Having taken Marketing Management classes back in junior year made me think that maybe I could make my very own SWOT analysis of myself. Made me realize a lot about myself. Hehe.
SWOT Analysis: Angel
Strengths: Corny jokes, Bringing Smiles, Creating Music, & Stalking
Weaknesses: Sports, Matters of the heart, & Shutting-up
Opportunities: Have friends and family for love and support
Threats: Rice and Men that make life more complicated. Go figure.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet Angel=)
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Friday, June 16, 2006
First Day High
For the whole summer, I had nothing in mind but getting a job ASAP. I went all around Makati and Ortigas to drop resumes and try my luck in just about any company I get interested with. At the beginning, it was very disappointing because I got rejected by the media agency that I really wanted to get into (never even got an interview! must have failed the exam). It got more disappointing because I never get callbacks from most agencies that requested me for an interview (therefore realizing the fact that I'm not meant for the advertising industry). What's more, after passing the exam of a multinational company (thus giving me an opportunity to go on with the next step-- the interview), I receive an email from this company, saying that I am not fit for their company, that after reviewing my resume, I am not what they're looking for.
Little did I know that I would end up with "fish" and "tuna" written all over me. After a long period of waiting, I received a call from a company I didn't even remember giving a resume to. I decided to give it a shot (didn't even know the opening I applied for!) and show up for the interview and the exam a few days after. Eventually, I found out that the opening was for an International Sales Officer, and the first thing that came to my mind was, "Wow, makakatravel ako pag nakapasok ako dito!" True enough, I did. I guess I made a statement during the panel interview, or maybe I did well in the exams.... Or maybe, the job was just meant for me.
And so, today was my first day at work. Like most people would say, first day of work would be boring. You'd pretend to do something or keep yourself busy just because everybody's doing so. Actually, I was busy during my first day... busy interviewing everybody in the department. For my first day "high", I had to get to know everybody (All the ate's, kuya's, sir's, and tita's... shempre ako ang baby! hehe!) to give me a glimpse of the how everything works. This required me to bring out the Kris Aquino in me, and sure it was effective! I found out so many things about my officemates that it felt like I knew them for a long time already. I guess I was just lucky to work with people like them because it's rare to find people whom you can really relate and effectively communicate with. After a whole day of interviews (finished around 330), I did my favorite pastime..... surf the internet. But it wasn't just the usual surfing. I found myself surfing for tuna. =)
Can't wait for tomorrow!!!=)
Little did I know that I would end up with "fish" and "tuna" written all over me. After a long period of waiting, I received a call from a company I didn't even remember giving a resume to. I decided to give it a shot (didn't even know the opening I applied for!) and show up for the interview and the exam a few days after. Eventually, I found out that the opening was for an International Sales Officer, and the first thing that came to my mind was, "Wow, makakatravel ako pag nakapasok ako dito!" True enough, I did. I guess I made a statement during the panel interview, or maybe I did well in the exams.... Or maybe, the job was just meant for me.
And so, today was my first day at work. Like most people would say, first day of work would be boring. You'd pretend to do something or keep yourself busy just because everybody's doing so. Actually, I was busy during my first day... busy interviewing everybody in the department. For my first day "high", I had to get to know everybody (All the ate's, kuya's, sir's, and tita's... shempre ako ang baby! hehe!) to give me a glimpse of the how everything works. This required me to bring out the Kris Aquino in me, and sure it was effective! I found out so many things about my officemates that it felt like I knew them for a long time already. I guess I was just lucky to work with people like them because it's rare to find people whom you can really relate and effectively communicate with. After a whole day of interviews (finished around 330), I did my favorite pastime..... surf the internet. But it wasn't just the usual surfing. I found myself surfing for tuna. =)
Can't wait for tomorrow!!!=)
Monday, May 29, 2006
On Firsts and Lasts.
What a day.
My day started with my last driving lessons, and in fairness, my engine only went out once. From my last class, it was such a disaster! I felt useless on the driver's seat because my teacher was the one who basically did everything from the steering wheel to the brakes. My only control was the clutch, which I wasn't very good at. Surprisingly, I was more focused today, and I maintained an average speed of 25km/h.... I conquered EDSA and the small streets of Pasig. BUT, I lost my focus when we were uphill... in Robinson's Pioneer. hehe.=)
But then, maybe, this happened for a reason. Perhaps Master was destined for greater things, and we're destined to learn from this. For sure, I'll miss chorale A WHOLE LOT, and I'll miss the kind of love for music Master wanted us to have like him. I'll definitely miss vocalizing and singing like everything's all right. I'll miss the after-chorale bonding sessions, all the silly talks we'd have of divicis and SATB's. I never thought of the immense impact the chorale had in my life until now. I feel like losing a big part of me, at the same time, I feel gaining so much from this. Master has taught me to stand up to what I believe in, to stay committed and dedicated to things I love doing. In case Master reads this, I'd like to say THANKS, once again, for being a teacher, mentor, and an inspiration to all of us.
My day started with my last driving lessons, and in fairness, my engine only went out once. From my last class, it was such a disaster! I felt useless on the driver's seat because my teacher was the one who basically did everything from the steering wheel to the brakes. My only control was the clutch, which I wasn't very good at. Surprisingly, I was more focused today, and I maintained an average speed of 25km/h.... I conquered EDSA and the small streets of Pasig. BUT, I lost my focus when we were uphill... in Robinson's Pioneer. hehe.=)
After driving, I decided to give myself a reward. Before heading off for some interviews (some racket I temporarily needed just to get money hehe), I passed by Chocolate Clothing Co. in Mega. Turns out Havaianas had tons of new stocks in the store, and I was overwhelmed by the colors and the designs. I've been wanting a pair for the longest time, but I wouldn't dare purchase one with my own money yet. I think I'd rather buy shoes than buying tsinelas. I also have a hard time choosing which one to buy, with so much choices available to feast on. I can't decide if I should buy brown, pink, yellow, or the printed Havaianas! But today was a different story. I ended up buying one in metallic fuschia pink. Technically, this is part of my brother's "graduation gift", most of which I spent on shoes and slippers=) Also, I figured that I really wanted my slippers in fuschia pink, perfect for almost any attire I have in my closet. Oh, I just love my Havaianas=)
... And then we had chorale. Today was also our last rehearsals. We tried to keep a happy atmosphere despite knowing that it's actually our last rehearsal as the UA&P Chorale. We'll also be having our last concert tomorrow, Sanctuary, in Philam Life Auditorium. Anyway, rehearsals ended in a very dramatic way. Master gave out a few words, while we had an AVP for him and a few messages. Being my vocal self, I decided this was my chances of thanking and saying sorry to Master for not giving my best. I ended up crying..... Heck, everyone was crying. Chorale has already been a ritual for me (for everyone too), and ending it this way was too painful. It was so sad to see Master leave just like that. And I felt a bit guilty realizing that I missed so much of rehearsals and concerts, not making the most out of all of these.
But then, maybe, this happened for a reason. Perhaps Master was destined for greater things, and we're destined to learn from this. For sure, I'll miss chorale A WHOLE LOT, and I'll miss the kind of love for music Master wanted us to have like him. I'll definitely miss vocalizing and singing like everything's all right. I'll miss the after-chorale bonding sessions, all the silly talks we'd have of divicis and SATB's. I never thought of the immense impact the chorale had in my life until now. I feel like losing a big part of me, at the same time, I feel gaining so much from this. Master has taught me to stand up to what I believe in, to stay committed and dedicated to things I love doing. In case Master reads this, I'd like to say THANKS, once again, for being a teacher, mentor, and an inspiration to all of us.
UA&P Chorale @ NAMCYA 2005
"For as long as I have music,
As long as there's a song for me to sing,
I can find my way, I can see a brighter day,
The music in my life will set my spirit free!"
-As Long As I Have Music
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Off to Driving School! Part 1
Since I was 18, I've been bugging my dad to make me take driving classes. Although I don't have a car or anything, I knew that someday I'd have to face the "terror" of learning how to drive, and I wanted to get it done and over with. For two years, I have constantly brought up the topic over dinner but I was never successful with it. He would tell me how he wouldn't see me anywhere in the house because I'd already be off somewhere else. And as my dad would like to say most of the time, "_________ can lead to many things, therefore watch Star Wars!" (labo.)
So finally, after the very long duration of pleads and "sige na dad!'s", I was able to convince him that I should learn how to drive. What better reason than to say that it's a required skill for a good job in sales? Of course, he would want that for me too.... He had no other choice.
That's why last week, I enrolled for driving classes at A1. From the moment I got my student's permit, I already had my own share of boo-boos and embarrassing moments.
Boo-boo #1: Cause I'm Only Seventeen!
From the moment I got in the driving school, they asked me if I was only 16. I didn't know if I would be happy about it or not! My exact words were, "Hindi! 20 na ako! Kaya siguro hindi pa ako nakakakuha ng trabaho." They ended up debating why I looked younger. Someone said it was because of the headband, and the other lady said it was because of my bangs. Now she wanted to have bangs like mine. haha. And just when one of their officemates came in, they let him guess how old I was. Although it could be seen in another perspective (being a compliment), I just couldn't help but be embarrassed by it.
Boo-boo #2: Click!....Ay, Wala Pala!
After that some kinda funny incident at the driving school, we headed off to LTO in San Juan. II was not my usual self in the car. I was really quiet because I was with two other girls who kept on talking about accounting and all these liabilities and budgets I was allergic to. It was actually a struggle for me to listen to them for 15 minutes. When we got to LTO, we still had to wait for another 15-20 minutes to get our pictures taken. After a few trips to Yamin-land thanks to my ipod, I was finally called for my picture taking. I was really excited because I already wanted to go to the mall and go window shopping after. But I didn't expect that it would take me 15 minutes more. When I got to the photo booth, I was my usual happy self. I was already posing even if they didn't tell me to do so yet. Perhaps the webcam got scared of me because just as the camera were about to say "Smile!", the camera got busted. We tried and tried again, and still, no "flash" from the camera. They told me to take a seat again and wait for another 15 minutes. When I got back, it took another 3 tries before the camera took my picture.
Boo-boo #3: Para!!!!
I was really excited and tensed for my first driving classes because this was my first time to actually drive a car. Kuya Serge, my teacher, decided that we do some practice driving in Gold Loop because there were less cars and it was perfect for the lesson, since I would still be sticking to first gear for that day. So there I was, in first gear, going round and round Gold Loop until someone told us to stop. Apparently, we got caught by the police who was just looking for some money to eat. He told us that we were not allowed to practice in this area because we were "obstructing traffic". So much for the last 3 cars we saw in Gold Loop. I got really pissed with the policeman and just gave him my student's permit and my teacher's license. After taking a look at it, he decided not to give us a ticket because I lived just around the area. Weird, yet unsuccessful for him. Buti nga.
These experiences made me realize how I'd rather commute and walk than drive a car. It feels weird to get caught by the police. It's like you've done something really really bad. Driving is such a complicated matter. You need to really focus on what you're driving, especially if you're driving a manual car. Perhaps my dad did have a reason why he didn't want me to learn driving at an earlier age... haha. But I will not make these hindrances. I'll continue to do my best in driving. At the same time, I'll make it more memorable and fun too. haha. It just shows how much of a comedy my life is. I think I'm planning to change this into: "Ah, the comedy in life." Guess it's more appropriate that way. hee hee.
Til my next lesson.=)
So finally, after the very long duration of pleads and "sige na dad!'s", I was able to convince him that I should learn how to drive. What better reason than to say that it's a required skill for a good job in sales? Of course, he would want that for me too.... He had no other choice.
That's why last week, I enrolled for driving classes at A1. From the moment I got my student's permit, I already had my own share of boo-boos and embarrassing moments.
Boo-boo #1: Cause I'm Only Seventeen!
From the moment I got in the driving school, they asked me if I was only 16. I didn't know if I would be happy about it or not! My exact words were, "Hindi! 20 na ako! Kaya siguro hindi pa ako nakakakuha ng trabaho." They ended up debating why I looked younger. Someone said it was because of the headband, and the other lady said it was because of my bangs. Now she wanted to have bangs like mine. haha. And just when one of their officemates came in, they let him guess how old I was. Although it could be seen in another perspective (being a compliment), I just couldn't help but be embarrassed by it.
Boo-boo #2: Click!....Ay, Wala Pala!
After that some kinda funny incident at the driving school, we headed off to LTO in San Juan. II was not my usual self in the car. I was really quiet because I was with two other girls who kept on talking about accounting and all these liabilities and budgets I was allergic to. It was actually a struggle for me to listen to them for 15 minutes. When we got to LTO, we still had to wait for another 15-20 minutes to get our pictures taken. After a few trips to Yamin-land thanks to my ipod, I was finally called for my picture taking. I was really excited because I already wanted to go to the mall and go window shopping after. But I didn't expect that it would take me 15 minutes more. When I got to the photo booth, I was my usual happy self. I was already posing even if they didn't tell me to do so yet. Perhaps the webcam got scared of me because just as the camera were about to say "Smile!", the camera got busted. We tried and tried again, and still, no "flash" from the camera. They told me to take a seat again and wait for another 15 minutes. When I got back, it took another 3 tries before the camera took my picture.
Boo-boo #3: Para!!!!
I was really excited and tensed for my first driving classes because this was my first time to actually drive a car. Kuya Serge, my teacher, decided that we do some practice driving in Gold Loop because there were less cars and it was perfect for the lesson, since I would still be sticking to first gear for that day. So there I was, in first gear, going round and round Gold Loop until someone told us to stop. Apparently, we got caught by the police who was just looking for some money to eat. He told us that we were not allowed to practice in this area because we were "obstructing traffic". So much for the last 3 cars we saw in Gold Loop. I got really pissed with the policeman and just gave him my student's permit and my teacher's license. After taking a look at it, he decided not to give us a ticket because I lived just around the area. Weird, yet unsuccessful for him. Buti nga.
These experiences made me realize how I'd rather commute and walk than drive a car. It feels weird to get caught by the police. It's like you've done something really really bad. Driving is such a complicated matter. You need to really focus on what you're driving, especially if you're driving a manual car. Perhaps my dad did have a reason why he didn't want me to learn driving at an earlier age... haha. But I will not make these hindrances. I'll continue to do my best in driving. At the same time, I'll make it more memorable and fun too. haha. It just shows how much of a comedy my life is. I think I'm planning to change this into: "Ah, the comedy in life." Guess it's more appropriate that way. hee hee.
Til my next lesson.=)
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Reunited (and it feels so good!)
For my four-year stay in UA&P, never have I experienced having so many circle of friends in my whole life. I have my sdl gang (that's me, the cool geeks, and the front row girls), the chorale (kai, aiza, and the rest), 5th year pals (bran, tin, miko, etc.), theater-mates(Viare & Roc friends), dorm buddies (302 girls), and my block o friends (me, reg, anna, maan, kerin, avs, & mei). Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen circumstances (blame it on our majors), I do not get the chance to hang out with most of my friends all the time.
That's why I was so thrilled about my friend Mei's surprise party. For some reason, we always have reunions on birthdays (we had a block o reunion during my 20th birthday). It was a chance for us 6 to hang out once again after around 2-3 years of separation (OA!haha.). Kerin organized a very simple surprise party and only Mei's closest friends were invited. I almost didn't make it, but I guess it was meant to be. I was supposed to be singing with the chorale but being the pasaway that I am, I was booted off for that performance. Anyway, I decided to go to the surprise party and I did not regret every single moment of it. Reg and I were the first ones to arrive at Ahmed's place (Kerin's friend). I was really embarrassed because it was my first time to meet him and I get really tensed when I'm around people who speak English really well. I have this thing with English-speaking people. When they're around, I freeze. Not that I don't know how to converse in English, it's just that I'm scared of making mistakes that's why I really think about what I say before I say it out loud. And to think more than half of the people there were english-speaking. Training ba ito? hehe.
Eventually, people started to arrive. Maan and Brian arrived after around 20 minutes, and Anna followed. While waiting, we rehearsed the "surprise" for Mei twice, watched Gremlins 2, took pictures (Kerin's friends are big camera whores), and updated each other on our lives. When Mei arrived, there was more chaos. Everybody was just talking and talking at the same time, eating sushi and chips. We also played Mario Party wherein our tracing skills were tested to the extreme. haha! It was such a fun and great night for all.
What actually made it really fun and memorable was that I got the chance to hang out with my close friends again. I miss how we would talk as if we all had hearing problems. Laughing like nobody else was there was another usual thing we'd do (we were once kicked out of a restaurant due to excessive laughter). Just comes to show what kind of friendship we had and will continue to have. I guess this is the start of a rekindled friendship. And I hope there'll be more of this in the future;)
I love you guys!!=)
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That's us in our younger years...
(Maan, Reg, Kerin, Mei, & Anna Banana)
(Maan, Reg, Kerin, Mei, & Anna Banana)
That's why I was so thrilled about my friend Mei's surprise party. For some reason, we always have reunions on birthdays (we had a block o reunion during my 20th birthday). It was a chance for us 6 to hang out once again after around 2-3 years of separation (OA!haha.). Kerin organized a very simple surprise party and only Mei's closest friends were invited. I almost didn't make it, but I guess it was meant to be. I was supposed to be singing with the chorale but being the pasaway that I am, I was booted off for that performance. Anyway, I decided to go to the surprise party and I did not regret every single moment of it. Reg and I were the first ones to arrive at Ahmed's place (Kerin's friend). I was really embarrassed because it was my first time to meet him and I get really tensed when I'm around people who speak English really well. I have this thing with English-speaking people. When they're around, I freeze. Not that I don't know how to converse in English, it's just that I'm scared of making mistakes that's why I really think about what I say before I say it out loud. And to think more than half of the people there were english-speaking. Training ba ito? hehe.
Eventually, people started to arrive. Maan and Brian arrived after around 20 minutes, and Anna followed. While waiting, we rehearsed the "surprise" for Mei twice, watched Gremlins 2, took pictures (Kerin's friends are big camera whores), and updated each other on our lives. When Mei arrived, there was more chaos. Everybody was just talking and talking at the same time, eating sushi and chips. We also played Mario Party wherein our tracing skills were tested to the extreme. haha! It was such a fun and great night for all.
What actually made it really fun and memorable was that I got the chance to hang out with my close friends again. I miss how we would talk as if we all had hearing problems. Laughing like nobody else was there was another usual thing we'd do (we were once kicked out of a restaurant due to excessive laughter). Just comes to show what kind of friendship we had and will continue to have. I guess this is the start of a rekindled friendship. And I hope there'll be more of this in the future;)
I love you guys!!=)
That's us from Mei's Surprise Bash!! Cute no?:)
Nothing much has changed, maybe except for the hairstyles.. haha.
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