Finally..

Our housing complex is already connected to the web! Pathetic as it seems, it took 6 months (almost a year for the earlier tenants) for the Emirates housing complex in Al Quoz to get an Internet connection. It didn't come easy. We finally got word from Du (the provider) only last Jan 5th that the area is already wired.. after countless email requests, follow-ups and empty promises by the Accomodations division of the Emirates Group Headquarters.  Can't blame them though.  Al Quoz is a very remote place..often regarded as the 'final glimpse of undeveloped Dubai.'  I was so disappointed the first time I came here. The area is in the middle of the desert amidst the many cement factories and labor camps that surround it.  Our housing complex is a different story though..the area was still buildings and all-sands 6 months ago. But now sidewalks are fixed with red bricks and they've began development of the gardens, walkways and lit-up roads. Dubai Properties is the developer of the area so I know the final outcome will be good once it's fully -developed. We're fortunate enough to be given a fully-furnished villa with free electricity, gas, and water. A lot of EK employees are now lining up to get company-provided accomodation in Al Quoz because of the skyrocketing rent prices in Dubai.

Anyway, I did my grocery in Satwa yesterday, as usual in the ever-famous Al Maya Supermarket. I didn't have rice anymore so I went straight to Satwa and asked Fahad the carlift driver to wait for me for 30 minutes. I took the usual stuff..rice, canned goods, fish, chicken, and my personal hygiene stuff. I then proceeded to the Pork section to buy pork and canned products like SPAM (the Lite variety), Purefood hotdog, and other pork products that Filipinos love. After having the pork meat cut into cubes, I was ready to exit the place when my eye caught one product on display...Purefoods Fiesta Ham!    Haha. I got really excited because it's always a tradition in our family to buy that product during Christmas. I only get to eat it once a year so when it wasn't available during the Christmas rush last month, I kinnda f elt disappointed. My sister Kristine, my brother Kenneth  and I always had a good time eating it with rice (haha) after putting it inside the microwave oven, making it semi-brown and crisp. I immediately put it in my grocery cart before somebody else does as there were only a few balls left. I'm just thankful that the UAE is an open-country, respecting the religion and culture and other nations. Pork is a taboo in Saudi and I must say I'm really glad I left the place haha.

Aloha (my former officemate in Lighthouse) texted me earlier to arrange a meeting in Dubai Mall. She came here in Dubai just 2 weeks ago and we have yet to meet. I was sick for two weeks due to flu and it's only now that I'm fully recovered..I hate coughing! My flu was really bad that I felt my entire lungs were filled with phlegm. Yuck. It's just great that the healthcare system here in Dubai is very efficient as medicines are provided for free and I don't have to pay for doctor's fees. Wish it was the same case back home in Manila. At least I'm recovered now and I get go back to the gym to do some cardio and weights.

I'm excited to go home! I'll be taking my vacation in February 15 and my friends and I are going to Boracay! I haven't been to the place so I'm really looking forward for the trip there. Let's see if it's still the world class beach that the Department of Tourism is claiming it to be. A few years ago the beaches were ordered closed because of the presence of coliform. But they've cleaned it already and I hope by the time we get there the waters are still pristine and sand beaches powdery white. I still haven't planned where to go with my family. Probably it'll just be a weekend getaway in Tagaytay or wherever far. We can't go far as my sisters are working.

Like my hair? It's just an experiment. Eversince my childhood days I've always had the boring 'gupit binata' haircut haha. But when I grew up I just tell the barber to cut it the way he wants...in other words...'barber's cut.'  I'm still not used to it, but I style my hair this way once in a while haha.

Oh gee..Aloha texted me again. I got so excited resurrecting this blog back to life haha. I'll post again tomorrow. I'm off to Dubai Mall!

Taking Risks

It was a blast! Dino and Joeph were great hahaha. Dino Guevarra looked like a Barbie Doll and Keempe jokingly asked 'Hoy Dino bat hindi ka nagtanggal ng agiw sa dibdib mo! (referring to his chest hairs) haha. Joseph was great in dancing as usual.

Sigh. I know the entertainment scene in Dubai is very different from here. But at least people from there say there  moviehouses in Dubai showing the latest Hollywood (and even Pinoy) movies.

Have to sleep now. I'll keep you posted soon.

    

One Year After..

Gee. I just thought of visiting my Xanga blog and never realized that it's exactly a year since my last post. It's Sunday right now in Manila (and Saturday in the States) so there are less calls for agents and for us Service Directors. We have plenty of idle time to explore the web and kill time.

Hmm. Since it's exactly a year since my last post, it's good to ponder on the events that occured over the past twelve months. One thing that I never regret doing is returning to the Philippines to work. It's really very fulfilling to work in your homeland and be with the company of your family and friends. Nothing beats Manila. Now, I'm more appreciative of the fact that I'm here in the country where people are free to do anything they want. I don't like to dwell anymore on the horrors of Riyadh and its strict Muslim culture. I'm just glad that I'm not there anymore haha.

Another 'event' that happened was my transfer to the BPO industry. A lot of people still think lowly of call center jobs. But the great fact it, these jobs are the main reason why the economy is growing, and employment is soaring. Getting a job now is a lot easier than before. I can still remember the time when I graduated from college in 1998 at the height of the Asian financial crisis. Jobs were very hard to find.. and the jobs being offered to us (mostly by banks) offered the lowest salary level. I don't about banks, but I just can't imagine myself working as a bank teller processing all those paperwork. We literally had to walk-in to the HR departments of various companies and hop from one building to another just to find a job. Unlike now where it's very easy to 'shop' for jobs..with most BPO companies offering one-day hiring..it's simply amazing. These BPO companies are a big blessing to us..they keep the economy alive. They offer salaries that are much higher than regular day jobs, and getting promoted (or getting a raise) is  faster than convential jobs.

Everything went fast in my case. I'm now a Service Director in IBM, and it still amazes me that I got in this position sooner than most of the SD's who were promoted. I started as an agent in United Mileage Plus (the frequent flyer program of United Airlines), and transfered to United Reservations after two months. I got the Platinum Stack Rank one month after my certification, and was an awardee for the 2nd Quarter Rewards and Recognition. One thing I realized is that discipline plays a vital role in being call center agent. You just need to be professional at all times. It's this simple: Just show up everyday at work, be punctual, avoid being absent, meet all your metrics, and everything will be fine. If you continue being disciplined at work, your superiors will notice your professional attitude..and they'll recommend you for promotion.  Which happened in my case. I got in this position much faster than the other tenured agents. I guess I'm just lucky as well.

Ironically, I'm now considering working in another country. Again it happened very fast. I applied for an overseas job last December, was contacted first week of January, and took the test last week. I passed. I got interviewed..and I was selected. Gee. I just don't know what to decide anymore. I'm enjoying my job now more than ever,  but the prospect of a better pay and better company makes me confused. I guess I just have to wait for the official job offer, and weigh all things before I make a big decision. But for now, I can say that everything went well for me during the last twelve months, and that's enough reason for me to thank God for all his blessings.

I'll keep you updated.

Just came back from work. I'm 95% recovered. My tonsils are not that swollen anymore and the puss are gone. It isn't hard to swallow and I feel normal again. I'm just careful now about drinking cold and sweet drinks...I've learned my lesson.

Well work is good..just the same old stuff. Even if it's routinary..I'm enjoying it..and the pay. Jacky and I were chatting during our break and she told me that she also finds the work here better than it was in Ambergris...I mean, the account is not that hard and the people in my team are ok too...this is a lot better than working in Saudi hehehe.

Anyway I dropped by McDonald's in New Frontier this morning to eat longganisa meal and sausage mcmuffin sandwich. The lady who took my order almost kneeled in front of me just for me to order this Longganisa McRice Burger. I told her that I only wanted the regular longganisa meal but she was really relentless..so I agreed. I've always wondered how a rice burger actually tasted and might as well try it. Well, the packaging is good and the burger is neatly prepared. Here's how it looks like..

The taste isn't bad at all. The rice doesn't get messy and it stays that way, and the semi-toated top and bottom gives a good grill-flavor on the burger. It's very heavy and filling. It felt as if you ordered extra rice for this. And comparing it with the ordinary longganisa meal, the McRice has more meat it in. So all in all, not bad although I don't intend to buy it again soon.

Next week my off will be on Thurs and Friday. I have no problems with it, 'coz I still have the chance of spending a great time at Friday night/Saturday morning..the best time to go out hehehe.

Uh, here we go again..I promised to update this blog often but just tend to forget about it hehe. I've been absent from work since yesterday. As usual, I'm sick with acute tonsillitis (what else's new?) Today I feel much better though..last night was a total disaster. I felt so sick that I can't even stand to drink a glass of water. My joints were so painful and I could barely move. Even reaching out for my cellphone was difficult to do. My fever went as high as 39.5 and so my mom put some cold press on my forehead (gee what would I do if my mom weren't here..thank God for moms). This morning I went to St. Camillus Clinic and used my Intellicare card. The doctor (Dr. Batingan) told me that should I have more than 2 cases of tonsillitis in a year, then I should have my tonsils removed..coz it might lead to complications like rheumatic heart and liver problems. Sheesh. I'm just frustrated that I broke my promise not to be absent from work again. During my entire stay in Saudi I was never late or absent. I'm just wondering how come I never got sick of tonsillities there..maybe it's the air here in Manila that gets germs to my throat..I dunno. Good thing it's my off today and tomorrow..I have more time to rest.

Work is okay..I'm assigned to Team Paris and the team leader (Cheena) is nice. I'm still in the process of getting to know the team members..but from the looks of it they're ok. The account is not as hard as I though it would be. We're handling United Airlines Mileage Plus accounts and basically people are calling to inquire about  information on their accounts like mileage balance and promotions. I got my first quality rating  and scored 100%...wish I could sustain it.

So I'm here doing nothing but rest. I just finished watching The Devil Wears Prada and Kung Fu Hustle on DVD. My sister also gave me some of her DVDs like The Wedding Date and The Longest Yard. Maybe I'll watch them tomorrow. I don't like the idea of being a couch potato.