My last day with the Manila office is today. I've gone through the clearance process and, as my entry title suggests, I've gone through 79 days (and more) of stressful relocation preparation. I've also sent out my "goodbye" email to (almost) everyone at work. It was brief and didn't really say much. What I really wanted to say would have to end up in my real blog one of these days (yes, reserved for those who know how to find my real blog :p).
Its 630 in the evening and I should head home. Tomorrow is day 80, D-Day...I have a flight at noon and I will be re-packing my stuff later tonight to make sure I don't leave anything behind.
Yet..I'm still here. Because there are things that STILL need to be done.
And next week, I'll be working for the new project.
And this christmas, I'll be working still.
Just thinking about it wears me out.
Oct 31, 2008
Oct 30, 2008
everybody loves Bear
Ally and Carl have a taken a fascination with my camera, Bear. They borrow it every now and then and takes photos of anything and everything...
some shots they took ...
photo of Ally by Carl
photo of Carl by Ally
and photo of Ally's shoes and shoes by Ally.
some shots they took ...
photo of Ally by Carl
photo of Carl by Ally
and photo of Ally's shoes and shoes by Ally.
hello,Manila
I went back to Intramuros last week for Bear's (that's my Camera, by the way) first photo trip to Manila and among the photos I took, this one is among my favorites. I dont think I've ever taken one like this before....
My first photo shoot in Intramuros was for an HP magazine, my first ever published work. Sort of.
Manila, Manila...I'll keep coming back to Manila.
Oct 29, 2008
Tagaytay with the girls
One of the weekends prior to departure Saturday was spent with the girls and our plus ones.
Eat, drink, sleep and be merry.
I will miss these girls.
Oct 27, 2008
cleaning out my closet (counting up: days 66 to 75)
Its been a week-long (and more!) effort to sort out every single item that I own. I dug out years and years worth of letters, writings, souvenir whatnots and travel (side) effects in order to come up with three distinctive separations: Leave Behind and Keep, Lug Along ang Use, Leave Behind and Sort (Possibly Giveaway).
I am close to completing two luggages and one box that will be shipped to where I am heading eventually, but I am nowhere near organized when it comes to memorabilia and thingama-keeps. I've thrown out a lot of things I have not thrown out because I was convinced I can organize them but I still have two big boxes.
Plus my books will have to find a new home in either my brother's or my sister's house.
Funny how it will take a little over a week to decide how much of your 30 years of existence stays and how much of it goes.
I am close to completing two luggages and one box that will be shipped to where I am heading eventually, but I am nowhere near organized when it comes to memorabilia and thingama-keeps. I've thrown out a lot of things I have not thrown out because I was convinced I can organize them but I still have two big boxes.
Plus my books will have to find a new home in either my brother's or my sister's house.
Funny how it will take a little over a week to decide how much of your 30 years of existence stays and how much of it goes.
Oct 17, 2008
counting up: day 65
I have all three papers with me.
I've also sent out that one paper thats been waiting.
It's done.
From this point on, its just waiting for the day.
I've also sent out that one paper thats been waiting.
It's done.
From this point on, its just waiting for the day.
Oct 16, 2008
counting up: days 62 to 64
Day 63: I sent a follow-up to Legal for the final requirements for Document 3 which I have been wiating for. They finally replied that they are ready to sign it and they should be sending it over that day. In my timezone, it would mean, that evening.
Day 64: I checked my email and found nothing. I checked the fax machine and found something. Its here! This means that tomorrow, I will once more trek back to the where the lines are long and the process is crap. Hello OFW TV, I'm ready for brainwashing yet again.
Day 64: I checked my email and found nothing. I checked the fax machine and found something. Its here! This means that tomorrow, I will once more trek back to the where the lines are long and the process is crap. Hello OFW TV, I'm ready for brainwashing yet again.
Oct 13, 2008
admu bonfire 2008
Photos from the Ateneo bonfire from weeks ago. Please visit my flickr site for more.
counting up: days 51 to 61
Day 55: As Part 3 of Document 3's retrieval process, I am required to undergo a Medical exam. I've chosen the accredited clinic near my place because of accessibility, however, at the back of my head I was still apprehensive and was thinking of mosquito-laden and unhygienic scenarios. In general, I had nothing to fear...except for two things: their Dentist's office which looked a lot like a Mad Scientist's lair, and a bored Med Tech who didnt seem happy with that she works in some small clinic.
At the Dentist's chair, I closed my eyes against the rust-surrounded lamp that highlighted my open mouth and prayed that the Dentist bothered to at least wash the those instruments he's using to analyze my teeth. I was just coming in after another patient, and I didn't want to think that we were sharing not just the same Dentist's chair but maybe the same instruments as well. If I could've gargled using antibacterial solution immediately after, I would have. As long as it wasn't something he found in his lab.
At the blood extraction lab, she didnt even bother to look close enough at my arm to ensure that she was sticking that needle in correctly. She placed a torniquet, asked me to clench my fist and then continued chatting with the other guy in the room. Next thing I know, she was sticking in the needle down my arm. I've had blood extracted before, and this was the first time it really hurt.
However, the ordeal does not end there. I was asked to return to give back some specimen samples (I hate that in medical exams) and to come back without contact lenses. I told them I was nearsighted and if I can barely read the medium sized letters, I wont be able to read any of the other ones without contacts either. Did they listen? No. They insisted I come back blind.
That afternoon, I notified those who will book for me that I would like a flight on Nov 1 please.
Day 56: My spectacled self returns to the clinic where, as promised, I told them I couldnt read the letters without anything. They take down notes and ask me to leave. Yes, I told you I was blind yesterday, didnt I? Results would be ready by that same afternoon, I was told.
Flight-booking-group tells me they will inform me once flight has been booked. As a safety precaution, I tell them I'm waiting for papers from the company's legal department, and though I dont anticipate any delays, I wanted to let them know in case I ask for rebooking. No, they say, tell us when you're ready and then we'll book.
Day 57: I come back to pick up my results. Fit to work...of course. What else would it say?
Day 58: The paperwork I need is still with Legal. I wonder when I'll get this and if I'll get it back soon enough...I have "The Letter" waiting to be sent out. However, I think I must wait until I'm sure I can leave before I make it final.
Day 59: On the lighter and not headache-inducing side of things, I have my first Despedida with Allan's friends. I'm glad to be in the company of the same people who've adopted me and took me with them to Palawan even in Allan's absence. As is the norm, Steaks and Salad were the pick of the night. One despedida down, I have probably a handful more to go....
At the Dentist's chair, I closed my eyes against the rust-surrounded lamp that highlighted my open mouth and prayed that the Dentist bothered to at least wash the those instruments he's using to analyze my teeth. I was just coming in after another patient, and I didn't want to think that we were sharing not just the same Dentist's chair but maybe the same instruments as well. If I could've gargled using antibacterial solution immediately after, I would have. As long as it wasn't something he found in his lab.
At the blood extraction lab, she didnt even bother to look close enough at my arm to ensure that she was sticking that needle in correctly. She placed a torniquet, asked me to clench my fist and then continued chatting with the other guy in the room. Next thing I know, she was sticking in the needle down my arm. I've had blood extracted before, and this was the first time it really hurt.
However, the ordeal does not end there. I was asked to return to give back some specimen samples (I hate that in medical exams) and to come back without contact lenses. I told them I was nearsighted and if I can barely read the medium sized letters, I wont be able to read any of the other ones without contacts either. Did they listen? No. They insisted I come back blind.
That afternoon, I notified those who will book for me that I would like a flight on Nov 1 please.
Day 56: My spectacled self returns to the clinic where, as promised, I told them I couldnt read the letters without anything. They take down notes and ask me to leave. Yes, I told you I was blind yesterday, didnt I? Results would be ready by that same afternoon, I was told.
Flight-booking-group tells me they will inform me once flight has been booked. As a safety precaution, I tell them I'm waiting for papers from the company's legal department, and though I dont anticipate any delays, I wanted to let them know in case I ask for rebooking. No, they say, tell us when you're ready and then we'll book.
Day 57: I come back to pick up my results. Fit to work...of course. What else would it say?
Day 58: The paperwork I need is still with Legal. I wonder when I'll get this and if I'll get it back soon enough...I have "The Letter" waiting to be sent out. However, I think I must wait until I'm sure I can leave before I make it final.
Day 59: On the lighter and not headache-inducing side of things, I have my first Despedida with Allan's friends. I'm glad to be in the company of the same people who've adopted me and took me with them to Palawan even in Allan's absence. As is the norm, Steaks and Salad were the pick of the night. One despedida down, I have probably a handful more to go....
Oct 2, 2008
counting up: days 38 til 50
Its extremely difficult to post updates when so many things have been going on. However, for those who have been asking how things are going, I must keep this updated, so that I don't leave anyone out of the loop...
Day 43: I find out that document 2 has been approved and can be picked up. It seems that from this point on, it will be a short count-up to D Day (Departure Day)
Day 47: I head to Makati early to drop off my passport on the designated time window...I have to return 6 hours later to pick it up with the document and with the others that I've submitted. Two trips to Makati in one day? It wouldn't have hurt if it werent in a so-near-yet-so-far location. My cab trips were longer than the actual time I was there. EACH cab trip was longer than the COMBINED timeframe I was in that office.
Day 48: Since I have document 2, its time to find out exactly what getting document 3 would entail. And find out I did. AFTER 6 HOURS ++ OF WAITING!!!!! To this day, I haven't gotten over the extremely inefficient process in place. I will blog about this some other day.
Day 50: I return as part 2 of The Document 3 Retrieval Process. On my estimate, I will need to return once more after today. But before I do, I have to go through all that they want me to go through, and I have to complete all the forms they want me to complete. For this day, its a 2++-hour pointless seminar where I did not learn anything I did not already know: Travelling information, and that they were going to ask me to pay an enormous amount. Multiply that enormous amount by the hundreds of people who flock to that office DAILY and what do you get? In my opinion, still TOO MUCH cash for the kind of service they provide.
At this point, I seriously have to keep reminding myself why I'm even going through this.
Day 43: I find out that document 2 has been approved and can be picked up. It seems that from this point on, it will be a short count-up to D Day (Departure Day)
Day 47: I head to Makati early to drop off my passport on the designated time window...I have to return 6 hours later to pick it up with the document and with the others that I've submitted. Two trips to Makati in one day? It wouldn't have hurt if it werent in a so-near-yet-so-far location. My cab trips were longer than the actual time I was there. EACH cab trip was longer than the COMBINED timeframe I was in that office.
Day 48: Since I have document 2, its time to find out exactly what getting document 3 would entail. And find out I did. AFTER 6 HOURS ++ OF WAITING!!!!! To this day, I haven't gotten over the extremely inefficient process in place. I will blog about this some other day.
Day 50: I return as part 2 of The Document 3 Retrieval Process. On my estimate, I will need to return once more after today. But before I do, I have to go through all that they want me to go through, and I have to complete all the forms they want me to complete. For this day, its a 2++-hour pointless seminar where I did not learn anything I did not already know: Travelling information, and that they were going to ask me to pay an enormous amount. Multiply that enormous amount by the hundreds of people who flock to that office DAILY and what do you get? In my opinion, still TOO MUCH cash for the kind of service they provide.
At this point, I seriously have to keep reminding myself why I'm even going through this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)