I Just Opine

It took me longer time to finally decide to join in Glutamax blog contest. Amazing prizes such as Macbook, trip to Hongkong, Nokia 5000, Apple iPod and GlutaMAX products were not enough to encourage me at first to participate here. When I first read this contest even before the deadline is extended, I told myself, this is not for me, it’s only for those beautiful and flawless lasses bloggers, and I am an exception. And then my mind has changed, not only due to the amazing and fabulous prizes but also to share what have changed in me.

Fortunate of me that I did not experience being scorned when I was a kid, I gained everyone’s admiration and highly respected because I excelled in my class and maintained being a top 1. And so alongside this, I had a great confidence to face people even though I was not really a loquacious kid then. I talked less, smiles were the replies I gave to them. I always had been chosen by my teachers to compete in district public speaking contests such as talumpati during Linggo Ng Wika “Mataas ang tunog na likha ng batingaw, tunog na gumigising sa damdaming makabayan, tunog na nagbabadyang naghahanap ang bansa ng isang tunay na Pilipino, Pilipinong magtatanggol sa ating bayan, Pilipinong mag-aalay ng kanyang buhay”, and debate during the Drug Awareness Month, “Silence, said the judge, as he hit the table with the gavel, the stenographer rise and said, People of the Philippines versus Merilyn Postigo, Merilyn Postigo, after studying case of multiple murder and homicide it was found out that all these evidence proved that you have been guilty of multiple murder and robbery, you are sentenced to die in the electric chair, Your Honor, I have but only one request, I wish that my parents be brought here” ooopps, before I finish the whole piece, let me now stop. I believe choosing me to be the representative of our school in various competitions as I mentioned, public speaking contest which helped me hone more my talent, dance – be it folk or modern beat and quiz bee, all these not only honed my skills but it helped me gain my confidence.

But all those started to abate when I was in my latter years in high school, I was not in top 5 anymore when I was in my third year until graduation. I still exerted my best effort to be one of the top students but I did not know the exact reason why I failed. The confidence I had started to diminish, aside from not being a top student but also because I was starting to be conscious of the way how I looked, that I was not as beautiful as my friends, and most of all, I felt that I really was not winsome because nobody dared  to court me. I am not trying to gain sympathy because I know it’s not right but it was really hard to accept that up until now I am still single and never had a boyfriend since birth, also caused my low self – esteem.

I surpassed high school and college years full of thrive and sacrifices but still was a low self-esteem individual. When I graduated college, I told myself I should change my mindset about me, about myself, about how I look. I should not be bashful right, I will be entering a corporate world soon and be an office girl, so I should be smart and confident. I thought it was facile to divert my mindset then, unfortunately, my experience of not finding a job right after graduation and even took almost a year, but I failed, made, me even a selfless and less-confident, plus the fact that I became pimplous at that time because in the span of nine months that I had not find a job, I was a tindera of ihaw-ihaw (bituka ng manok, betamax etc). Who would you think will not have a low self-esteem with those I’ve mentioned (oh, not with selling ihaw-iha, i am proud of that!)? I seldom talked with direct eye contact, I experienced walking my head down. (Hope the pictures that follows show my pimples - too old )

BEFORE - unconfident and pimply

But as days waned, I realized being selfless and unconfident will bring no luck to me, I should continue changing my mindset and not stop achieving what I want. So right after 2002 ended and 2003 begun, I started earning back my confidence, especially when I was hired as an Administration Staff in one of the Japanese companies in Laguna on January 13, 2003. I started building up what had been lost since then, though I remained pimply lass. Being able to pass in several interviews and be chosen and hired among other applicants helped a lot in obtaining back my self-esteem, and I told myself “this is The New Me”, not scared anymore, adamant and stood still, not daunted anymore to face myself and others.

So changing mindset likewise helped a lot, being single and having no suitor nor admirer is not a hindrance to be confident (I have two boys with me to be happy with J, I have my family to be inspired too! ), failures helped me become valiant in taking every challenge I encounter. And also I realized that beauty really comes from within, what I feel inside reflects outside, brings out the beautiful aura in me, so I now face and talk people wearing a smile protruding my left dimple, enough to feel very charming!! Wow, thanks I realized that! Not only I am confident with myself but also proud with what I have achieved gaining back my confidence!

AFTER - the happy and confident me!

This really is The New Me, I started meeting other people that I do not know, I am not afraid to meet them, in fact meeting them was really fun and awesome, they welcomed me in their family, they are the bloggers, famous bloggers!

AFTER - the happy and confident me

And so this is The another New Me, being able to work in one of the country’s top BPO companies, the Affiliated Computer Services, they helped The New Me visit one of the world’s dreamed country the United States.

AFTER - the happy and confident ME!

Too many photos right? That’s proved how fully transformed I am.

And to continue being The New Me, I really am using GlutaMAX products such as the GlutaMAX Lightening Cream and GlutaMAX Lightening Soap. That’s true, I am pretty sure that confidence will be over my head with these new GlutaMAX products, I never thought twice when I saw these in the supermarket. I am sure that these will help lighten my complexion and be pimple free, so worry free, stress free this is really The New Me, proud to be ME! 

“GlutaMAX, See the Results”

Till then,   

Finally, I was able to attend Nuffnang’s event. This was actually for all bloggers who joined in “Century Bangus Fillet, Anytime, Anywhere” blog contest last October 2008. Since I was one of the bloggers who joined in, I attended the winners’ lunch held at West Side Grill Wack Wack Golf & Country Club. I thought I was already late because I was caught in traffic on my way there, it was slated to start at 11:00 am and arrived there at 12:00nn. But then, when I arrived it was only then that the registration begun. I had to participate in their guessing game, there were thirteen ingredients that we have to guess what we those. I am really not into cooking stuff especially that the ingredients were mostly not comment for me. I think what I guessed right were the 3-1 coffee, chili powder and pepper, all the rest I think were guessed wrong, but nevertheless, I still enjoyed the game adding the fact that I was the very first player of the game though I came in late! They were waiting for me actually (lols!)

I had no one with me, and I have seen no familiar blogger there that I met in Blog4Reviews Christmas Party, since I am me, who is now confident of attending a party where I knew no one, I entered the table and chose the second one, then came other four bloggers and sat beside me. I just knew their names hen, the two bestfriends beside me were Pie and Aimee, and the other two guys were Ryan and Richard. The table was for eight persons, vacant seats were waiting for someone, then came the three ladies jovially. When the two went to the rest room after few minutes of sitting, I talked to the one beside me, asked her name, so say hi to Michelle Reyes of BubbleandPink.blogspot.com.

The program has started hosted by a slim lady that resembles Izza Calzado. Speech from one of the Century Bangus Fillet’s Director was heard and introduced the new packaging of century bangus. Aside from  that, there are lots of century bangus fillet products to be launched this year, what I remember among them are the tocino, sisig etc., so watch out for their luscious dishes launching and find it in the market.

Since it was a Century Bangus Fillet Winners’ Lunch (non-winners were there though), and na ah ah, awarding of the winners did not start right after Mr. Leo’s speech, a game called salad making was played first. Various vegetables were chosen by the four team and did the salad creatively and deliciously  with of course the main ingredient Century bangus fillet. Fifteen minutes was consumed and presented the finished products to the four judges. The winning team was the “HAPPY SALAD” (happy because the salad was made as happy face). After the game was one of the most awaiting part – the lunch! And we were amazed that there are so many viands we could do with Century bangus Fillet, so look at the menu though, I loved the tocino and shanghai!

Century Bangus in Creamy Gratin

And the most awaiting part of the event has happened, the presentment of the Apple iphone 3G to the top five best blogs abour Century Bangus Fillet. First calles was a lady from Ormoc (yes she came all the way from Ormoc and personally received the prize), then Richard of LionHeart blog who brought century bangus in Mt. Calaviti mountain who is a nurse also, next was Char (Cher) who ate and brought it during the soccer practice, next was the PinoyMountaineer.Com, but he wasn’t there to receive the prize, lastly was Mr. Juny who did a video during his work’s meeting. Each of them received an Apple iphone 3G, wow!! I wish I won too!! Envious of what Richard – our seatmate had gotten, we just took photo of the iphone and touched it so luck be with us too!

The Winners

The program lasted for two hours, we ended at 2:00 pm and before we left, we got our packager, yes there was a give-away to those who joined in the contest, it was a box with six century bangus fillet. This was my second bloggers’ event, though I did not see familiar blogger faces whom I met at Blog4Reviews Christmas party, (except Jen Espacio and her husband) I was able to meet other bloggers to like Alvin of 7107Reasons, Michelle of BubbleandPink.blogspot.com, her jolly and humorous sister Madel, Pie and her bestfriend Aimee, Aihla, Richard and Ryan.

Co-bloggers Alvin, me, Michelle and Aila

I may not be the winner of this contest, but being able to attend, witness the awarding of the winners, eat their luscious dishes and meet other bloggers would be great enough to be a winner for me! Looking forward to another bloggers’ event.

Thanks Michelle for the clear photos!! If not with you, I wouldn’t have something nice to post here :-) 

This was the first time that I made it getting up early than those past days. I was really sleepless resulting to be slothful waking up every morning. And not only that, I must admit that I really don’t like rising up early, the best time for me would be 10:00 am. The rooster tone always keeps alarming should I stay my eyes closed and I just snoozed it so I’ll have few more minutes dozing. So today I arrived in the office early, it’s domino effect right?

FEPS or the clock in my pc was the first thing I did, opened and replied emails was next and of course checking my yahoo personal mail, typical start of a working person. Let me include persons from the team where I belong. Since we are working on numbers specifically money, we have to stay focused to what we are doing. Diligence, eyes into details and keenness are always observed as we need to carefully account each figures, it’s not like just creating a post like this where grammars sometimes is not perfect, we are getting our stipend in exchange of the ardor we give for the company.

I was hired eight months ago, never did I imagine that my interaction with my officemates especially with my teammates would be awesome. During my first day, I really was reluctant whether or not employees in there will like me, it is my first Manila-based job though, I am a probinsyana of Southern Luzon specifically of Tiaong, Quezon. As days wane, I started knowing each of them (though not all, expect that snobbish people are ubiquitous). Now I can say that we really are working as one.

And there goes my introduction (lols)! I actually would like to share (aside from waking up in the morning) that working with my team is fun, we have different personalities, but despite of that, when we hear the word fun, it really means fun, as in giggle, laughter as in lols that calls the attentions of all employees around, we can never avert that, just trying to make our job fun, job as Accountants and Senior Accountants, they may choose not to do so if they want wrinkles grow in their face.

Work as usual; keyboards pressing as we were typing, wee chatting while working (proves how multi-tasker we are), laughing as Leo and Joseph were joking, walking mile-long door (and when you left it ajar, it will create annoying noise – tototototototot) to get the print outs, others donning headsets as they are regaled by music, that’s how we are. After performing our due diligence working and focusing (we’re focused) on all the reports; reconciliations, payables, intercompany, journal entries, prepaids and sales and use tax, we decided to take our break, it was perhaps approximately 4pm, just so when our supervisor arrived. Joseph took the initiative and asked us to go downstairs (no, not by the ladder, we are situated at 8F) and have merienda in McDo, just located at ground floor. We joined him then, but we went first to SM Hypermarket and bought chichas to nibble and Real Leaf tea to break the ice when we go back to work. Finished buying at SMHypermarket, and we went to McDo. What to expect but a noisy group inside the fast foodchain that called the attention of people around, and we did not mind them, what we wanted was fun and relaxation.

Languid after eating due to incessant chuckles, still aiming to fully unwind and refresh our mind and feelings, we went by the seaside (we’re beside MOA by the way) and felt the strong wind blowing our hair. We brought the real leaf tea as we walked and sat in front of the Starbucks Coffee. Joseph wasn’t there any more, he went ahead back to the office, so we had girl’s talk while drinking Real Leaf tea.

It refreshed our feelings and helped us in our relaxation and unwinding moment. Never feeling exhausted anymore, wide smiles were painted in our faces as we chatted anything and everything. We decided to go back to the office after wee minutes of relaxation. Real leaf tea made the moment more refreshing and fun, it brought back our zest and energy

Being part of CSG Utah Accounting Support team is one of the euphoric things that I must be thankful with. Working with my teammates Leo Solis, Joseph Guillermo, Leo Bueza, Mara Isidro, Karen Allasas, Dina Surigao, Rebecca Malanao, Divina Morales (may I include Dhina Lieva lols) supervise by Arnel Casauay is immeasurable. Proud to be your teammates guys!!!

And I just opine, sometimes we need to go out, explore and look beyond what we normally see every day. Sometimes we have to bring out the childish hearts we have, learn to mingle and be gregarious with people around us. Mind not what others may say, it’s none of their business though, take each moment of our lives special. We don’t need to just work, work, work and forget oneselves, we must also take work with fun, fun, fun and relax, unwind as we maintain our professionalism with childish hearts at times. And don’t forget to bring Real Leaf tea guys, it’s 100% real leaf tea, good for our health, “it’s gonna be good.” I always drink this, it keeps me energized all the time!

Till then,