Mamburam's Store Sucks!!!

To the Manager,

                This letter is to complain about your staff and the service they give to your customers. Yesterday, I bought a couple of items in your store and the bagger packed the detergent soap together with the ice I bought. If I had not told them not to mix food with detergent, he would continue doing it and poison us unknowingly.

                This may seem like a small mistake that I could have just ignored. What really pisses me off is the fact that this is not the first time that I walked in to your store and walked out annoyed by the customer service! I am sure, because I hear and chat with other customers falling in line to the cashier, that I am not the only one displeased. The staff was never pleasing. They always have these frown in their faces like their so bored and/or impatient with the customers. I’ve never seen anyone smile and this is not an exaggeration. Minor complaint if only they can do their jobs right, no problem. If only there were other stores nearer we wouldn’t have bothered ourselves and live with the incompetency of your staff.

                There was also one time when an old man, one early morning, was giving directions on one of the staffs on what kind of milk he wants and it took the staff 5 mistakes and around ten minutes to give the old man what he wants. That also meant ten minutes of waiting for the other buyers! That was early in the morning when everyone is in a hurry and was running to your store expecting convenience. Pardon my words but does your staff know how to read? I don’t have to say also that the staff is very slow because everybody knows that.

                I’d like to report these grievances in concern to your store and the customers who still patronize it. I hope this letter gets the attention it deserves and lead to the changes on the way your staff treats customers.

Thank you.

111Darwin St., Greenpark

Back on Track

 I ran four kilometers this afternoon after almost 6 months of hiatus. This is to prepare for the six-kilometer fun run I’ll join this coming December 3, 2011 organized by the Malolos Cathedral organization. This is a benefit fun run I suppose since this is by the church. I registered my boyfriend, too, for the run though he’s not sure if he can be there on Saturday because of work. Well I hope he comes because honestly I don’t know if I could finish the fun run alive. Just kidding. It won’t kill me. It can almost kill me if I’m not properly conditioned. I try to run four kilometers for three consecutive days. I’ll rest on Friday and come early on the cathedral on Saturday since early birds will have freebies! Poor me, just aiming for the consolation prize.

What’s good about my treatment of this sport is that I don’t do it for competitive purposes. I’m smart enough to know I won’t win a marathon though I already placed third in a 4.7km run in Binangonan beating policemen. I do it to challenge myself. I got engaged in this sport for actually a different purpose than the challenge I mentioned-to lose weight before a wedding. After the wedding , I stopped being active meaning I didn’t get to train regularly which was like three times a week. I also missed at least two fun runs in which I was registered for free since the company I work for sponsors such events. I’m coming back for the challenge of running/walking my first 6k.

Even with the “program” I created for myself, I don’t aim for 6k which is equivalent to 15 rounds. I’m training alone what if I just die for lack of oxygen?! I might faint and expose myself to paranoid-induced dangers and shame. I’m just courageous to run 6k on Saturday because hopefully my boyfriend will run with me and will be there in case something bad happens to me.

Since this fun run is for a good cause, the Lord will guide us.

***Jaime Rivera was the “choir” for the mass at 6PM last Sunday. She was promoting her album with 18 tracks on it. I actually got interested in buying the album since it has 18 songs on it! (The eighteenth is our monthsary.) My boyfriend was getting annoying when I was about to line up for the cd so I opted not to buy.

c.l.e.a.n.e.r

      

    I’m really not a tidy person. It’s hard to keep things in their own respective places and somehow, I feel like there’s something wrong if it’s spick and span. I like the confusion and commotion that rubbish sometimes bring s. What I really hate is foul-smelling anything. If my eyes are not choosy, my nose is.

         Just late this afternoon while I’m waiting for the clock to strike 5pm so I could go home guiltlessly from office, I listed the things I have to do here in my apartment. Fixing my room is one of them. When I reached home, until now, the thought of that chore releases all the lazy hormones in me. I can sleep on my bed filled with all the other things that shouldn’t be on top of it. When I look down on the floor, the floor is filled too with things that should not be scattered there. I am totally comfortable with it.

          What I’m trying to say is that I have to discover suitable ways on how to spend my time other than cleaning messy rooms! Since Weak will be busy working now, I really have to find a world of my own. What will I do, I’m really not comfortable with people? Going out with them is the no-brainer time-killer. They bore me and I bore them. Should I study again? That would be on my own for the meantime since enrollment is not until June next year. Work harder? No way! At least not in this company. I also don’t think that the work would make me spend time since I don’t know what’s to do there in a lazy Tuesday afternoon.

          Read. Watch movies. Surf. Write. That could be enough for now - until Weak and I cope up with this change in his life. I’m sort of getting sentimental about this. Not only because it is Weak’s milestone but because it is like this for everyone. It was like this for me and I didn’t notice it. Because my mind was busy, pre-occupied with the excitement of having my first job and all the things that goes with it, I forgot to say goodbye to the old me – the girl who will never come back. I really don’t think this is logically necessary. I just thought that maybe I shouldn’t had been so eager  to leave the real me like I want her out of my life fast, like I never liked her at all, like I never needed her to be what she was. I should have at least said “thank you” and/or “I wont forget you”.

          I’m a little frightened, doubtful and at the same time happy and excited for weak. The first two adjectives pertain to what I feel if Weak would change for the worse. The last two descriptions are for my instinct to share my partner’s feelings. It was always him and me and all the things he grew up and is familiar with and I am familiar with. Now it is going to be him me and the entire world. I know so I’m preparing myself. I’m preparing for my new boyfriend. He will change of course, even without him knowing it. I’ll welcome those changes as long as it’s still him by the core.

Dear Me

       It’s always nice reading back old letters from friends. It also feels good to read your past entries on your old journal. Why? Because it feels like you’re going back to who you really are. Those notes are reminders of the real us despite  what this crazy world is trying to make of us. After reading those notes, it “feels home”.

       Those letters remind me of the love I receive back then and the assurance that goes with their promises that no matter how many years try to change us some things will remain the same. Lesson for today? I will try to learn how not to doubt the love people give me. I do that all the time and what does it bring me? It sure makes me wiser or rather harder to deceive. I realize I don’t want to end up lonely, paranoid and pessimist just because I’m trying to put reasons behind unexplainable and sometimes illogical and irrational truths.

        There’s House and there's Sparks. I have to choose whose life values I’d adapt. I’d say strike a balance between the two. Or rather, adapt Sparks’ and when you’re so drowned with the fairytale life and love you’re getting (which I think we all deserve) get some thoughts from House because really not all people believe in fairytales. For those morose and selfish people, all the world should be as morose as them.

        We are greatly affected by what we watch or read or listen to. What strikes me now is that it’s even more powerful when who we watch or read or listen to is our own self. Try uniting with your soul. It may be some sort of spirituality thing and surprisingly it heals. We will soon be reoriented on what we want-before this and that attempts failed -that made as recourse direction and believe something else. The path we want to take might change but the reason for setting out on the journey, I believe remains the same. We want something. Be reminded or that core reason so no matter how and where we will go, it would be less frightening.

       God is with us. He unites with us so it’s important to commune with ourselves. I’m saying this so that months and years from now when I find chance to commune with myself again, I’ll reminded of that peace and inspiration I experienced when I decided to begin this letter. Dear me. . .

Of Little Stores and Little Stalls

      I don't know how oysters became my favorite but I find myself craving for them once in a while. Sometimes the craving is so strong all hell will break loose if I don't eat them. Good thing I know where I could eat these not so common food in Pasig. Tiendesitas. They come pricey. Twelve pieces costs as much as Php160. Without exaggeration, that money could buy a sack of oysters in Bulacan. I don't want to say this but yeah, somehow its worth it.

My fave oysters from a store in Tiendesitas.

     There are reasons why Tiendesitas is successful. You could shop (like what I did before dining) for things at a lower price; food trips of course; and live bands. Since it's very near my place I keep on coming back here.

*******

Seafoods from Il Mercanti.

     There is this hype about November 11, 2011 (11.11.11). Commercialism because needless to say, every moment is just once in a lifetime, happens once in all the worlds' history.Banchetto created the Wish Lanterns Fest for this day at exactly 11:11PM. As I've heard, it was unsuccessful. As I saw it last night, it was. Though I did not see a thousand wish lanterns flying in the sky, we did see some. People around us were sending lanterns on their own and there was a cheery mood around. I don't know if its just me who was joyful last night for some special reason but in my point of view it was a success.

     We were busy visiting each stall and during that time when Weak and I were lining up for corndog, I looked into my cell phone's time. 11:10PM. We waited for that exact 11:11PM and though he thinks its mushy I urged him to make a wish. Turns out, he's wish is better than mine.

     Despite the traffic going to Banchetto and lack of adequate tables and seats (we ate hito in the parking lot!), maybe I'll go there again. As always, depending on who I'm going with. Hmmmn, sweet night!

This is My Dream Title, Not My Dream Job

     Working for a company whose vision is to become a global standard when it comes to customer-eccentricity has taught me one thing - how to become a more demanding customer myself.This is sometimes good or bad.Good because first I get what I want. Second is I get to say what I want. The bad news is it's easy to irritate and disappoint me. It's human nature to kind of expect from others what you give them. When this does not happen bubbles start bursting. This has been going on until Patrick Star stated the wisdom that until we allow little nasty things done to us just pass we will not be at ease. By loosening up, I'm learning to let go.


     I spent the whole day today - to be continued the whole day tomorrow -attending seminar on customer service. While I am immersed in the discussion, it really makes me think if I'm really in the right job. One way to describe me is that I hate people. I'm no Hitler but I'm a major anti-social. So everyday of my life I'm thinking, why the hell am I here? 


     I don't like Math, though one thing I can be proud of is the 92% I got in the ECE licensure exam. I usually don' like things which are required of me even if in truth, I like them.Back in the senior year of high school, in an activity,the teacher told us to dress up our dream profession. I dressed up like what I officially became five and a half years later with a name tag above my chest where those four-letter title was inked.


     When I first found out I passed the board, I did not shout or jump for joy. I did not cry either. Poker face. Bu believe me, until now I can say that I am truly happy with it. Maybe forever grateful because of it. Whether being licensed here is important or not is still debatable but who cares. It is a big dream fulfilled, a dream title achieved.


     To date, I'm spending nearly two years in a field outside of engineering. It never bothered me  until now that I'm bored with my job. If I wanna practice, I'm still not sure. I know I entered my current job with thoughts and hopes that I could excel on this and I have in my own way and pace. But not having to experience what it's like to be an engineer is maybe what's bothering me. I'm twenty-three and will probably be working for the next three decades of my life. I don't wanna be stuck here. I am young. I get bored easily and the whole world being still there for my taking is sinfully tempting. What pains me is the thought that my present is all there is. That I'm gonna do for the rest of my career with very little changes. I wanna eliminate the what ifs and maybe I can only do that if I'll try my hands on the course I spent more than half a decade on.


     Engineering is my dream title. It's not my dream job. Or is it?

Dinner on a Cruise Ship Experience

     First of, Sir Dan is one of my few real friends in Pasig. He's very gay in the true sense of the word-figuratively and literally. We go go to the spa together, dine and shop and other stuffs. He's the one who invited me yesterday for a dinner on what he called "barko in Manila Bay".

     The dinner  - as I later on found out - was one of the deals purchased through a group-buying site. Mitch, another colleague, initially bought a lot of vouchers and sold them later for a little higher price.Mitch is a Chinese and her being one reflected on this move. Cherry bought four and needed three persons for company. Sir Dan, Venus Bernal and I were the lucky ones.

     We had to commute from Pasig to CCP Complex in Pasay. Registration is up to 5:45PM as what the voucher said for the 6:00PM dinner. That said, we had to leave the office at 4:30PM just to beat the buzzer. This is one of the things I love about my job. We can leave at our own disposal. I'm not very familiar with the metro although I've been "living" here for almost 3 years now. The truth is, maybe I never really bothered to teach myself Manila's streets and roads. Heck, I know how to read. When I wanna go somewhere alone I'm confident I can go there no matter what. This night, being my idea of unwinding,I just let them direct us where and what to ride.

     Traffic. Rain brought about what was announced on the news as start of La Nina phenomenon. We thought these would spoil the evening. Fortunately, the rain stopped when we were aboard the Prestige Cruise Ship.

     It's not everyday that I can have dinner this way. This is actually a first time. If only for the thought of dining in a sailing yacht this experience could have hit an A+ on my scale. As I am often told, I am harder to please than the average person so I have my observations cum complaints.
     
     I think I mentioned already that it rained before reaching Manila Bay. This is apparent on the ship's floor. One must be very careful with walking around choosing seats or taking pictures. People are admitted on the 2 lower decks since the top one are available for an additional fee of Php100.00. Picture takings on the top deck, though, is allowed. The cruise ship also did not leave the bay until 6:15 so people who were expecting the food to be served at 6:00PM sharp were getting a little impatient.

     Lines were long at the buffet table. Of course I can not complain on this. Manila Bay by night is a sight to behold from the ship. This view as the appetizer is superb. Talking about the real food, a bland soup; carrots and cucumber salad; one chicken dish; and pork with pasta viand is not my idea of a buffet. You can tell if the buffet is a hit if people keeps on coming back at the buffet table but that was clearly not the scenario. The buffet lacked choices and with it comes the unimpressive taste. I'm actually not hard to  please when it comes to soup. In fact I enjoy ordinary prepackaged easy-to-cook soups by a popular brand. Their soup just sucks.The buffet doesn't come with drinks like how it is with other restaurants. They have brownies though given per piece to each guests.

     On the bright side of things, they have live band to entertain the customers while dining. Requests and greetings for birthdays or special occasions are welcomed. The staff were ready to assist customers in bringing food to their table since carrying plates over "troubled water" on high heels (yes, high heels , I noticed a lot of guests wearing those) is a challenge. Yes to the boat ride. No to the buffet. It was endorsed as buffet on-board so naturally they are expected to provide those two satisfactorily.

     The ship returned to the bay at around 7:30PM to accommodate the next and last batch of customers.

     A few meters away is the ship for Corregidor Island tours. We decided to take that trip next time.

     Going home, we took a stroll through CCP Complex. Dazzling lights through giant lanterns hang on CCP building for the ongoing Christmas Season. Sir Dan and Cherry did their plankings there! In the end having nice,crazy fun is always a thing to be thankful for. No matter what the conditions are, it is the company and friendship that matter. That's only then  we can say that WE'RE CRUISIN' TOGETHER.

for*the*1st*time

ironic perhaps for an electronics engineer and a writer at heart to come across my real first blog after 23 years of existence in this highly techie world. well, believe it or not, these words are my firsts. to start of, i just wanna congratulate myself! here's to the start of a wonderful attempt to connect with myself. that's my goal with this blog and hopefully id do just that.

this is me...for the first time...