A Different kind of High

Last Saturday Lexmark being a socially responsible company had two major events.
One was Gawad Kalinga’s Home building activity and the second was a Dental Mission.
I was supposed to go home early and rejuvenate (Since I came to work early); but KD asked me to join the medical mission. I was at first not interested, I was tired and really could use some shut eye.
Then I realize, instead of sleeping and making myself fat or worst.. alright I don’t know anything worst than me going fat except probably death by Boredom or being run over by a Pedicab.. Instead I used this time to lend a helping hand. Besides I kind of miss being a nurse; this is the perfect opportunity for me to partly practice my profession.

"If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody."
~Chinese Proverb

It was tiring but a very rewarding experience; instead of spending the enitre saturday watching DVD and sleeping. You went into the world and helped out.

Helping people gave me a different kind of high; not like those late night parties or taking prohibited drugs kind of esctacy. it was more of a guilt free high, seeing people specially mothers smile at the fact that thier children will no longer cry in pain, miss a school because of a toothache.

This is the kind of High i want people to experience, a high that i want them to be addicted.

WORK FAMILY

WORK FAMILY

TL Markee, Lead QA Sher, TL Dhon and Senior Trainer Margaux

with TM Debbie and TM Clarence

The "Can Do" - "I Commit team"

TL Jona, Markee, Sher, Dhon, Qa Borj, TL George

These are the people that made my work more fun, colorful and yes a bit bearable. Sure they are time when we tend to become bitchy with each other, argue and give each other the silent treatment but at the end of the day we always end up laughing and forgetting what had happened. We support each other and watch each other backs.

Let me just say that I want to say that I never regretted working for an outsourcing company, why? It’s because of these people. They made me grow not just physically (due to our binges) but emotionally and spiritually as well.

I just don’t consider them my colleagues but my WORK FAMILY.

You ROCK Guys!

-DHON

A Black Saturday Reflection

A Black Saturday Reflection

Its Black Saturday and we are here at the office working…This is supposedly the time for soul searching and resting once mind, body and soul. Now I am not here to judge, people considers drinking or shopping as a way to relax, while others prefer something else. So whatever helps its fine *wink. Me I like the good old fashion, sleeping, DVD marathon and hanging out with friends.


I was also reflecting what BOB ONG wrote, (It’s in tagalong – so please bear with me)

“Nalaman kong hindi final exam ang passing rate ng buhay. Hindi ito multiple choice, identification, true or false, enumeration or fill-in-the-blanks na sinasagutan kundi essay na isinusulat araw-araw. Huhusgahan ito hindi base sa kung tama o mali ang sagot, kundi base sa kung may kabuluhan ang mga isinulat o wala. Allowed ang erasures.”

.. And I couldn’t agree more, but the line that I struck me the most is “Huhusgahan ito hindi base sa kung tama o mali ang sagot, kundi base sa kung may kabuluhan ang mga isinulat o wala” I am asking myself, with the things that I am doing with my life, did it make any sense? Did it make a difference? These are just some of the questions that filled my head.. Then there was silence.. Then I took a break and smoked outside.

.. I need change; I need to change certain parts of myself. If it means me leaving my comfort zone, I will. I am just waiting for the right time and opportunity to do so.
I was also reflecting on what my good friend told me” take charge and create that opportunity instead of waiting for it”. So I am waiting for a sign. I have been praying for it and asking for it.

The sign….
The light….

-D

Convincing Powers

Convincing Powers

Last Last Week, when our program director was in Cebu and visiting our office, he noticed that there were art sketches on the wall and decided to have the agents vote for the best ART.

What can i say? i am proud of you Eden for winning the Floor art contest, and definitely i am proud of my agents for being proactive in the campaign and in convincing others that this is the best ART on the wall.. either that or they used the "Vote for us or end friendship method" Such a powerful method but i can't help but wonder who ever thought them that technique (*whistling)

This also made me realize how my team was so UNITED, honestly i did not tell them to force other agents to vote but they simply did it there way. I am Proud of you Team....

Remember our Goal: UNITED-PCCT will Dominate 2009 (to be the best team for 4 straight quarters)

Problems… Oh So many problems…

Problems… Oh So many problems…

When will this problems stop, The first ever problem that I had this year was with our Neighbors. They are probably the rudest and the most uneducated bunch of people I know. I mean come on, there speakers were pointed in our window so you can just imagine the noise, and they had a pig farm beside our house (we are living in the city). Thank GOD! My mom who was a force to reckon with took the matters on to her own hands, NO she did not kill them (I wish), NO Voodoo/Kulam (maybe we should have, how much is it?). My mom took this matter to the Barangay (Town Captain) were everything was settled down. One lesson though, “Never wrestle with the Pigs in the mud, cause only the pigs will enjoy”.

Now currently I am having problems with my PC, This has been going on for always 2 weeks now. I escalated this concern with my DSL provider and after 2 weeks of follow-up calls, Emails and Technicians visiting our house. The root cause? VIRUS! I have a virus in my PC. That’s Just Great!!!!!!!! Somehow this virus will not allow me to use my browser to go to the internet. But if you use the command prompt, if you Ping a site, the connection is GOOD. I have to reformat my PC and it causes money, I am permanently locking my PC and make sure that I am the only one using it. Just when I was enjoying GARENA (online games for DotA).

(Sigh) I hope that at least i will have a break....

Yikes!

Yikes!

As i was searching in both YouTube and Google for the latest character of Diablo 3 and also making the rules for the C.A.T tournament. One of my agents sent me an email attaching this picture, it made me laugh instantly because we always have a term in the office that we used to describe a person not having a good day, we always termed its as the red say or its his/her menopausal day. I don’t know for some reason this joke reached to our manager (Yikes!), some agent apparently used this to describe him when he seemed stress or not in the moo and whats worst he was there and he heard (double yikes!).

Peace out!

Achoooo!

Achoooo!

It’s the season again! Early this morning It started to hurt.
When I went to the office, most of my agents were also suffering from it.
The puffy eyes and red nose!

no they were not crying over love problems.

It’s FLU season again, agents are coughing and sneezing and the bad thing about it is if you are working in a cell center, it’s very cold due to the air-conditioning and the air is not safe/clean because you are in a compressed air environment.
This is bad, I don’t really want to get sick since I have a lot of things to attend to and also I haven’t finished my weekly coaching quota for my agents…Achooo!

So guys! Stuck up on your meds and as early as now drink water, take vitamins and also have enough rest!…. Achoooo!

Just a friendly reminder, Achooo!

JUST NOT MY DAY!

JUST NOT MY DAY!

Ever had that feeling were everyday is becoming a DRAG?

And everything is just falling apart. It’s another Manic yet depressing Monday for me.

It’s been universally acknowledge that you cannot balance the two aspects of your life, Love life and your career. What if for some reason both, had a problem on that same day? How would you feel?

Me, I felt like the world was ganging up on me….Bad news from work and problems with my relationship (although I am thankful to pooh for being a strong and steady rock, and for not giving up on me!)

Being their leader, I am helpless… maybe because being a leader to my high profile team I developed this mother hen attitude, the need to protect them all the time. I know its wrong but I am only human! I also have feelings; I get hurt every time someone is trying to break my team apart.

I just wanted to escape! Get the hell out of the office and go home, cry and eventually fall asleep!

To Whom It May Concern:

I just wish you will also talk to them and explain to them the reason for a change; we could only do so far. I will not initiate or be proactive in telling you to talk to these agents; you need to do it at your own whim. They deserve an explanation as to why we are doing this and not just cause “it’s a business requirement”

Saturday Night Safari (Can do cebu's 2nd year anniversary)

Saturday Night Safari (Can do cebu's 2nd year anniversary)

The Can Do CEBU team, celebrated its 2^nd year anniversary, the theme was SAFARI SATURDAY. Everybody dressed up for the occasion, the food and drinks were overflowing! Aside from the fact that it was a really funny even it did proved one thing! That when there is teamwork, anything is possible! And that celebration was the evidence!

Agents, supervisors, Managers, trainers and QA'a working together to make this event work! No wonder we are on our second year and stronger than ever!

This was followed by an overwhelming dose of alcohol and laughter at kalye 80's, one thing i learned that night, never mix alcohol and niel all at one setting.. The result is both fun and catastrophic

Everyone was present! Too bad markee was not present!

CAN DO CEBU! TODO na TWO!

Can DO CEBU Ops Team!

More pics...

What do supe's do on their RD?

Laugh out loud with jokes, eat a whole lot of meat(TGI FRIDAY's), watch a so-so movie (007 Quantum of solace) just to have a bonding time and a whole lot of work talk (trust me! We carry our duties outside the work place).
i think this is a start of a new tradition for our team, at least once a month that we eat out! and just have a plain good time!

Audience: -Clarence, Jabbered Onion, Beejing, Yona, Jennifer and Moi-
Location: Ayala Cebu "the terraces"

More Pics on my multiply.....

--A Weekend Thought!---

I just want to share this nice little message, i hope you guys can relate!

There are moments in life when you miss someone

so much that you just want to pick them from

your dreams and hug them for real!

When the door of happiness closes, another opens;

but often times we look so long at the

closed door that we don't see the one,

which has been opened for us.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive.

Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.

Go for someone who makes you smile,

because it takes only a smile to

make a dark day seem bright.

Find the one that makes your heart smile.

Dream what you want to dream;

go where you want to go;

be what you want to be,

because you have only one life

and one chance to do all the things

you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,

enough trials to make you strong,

enough sorrow to keep you human and

enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily

have the best of everything;

they just make the most of

everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always

be based on a forgotten past;

you can't go forward in life until

you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying

and everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so at the end,

you're the one who is smiling and everyone

around you is crying.

Don't count the years - count the memories!

Finally! its my rest day! ZZzzzZZZzzZZZzzz

XO

DHON PAL

Moleskine Entry: Comfort Zone....

Date: 10/26/2008

I will be traveling to manila tomorrow!for 3 days!
Talking about leaving my comfort zone! Ill be going to a city really am not fond off (Traffic, pollutions, crimes etc.). Well maybe just curious, cause I hear a lot about this city. They have exciting places to go through, amazing choices for night life! And a whole lot more…
It’s stepping out of my comfort zone for the reasons, I am going there all alone, staying at a hotel alone, and going to work alone. Alone! Alone! Alone! No familiar faces, no close friends just acquaintances.
I will be meeting up with some manila supervisors that I normally communicate either by email or by phone. WOW! Plus my schedule is super super early! I have to be at work at 6:30 pm!
Well I am their for a business trip, and not for leisure so might as well accept that fact.
This will be a big step for me since I am the types that really do not travel into unfamiliar places alone!
I usually have a friend or pooh with me. In a way this is a test for me if I am really ready to get out of the comfort bubble I built to be indestructible. If I am ready to face the world outside my little paradise, if I survived this with flying colors then that means I am really ready to get out and move on!

Thank you !

THANK YOU TEAM!!!!!!!!!

For a Splendid and Earth Shattering performance last QUARTER!

Hats off to you guys!!!

And for making me the Top supervisor of the Quarter!

Things that i have learned at work

In my 3 years working in an outsourcing company, there are a couple of thing that I have learned;

Perfect Project
The truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect project. Too many people spend too much time trying to perfect something before they actually do. Instead of waiting for perfection, run with what you’ve got, and fix it as you go.

Take Charge

Be your own worst critic; don’t wait for your boss to be like that it isn’t pretty. When things go wrong it’s tempting to shift the blame. Don’t!
Accept responsibility. People will appreciate it, including your boss and at the same time you will find out what you’re capable of.


One on One/Coaching
If you want to be interesting, be interested. During a group discussion or one on one coaching, it is better to listen carefully to what you’re agents are saying rather than show off your own brilliance.
In that way they will be interested in you without you saying a word.

Playing Safe

Funny how two people meet...Eye contact…hi and hello…
Get contact numbers…
Exchange quotes and messages,
Even dropping calls…

Asking how the day was,
Giving you a lift, talking till dawn
Having meals together ….

Seems perfect, right?

But try to look deeper; was there a time they talked about how they feel for each other?
Not at all, right?
Because a set up like this, is all about PLAYING SAFE!

Post Script: This is dedicated to all my friends who went throught this phase!

PORK CHOP Thursday

(Yona, J, Sher and Jabbered onion)
What do you know! they are blogger's too..

Every Thursday night at around 1:00 am (I know what your thinking! It’s already Friday morning, but in a call center environment we base everything on a Production date! So it’s still technically Thursday), me and the girls would go out and eat Pork Chop with herb sauce in Brown Cup.

It’s one of our guilty pleasures, which happen once a week!

It just so happened that on particular day all our schedule co-inside (yepey!).

I just don’t consider this as a Lunch with the girls, but as a time for us to catch up!

Bonding moments and share opinions and advises.

I am looking forward to our pork chop Thursday’s girls!

Bulaklak ng ABP

The search is on for the flower that will represent our very fun and yet I am proud to say Performing account! I am proud also to say that two of my agents are in this contest, but even if that’s the case I would still salute all of them! Hats off to you girls!

The program proper and coronation night will be at Oct. 18, 2008 at villa teresita (Talisay)
The battle of Wits, confidence, intelligence, and beauty will be held there!
Let see whose beauty will reign supreme!

I can’t wait!

It takes a real man to be in this contest!

For the complete pictorial and photo shoot please click on the following link (oslec’s multiply)
Link: http://paduy108.multiply.com

We would like to thank oslec for this amazing pictorial! Truly amazing works of art!
And can you imagine this is just his hobby!


*bulaklak means Flower

The Verdict!

to continue with my previous blog: "What a way to start my Work Week"

After 5 days of secretly hopping for my PC to be fixed without loosing my email archives, Data, reports.

I finally got an update from IT

To: D
Cc: YONA
Subject: RE: Inaccessible Boot Device

Hi D,

Sorry for the late reply.

PC has been re-formatted.

You can use it now.

Files from old computer were not retrieved.

Thanks,

IT

(sigh..) Well, I was already expecting this, but I was secretly hoping that it would be retrieved. But still there were data’s that I needed and will be using in the future to help me defend our lines.

Even after the bad news,

I will never stop being an optimist!

Little things that count! (Each of these will make you a better man)

Honestly I got these tips while I was reading a magazine, and though what the heck! Why not share the love! I mean we need all the advise, help or reminders about being a better person we can get in this lifetime. I am just doing my part in sharing.

Little things that count!

(Each of these will make you a better man)

1. Paying Attention – Real attention—to a small child. People remember that adults who did that when they were kids. They also happen to be the children’s role models.

2. A Breath Mint!

3. A lunch box. When you save money and bring your own lunch instead of buying from the fastfood chains, you’ll probably be able to squirrel enough to buy that TV you really wanted.

4. a 50-minute CPR class

5. Gratitude – It takes 15 seconds to thank someone for their time or gift. It takes 15 years for them to forgive you when you don’t

6. A lunchtime reservation – one that doesn’t involve a drive-thru. All those lunchboxes earn you a fine meal in a fancy restaurant every couple of weeks. Life ain’t a prison

7. Checking your spelling. Because the difference between public relations and pubic relation may be your job

8. The last drink. If you’re drunk enough to absolutely need it, you absolutely don’t.

9. Getting off you ass. Time was, you stood up when being introduced to someone new. You Meet eye-to-eye and shake, which is a small way of saying “I’m not above or below you.”

10. Getting off your Ass, Period. Even 10 minutes of activity a day can drop your blood pressure, boost your mood, and prevent you from forming a covalent bond with your couch.

11. A single detail. About someone else. Could be a wife’s name, or a kid’s sport, or a gum disease their doggie had. Wield details wisely and you’ll be a charm machine. Flub them and you’ll make people feel like they’re inter changeable cogs in a cosmic mishmash.

12. A single date. Plant a post-it, set an outlook alert, or write it your hand in a permanent marker. A pentel fades his/her memory doesn’t.

13. Honesty. There’s no such thing as a little lie. She’ll blow your cover and blow it up eventually. Man up and grow a pair.

14. Smiling and Saying THANK YOU to parking attendants, toll booth operators, waiters and security guards. Yes! Their jobs can be boring, but a single gesture can brighten up their day.