Purple Butterfly

the truth about call center agents

Saturday, March 26, 2005

Hope this will bring a laugh to you guys! Some of them are definitely true... read on..

1. dahil halos di na kayo nagkikita ng nanay at tatay mo, an tawag na nila sayo ay "boarder" at sinisingil ka na nila sa upa mo!(uy magbayad ka!)

2.pag sa sagot ka ng telepono, lagi na lang may opening spiel...exampol :ring ! ring ! ....tenk u for calling (the company) this is (your name) howmay i help you?

3. eksperto ka na sa power nap, yung mga 15min break nyo, itinutulog mo nalang...para fresh pagka kolls uli, mya na yung 1 hour nap...

4. di mo na alam bumiyahe pag may araw, nalilito ka bakit andaming tao, at bakit di na dumadaan ang dyip dun sa mga kalsada na 1 way....

5. mas sanay ka ng matulog ng nakabussiness attire...na mimiss mo yung matigas na sahig ng opisina nyo...tsaka yung malamig na aircon.

6. sanay kang maglaka-lakad ng nakamedyas.

7. ang tawag mo sa mga friends mo...dude, bro, coach, tl, sup.

8. di na dugo ang dumadaloy sayo, kape na. nung nagpaospital ka ang nilagay sayo dextrose na my instant coffee.

9. sanay kang makipagusap kahit tulog... pagtinanong ka ng kahit ano, tama ang sagot mo...ummmm naghihilik ka pa hayup ka!

10. tadaaaaa! nag sasalita ka sa pagtulog mo, pati kols mo napapanaginipan mo, at minsan, sinampal ka ng kapatid mo dahil nagsisigaw kang sup call! sup call! sup call!

11. pumuputi ka na dahil di ka na naaarawan.

12. sanay ka nang matulog kahit maingay sa loob at labas ng bahay nyo.

13. kinalimutan ka na ng mga kaibigan mo dahil existing ka lang pag tulog na sila.

14. sanay ka na sa mga prank callers at mga death treats na nakasulat lang.. sa dami ba naman ng ma-encounter mong ganito gabi-gabi sa trabaho eh.

15. di ka na sanay sa traffic. papasok at pauwi a trabaho walang traffic.

16. di na tama ang oras ng pagkain mo. breeakfast mo ay hapunan na. lunch mo sa madaling araw. dinner moi pag uwi mo sa umaga. pag Rest Day mo naman at natulog ka sa gabi, magigising ka pa din pagmadaling araw na. iba na ang body clock mo.

17. lahat ng kasabay mo sa jeep pag papasok ka, pagod na. ikaw lang ang bagong ligo at bagong gel.

18. maski sa bahay, mabilis kang kumain.

19. nde ka na kilala ng aso nyo

20. tawag sa auto mo ay taxi, kasi palaging gabi bumabyahe..

21. wala ka nang pakialam sa buhay

22. nahihiya kang magpunta sa mga reunion lalo na't alam mong successful lahat ng ka-batch mo.

23. sasabihin mo field ng trabaho mo IT, di call center.

24. nasusuka ka na pag nakita mo ang pc sa bahay nyo..

25. sasabihin mong tech support engineer ka, pero rep ka lang..

26. pag payday... olats lahat sweldo ng mga kaklase mong board passer. (8kper month lang sila) isang kinsenas mo na yun.. :P

27. pag day off mo na lang ikaw nkakapaanood ng Eat bulaga at MTB

28. Nde mo na kilala ang mga bagong artista.... si mahal at mura lang

29. nde mo n alam itsura ng mall...

30. di ka na maebs sa bhay, sanay ka na sa cr ng 5th floor or ibang floor.

31. gusto mo na ding maglagay ng alcogel sa banyo nyo..

32. ayaw mo nang pumasok sa internet cafe!

33. puro kalyo na wrist at daliri mo.

34. sanay ka na ding mag Niponggo. gozaimas!

35. maglo-lock ka ng pc kahit sa bahay na. pag pndot mo ng CTRL + ALT + DEL iba ang lalabas at matatawa ka na lang sa sarili mo dahil para kang gago.

36. sanay ka ng kumain sa harap ng pc mo kahit nsa bahay...

37. papasok ka sa ofc na nka-jeans, tshirt and cap (astig!)38. mas malaki sweldo mo sa mga ka-batch mo, nagkakanda-kuba na sila sa trabaho nila

39. puro ka-age mo mga ka-opisina mo, walang old maids and DOMs!!

40. mabilis k ng mag pabili ng corn bits at chicharon sa ermats mo...

41. isa ka na rin sa mga nagbebenta sa free ads (you name it meron dito evenendangered species)42. pag nakakarinig ka ng Kaching!!! akala mo may mail ka na dumating. hehe

43. pindot mo ilong nung tindera kala mo vendo machine.... isa nga coke syet long pala yun! hehehehe... masama pa

44. na inlove ka nsa kape...

45. madalasa mong sabihin sa ka IM mo n "email chat n lang tyo"

Butterfly Tales
4:39 AM

~~~

waiting for my prince

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Someday my prince will come... lalala... LALALA !!! I am really irked at the thought of this. I don't mean to sound hopeless neither too hopeful. One thing for sure is that I never wanna go through the same nightmare I went through when I tried to take matters of the heart to my own hands. February 14, 2005 marks the day when I have made a resolution to wait on God. I simply want to believe that He who created me knows me best and is able to choose the perfect guy for me. I want to believe, to trust and to have faith like a child. Someday, I want to say to myself that it pays to wait. I am no special person that I am not subject to hopelessness. Despite pressure of not having a date, I would rather endure waiting for the right time, the right place and the right person than to endure a lifetime of regret for not having waited. It's never to wait on something or someone uncertain but it does make me faithful and obedient to simply trust God that He has complete control of my life. There are things beyond me and I leave all that to the one who controls the universe. The only heartache I am suffering right now is loneliness... It can be lonely to wait, to wait patiently and faithfully. I am hopeful that someday I may reap the rewards of waiting. It can be difficult not to give in to the pressures and the pleasures of the world but I continue to remind myself that my waiting is for a cause. I do not wish to cause more grief or even heartache by searching for love at different places and at different. It's true that when you find loving JESUS your contentment, it's difficult to shake a person on hard situations. I also believe that the safest place is in the palms of God and that means being in the center of HIS will. To completely be at rest in His presence and to trust HIM completely and wholeheartedly without any questions at all. This not only blesses a person but blesses and entire generation as well. We are reminded of HIS blessings to those people who have walked faithfully before HIM and how can HE not bless at this time? In times that I simply want to give up on waiting, I look up and gather strength from the loving CREATOR. Times may be difficult, the world is full uncertainty but I am certain of one thing, the one truth that HIS love is unchanging, unwavering like the sun that shines above us, to bring light and to give life to those who need it. I will wait, no matter how difficult, it is more difficult to bear the pain of regret than the pain of loneliness. I will never be alone for sure, I am assured of that andI would rather have that assurance than the assurance of a love that may some day fade... ey, we're only humans and subject to emotions.

Butterfly Tales
4:32 AM

~~~

All I Ask

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

RAOUL
No more talk of darkness,
Forget these wide-eyed fears.
I'm here,
nothing can harm you
-my words will
warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom,
let daylight
dry -your tears.
I'm here,
with you, beside you,
to guard you
and to guide you . . .

CHRISTINE
Say you love me
every waking moment,
turn my head with talk of summertime . . .
Say you need me
with you,
now and always . . .
promise me that all
you say is true -that's all I askof you . . .

RAOUL
Let me be your shelter,
let me be your light.
You're safe:
No-one will find you
your fears are
far behind you . . .

CHRISTINE
All I want is freedom, a world with
no more night . . .
and you
always beside me
to hold me
and to hide me . . .

RAOUL
Then say you'll share with
me one love, one lifetime . . .
Let me lead you
from your solitude . . .
Say you need me
with you here, beside you . . .
anywhere you go, let me go too -Christine,
that's all I askof you . . .

CHRISTINE
Say you'll share with
me one love, one lifetime . . .
say the word
and I will follow you . . .

BOTH
Share each day with me, each night, each morning . . .

CHRISTINE
Say you love me . . .

RAOUL
You know I do . . .

BOTH
Love me -that's all I ask of you . . .
(They kiss)
Anywhere you go
let me go too . . . Love me -that's all I askof you . .
(CHRISTINE starts from her reverie)
CHRISTINE
I must go -they'll wonder where I am . . .wait for me, Raoul!
RAOUL
Christine, I love you!

CHRISTINE;Order your fine horses!Be with them at the door!

RAOUL
And soon you'll be beside me!

CHRISTINE
You'll guard me, and you'll guide me . . .

Butterfly Tales
12:04 AM

~~~

Monday, March 21, 2005

Think of Me - Phantom of the Opera

Think of me think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye
remember me once in a while, please promise me you'll try
When you find, that once again you long to take your heart back, and be free if you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me

We never said our love was evergreen or as unchanging as the sea...
but if you can still remember, stop and think of me
Think of all the things we've shared and seen, don't think about the things which might have been
Think of me think of me waking, silent and resigned... imagine me, trying too hard to put you from my mind... Recall those days, look back on all those times, think of the things we'll never do... there will never be a day when I won't think of you We never said our love was evergreen or as unchanging as the sea... but please promise me, that sometimes you will think of me

I've always loved the Phantom's All I Ask of You, In fact I've decided even long ago that it would be included in my long list of wedding songs.

The whole phantom of the opera experience last sunday was captivating. My heart swelled with emotion while I watched the movie with 2 of my fave friends. I had even decided to postpone the movie at that time but glad that I didn't. I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching the movie just as I never get tired of the whole story. I never really gave much thought of the song think of me until last sunday when it was sang so beautifully by the character Christine. The song stayed with me even as I write this blog and I sing it as if I can. hehehe Reading through the lyrics I can even relate with it. Somehow and in some way, I do want to be remembered. Even if it's just once in a while...

Butterfly Tales
11:39 PM

~~~

Share with me a Rainbow

Friday, March 18, 2005

To hold your hand
To touch your face
To kiss your lips
To feel you
and smell you...
though only in my dreams,
is worth more to me than the
whole ocean...

Like the sunshine
Never changing
always constant
always there...

Turning black to white
and to color the rainbow,
to paint the sky blue
the grass green
and the sunshine yellow
may these colors abound
to drive the grey clouds away

may you always smile
and the world be kind
young be at heart,
unto thee dear light

though keep the lock
hide the key...
reverse the clock
what will always be
will always be

Butterfly Tales
5:35 AM

~~~

when reality is black part 2

So, ok! ok! I won't exactly call my lovelife to be a fairytale. In fact, I am waiting for my prince charming to rescue me. While I am on the wait I do not want to to feel desperate but to at least make myself distracted from the occasional pangs of loneliness being single can bring. again, the same friend emailed this to me to prove her point. I understand that at this point in time I have nothing to hold on to. It'll only pain me the more when my heart longs to be with the boy, it seems pointless to be hoping for a hopeless situation but nonetheless, the sun continues to shine. Read on, and again, I have no idea who exactly wrote this piece. I certainly do no agree to all of it but it's worth pondering on.

UNREQUITED LOVE:

When we fall in love, we fall real hard. We do anything to win our loved one's heart. We accept the pain and smile even though we're dying inside. We wish, we hope, we long, we wait. But sometimes the wait it too long that we begin to wonder if our time is worth the wait, or if there's really something to wait for to begin with. And then it hits us.

While the braver and luckier ones have their whole lives to spend with the ones they truly love, there are those whose relationships that once worked out well just fail. And unfortunate as that may sound, they are still to be considered lucky, for while their relationships have turned sour, at least they were able to feel it, to be in it. Even more unfortunate are those who wait, wait, wait, and wait, yet their stories never start.

These people end up wondering what could have been had they done the other choice, and then they start asking, in the first place, what was the other choice that could equally make them happy? Was there any, really?

Sometimes, things are just exactly the way it seems. There's nothing more than his/her glowing eyes staring at you, there's nothing more than his/her hand holding you, there's nothing more than his/her hug giving you comfort, there's nothing more than his/her sweet words consoling you. Really, there's nothing greater than friendship that s/he can offer.

Yet you decide to go on believing that a miracle will happen. You decide to daydream until your face can no longer hold your plastered smile, then you snap back to the real world and as if you were back to step one, you can hardly accept the truth. You cannot gracefully admit that s/he's not yours, and may never be. You insist that you have chemistry. You firmly believe that you can only feel that strongly for him/her and just the same, s/he will never find a greater relationship with anyone but you.

But sometimes, fate can be harsh. So many people have said it's a matter of our choice. So many people have claimed that we can reverse our fate. But hasn't it also been evident that it's not always the case? Hasn't it been proven that sometimes, we have no choice, or rather, what we have are unrealistic choices?

We do not really have to argue with the fact that sometimes, no matter how much you try to make things happen, no matter how many chances you try to grab, no matter how much you try to win, things will not be the way you want them to. Not because you are wrong for wishing, hoping, longing and waiting, but because in reality, it's only you making the story, trying to end it happily. In reality, you're the only one playing the game, hoping s/he would join someday.
And in reality, there was never really someone else in your life, but your own mind playing a prank you have yet to accept.

Butterfly Tales
2:39 AM

~~~

when reality is black

Thursday, March 17, 2005

The article was sent to me from a friend who I know cared enough for me, for reasons only she can say... read on below...

PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKEN

are more interesting most of the time, right? And I've been battling whether it's because they're really interesting, or it's a thrill for them to take notice of us.
Recently, I heard from a friend that she got to talk to her "one-who-got-away" and they finally admitted how much they feel for each other. Problem is...he's already married.
But is it a problem, really? Or just a problem created by the society?
When I was younger, and very much trapped in the dictates of the Society, I would carelessly call those who become causes of breakups sluts, whores. See how much bias there is? What do you call guys who cause breakups? Nothing. Nada.
But now that I'm older, and more exposed to others' experiences, I have come to realize that it's not easy to be the "cause". Nobody wants to be called a slut, or whore, after all. In most cases, these people are the ones those in a relationship meet too late, or the ones they call their unfinished business.
And these "causes" have feelings, too. Name-calling to swallow, loved ones to sacrifice. But love is just so powerful it allows them to hold on. Hold on to a feeling they're not sure will be reciprocated by the other. It's so easy to think negative of them, but until you've experienced it yourself, or someone close to you experiences it, you can never really understand the situation. You'll never understand how hard it is to resist temptation even though you do not intend to hurt others. How hard it is to stop communication long after you should have. How hard it is not to think of that special someone, and how happy you guys would have been. Sure we may argue here that the taken is stupid if he left an unfinished business. But it's not that easy, really. Sometimes, they have to be practical. Sometimes, they have to play it safe. But practicality and love are not on the same level. That person may be selfish for pursuing his/her feelings towards someone who's not his current partner, but isn't it human nature to be weak? We are all weak at certain times, and his/her only fault is that s/he gave in to a weakness considered evil by most people. This post is not intended to make you cheat on your partners, or pursue those who are already taken. It's only my way of showing the other side of the coin. My way of sharing my realization that cheating doesn't always mean evil. Bad, yes, but sometimes with considerable reasons. Life is really uncertain. Sometimes, we think we are so in love with somebody and later on find out that we're in love with someone else. And commitment and convenience are the very reasons why it's hard for us to let go. It's true we have a price we have to pay for every decision we make. It's true we have to learn how to control ourselves and practice the art of being just. But when it comes to feelings, to strong emotions, is there such a thing as being FAIR?

the original author is however anonymous but to some degree, I truly agree with him or her. I can very much relate with the article and I can only be honest to myself about what I feel inside. Though feelings come and go, but it never hurts to be honest... I have nothing to hold on to but a figment of a memory of him, his smile, and the way he looked at me at that moment. His smile so precious that brings sunshine on my otherwise "rainyday" A few moments with him, even if it only meant seconds was worth to me than a lifetime of not meeting him at all... It was never meant to be and I have repeated that phrase to myself for a hundred times that if God meant for us to be together, there would be some cosmic form of activities on the heavenly realms for us to be together.... but again, it was never meant to be , maybe not now, not even tomorrow and not even forever. So I cry but not really feeling helpless, I cry with bitter sweet memories of a boy who refused to grow up... Droplets of memories is what I have compared to a vast sea that is seemingly endless.

Butterfly Tales
11:54 PM

~~~

walking in and out...

Thursday, March 10, 2005

run... run... run... at this precise moment that's exactly what I want to do. To run to my own room, lock the door and cry my poor heart out! I'm not heartbroken, only exhausted. For the past days, I have experience nothing but tremendous pressure from my job. Does not help either that I have to carry an amount of phlegm inside my lungs. I cough it out like crazy, feeling as if my chest is about burst anytime. I look around me and feel as if everyone is fading. I remember how it was difficult to find a seat to start my shift, it was even more difficult competing with other agents who have louder voice than I have. In only a matter of 3 months or less, the number of agents on the floor have dwindled down, I heard one story that at one point, our HR department received 10 resignation letters all in one day. Imagine that?! If this keeps up, I wonder how we as agents are ever gonna survive all the calls. I don't blame those who have chosen to let go of this job, believe me I have been there as well. I remember not long ago when I got a call, did everything I can to help and all I got was I don't think you were of any help at all! -*toot* That was all it took to blow my top off... I was flaming mad at that comment! If that person only knew the amount of pressure I was in and the amount of effort that I was exerting she would not have the right to comment that. I decided right then and there that I was goint to quit this job and find something else. I was determined to walk out and never come back. I kept thinking to myself that I am young, I have a future ahead of me and I don't need that crap from ungrateful people whom I have no idea how they look like and I may never meet in my life. But what stopped me? I thought about her comment, I took the time to think of my life before I made any drastic decision. My job did pull me out from the comforts of my home, my family, my friends and the familiar places. I thought hard, real hard, and I came up with these realizations...

a) aside from the fact that I presently don't have a job available when I quit I had thought that if I quit now, then what are my chances of not quitting my next job? I am certain that any job in the world will pose one type of problem or another. Be it the lowliest job or the in the highest position, to whom much is given, much is required. If I quit now, chances of me quitting on my next job when it poses some form of discomfort will be high. I don't want that, I want to be a fighter, a survivor and not a loser, certainly not a quitter.

b) All of my calls are not bad, it's funny how one caller would say you're so charming, you're so wonderful, thank you so much, you're an angel, you're heaven sent, you have a wonderful voice, nadiana? what a pretty name... well, just to name a few and the next call would really drain the energy out of me. I take the good calls and draw strength from them and remembering that it is not MY fault, they are only upset about the situation. I appreciate the fact that some callers tell me that they are not upset with me but at the situation that they are currently in but despite that fact, it can still be draining. I am not as emotional as I was before and I have never cried over a call. I've made a lot of mistakes, even to the point of having to pay for my $530+ mistake. scary isn't it?

c) I understand how it is not fair to allow my emotions to dictate my decisions. I may feel bad about some of my calls but I am not gonna allow mere emotions to drive me to quit. It will take more than that. I am determined to rise above all these exhaustion when I can fight no longer. If my company feels that I don't have what it takes to stay in this job then I will let them force me to leave. I would leave with a happy and a light heart knowing that I did everything I could to stay, despite pressure, despite unfavorable responses.

d) I just want to be clear that it's not because that they are paying a higher salary than most jobs could offer that stopped me from quitting, -ey I can be happy not being paid at all if it's a job that I really love. The salary is not worth the amount of pressure and what is expected from us.

Bottom line is, I can QUIT! I have that option but I did not take it. I know better than to quit. This is not the best job in the world i know I know, I can do better than just take calls and sit back taking calls from irate callers who can offer me nothing. For now, since I have spent over a month of training, all these infos that are not even essential to my survival, crammed them inside my head so I have decided to make the most out of it. Do the best that I can while I am here. I am still blessed to be having this job... and to count them:

1) unlimited internet access, DSL not to mention, branded PC

2) comfy swivel chair

3) airconditioning

4) unlimited coffee and milo

5) of course, some incentives -cash or otherwise

6) speech practice (like maybe?)

I wish I could list more but I my mind is completely drained out...

Butterfly Tales
4:59 AM

~~~

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

in the dark

Butterfly Tales
5:05 AM

~~~

jars of clay

Butterfly Tales
5:03 AM

~~~

being whole without the better half

I am happy and peaceful with my current state... that is, being single. I cannot define this new found confidence in being comfortable about not having to go out on a date, or coffee, or a movie with a guy. No, I have not turned into a man-hater nor bitter at the fact that it's been more than 3 months since I gave myself a chance to get to know a guy. I ask myself what for? I do not intend to get married soon and the fact that I don't need a better half to feel whole. I can be whole even without a better half but don't get me wrong here, I do not intend to live my life being single forever. I still do dream of that one person whom I will take care and cherish forever and he as well.

Admittedly though, there are instances that having someone would really be beneficial like for example when I get sick, nothing worse has happened to me yet ever since I became independent but getting sick. Since I came here, I have been very sickly and it does not help that not only do I earn for my own food, own place, own clothes, I have to take care of me. I do not wish to get out of bed when I am sick and wish for just someone to take care of everything for me. I have to face the reality that this is the life that I chose momentarily. I wouldn't go out date a guy in high hopes that we'll get along and so that whenever I get sick I expect him to take care of me. Not only is it a waste of time but downright wrong. It'll be dating for the wrong reason, dating so that I will have a slave and to be subject to my every whim. I still believe that out there I will have my chance at true love. Looking back then, I can see that I have poor taste, no offense to the guys I've dated, but to be fair, there are some who were great but sadly didn't work out. Anyways, not only were they liars, they were cheaters as well. I never wanna subject myself to such emotional trauma ever. I'm not being bitter on this or mudsling on anyone, all I'm trying to prove is that i don't need that crap right now. I'm already dealing with a lot of shit from my callers who scream and shout at me when they don't get what they want. I can wait and am willing to wait for the right place, the right time and most importantly, the right one. I'm not even putting a brave front to hide my insecurity, I am more confident now than I was when I was either dating or on a steady relationship. Hey, it's practical being single these days, it's cost-efficient and less hassle. I feel so free and happy that I can be who I want to be. It can cost much to take care of me but I am learning to take care of myself with all the love, I believe that it would be nearly impossible to take care of anyone when I can't event take care of me. 'Nuf said already!

Butterfly Tales
4:25 AM

~~~

truth be told

Saturday, March 05, 2005

Admittedly, I have been imagining that the whole jars of clay experience I have had the previous week was for a reason. I had thought that maybe... just a maybe that all the series of events is only too much of a series of coincidences. I have come to believe that maybe somehow God had a reason for those events. My thoughts even went beyond as to believe that I was destined to meet the ONE that He created for me. I took the time to find out some information on the person I had previously thought would be the ONE when I came across this interview with Dan, the lead singer of the band

Brio: Jars of Clay became very successful very quickly. How have you handled your success?

Dan: Success is so relative. Not everybody would say financial gain is the greatest success. My measure of success is with my family. I can get on stage, have a great show and hear that we’ve sold a ton of records this week, but when I call my wife from the road and she’s crying because I haven’t been home in two weeks, I’m not feeling very successful.
As far as money goes, we have a lot of people holding us accountable. The four of us tend to keep each other accountable for who we are, too.

OUCH?!! I could only laugh at myself for being silly as to believe that I am destined to end up with Dan... hahaha thank God that I found out about it and never actually day dreamed about such a possibility. But, hey! I had good laugh at myself... still hopeful... no longer for dan... but to be with that one person I had imagined a thousand sunsets with...

Butterfly Tales
5:24 AM

~~~

my own corner...

Friday, March 04, 2005

I have been wanting to spend time in a quiet and peaceful place, where I can just be alone to think, to cry, to write, to read and to look at my own life from a distant view. It came to me one day that I always enjoy road trip. I announced to my BF rox that I plan to go on a roadtrip alone, and to inform her exactly where I will be heading just in case if anything happens. I spoke with peter pan about the trip on that day when for the first time I saw him shaken from a previous call he had. I almost wanted to instantly hover above his head, hug him preciously enough to let him understand that things will be alright eventually. But, that's just it I can only look at him then unsure of what to say.

I've found one corner outside the office to read a book, to think, to inhale fresh, sweet smelling morning air. The thing is, the air that welcomes me each time I go out from the entrance of the office is intoxicated with so much nicotine that I am forced to stay away from a bunch of officemate who find puffing cigarette their form of releasing tension. I don't mean to say that my form release is much better, I have a different way to release any kind of tension. I take 30 mins of my break to eat, freshen up and the next 20 mins. on that corner to read and think. I've loved that corner since then, my own place... aaaahhhh... I can't exactly call it my own but it's cozy enough to allow me 20 mins to enjoy a lovely morning and a good book to read.

Butterfly Tales
5:24 AM

~~~

my whole being

I am not an avid fan of reading long blogs so I decided for myself to create shorter ones. If I can bullet point all of my thoughts then I will. I may enjoy writing using a lot of useless and pointless words but I realized in the course of time that only a few have the patience to read blogs. Especially me when my job requires me to sit in front of the computer for 8 hours x 5 days a week. My eyes need all the rest and so does my voice. I have planned of pursuing voice lessons to ease the tension this job entails. It wasn't until one day that I lost my voice, my source of income. I realized that during day off, I needed to rest my eyes and my voice as well. Phew!

Back then when I was still applying I had hoped to be accepted, to earn my own money and live an independent life. Truly I got the job, lived the life I wanted to live but it came with a price. And then came loneliness, it crepts up inside me unnoticeably and sometimes when I least expect it. I have found crying as a form of release and to comfort my aching being. I have cried a dozen of times, out of sheer happiness, some out of fear and even more for loneliness. I have learned to accept loneliness as part of what's ahead of me. I have been seeing a lot of signs of where I am heading off someday, definitely not for a life of eternal solitude. I have learned to allow God to take control of my entire life although at times I may not seem to understand Him at all. I found it much easier, peaceful and less complicated to allow the Creator to dictate my steps. I understand that I have my own judgment and equipped with wisdom so I may decide for myself. But too many times, when things are beyond my control I simply look up, allow a tear to drop from my eyes and move on... believing and trusting that He who knows me more than anyone, who put the stars in their place knows best.

Butterfly Tales
5:08 AM

~~~

Too much of a coincidence?

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

My Jars of Clay experience is worth blogging. I feel that there's just too many coincidences for that once in a lifetime experience. Having swapped my sched to Mr. Smiley ( one of my officemate whom with just one smile took words from my mouth), I abhored having to work that day. I wished to be in bed, taking my sleep, what made that day worse was my mouth sore that I got a couple of "I'm sorry and what did you say?" from my callers. I decided to head to the clinic, ask for a sick leave slip for reasons that I am no longer understandable due to a lot of slur in my speech. I dreaded the warm and h0t temperature of my room that I decided to take my nap at the sleeping room, again. I woke up refreshed and feeling better. I decided to take my lunch, read the book that I am currently engrossed in and headed my way home. I met up with my bestfriend rox who was also more than excited to meet the band who sang her and her cousin's fave song. That's when coincidences started to take shape. Here are some of them, if not all...

1) Started out as my bestfriend rox (a.k.a BF) having so much trouble figuring out the map of life that she almost went crazy. I banned her from thinking while forcing her to eat and enjoy sundae. It didn't help, it took more than a sundae and a sermon from me. I later found out that she left her tickets in the car that his uncle was now driving off somewhere the busy streets of mango. It blew me off, thinking that it would take time to retrieve the tickets and making it to the concert on time. With little time to think, being the online travel agent that I am, I went on saying "you have the option to purchase a new set of ticket." This option did not help my friend however it only caused a misunderstanding. We have silently acknowledged that if any one of us is completely mad at each other, we'd go silent so as to avoid saying hurtful words. My roommate Jorge who was also going to the concert was on her way, after learning about the ordeal, she called back and offered an extra ticket. It was just perfect. Moving on, we waited for a taxi that took 10 minutes and headed our way to ayala to meet Jorge and Chic. Rox was silent for a few minutes. She took the time to walk while I ate a few rings of Calamares. We were actually waiting for the bus shuttle that will take us to the venue. When the waiter announced that the bus was already outside waiting for us, I proceeded to find rox, she almost did not speak to me but decided to let the moment pass. After buying some stuff for my mom, we went back to Jorge and Chic and the 4 of us boarded the bus. We had the bus all to ourselves... COOL!

2) After the bus ride, Rox finally discovers that the tickets were with her all along. We decided to upgrade our tickets. It was tough but at the right time, a guy wanted to buy 2 P250 tickets. We then proceeded to exchang the tickets for P500 each. We then took the best seats possible and only a few minutes then, the band started playing. As usual, it was AWESOME! I sang my poor heart out to the songs that I was familiar of. I stood right across the vocalist, whose name, I'm sorry to admit never knew until now... From Greenville, Illinois and later, Nashville, Tennessee. Led by Dan Haseltine (vocals) with Steve Mason (guitar/bass), Matt Odmark (guitar) and Charlie Lowell (keyboards).

3) After the show, we waited for a few minutes for the band to emerge and possibly get an autograph. We figured that they're gone. We hailed a taxi, apparently was on a hurry since his sched is up to 10pm, with Jorge plea to check on her change at the restaurant we waited, we dropped off at the restaurant.

4) In our hunger we all decided to take dinner at KAONA grill. A few minutes later, a black van arrived, to our surprise it was JARS OF CLAY!!! Lucky lucky me, I tore a poster and asked for the whole and to sign.

Overwhelmed and enthralled at how wonderful God plans...

Butterfly Tales
5:57 PM

~~~