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Oh snap! I'm not a bummer anymore!And that is also the reason why I have been putting off writing an entry here. I knew that I would just blab about my intense desire for a job and it would all get boring and depressing so I promised myself I would not write unless I had a job already. And the time to write again has come. *insert some dramatic entrance song here, possibly with drums or trumpets*
I thank the Lord for letting me work in the company that I wanted to work in. A lot of the things that happened during this time (when I was not blogging) told me that the time isn't right yet. I knew when I did not want the previous job offers I had (okay, there was just one), I also knew that I should not worry, and I also knew that I wasn't gonna get accepted for the position I applied for in this company that I wanted to work with, initially.I prayed and prayed for me to get a job in this company and I was always told not to worry. I both did and did not do that. I wasn't comfortable with me being comfortable that everything will work out (nice I used a word two times in two sentences!). I had to keep my feet on the ground by making myself worry, even when I didn't need to, so that I could persevere more. I also knew that I would get big-headed if i didn't do it.I also knew that I have never waited for something like that for so long and the feeling that it has finally come is just pure bliss. Even more than bliss. Super! I felt like I was on top of the world!I was, and still is, happy that I am finally starting on a new chapter of my life. I know that I would have to work hard and learn more and that is great! I'm tired of being a bummer anyways.Once again, I thank the Lord (repeatedly saying thank you is still not enough; not for this or for anything for that matter) for this opportunity. I've always felt if the company I was going to have an interview in was for me or not. I also felt deep down that my initial application to this company wasn't the one for me but I forced myself, being impatient and all, to want this position even with that in mind. Because of that stupid impatience, unnecessary issues came up. See, being impatient does not really do anybody any good!
In one homily during the Simbang Gabi, the priest talked about being patient. I thought that it was like a direct hit for me with what I was going through. And it was. But what struck me was that being patient does not just mean waiting, it also means waiting while keeping a positive attitude along side it. I certainly did not do that much.
Impatience leads to bad decisions, tactless conversations and blabber. So anyways, I tried my best to be patient (with that enlightening definition) and I constantly prayed.
I could have spared myself with the nonsense sadness by listening inside. It's like intuition or gut feel but I know it was coming more from a spiritual source. It was reassuring me that everything will be alright and it was guiding me in not accepting the job offer, not doing well on other interviews in order to be better prepared for THE ONE for me. But I was never comfortable with the 100% calmness and security that I drove it away sometimes. But I guess that was all for the better. It also told me that when I was considered for another position, this was the one. And It felt right.So let me explain my journey!I knew I wanted to work for Thomson Reuters (TR) the moment the HR personnel told me about the company and the potential growth for all the employees working there. I told myself when I first came in to their office "This place looks good!" I've never felt that in the previous applications I had. The experience and the workplace and the ideal job I had fit right in this company.So for this journey, I had a total of 5 interviews: 1 initial interview by the HR personnel, 1 interview by the head of Corporate Advisory Services, 1 panel interview by the senior management from the U.S., 1 initial interview by the team head (I think) of the department to which I was accepted (I don't know the name; forgive me for not knowing) and 1 panel interview by the training managers and other people whom I do not know what position they were in.The 2nd and 3rd interviews were for the 1st position I was considered in. I did not get accepted therefore I was forwarded to another position and then I got it! This process took about 4 months in the making. Those 4 months of grueling and intense waiting paid off, like I said.Did I mention that the last interview - a panel one - consisted of FIVE people? Yeah. When I was in the room and they started coming in, I thought the line would never end! (they were in a line as they came in) Paranoia took over but only for a moment. I had to bring my A-game. I was born for this right? What were all the other interviews for if I didn't nail this one? I was able to be honest in that interview and it really helped I guess, not that I was dishonest in my other interviews. It's just that I was a little more casual in this interview (I made them laugh a few times). It lasted for about 30 minutes of pure talk. Good thing I prepared!! Though the business/news/market preparation rendered useless as they did not ask me anything about it but it's still good as I would need to know these things when I work already.The journey is always more important than the ending (which is the start of a new beginning). That's why I hate those success stories that tell of people's - you guessed it - successes.They skip right to the end and not tell the story where the people could really learn from and get inspired by. Anyway, I realized that the last two interviews were the times when I was prepared the most. Again, gut feel/intuition. It's like I was getting built up for those two interviews. In my initial applications, I was always too carefree and did not do as much as I did for the said interviews and had to learn from that in order to land me this job. What great power God has over us! He knew all along of course! Thank you Lord God for everything! I know it won't be easy, but I will do the best I can! Adik ako!
Something for you, dear reader, to ponder on: You'll know when it's right.
From the great Paulo Coelho, "And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
And from the Holy Bible, 2 Thessalonians 5:18: "In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."
-------------------------------Enough with my realizations and happiness, what happened in the more-than-a-month of no entry? I was getting interviews, of course. But I know that I am so tired of doing nothing, even now. I was able to go out some with the bum club. We hung out and it was always fun. You know what? I'll just stop now and leave you with the parting words above. It's great for reflection and motivation (I hope haha).I kind of forgot what to write about anyways other than the one above (thanks to mind-blogging).I also added a new gadget on the side. I basically placed my bookshelf from Shelfari, the books I want to read (my wishlist) and the ones I've read, just for balance haha.
Gotta love them emoticons.
The call week never came. Stupid of me to name that week of something as important as what I was expecting. Still jobless. Although there was a call for an interview and there was a job offer (of which I'm not really into), I'm still waiting on the companies I want to work for. The waiting is unbearable but I have no choice but to do so. I just pray and stop being paranoid. That's what happens - being paranoid - when you have someone you know who's applying in the same company and position and she gets a call and you don't haha. But like she said, just pray and we will all get what we deserve.
This company that accepted me I asked to wait for a week since I had to weigh my options, not that I had any. I'm waiting for other options to arise, that is. I really don't see myself in that industry (cargo shipping, freight, logistics industry) even though the experience might be good since it's a start up company and the organizational chart has only 2 positions filled as of the moment; and they haven't registered with the SEC yet. So there. I want that to be my last resort when other opportunities do not come up. They must come up by Wednesday or Thursday morning!
I already started getting the mandatory requirements for getting employed. Will get the last one on Monday. I'm getting ready to be employed and it seems the employers aren't ready to get me. Patience, patience, prayers.
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I got to watch the so-called must-watch movie of the season/year/all-time 2 times. I don't even need to name that movie for you already know what it is. The poster says it anyways:
I'm happy that I did not read the novel. I'm sure it would be a bummer if I did (as it was what I always felt after watching a movie adaptation of a novel, save for a few). So what did I think of the movie? I thought it was okay. The fight scene was good (I held my breath a few times the first time I watched it), the baseball scene was also good (Alice looked great and the music was awesome). Apart from that, it was mostly bad acting and bad effects. But it was okay. The movie was time-constricted (this happens to all movie adaptations of novels, I'm sure you agree with me) but again, it was okay. In my opinion, if not for the 2 scenes I mentioned, The movie would have sucked big time. Bella looked good as well but her 2 front teeth had been emphasized unintentionally, I think. Anyways, it popped every time she talked.
I give it 3 stars out of 5. The soundtrack was great.
Anyways, I got to see my blockmates again because of that (thanks tine!) and we had a good time. I was forced to go to a bazaar where my friend was selling stuff. We didn't buy anything, I guess we went there for moral support lol. Here we were outside waiting for the movie:
The moon looked cool that night. It was smiling down on all of us, not just us friends but everyone. Or maybe sad face-ing on other people in other areas where Venus and Jupiter were on the opposite side. I don't want to put a picture HAHA.
---------------------------I don't want to talk about my job hunting escapades anymore. I might jinx it and it just makes me paranoid and uneasy.
I'm getting more and more bored. I have nothing to do anymore. I need to get a job! I have to call next week the call week as I have a deadline for a job offer by Thursday. Okay i'll just stop right there, uneasiness coming.
Trust.
Argh. Can't write when it's noisy (noisy T.V. with cousin watching). I realize I can't focus anymore when it's not quiet and I blame that to my thesis. Well, except when the noise is music, or my music rather (mp3s stored on my laptop).Anyway, I'm torn.
Torn between two job opportunities which I am both interested in. Two job opportunities which I think would be a great starting point for my budding career in finance. Two job opportunities that would both fulfill my needs - money (which is the root of all material fulfillment!). Two job opportunities that will push me into a new lifestyle. Two job opportunities, two choices, a win-win situation. Bam!
I think.
First off, the first of the two job opportunities (cousin stop bothering me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
First off, the first of the two job opportunities I'm not really sure if I got accepted since I'm still waiting for the call that would tell me and it's the 2nd week already. I believe this is the call week! The week I would get the call. Not just for this job opportunity but for the second one as well. What is up with companies telling you that they would contact you in a specific time which they never do? At least for another week.
For the second job opportunity (I like repeating those two words over and over, don't you think?), they said that I was okay and that they were seriously considering me. Thank you Lord. They would also call me this week for the "package" for my employment.
This is the call week! Now, CALL!
But like I said, I'm torn between two job opportunities. Both good, both ideal. I'm done thinking and I'm just waiting and praying.
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I got to watch a movie in a theater once again! I was with the bum club (i.e. Sarah, Mark, Java and Benson - some were absent) and we got together to watch a movie and hung out.
We watched Burn After Reading starring John Malkovich, George Clooney and Brad Pitt, among others. The poster is below:
Hmm, what can I say about this movie? I believe it takes a while to appreciate this movie. It's senselessly funny and perfectly true. Does it sound ironic or paradoxic? I'll try another one: Stupidly smart. Frustratingly satisfying. Like I said, it takes a while to appreciate. Well, at least for me.
Throughout the course of the movie, I was confused and frustrated to the point that I just laughed it out, but it IS funny. Just weird and it makes you think if the money was well worth it. Even I don't know the answer to that.Strangely, I can't not recommend you to watch it nor can I give it 5 stars and push you into watching it. It's all confusing, really.
"What a clusterfuck." - the best description of the movie (it came from it too)
One sure funny thing that I noticed as we watched the movie was that majority of the audience were couples! They were literally scattered all over the theater and there was even an old, grandma/grandpa couple watching!
Anyway, I'm all confused. I'll let you decide for yourself with regard to this movie but I can say for sure that the money I paid for was not worth it but at the same time, it didn't feel like a loss to burn that money for this clusterfuck. (And I said I didn't know the answer to this)
Now I know how to get to Greenhills by commuting! Yeah! *horizons expanding*
So I got to hang out with friends again and I'll be hanging out with more friends in the coming days (birthday treat yeah!).
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Christmas is coming. We already have Christmas decorations in our house though they do not turn it on at night yet. Maybe in December, I dunno.
Christmas is coming and I don't have the money boo.
I'm seriously considering working part-time at oDesk to earn some cash (in U.S. Dollars. 
) to spend for Christmas and other things like gimmicks. I think it's pretty easy to earn here but I can't yet. The account I'm supposed to make where they would deposit my paychecks need some identification that I'm unable to supply. Not for another 2 weeks. With the deductions like fees, I'd have to earn some significant amount first before I withdraw it to save on getting more fees (i.e. per withdrawal) but it's all minimal and puts a little dent to my future paychecks.
I'll probably go for this if my job starts next year.
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My economics high school teacher died. We went to her wake a while ago. She looked different from what I remember of her as well as in her picture. She really thinned up. But then cancer does that to everyone who has it. Especially when it's level 4. It was sad but I know that she is in a Great Place and is happy now. A strange reunion for us former high school classmates/friends.
I re-read Veronika Decides to Die (strange coincidence) and both these events told me, and now I'm telling it to you, to live! If we have to pretend that we will die the next day, then we must do so to make us realize how much there is in living life and doing whatever we want to. (I know, it's easier said than done) I believe that my former high school teacher, Mrs. Marlene Agustin, lived a happy life. It being evident in our classroom sessions which were always full of life and her treatment to us, much like a mom. She had been battling it for 12 years.
On another point, we should all be crazy/insane! Do what is considered taboo! Nobody wants to be like everyone else, right? Sure, we are in many ways but we should strive to have something that would separate us and make us stand out. If we become like everyone else and stick to routine, afraid of being on the uneven ground of unfamiliarity and risk, I think that would really drive us crazy, and not the crazy type I am talking about.
Who cares if you're a little weird? I'm weird!
Let's all be weird! But be careful or you might cross the bridge and be creepy instead.
A lot happened since my last entry. Well obviously; it was 12 days ago. I got more job interviews, tests, birthdays, gimmicks, chill outs and a new addition to the tv serieses(?) I watch. Let me start with that.
Starring (Center, front) Josh Radnor; (from Left to Right, back) Alyson Hannigan, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders and Neil Patrick Harris.
It's about Ted Mosby (Josh) who was telling the story to his kids about how he met their mother. He goes into extreme detail about it thus the inclusion of his friends (Marshall, Lily, Robin and Barney) and their escapades. It's really funny and like the show says, it has heart. This is what separates them from other sitcom-type shows but I personally think nothing beats "F.R.I.E.N.D.S." but this is a great show to watch nevertheless, and did I mention it was very very VERY funny? I cannot emphasize more on how funny it is. But then again, I laugh pretty much very easily.
I recommend y'all to watch that! The script and plot makes it worth keeping.
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So I am pretending that this entry is about Lung Cancer. I'd love to see another spammer comment here and tell me to talk about it and share it. But of course, I won't want to have it duh. (It's an experiment.)
What happened to me? Sadly, not as exciting as my last entry but still worthy to be written here. If I can remember much of it haha. I've been putting off writing here and it cost me a lot of potential blog entry length.
I went to a simple birthday lunch at my high school friend's house. It was his birthday and he invited us. Little did I know it was a family affair! Relatives were supposed to be there and it would become like a reunion for them. Good thing it wasn't like that. When we arrived, there weren't a lot of people (more like just one family haha) and it was okay. So we talked and rehashed our high school days and the things we did. One thing that did not change was the bullying. We have this high school friend of ours that seems to be the butt of all jokes. Even when it's not a joke. He has a lot of issues (self-esteem, honesty) and because of this, we make fun of him all the time haha.
First of all, he's into showbiz and he denies it a LOT. The John Lloyd, Bea, Sarah Geronimo, Carlo Aquino type of showbiz. He's updated on all the issues here and when we confront him, he denies! Plus he's always late. My friend told him he won't be successful in life because of that and, what a surprise, he denies that as well.
Talk about issues! Haha.
Anyway, I had fun with that small get-together (only 4 of us showed up) and the birthday boy treated us to Starbuck's! No pictures so I'll leave that to your imagination. Too bad others who confirmed to go did not and we could have had more fun! Also, I got to go to Ruin's/Ruins again and bought a dvd of - you guessed it - the one above.
I also went to a party (supposedly a batch party) the night before this mini-birthday bash. It was typical. Normal. It was my first time to go to Bonifacio High Street! The party wasn't there but we went there to buy some donuts and go to Fullybooked. Here I was with some of the friends at the party. And a scary guy at the back:
(I'm really not feeling my flow right now, so bear with the entry. Haha that sounded ghetto.)
Let's skip all this and get to the more exciting part. My interviews! And a test.
So the test was conducted in one of the companies I want to get in to. After taking it, I swore to myself that it would be the last test I would be taking for a job application so that means a halt to job hunting. The test lasted 3 hours, was hard, and I got to answer my favorite test of all; the 300-item personality test! Damn that test! DAMN YOU GUILFORD AND ZIMMERMAN! I've taken that five FIVE 5 times already!! AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW ITS RESULT! DAMN YOU!
I think I failed the exam actually haha. The general information test was uberly hard and I was shotgunning. All the others I think I was able to manage, if not barely.
I was a little discouraged from that test since all the other applicants looked smart haha. Plus, the applicants who went with the same school as mine all graduated with honors, and the company had preferred schools for taking in potential employees. But anyway, I'm still leaning in to the other company but I still hope to get a call here for the final panel interview.
So for the other company, I was really glad and satisfied and giddy with how the final interview went. It went great! I think it did, and the HR person thought it as well. So I'll tell you the scenario:
The interviewer was from the U.S. 2 would be asking questions while the other 2 would only be listening; ALL FOREIGNERS. BUT it would be through the phone only. Like a phone patch. Still scary. Good thing I didn't have to put my accent-speaking skill on as I was able to understand well what they were saying haha.
I was really blessed to have a great HR person since she and the head of the division (I got interviewed by that person as well and she's a local) wanted us to actually get in. They were rooting for us lol. And to top that, among the fresh graduate applicants I was among the top 2! (I decide to enlarge my head for a while there. I had, and still have, a right you know.) The other one I know as well and we were classmates. We both got big-headed.
So anyway, I felt blessed that the HR person was coaching us and telling us what we needed to know in order to nail the interview. She gave us tips on how to answer and to be energetic and assertive. Thank God the interview went well! The comments made by the interviewers, who were all in senior management positions I should add, were very positive! We were indeed energetic thank goodness and he even said that if we did not make it to the position offered he would be willing to endorse us to other departments! Hooray for that! This calls for a hyper-dancing banana!
AND ANOTHER ONE!
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I know of NINE people who had their birthdays between the date of my last entry and this. More are still coming (Scorpios FTW!) Only two had a bash and I attended only one of them (my high school friend's). The other one I didn't have a ride home. But I still got to go out. I had dinner again with my friends (bum club, we are now called) after the interview with the foreigners. It was a pretty long wait but it was worth it since I had fun.
Yes, they were the ones I was with when I got hospitalized. I just happened to be pulled in to that club by Zab (thanks and congratulations to her for getting a job finally!) and I'm thankful I did. Here we were:
Half of them were late due to the unusual uber traffic on all the roads leading to Greenbelt. Anyways, I was the only one who went home that night early as they all went to the other birthday bash I wasn't able to attend. Boohoo.
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Flow not good for this entry haha. Boring.
Wait! I forgot about how I spent my birthday! Haha.
It was typical. My mom (whose birthday was a day ahead of mine) had a bash at our house (this was not so typical). Old people came here. I was just in my room. That's it. I want to thank all the people who greeted me! I really REALLY appreciate it! 
What have I learned as I typed this? Never wait too long to tell a story. The plot becomes shorter and details disappear. Woohoo more lessons for me!
Hey you spammer, blogger-with-a-blogspot-on-diseases, comment!
