53 out of 60 items. I got 90% in Mock Calls. My area of improvement is all about confidence. Arg, can't stay focused when I get so nervous! But all in all, everything is fine.

I have eleven crazy, funny people in the training. It is so much fun to be with them. We are so happy for Mine and Jaypee, they both got a perfect score in the Mock Calls.

Lohan is so funny. She is also from Calamba. She always gets lost into her own world. Sometimes she even forgets she is with us, and she worries a lot. And she is a very nice person. We hardly controlled ourselves from laughing yesterday when she was trying to make us guessed "Saving Private Ryan" in Charade. She is so funny! Everytime we remember about it, we can't help but laugh again.

Cherie is nice, too. She always has an interesting lunch with her everyday. And she is a Christian, too. Actually she is a Baptist from Mindanao.

Celica is quiet most of the time in the class. But once you get to know her, she laughs a lot. She is nice, too.

Karla is a little naughty. She is very talented, she is actually an artist. She looks like a kid the first time we saw her. But she is definitely nice, too. You better check out her interesting multiply account. (Click Here)

We love Mine. She is very talkative and she loves her seven cats so much. When she talks, she becomes so lively and...you could see her emotions on her face. She is so funny.

Jeric is from Tanauan. He is a big guy. The first time I saw him was in Friendly Care during the Medical. He likes watching movies a lot, that's why we always win in Charade. He is nice and we have quite the same family story.

The first time I saw Jaypee was during the J.O. at OSMA. He was with Mine that day. I don't have much to say about him because we don't have yet a real conversation with each other. The only thing I can say here is that he likes teasing Cherie a lot, hehehehe...

Sammy, I thought it was only his nickname but it was actually his legal name, is quiet and nice, too. He has a DJ-like voice. He is also from InfoNXX. It is so weird because we both started working at InfoNXX in September last year, however, we both didn't see each other before. Interesting thing about him is that he is a half-Thai because his mother is a Thai. We discovered this when we saw his ID form, there was written the interesting name of his mother.

Gio is one of the two most confident people in the class. (The other one is Kris). He always participates in the class. He has a very interesting fashion sense. I don't know much about him because we rarely talk to each other. But he is nice, too. Oops, he has a british (or is it brittish? How do you spell that?) accent, which reminds me of Macky.

You could never ignore Kris whenever she is in the room. She is so talkative and funny, too. She is a young mother and wife. Still, I find her a little bit childish which I think cute thing about her. Interesting fact about her is that she will be part of, or one of the characters in the third issue of Carpool which will be released later this year. Have to buy one, though.

Rona, or Ron, is also a young mother and wife. She is nice and fun to be with. Hmmm, what else to say...she laughs a lot, (can't tell here why, though). She has funny stories and comments, too.

I know there is so much more to know from these people. Last Saturday, I received a call from Teletech-Sta.Rosa. They were asking me if I was done already with my Medical with them. I was like, uh-uh, as if they told me about this after my application with them. I don't know. Mama was telling me to take their offer instead because it is nearer compared to Sykes. But I am very satisfied with the people I am with now. I believe that is an important factor to consider in this whole new life. I had been waiting for this chance and now that I have this, and enjoying all this, I don't think I could afford to lose it. I am happy and I know, I'll be happier as days go by. I hope we will be staying together for a longer time that God would let us have.

...

About the eightmiles, I don't know. Something is going on that I don't know yet. Gracia is a bit weird. Arg, don't know why. Tomorrow is supposedly a big day for all of us. Thing is, arg, I don't know. Can't find the words to say.

Done With The Mock Calls

I am here at Sykes, now done with the Mock Calls, later today we will have our written exam. So far things are doing good. Still there are adjustments to make. Anyway I believe something is going with Gracia. I have a feeling that she is avoiding me. I have some vague ideas but I don't want to give details about it.

Last night in Alabang, I was with Lohan. I had a funny experience with a pickpocket woman. I felt something weird going on with my bag and when I turned around I saw this fat lady who looked calm and dared to ask me, "Why?"

I had a very weird response because, after I made sure that my phone and my wallet were still inside my bag, I just laughed at it and walked away.

That's all for now. By the way, wish us good luck!

Where Should I Stay?

I am still having some little problems about where really to stay, will it be here in San Pedro or in Calamba? I don't know. I can't really decide.

Here, it is faster to get to work so that means it is less tiring (only if there is no traffic or if it is not raining). I also have the chance to use free internet connection. Tita Sol is also very active member of their church which is a good thing, especially now that I want to grow more spiritually. However, I miss my family a lot, especially Psyche. I also have made a promise with the milers about us going to Jesus Christ:To God Be All The Glory in Lipa every Sunday.

In Calamba, it takes more time for me to get to work. But I feel so comfortable with evrything there. I can do anything I want at anytime.

Financially speaking, I think I can save more if I would stay here in San Pedro. Now I really don't know what to choose. I wish I could do something about it as soon as I can.

...

About my first week in Sykes, it is super okay. I really enjoy my batchmates. They are funny and cool. Everyone is nice. I am happy and thankful that God has given me a new life to live with, and the people are amazing. I think I am loving every moment of it. I wish nothing like what happened before will happen again. I think what happened before should stay there, in the past. What if someone knows about it? I don't think there is something to worry. Besides, it was never my fault.

Gracia Made A Drawing Portrait Of Me

This would be me in the far, far future according to Gracia.

My New Life With Sykes!

Things are moving so fast and beautiful, still challenging especially when it comes to my financial needs. We were told that our first salary is scheduled by the last day of this month! Wow! How would I survive that? Well, thanks so much to my dear friend Comy. (Bro, you are so amazing!)

The NEO (New Employee Orientation) was held just last Monday. We had fun with RJ, the facilitator that day. I met a lot of new good people. But before that, let me tell some things about the Sunday before NEO. I went to church in Lipa with Gracia again. It was becoming now a beautiful habit and I like it so much. I have a chance to bond with my friends (Gracia and Comy) while I enjoy the chance of growing spiritually.

Gracia and I were actually late that day to the service but it went fine. She was getting more beautiful each day I met her. After the service, Gracia and I went to, ehem, where else? In Robinson's. She had this strange craving to eat in the Food Court which what we did. Of course, it was still Gracia who took charge in paying our meals. Arg, it was totally embarrassing! The plan was after a couple of hours, we would see Comy again in their practice in Tambo. However, some changes happened after I received a message from Jerlie. She was asking if we could meet that day. It was a beautiful surprise that both Gracia and I were so excited about it.

Actually we ate a lot that day. It was fun. The three of us (Jerlie, Gracia, and I) went to Comy's practice. Gracia was so disappointed when Comy declined her hiling. But before we left Comy, we made a big time plan to visit Hersan on the third Saturday of this month. So what happened, the three of us spent the day together.

After that, Gracia and I still attended the church anniversary concert in which Jeff would be performing that day. It was not easy to keep up a happy mood especially when Gracia and I were on the bus to San Pablo because I was worrying a lot about where to get my baon the next day, my very first day! Gracia noticed that as always but I refused to give her the real reasons, hoping not to upset her as well.

In the church where Jeff would be performing, we never had a chance to talk to him. He was already on the backstage, preparing for the concert. It was fun and, entertaining to some point seeing your friend up there on stage performing good music. Both Gracia and I were disappointed about it because they were singing non-spiritual songs which we both believed wrong. We were expecting that since it was a church anniversary, it would be purely praise and worship.

We only were able to finish the first half of it because we had things to do the next day, Gracia had her work, me had the NEO. It is disappointing that I didn't hear anything from Jeff until now about it, knowing that he knew that we went there for the sake of supporting him. If I am weird, Jeff is extra-ordinary type of weird person.

---

Last Monday was good. I had fun with NEO. After the shift which was around six in the evening, I was looking for Comy somewhere on Valero St. It was an adventure hide-and-seek thing which what happened to us! It was so funny and a liitle frustrating! It was raining a little bit and the thunderstorms were so loud. And there I was, calling Comy's name, not giving a care if people thought I was crazy. But I had to see him. Again, it's utang thing. He even treated me a good snack at 7-11. It didn't stop there, he even had me had a ride with one of their vans going to Pacita. He paid for my fare. It felt so good that I have a friend like him. Too bad that because of the rain and traffic, I arrived at around eleven already.

Tuesday was good. We met Jobert. He was fat and nice. I was actually feeling so haggard that day. I hated my hair, my pants, my shirt. Then after the shift I went to Calamba instead. I missed my family so much, especially Psyche.

And today, it was fine. I met Comy again and you know now why....

Thanks, Comy!

To God Be All The Glory Part Two

The Sykes Experience

After the ACS Experience, I was letting God to do whatever He wanted to do in my life. It was so emotional, and I was loving every second of it. It was an overwhelming process. I realized so much things. Still, I was not talking to Nicalyn although I had forgiven her already. I was missing her already. But I refrained from talking to her because I believed that she had to learn something and that was to respect me as her brother.

Jeremy was the only one I had a communication with and I was thankful with that. I couldn't tell anything to any of my old friends about what was happening especially the eightmiles because I felt so ashamed. I didn't want to run to them and tell them again the old story. I was getting sick of telling it over and over again. Because of this, I refused to talk for some times. And I spent my days in Prayers.

Until Saturday came. I had to wake up really early because I had to pay the electric bill. I saw the announcement along the way in Halang about a jobfair by Sykes. I was reluctant to give it a try because Chris was from Sykes where she got terminated. Until early in the afternoon that day I finally decided to take the chance since that I wouldn't spend that much money with it. Actually I could walk from there to home. I quickly prepared myself, went to a computer shop to have my resume printed, then I went there.

When I got there, the security people told me that it was already over. I was like two hours late already. Not a good news, I know. But I couldn't just stand there and let my resume get wasted. So I went inside, looking around. There was this young lady who approached me, asking me if I was applying for a job in call center. After saying yes, she told me that they were already done but she could still give me a chance with the interviews, not with the HR Test or the written exam. I said it was fine. To cut it short, I passed the initial and the final interviews that day. They asked me to go to their office for the HR Test in Makati the next Tuesday(September 2).

I felt so good about it but I was not letting myself to get over-excited.

The Second Sunday

Last Sunday I attended the church service again at Jesus Christ:To God Be All The Glory in Lipa with Gracia. The topic was about the revelation. It was fine and I felt a lot stronger that day. Gracia and I were not able to accompany Comy to his practice because they were having a special meeting for their church anniversary next month. So Gracia and I spent the day with each other. We talked about many things, some confessions, both spiritual and emotional things.

Then Gracia and I had to meet Comy because Comy would lend me some money so that I could go to the HR Test in Makati. Actually Jeremy was so good offering some help but I refused. He is so nice but I felt that, even though I didn't want to, it was like I was taking advantage of his kindness.

When I got home, I was decided to say sorry to Nicalyn because I realized I hurt her as well. And I needed her forgiveness. I was so shy to approach her and tell her about this. So what I did, I bought her a chocolate drink and pasted a note on it saying, "Panget! I am Sorry."

When I got a chance to give that to her, she was surprised and so happy about it. We were hugging each other, saying sorry and love for each other. I was embarrassed with it, I was blushing! We were laughing about it then I ran up to our room and tried my best to sleep right away.

The HR Test

I was trying my best to spend the money I had a lot wiser para mas tumagal pa ito. It was not an easy job. When I got there, I was trying to control my excitement. And it was so beautiful that I made it! I met Eden again, the HR Representative in jobfair. She gave me instructions about the requirements and where to go.

I didn't know where to get the next money I would need. So instead of going home, I went to San Pedro in my Tita's house to ask for some help. They were laughing after finding out about what I needed. That was us, we just laughed at anything. She didn't have money that time but Kuya Roldan did.

Kuya Allan wanted to see Psyche so we went to Calamba. In the jeep, Teletech-Sta.Rosa called me, asking if I was still interested because they were giving me a job offer by the end of this month. I was so surprised and overwhelmed by the power of God that time. It was like everything I was praying for was coming to me all at once. I am very thankful.

And Today...

Last Wednesday, I was done with the requirements. I saved some money with me so I could still pass them later today. I am so happy and still careful not to lose this gift from God.

To God Be All The Glory

My life has gone a big and very important transformation these last two weeks. And I couldn't thank the good LORD enough for all the beautiful things that He let happen in my life now. It is true that nothing is impossible with God, and when God performs His works, I am always left in great awe. Let me write everything here in as much details as I can remember.

The First Sunday

After the Canlubang Bridge Prayer, on August 24, I attended the church service at Jesus Christ: To God Be All The Glory in Lipa City. I was with Gracia and, of course, Comy. It was a beautiful day. We were welcomed with the warmest smile and sweetest words of love. It was like coming home after so many years of being astray in the wilderness of the world. Gracia and I couldn't keep ourselves from smiling. There were members who were sitting from the farthest part of the room and yet, they still came to us to say their hellos.

It was really amazing because the Word of God that day was about Bitterness. It felt so like, "Hey Fernand, you've got to listen!" Comy, Gracia and I were giggling on our seats because we could relate so much to the lesson. It was like the Pastor was talking to me, telling me this and that. It was so good. It was like God had sent me there to hear His message that was so timely. That was also the first time we saw Comy perform on stage, but I managed not to put my attention to that but to the songs of Praises.

After the service, Gracia and I accompanied Comy to their musical practice which was held at the Pastor's house. It was nice listening to their singing and playing the guitars and drums. We also had our lunch there. The practice ended around 3:30PM.

Then Comy, Gracia and I went to Robinson's in Lipa. We were playing and teasing each other while commenting on every funny and interesting thing we saw in the mall. we also talked about the other milers. We ate cotton candy, took picture while eating it. We also passed by the Teletech Main Door where Gracia took a picture of me while the Guard was shooing us away! It was so funny. We ate in Mr.Donuts where the mall activity center was located. It was so exciting because the famous band Hale was there as well to promote their current album with a mini-concert.

After that we went to Tanauan to eat siomai! It was sad that we had to separate our ways going home. And before I forgot, Gracia paid for all my expenses that day including my bus and jeepney fares. Funny thing was this, I was so shy to ask Gracia P8.50 for my pamasahe from Crossing to Bucal. So I had to walk home. But itr was fine. I also needed that walk to think over again about some things in my

life.

The ACS Experience

After that Sunday, I received a call from ACS in Lipa, inviting me for an interview scheduled the very next day. I said yes and was excited about it. As the day went by, money again was the problem. Papa didn't have the money for it. So I sent a text message to Kuya Allan, not really expecting for his reply but he did! So I had to go to San Pedro that day. I was not able to sleep that much there. I went home as early as four in the morning.

To cut it short, my application in ACS was smooth and so fine. I had some acquiantances. When the result was about to be revealed, I was filled with so much hope and anticipation, I couldn't even breathe properly. It was like any moment I would explode. I kept praying and praying. I was very confident that I did so fine with it. Actually I believed that was the best performance I ever had in all the applications I had recently. I was excited about telling to Gracia and Comy, and of course, to my family that I finally got a job! But the result was not what I was hoping for, praying for. I didn't qualify to the current account. "Almost there" as what they liked to say. So they offered me a different account which was still under negotiation witht he client. In other words I had to wait for indefinite date. And I am telling you, it is not a good feeling to be left hanging somewhere between hope and depression.

Believe me that I was feeling fine after hearing the result. I was actually trying to cheer up the other applicants who ended up like me: Reserved Agents. It was already late and I was so hungry, felt like I could eat a whale. While walking to home, I was rehearsing the words I would tell Mama. I was already disappointed with myself and I didn't want to upset her more. But when I finally arrived at home, everyone was already sound asleep except Nicalyn who was reviewing her lessons.

Wala halos kanin at wala pang ulam. May isang sardinas. Pero alam ko na ulam yun ng mga bata para kinabukasan. Pero may P20 pa ako. Naisip ko na hindi naman siguro masama na buksan ko na yun at kainin. Hindi ko naman yun uubusin. Tapos ibibigay ko na lang yun P20 para makabili pa sila ng isa pa para bukas. Ang sama ng loob ko na maya't maya ay nagre-react si Nicalyn. Alam mo ba yun bawat subo mo ay may ganun sa halos tabi mo. Ang bigat na ng loob ko pero sinusubukan ko pa ring knotrolin ang sarili ko. Sinubukan ko na mag-explain sa kanya kaso binara na niya ako. Sa sobrang sama na marahil ng loob ko, sa pagod ko, sa resulta ng appilcation ko, nagalit ako. At may bagay ako na nasabi na labis kong pinagsisishan at nasabi ko.

Sabi ko, "Sana lumaki yang bukol mo sa dibdib mo at nang mamatay ka na!" Pagkatapos nun, umakyat ako sa taas,pumasok sa isang kuwarto, nagkulong ako sa loob ng built-in cabinet at doon ako umiyak ng umiyak. Ikinahihiya ko ang aking sarili sa nasabi ko. Natakot ako. Humungi ako ng tawad kay Yahweh sa nasabi ko. Nakatulog ako sa kaiiyak.

The next days after that were plain and...nothing.

To be continued...