Things That We Do In Call Centers To Spice Up Our Busy, Or Sometimes Not That Busy, Working Lives

1. We chat. That's right. Even if we already have a call. Assisting a caller doesn't stop us from chatting next to our seatmate. That is what the mute button is for.

2. We eat. Yes, it is okay to eat on the floor as long as the food doesn't smell. From this habit, you will notice that there are two groups of call center agents. Those who keep gaining weight as the volume of calls increase. And they don't care. Anyway foods, or eating, are very effective reliever of stress. The other group is those who live in the gyms. I don't think there is a need for me to explain that further.

3. We play cards. When I was still with Teletech in Lipa, while taking calls we were playing cards. It was fun. So much fun. Of course, that was when the gods were not on the floor.

4. We draw. We draw whatever we feel like drawing as long as there is a clean sheet of paper and pencil handy from Boss Ivor's drawer. When he reads this, he might stop wondering why his pencils are missing.

5. We call each other using the Avaya, the call center phone. Of course that is not allowed which makes it more exciting.

6.  We do coloring. Some of the agents bring coloring books and they color them, of course, with crayons.

7. We drink. That's right. We, or I, bring flavored Vodka on the floor inside my spill-proof mug. That is not allowed which makes it very exciting. The thrill that you might lose your job any moment, that was priceless. If you got caught, from priceless, you become jobless. Err.

8. Talking about other people lives. They, not me, love to talk about who flirts with who, who hates who, who likes who, and all of those who-verb-who's.

9. We flirt. There are so many good-looking people in call centers. So many of us, err, of them. Hey, it is my blog so let us say 'of us', OK? Laughs! So there, you will see him dating her today, then by tomorrow he is dating another her, or a him. Err.

10. We do fashion shows. There are so many call center agents who are so good when it comes to fashion. There are so many beautiful people that to some point, you feel like you are one of them. Really. Some are totally outrageous, like you can't explain what they are trying to express. What era they have come from. Like, oh look, Goku comes alive! How about Piccolo? Err. Name it, we have it.

11. We are one-day millionaire. We earn a lot and spend a lot. That explains it. Many say, I'll start saving money next payday. Two years have passed by, we are still saying that.

12. We do the dirty things. They do the dirty things. I just watch. Laughs!

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Honesty: The Comeback Of Old Issues

The History

When I was growing up, I had a tendency to forget that I was not living with my real father. Papa was like that to me as well. Many times before, when he was introducing me to his friends, he always forgot that I am not his biological son. It was great.

He had a secret story. Now it was no longer a secret. Before he met Mama, he was already married. When he left his legal wife, she was already pregnant. And that kid, as he grew up, was so determined to search for his father. That thing I perfectly understood. There were couple times before that I overheard Mama and Papa were talking about the legal child, because I am the 'illegal' child? Err. I thought it was just fine. If ever that kid would find Papa, wow, instant brother or sister.

Then that kid found him, Papa. I could still remember that night when he (Yes, it's an instant brother. Interestingly we are of the same age.) was there in our living room who couldn't even let five seconds pass by without looking out through the window to see Papa coming home. When Papa finally arrived and very surprised to see an instant grown-up son waiting for him, the show curtains started to pull open.

When that happened, I thought I was happy for them. I thought I was happy that I left the house and strolled around in our neighborhood alone while thinking of my biological father, Mr. Yim. Strange it might seem but I thought I missed him, Mr. Yim. But something was there inside me. Something that was so strong that I could not just ignore. A strong kind of feeling that it felt like I wanted to puke. That time I didn't know what was it. One thing was sure. It was not a good thing. It was like…an omen feeling. A warning. A bad warning. Instantly, my defensive mechanism was alarmed. I didn't think it was all about father-stealing, or worse, family-stealing.

When I got home, there were new instant plans laid before me. Interesting plans but they did not sound so favor of me. I knew I had to do a big adjustment. We needed to work things out. Especially that we had a new family member.

Things at first were just doing fine…on the surface. It was boiling up deep inside. Not my inside. But it was his inside. I didn't know that he hated me so much. Don't ask me how I found out about it. He was thinking that I stole his father. Hello, I was two-year old when his father raped my mother? I know saying all these here seems to be not a good idea. But I feel like I'm gonna explode if I don't do anything. It's too way painful that holding these in, it could kill me. Clueless I was, he was making his wicked plans to kick my ass out of the house. (Sorry for the word but that seems to be appropriate to express the emotion here. Forgive me, please.) Things got so complicated, too way complicated, that I could not give the details here. One thing I could tell here, though. I would never let anyone, not him, to take my family away from me. The war started. (Writing these here, surprisingly it can still hurt me.)

One night, Mama had a serious fight with him, my step-brother. There were screaming at each other, blaming each other. It was never my mother's fault. She didn't know Papa was already married. I was trying to pretend I was not hearing them. If only I could shut my ears that not even the tiniest sound could get in, I would do that. But I couldn't. And I was carefully listening, preparing myself to run if ever it was needed. And my feet found the strength to run. We fought. I was so determined to see so much blood dripping by his face. I felt like a wild animal got escaped from a long-time cage of pains and many more pains. Then I saw Papa who recently arrived from his work, standing by the door. That very moment, my knees got instantly weak. All of the sudden, I felt like a kid who was caught of stealing. Guilt washed over me. I couldn't move. I did not know what to do, or what to say. Do I have to say sorry? What for? He, my step-brother, he packed his things with amazing haste. Before he left, he said something I would never forget. "I could live without anyone, not even a father, unlike some father-stealers in this house!" And he ran away. Papa ran after him. When Papa left the house that very night to look for him, I knew I lost the war. I was a big stupid loser.

I thought that was over.

The Now

Recently I read again his (My step-brother.) text messages in Papa's cellphone. The first time I read his message, I was numb. I didn't know how to react. There were many questions running in my head. How long they have been communicating with each other? Does Mama know? What is his intention? Is he coming back? And many more questions.

Whenever people from work are asking me when would I relocate, I couldn't tell them. I couldn't tell them that I couldn't leave the house because I am protecting my interest, my family. While I have this fear that I might lose again this time. I couldn't just leave the house now. But for how long? When will I have my own life?

When I asked Gracia to do 'it' and she said no, I was broken. Two things. The emotional security and the human need. You know what I'm saying? Every time I feel this beastly need, it's either I rush to get married, or…. It is not the right reason to get married. I know that. My revelation. Signing out.

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Honesty: The Search In The Woods

Last night, I didn't have a shift, I was feeling this desperate need to talk to someone, to a friend. I was trying to sleep for a couple of hours and then pick the yearbook at PUP. Part of the plan was to meet Gracia along the way. I knew that even if she was tired and all that, she would make a time for me. She's always like that. The more she treats me so good, the more I feel guilty. Guilty because I was not able to do the same thing before when she needed me. I think she's stronger than me. Plus the fact that she has enough career troubles to keep her hands full. I am not helping her and so why bother her. I don't want to add to her already busy life. I don't know. I feel like it is not right to say these things here. I am her boyfriend. She is my girlfriend. And I love her. We love each other. But, maybe because of this love, I am always after her convenience. You know what I mean? I don't think she would like reading this. Anyway I was not able to sleep, not even had a chance to pick the yearbook.

I thought of Comy. But he was not replying to my text messages. I thought of Jeff but the idea of telling him about my current issues, or old issues that have a comeback to my life now, seemed not a good idea. Not really judging him but knowing Jeff, I don't think that he could say something to at least un-burden my issues.

Then I thought of Jae Em or Ramon. However, I knew they are really busy with their own lives now and I don't think they were the right ones to talk about it. I don't want them to convince themselves more that I only remember them whenever I have problems.

I thought of Arnel as well. However, with our love-triangle before with Gracia, I don't think he would love to talk to his former best friend and rival. Oh, too much stories. Painful stories. Why life can't just be easy?

So I went to Walter Mart to see Maan. I knew she would be very happy to see me. She works there in Picture City. We had some issues before but those were not important anymore. So I went there. As expected, she was very happy and surprised to see me. It was a little weird to have this small conversation with her while she was working with people, or customers, listening to us. Some were even making some comments. Err.

Before I even started telling her my purpose, she already revealed the news right away. She is two-month pregnant. Quick calculation, they did it way back in December. I knew that part was not important but that was what I was thinking while she was giving away the details, not the 'details' of doing that, you know what I mean.  So how could I get in to her happy world, with his irritating boyfriend who is already married anyway and already had a kid, when jealousy was creeping in? So I waved goodbye and walked away. Bad timing. So bad timing.

I spent some more time strolling around in the mall, hoping to meet someone, maybe an old friend, an old classmate or a schoolmate, or someone I just could talk to. Instead of any of these, there were so many scary and disgusting leeches around that I decided to just leave the cool place. Another failure. So I was there, walking all by myself in Crossing. So sad and miserable. There were people who had their friends with them; did they know how lucky they were? I went to Beanstalk and no one was there.

Hours passed by and there I was, sitting alone while drinking a can of Red Horse, thinking of so many things. I was wishing I could get drunk and forget for a while. That's my problem, I think too much.

I saw a street kid. He saw a whistle from a garbage bag. He was curiously inspecting his newly found toy. He blew it. I wished I could stop or prevent him from doing that because it was dirty. But I saw him happy with it. I felt so sorry for him. I wished I could do something for him. Then I remembered myself. Compared to him, I thought he was luckier. I wished I could find my own whistle that would make me happy. I think I had walked from Crossing to Bucal and from Bucal to Crossing like three times. That way I thought I could lose the tension so that I could finally go home. The bulge in my pants was getting so irritating. End of it was me by the fields, doing it alone. My revelation. Signing out.

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Wanna Join The Blue Stickman Tribes IQ Puzzle!

Last night, as I got on the bus, I tripped off by the door really bad that I knew my warm blood rushed to my face quickly. I tried to ignore it, but the pain was undeniable. Anyway this morning, I remembered Gracia while I was riding the jeep to Calamba. I got so emotional. It was so strange that I couldn't really explain it. I was not even sure if it was a good emotion or not. I just knew that I had never told her, right in front of her, how I love her. These three words seem to be so special that I couldn't just say them away. However, my heart keeps beating these words. And I know I am in love. Or am I dying? No way. We have a promise to each other.

Going back to last week, after I learned about my regularization, the next shift to that, I bought a bottle of flavored Vodka and put it inside my spill-proof mug. I got so tipsy on the first part of the shift. Elve Jane was even joking that I was no longer tipsy but drunk. It was funny. I knew it was not right to bring alcoholic drink on the floor. I just wanted to celebrate a bit about my latest achievement.

I want to join the contest by my new friend Jehzeel H. Laurente which is the Blue Stickman Tribes IQ Puzzle. However I could never have enough time for it, or enough access to it. The prizes are really cool! I was even trying to get some quick hints from Elve Jane but, err, there was no success with that. Hopefully I could find some time or access this week before it ends on February 28. Or hopefully there will be more contests in the future that I could join and win, err.

That's it for now. Need some sleep.

Oops, wanna say this before I surrender to dreamland. Last week Boss Ivor was proud of me. I knew it. Because I am now a blue agent. That's it.

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Versus

Alfred asked me if I am loyal or faithful. I looked at him blankly for some quick seconds while searching for the right answer in my head. I thought of Gracia. Then I heard myself say, “Faithful.” Alfred seemed very satisfied to hear my answer. That one word kept echoing in my head until I returned to taking calls.

When I was in college, one of my favorite professors, Ms. Reyes, explained the difference between the words innocence and ignorance. I remembered her asking why it felt better to be innocent than being tagged as ignorant. Some of us tried to explain it by ourselves. Many had given really interesting answers. Then Ms. Reyes gave away her explanation. Innocence is when you don’t know the things you DO NOT NEED TO KNOW. On the other hand, ignorance is when you don’t know the things YOU SHOULD KNOW.

The other day, I had a call, when I overheard Alfred talking to Elve Jane. He said he was not expecting but hoping. I couldn’t help but to ask him what was the difference between the two words. I can’t remember how he explained it to me. I think he said, when we expect, something is coming. It has been pre-arranged and there are facts that will support that it will happen. It is more concrete and there is assurance that whatever it is, to some point, it SHOULD happen. And when we say hoping, it is more associated with your faith. You are not sure if it will come or if it will happen. You alone are wishing that it WOULD happen.

When I heard that, I came to a realization that hoping is more painful than expecting. It is because in expecting, at least you have a definite span of time to let waiting go into process and you know when it will be over. In hoping, it could be forever or more than forever. You don’t know when the time you should stop hoping. And every day, the pain is swelling until it consumes all the logic that is left in your system. Then one day you would wake up with one question in your head. Why? You search for the reason for hoping then you couldn’t find it anymore. That’s very painful. When you couldn’t remember anymore the reason why you are hoping. Or what you are hoping for.

Now I am a regular employee of Sykes. The second step is over. Now I need to get the third step done. Another waiting game.

I met Gracia last night. We missed Valentine’s Day. I was late. My fault. Not really but it was my fault. I knew she was a little mad already. Like me, she hates the waiting game. But life is full of that, need to deal with it. As time went by, we started filling in each other with updates about our working lives. It went fine. I was hoping that when we took that bus to San Pablo, we would be sitting next to each other. I needed that moment, to be next to her. To feel her, to smell her. No one needed to talk. Just being together would be enough. All worries would be gone. Just us. So unfortunately we had to take different seats. From time to time, I was checking on her. Until I fell asleep. I had a dream. A very quick dream. When I woke up I couldn’t remember it anymore. I just knew I had a dream. And before I woke up I knew I said YES in my dream. When I opened my eyes, I was looking straight right into Gracia’s little eyes and I heard myself say YES.

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Things He Just Said

Disclosure: The following lines were said in different occasions with intense honesty and frankness. Some of it may be a bit offensive to some readers and I do apologize now. Just need to have a record of them.

"At first, they would think I'm gay. And for girls, when they finally knew me, they would start liking me. Some of them even start dreaming, or fantasizing, of me. In their dreams we are both naked. Some of them are starting to fall in love with me. Few of them were a little obsessive. These obsessive ones were the scariest of all. They even tried to hurt me so much because of jealousy and selfishness. My life got so ruined because of them. One lesson is learned. Flirting is both skill and art. When you get in, you should always know the quick way out. And good luck."

"I am not a flirt. I am just being friendly. These are two different things."

"Just few minutes of your time, please. Let me just finish this drink. When the alcohol finally gets into my nerves and reaches my brain and then I'll get numb for any fears because my brain is already floating in alcohol, I know I could finally tell you what is here, what my heart has to tell you."

"I know I could do that, too. A lot better, in fact. It is just that...I don't like doing that."

"I know what you are thinking and I am telling you, you got it so wrong. I know I don't fit in your standards of being a straight guy. I have my own standards and that what matters to me most. I know I'm straight and I don't need to prove anything. I don't live for your standards. You're not even perfect for me to have my standards changed. You're just another crap pretending to be someone better, but hey, wake up! Dreaming is way over."

"You don't need to lose weight to be beautiful. You look wonderful to me. It is just all in mind, the being fat. Don't let those bad people dictate what you should become to fit in their standards. Listen to the good ones...like us!"

"You could be stupid...sometimes. But, please, know when to stop being stupid."

"I don't know how to talk to you."

"There is a beast inside me that makes me become so bad when I lose control. I could be very, very bad. And it is scary. You can't just kill it. Unless I could get into my intestines to look for it, err."

"I am not okay. I know I have to move on but I just can't. Hey, I am human, not a robot, just in case you forgot."

"I just woke up with a hard on. I didn't tell my penis to grow large just because you're lying next to me. Seriously."

"I don't know. Yeah, it seems strange to me as well but I always feel like I am having a bad LBM every time I am with you. I know it doesn't sound romantic but that is how I truly feel."

"Oh, that's a tag. 'Cause I'm for sale."

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So Much Thankful

This week was a big WOW. It was so queuing. Like there was no chance to even breathe some air before the next call. Yes I was from 411 where everyday was always queuing; still it was strange to have these calls in my present account coming in like wild ants. And there are new faces on the floor, the CIT people. They are those who track all the calls about change in terms of many accounts. And because of them, checking has become a challenge. Something seems wrong with this week. It was like my dream about the master Avaya was like an omen.

Anyway, something needs to be celebrated this week. Ms. Shee put me on Aux8, the unexpected break, to discuss something with me. It was so scary. And there, it was about my performance data, from training to production. I failed in some categories like in Attendance and Sales. Some of it were not really my fault but I believe it was a fate thing. Anyway when Ms. Shee revealed my final score, wow, it was very impressive! I am now a regular employee of Sykes Asia! I was so happy about it that I roamed around to tell every people I know about the beautiful news. It was like I was flying around on the floor. Everyone was very happy for me. Then after thirty minutes, I suddenly got depressed. Not that super depressed, just a bit depressed. I think I got a little pressured and there is something else that I could not figure out exactly what it is. Maybe one of these days.

And I want to thank the following people.

1. My family. I love you so much and believe me when I say; it is always you first before me.

2. Gracia. You are always wonderful to me. I owe you a lot and I love you. You are one of the most beautiful gifts I ever had. I don’t want to lose you. Have faith in me. Please. Wink.

3. Comy. My best friend, thank you. My words will not be enough to let you know how lucky I am to have a friend like you. You are amazing.

4. Jeremy. You have done so much for me and the beautiful God knows how I appreciate it. Thank you.

5. My new friends in Sykes. Mine, Cherie, Jeric, and Jaypee. Thank you for the friendship.

6. My team mates, especially the Sanggres. Elve Jane, May, Khai, and Jasmin. I learned a lot from you and I enjoyed you so much.

7. To my trainers from CORE Skills, Jobert, Mark, and Sky. To my trainers in product training, Patrick and Madel. To the L2's, Honey, Hyrum, and Rochelle. A big thanks!

8. And most especially to my two Team Leaders, Boss Ivor and Ms. Shee. Argh, I can’t find the right words but you know I am so much thankful. Thank you so much.

And to my dear LORD, thank You for all blessings for the past twenty-five years of my life. I love You.

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Friday the Thirteenth Extension

(It was written on February 16.)

Monday.

Around 6:00PM.

Just woke up. I had a dream. A very bad dream. It was a scary dream. I was asking Blue if she could check for me. (Check or checking is a process to know if your call is being monitored or not.) Blue just ignored me. It was like she did not hear me. So I decided to check it myself. When I was in front of the master Avaya, the buttons were gone! I could not check! It was the scariest feeling ever I had in my recent life. People in call centers know what I am talking about here.

Around 11:00PM.

I was on my way to the Burgundy Tower entrance when I saw Ms. Agatha and my boss, Ms. Shee, both smoking right there. I said a quick ‘hi’. Ms. Shee noticed I was wearing jeans. I forgot it was Monday, a formal day. To divert her attention, I asked her if she was able to watch Eat Bulaga just that day. She knew it. She knew that Rhea, one of my newest teammates, joined in Sa Pula Sa Puti. It was funny. My plan was successful. I was free to go.

Around 11:20PM.

I got a little confused with my schedule. Something seemed wrong. I approached Ms. Shee to ask her about it. Realization came in. I had a shift last night which I did not know. I had no shift today. In other words, I was on AWOL last night. And take note of it: Perfect attendance for the month of February has a $150.00 bonus. I could imagine my $150.00 flying away. They were flying away from me to a far, far place. Suddenly I felt like floating in the air. Inside my head I thought I heard myself scream.

Now I need to sleep. No more bad dreams, please.

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A Blooper By Mine

Someone had walked out on me. I was hurt but my pride was swelling up that I would never humble myself before her. Besides, it was never my fault. Not a bit.

Five minutes passed by and everything was just fine.

Mine: What did you take in college?

Fernand Yim: Entrepreneurial Management.

Mine paused for a couple of seconds, absorbing what I just said.

Mine: Never thought there was a course like that before. So what did you do? You mean, you…corpse?

Fernand Yim: Err, what?

Mine: Funeral Management, right?

I laughed at the top of my lungs, didn’t care if people were starting to frown at us. I saw Jaypee moved away a bit. Cherie took a sip of her iced tea.

Fernand Yim: Funeral Management? Where did you get that? It was Entrepreneurial Management!

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Taking Notes...

Life is such a complicated thing, that is if you could just call it a thing. I think our emotions (or our vulnerability to emotions) make life complicated. Or is it feelings? Sometimes I just wish I didn’t feel anything. That way I wouldn’t need to think too much and feel like going crazy over the same things over and over again. But being a human, we are so entitled to our emotions. We can’t just deny that it is happening inside us. Anyway that’s where all the known relationships come from.

Just quick notes of what happened last week.

1. I was feeling a bit weak. Don’t know what was with me but something unsatisfied in me that made me a little peculiar last week. I am not sure if anyone had noticed it.

2. Chris was here with Andrei and my brother-in-law Ronald. I was very happy that finally she visited us.

3. Mama finally found a church for us – Jesus the Giver of Life in Canlubang. Papa and Mama went to the service yesterday.

4. Psyche is learning really fast. She is so funny. There was this time that we were teasing her, Nikka Lynn was acting like she would steal Mama from her. She was crying so funny. Then she bent down to pick that little white towel which she used to wipe her own tears! We were so proud of her that we all clapped.

5. Ms. Shee had a quick meeting with us, newbies not counted. It was something about…I don’t know. I think I should not mention it here.

6. I was texting Gracia since yesterday. No reply. I was…I don’t know.

Hopefully I’ll be back soon. I feel like a little lost.

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Sick Week

Starting last Tuesday I was already not feeling well. In fact I had fever already. Wednesday came and it got worse. However, like what I kept telling Jasmin, as a professional agent, ehem, I should report to work which I did. I was moving and walking really slow because I was feeling weak. I couldn’t even eat right. When I took the Raymond bus with a bus number 2088 and plate number EVL991 in Turbina, I thought things would go smoothly that all I needed to do was to enjoy the rest of the trip until we reached Mantrade. However, as if being sick was not enough torture that I still forced myself to report to work, somewhere in SLEX, in Shell Station, the Raymond bus stopped which at first I thought it would be just for thirty minutes the maximum. Surprisingly, hours passed by and we stayed there waiting for another bus to transfer to. And thanks a lot to whomever those soulless thieves of my cellphone that I had no way of contacting anyone that I might be late or something like that. To cut it short, I came to work late for twenty-six minutes. Just four more minutes away from receiving a memo. After all, I was still lucky.

I was considering taking a serious rest on Thursday, (Is there such a thing not-serious rest?), following what Jasmin told me. However, Ms. Shee, I know that her concern was my incentives, asked me if I could go on half-day instead. I thought of it and, yes, I decided to go on half-day instead. Then I had to wake up around 1AM to prepare myself to work because I needed to leave the house at 2AM for my traffic allowance. I needed to take my first call at 5AM. To some point, I felt stupid for going on half-day because it seemed like there was not much difference between going on whole-day and half-day except for one thing, the latter hurts my record.

When I saw that Calamba Bus in Calamba-Crossing going to Lawton, I thought my luck was returning to me. I took the bus. We had to have a stop-over in Alabang which was okay to me. At first, it was really okay to me. When it felt like an hour had already passed by, I started to panic. I couldn’t afford to be late again. My impatience pissed me off. I approached the driver who was so calm and so happy having a chat with the bus inspector. As if they didn’t care if one or two of their passengers were running late. Another passenger was getting so upset already. And you know what, the bus steward was even madder than me or than us? It was as if it was our fault that we would be late for work? Like he was telling us that if we wanted to be really early, we should have got up much earlier than that. Excuse me, I woke up 1AM and you’re telling me it was my fault? That I missed their first trip? Don’t give me that c***. Sorry, I am still pissed off. And I did let that bus steward know that I was not happy about it. I was not letting him to win a bit, and there, the driver finally surrendered and took his seat. You have no idea how hard to hide a smile of victory in front of your…now I am searching for the right term…enemies? Yeah, that was difficult. When I reached Burgundy Tower, the clock showed 4AM. Err, please accept my sorry. Just didn’t want to be late.

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The Movie Date

Tuesday, February 3

Health Status: Had fever but still could walk.

Part 1

Elve Jane: Nan, please tell Blue that we will meet later in Greenbelt at seven.

Fernand Yim: At seven? I thought we would go there right after the shift. (Our shift ends 8:30 am or 9:00am.)

Elve Jane: (Laughing, a lot!) You’re so funny, Nan. Of course not. (And she explained.)

Fernand Yim: I’m not excited, am I?

Comment: And where should I stay for the next ten hours? Err.

Resolution: Alfred offered their Boarding house. Thanks to Elve Jane.

Part 2

At Boarding House.

Disclosure: Alfred and Alex are nice and neat-looking. I am considering them as my friends. And if I am not mistaken, hopefully, they are considering me as one, too. Err. Whatever I am about to say here has nothing to do with them. It is the place I want to make a comment on. OK? Peace.

The Idea of the House: Rooms are for rent, the family of the house lives on the living room. Not only that, the garage is used as a mini-canteen. Very wise.

Description of the House: A couple of double-bed which were full of…things welcomed us. I know that there are some days that we get so busy that it seems impossible to find extra time to keep the house clean and in order. However, the house was in total mess, like there had never been extra time for any cleaning activity in so many years now. If you go across the living room, you would reach the kitchen. And what’s next to the kitchen? The comfort room. And that should be okay, right? Thing is, there is a wide open window reaching the ceiling, high enough for some privacy purposes. It is located just in between the kitchen and the comfort room. I just wonder what if you need to do something else in the comfort room and the cooking is going on at the same time? W.O.O. War of Odors.

Now, the room which Alfred and Alex are renting is just okay. I believe it was the cleanest part of the house. They have three electric fans. The amazing object in that room is the huge TV they have. When I say huge, I mean HUGE! No way that four or even five people will have an easy time lifting that giant TV. It looks fatal to me. I mean, just in case it falls on to your head. Err, that should hurt. Anyway, how could that be possible?

Alfred and Alex left for gym. I was left there alone watching the third season of Heroes, trying to take some sleep. I tried some more until Alfred finally arrived from the gym. In other words, my attempt to sleep was not successful. We went out to meet Alex with Dong and Dianne. We had lunch. I spent another hour in a computer shop somewhere nearby. Then I went back to the room to try some sleep. Alfred played that running water sound and it was really relaxing. If you close your eyes, it feels like you are lying next to a river. And I fell asleep.

Part 3

Two-hour sleep should be enough, somehow. However I was feeling so weak. My bones were aching and I was feeling terribly tired. But that didn’t stop me from watching Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans in Greenbelt with my new friends in Sykes. That was my first time there. I was enjoying every corner of the place while waiting for the rest to arrive. We saw Karen and that guy, her team mate, having coffee date in Starbucks. None of my business, I know. After a sweep of eternity, there came Khai, Blue, and Dede. We had dinner in…err, forgot the name of that restaurant, I think it was Recipe. I had the Korean Barbeque. My personal opinion? It didn’t taste that good. Or it could be because I was sick? Whatever.

After another sweep of eternity, Elve Jane and Jhezeel finally arrived. Oops, I should be careful with my words here or else, my budding pro-blogging career is now finished. Err. Elve Jane is getting more and more beautiful the more I see her. And the two of them look great together. Hey these words now are coming from the honesty of my mouth and heart. Wink. After dinner, we went watching Underworld.

New Discovery: In Greenbelt Cinema, when you buy tickets, you will need to pick the seat number which you will occupy for the rest of movie watching. Unlike in Walter Mart or other malls I had been before in which you could transfer from a seat to another seat as long as long the darkness will allow. Wow. That’s A+ for good observation, Fernand Yim. Lame, I know. Lalabas kasi sa bundok.

After the movie, while walking out of Greenbelt, you need to take note of this, I saw Michelle Madrigal! Of course I did not recognize her right away but I knew she was very beautiful, a lot more beautiful in person and Alex told me it was Michelle. Oops, Gracia, I am just appreciating…

Part 4

We went to High Street to spend more bonding time there. We picked Coffee Beans and Tea Leaf for burning hot coffee! The coffee, which was ridiculously expensive, just like in Starbucks, but failed to even equal to the taste of authentic Batangas coffee, had never satisfied me and it burned my tongue. And I was able to finish it up to the last drop. Err. Am I having some kind of a dual personality right here? We took pictures here and there. And again, you need to take note of this; I finally had a picture with Elve Jane and Jhezeel! I’ll have the picture posted here. So happy about it.

And we went home. I arrived at 2:30AM.

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Waiting For The Wishing Star

By the Sampaloc Lake, San Pablo City.
Starry Night. Cool wind. Silence.

He: I am so lucky. (Pause) Because I have you.

She: Laughs! Why?

He: God is treating me so special because He lets me to have you. (Silence) Remember when you said, it is the woman who keeps the relationship?

She: Yes?

He: I am thankful that you had been so patient, so loyal to me. Even if I wasn’t. You never gave up on me. Everyone had given up; I even gave up on myself. But you, you never stopped believing and waiting for me. Thank you.

She: I did. I gave up.

He: Huh?

She: Just a small part of me. But the rest, she was still waiting and believing.

He: You know what I am thinking?

She: What? Tell me.

Hesitation.

She: Come on. Tell me…

He: Sometimes…sometimes I was thinking that I don’t deserve you.

She: Don’t say that.

He: It’s true. You had been so good to me. You did so much already for me. But I never did even a single thing for you. I hate myself for that.

She smiled.

She: You still have the chance.

He smiled to that. They hold each other closer, sharing the comfort and warmth of love. There is so much for the future. But who cares? It is the present that matters. He thinks a falling star crosses the black velvet sky. Two wishes are whispered. One from him. One from her.

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Happy-Ness

Taking NO For Answer

I did not notice that yesterday was the First Sunday of the month, the Sunday when communion is usually being held at Church. My shift starts at twelve in the morning, the switching hour, which was Sunday already. Then I needed to travel like three to four hours from Makati to Lipa City. I knew I couldn’t make it to the Church. So I just let my little hopes to behave somewhere along the corner of my soul. I asked Ms. Shee if I could go on half-day because it was also the birthday of our Pastor. I told her that it would just be fine if it would not be possible. Our team’s absenteeism has been performing really poor for the first part of the month of January, thanks to Evan who went on consecutive AWOL before he got terminated, and it was not granted. Honestly it upset me but I understood that. I was actually expecting for a ‘NO’ answer. Still, when I heard it finally, that little hope really hurt. But in fairness to Ms. Shee, she really tried to have me on half-day, it was just not possible.

Favor Turns To Guilt

Before the shift started, I asked Dede to take the seat next to me because Jasmin was on RD. I was thinking that because the seat next to Dian was vacant, Dong could sit next to her. I thought I was giving them both a favor. Then it turned out that Dian was alone and lonely on that part of the floor. Suddenly I was feeling guilty. And so was Dede. But it went fine anyway.

Play Me F.L.A.M.E.S.

There was a time that most of the people on the floor were on Aux8 (the unexpected break, arg!) and they were playing F.L.A.M.E.S. on the white board. They were pairing him to a couple of hers and her to a couple of hims. It was so funny, especially when everyone was anticipating the results.

Beautiful Last Minutes

I arrived in Lipa City forty-five minutes before the service ended, my holy luck! It was the special moment when Pastor was about to pray for every one and for every family in the Church. Comy was already holding Gracia’s hand. I joined them. It was so heart-warming. Like all of the sudden, the power of the Spirit going around in the room was drowning each one of us into the Holy Communion. I asked forgiveness once again. I needed to be cleaned. I felt so blessed. I couldn’t help but let my tears fall. God really knew how to comfort me and say, “It is okay. I will never leave nor forsake you. You are Mine.” It was so wonderful. I am running out of words to explain how it really felt. Wonderful. So wonderful. Praise the LORD.

Missing Each Other

It had been weeks when the last time the three of us were together like that, sitting before the table, taking lunch, laughing, sharing funny jokes, updating each other, going from Bible verses to he-is-wearing-so-out-of-fashion things. I missed them. I missed Gracia. I missed Comy.

Now Comy has a new work in Ortigas, forgot the name of the company. He is now an online English tutor. I am so proud of him. He sounded so good when he recited some of those scripts he already memorized. To some point I thought I got conscious and alarmed, he might get so ahead of me if I didn’t do anything about it! Laughs! He is so good.

Gracia has still that deadlines-give-me-migraine tantrum. I kept telling her it was just a preparation for a higher position because she is vey good at whatever she is doing. I am proud, so proud, of her, too.

According to Gracia, Jeff is having some kind of break-up stuff. We got a little worried about him. He is kind of emotional head. Just like me. Actually we are all like that. Arg, laughs! Hersan now texting them. I said why he is not texting me at all? Comy joked that I don’t have a cellphone, remember? Arg, my cellphone…Jerlie is doing so great with her same-old-boyfriend. We are so happy for her. Darwin now has a girlfriend! It seemed like everyone has a couple of news to share. When will be the reunion, anyway? And Arnel, not a news at all.

While on lunch, Gracia noticed Nicalyn, my sister, just near us! Nicalyn was with her two other friends. It was funny. And the day was so beautiful.

P.S.

I already did it before, a year ago. Now it is my second time. Still it scares me a bit. Semi-kalbo. My hair is cut to semi-kalbo. Arg!

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