Ship Familiarization at Costa Allegra March 31, 2008

Posted in Multiply on Mar 31, '08

Monday morning, I, together with a group of educators, gathered for a vessel tour of Costa Allegra. This was a field trip organized by a very well-connected colleague, Dolly. Costa Allegra was docked in Manila yesterday. This vessel tour was by invitation only (naks!) and we had to make sure we give all the required information before they let us set foot inside the ship.

Funny, after weeks of planning, we (myself, my boss and her bodyguard) almost didn't go on with the scheduled tour. Kasi naman tong boss ko, she refuses to go anywhere without her bodyguard. But they were not able to provide the details required by Costa weeks before when they were being collected. Last minute, we were trying to get them to make an exception and to let Jack, the bodyguard, join in. When they initially refused and said they won't allow the bodyguard to join the tour, my boss gave her visitor's pass back and claimed her ID. She said if Jack isn't going, she's not going either. Of course, my loyalty was with my boss (though my heart was bleeding as I was so looking forward to this field trip), so I handed my visitor's pass as well and got my company ID back.

Dolly, in a panic, said she's gonna see what she can do and asked us to wait in the bus that will take us to Manila Hotel (should they say they really won't allow Jack), where we can be picked up by the driver. She reasoned with them that we (my boss and myself daw) are the reasons she organized the tour and sabit lang lahat ng educators. Naks naman! Although we all know it's not true, it's really for the educators, kami talaga yung sabit. So the vessel people went inside and BROUGHT THE CAPTAIN OUT. Captain was a nice guy and said he doesn't have a problem with the guy, just with the gun (no firearms allowed onboard). The gun and the bullets and all the bodyguard-related paraphernalia were left with the Philippine Coast Guard.

So we were able to get in! YIPEE!

Ayan, si Jack, who almost didn't get to tour the vessel. Salamat na lang sa powers ni Dolly!

Haaaay, saya naman ng tour. Ganda ng vessel. Although they said it was the oldest and smallest vessel they have at Costa Cruises, to me, comparing it to NN vessels, it still looked great! I was taking pictures everywhere.Our tour guide wasn't surprised naman that we were taking pics of eevrything. One educator was even filming everything! And I was trying to hide my giddy feeling, kasi parang exaggerated naman kung super lumabas ang excitement ko diba?!

Our lovely tour guide, Annie.

The giddy tourist

Bakit nga ba ako excited?! Sige na nga, I'll spill the beans na! Kasi, one of the trips Richard and I are planning to make this summer is this cruise onboard Costa Allegra!!! Yes, yes, we are going on a cruise! Pero short lang siya, 5 days 4 nights, from Hong Kong to Sanya China to Cailan Vietnam lang. Pero at least, diba?! Our very frist trip out of the country (except my US in 2003) and we get to visit 3 places agad! Kasama pa si Luis! Hehehe.

So anyway, while touring the vessel, I could already imagine the things that Richard and I will do there, where we'll hang out, where Luis can play, etc. After the tour and presentation, they served us a 4-course lunch. Sarap naman! Even the mineral water came from Tuscany! :D
I can just imagine, super tataba nanaman ako sa cruise na to. Kasi buffet everything! Six meals a day! I don't think I will sleep once the cruise in underway!

Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait! Now, I only just need to wait for our passports to be renewed...
Hay, I really am blessed to be around people who open up avenues and opportunities for me!

Blue Ocean Strategy March 27-28 2008

Posted in Multiply March 28 08

My bosses and I were slated to attend this training fro two days. I knew very little about it before getting to the InterContinental last Thursday.I just knew that this was a great opportunity to spend some time off from work and to have access to yummy hotel food. Hehehe. true enough, I LOVE THE FOOD. Buffet am and pm snacks, and buffet lunch for 2 days! :D Happiness!

The training of course, was fantastic! I didn't realize who our trainer would be until I got there and saw the name. It was no other than Josiah Go. His name was very familiar to me coz I saw that name in National Bookstore. He wrote several books. I just didn't know his face.

So when I realized he was the guy who was making small talk with me, coz I was the earliest bird, I got starstruck! He was so down to earth and very approachable, considering how brilliant he is. Galing noh, yung mga may karapatang magyabang dahil sobrang galing nila at successful, yun yung mga super humble at down to earth. Pero may mga tao na feeling magaling lang pero kala mo kung sinong superstar. Buti na lang napapasama ako sa mga former.Hehehe.

Anyway, the training taught me a lot. It helped me expand my brain. I got to work with other brilliant minds from different industries and got to pick their brains. Ang hirap pala pag lahat ng nasa training e presidents, CEOs, VPs, Managers, etc. Parang nakaka-pressure na dapat magaling ka din. Basta ako, salamat na lang kay God at na-expose ako sa mga taong yun. Now I know what I want to be when I grow up. Hehehe.

Blue Ocean Strategy March 27-28 2008

Posted in Multiply Mar 28, '08

My bosses and I were slated to attend this training fro two days. I knew very little about it before getting to the InterContinental last Thursday.I just knew that this was a great opportunity to spend some time off from work and to have access to yummy hotel food. Hehehe. true enough, I LOVE THE FOOD. Buffet am and pm snacks, and buffet lunch for 2 days! :D Happiness!

The training of course, was fantastic! I didn't realize who our trainer would be until I got there and saw the name. It was no other than Josiah Go. His name was very familiar to me coz I saw that name in National Bookstore. He wrote several books. I just didn't know his face.

So when I realized he was the guy who was making small talk with me, coz I was the earliest bird, I got starstruck! He was so down to earth and very approachable, considering how brilliant he is. Galing noh, yung mga may karapatang magyabang dahil sobrang galing nila at successful, yun yung mga super humble at down to earth. Pero may mga tao na feeling magaling lang pero kala mo kung sinong superstar. Buti na lang napapasama ako sa mga former.Hehehe.

Anyway, the training taught me a lot. It helped me expand my brain. I got to work with other brilliant minds from different industries and got to pick their brains. Ang hirap pala pag lahat ng nasa training e presidents, CEOs, VPs, Managers, etc. Parang nakaka-pressure na dapat magaling ka din. Basta ako, salamat na lang kay God at na-expose ako sa mga taong yun. Now I know what I want to be when I grow up. Hehehe.

I Have to Work on Monday

Posted in Multiply Feb 22, '08

I was told I have no choice but to come in and work on Monday. That was a declared holiday.
My heart is bleeding. I was so looking forward to spending an extra day with my Richard and Luis. I was so looking forward to spending some extra time to rest. And now none of that is going to happen because they tell me I need to come in on Monday.

Maybe I'm being exaggeratedly emotional about it, but I am doing my best to keep the tears from falling. NAIIYAK TALAGA AKO! I feel like they are robbing me of my personal time.
I think I need to keep saying the mantra Tina taught me a few weeks back, "Rachelle Consing-Motas, hindi ka kaawa awa." I need to keep saying it and hopefully, I'll start believing it.

I'm So Back!

Posted in Multiply Jan 30 08

After 2 1/2 days of no connectivity, I am back! Just got back from a Maritime Convention in Iloilo and got to spend some R & R while there. First time in Iloilo and had a feast. As in literally. hehehe. Eating was the name of the game. It was made clear to the people I was with that I LOVE TO EAT. Sabi ni Mitz, saan ko daw nilalagay ang kinakain ko. Hahahaha.

Anyway, I so missed my baby and my bunny when I was away. I was counting down the hours from the time I stepped into the airport going pa lang to Iloilo til we landed and picked Richard up. Haaaaay, 2 days (parang 3 na nga) seemed really long when you're away from your loved ones. Parang hindi na ako sanay matulog ng hindi katabi si Richard.

Side note, just now I checked my multiply and saw that the watermelon(a) yaya bonnel checked out my pics again! Haaaaay, nakakainis isipin that some people JUST WON'T STOP! Sabi ni Richard, pabayaan ko na lang mamatay sa inggit yung babaeng yun. LOSER!

That's it! When I have more time, I'll write some more. But for now, I gotta get back to work! See yah!

What I MIss Most About the Call Center Industry

Posted in Multiply Jan 17 08

Though bashful and very reserved (my closest friends would disagree, but this is so true!), I have been part of the training world since my professional life began. I do not really know how I got myself entangled in this industry, but I believe God wanted me to overcome my shyness, thus, the nerve wracking, crowd-facing and life-touching profession.

I would like to believe that I am succeeding in this career (sometimes to my own disbelief). I always strive to be one of the best (ahem, kayabangan to the highest degree) trainers in the companies I have joined (although I admit, I don't always enjoy being in center stage -- I always ask myself during the first day of class, "What am I doing here?! Why am I doing this to myself?!). I attribute this to the fact that I was with Guthrie-Jensen then and that I reported to the best trainer alive (and my life-idol), Patty Trinidad. Should Patty ever get to read this, yes Patty, you are my life-idol.

Being a trainer had exposed me to a lot of different industries. But what I had been part longest of is the call center training industry (from 2003 to 2007). I just moved to another industry late last year and it's a whole new world.

Lately, I've been missing the Call Center world. I sooooo soooo wanted to join in the TDS Training Convention. I even haggled my way to a free ticket thanks to Ms O (so long as I bring my "paying" boss - as stated by Bambi. hehehe). Unfortunately, my work schedule won't permit. Haaaaay, somehow, I still feel that there is where I belong.

Anyway, here are some things I miss about the Call Center Industry:

1. Speaking in English. This is the world where speaking in English is the norm. It's where grammar and pronunciation matter. In the call center world, you're expected to be good in the language and to use it. It's not unusual for 2 people who meet on the street to greet and chat in English. In my industry now (Shipping), English is a second language (actually third -- after Tagalog and Ilonggo). Sure we speak in English, but not as often, and not as meticulously. I cringe when I hear P and F defects and mispronounced words thrown everywhere. But hey, it's not like I should correct them and tell them to change the way they speak -- when it's not needed in our industry.

2. Snazzy office facilities and equipment. Call center office spaces are normally designed to be appealing to young people. Thus the artsy-fartsy and ultra modern office designs. I soo miss that. I like beautiful things. It's a far cry from office spaces here. But hey, I have my own corner with a view of the docked vessels, so I can't complain. Hehehe.

3. Fun and Friendly Culture. Most call center companies try to create a friendly atmosphere for its young manpower. Thus they try to lessen the structure and the bureaucracy. Levels are there but people are free to speak with anyone about anything. Here, it's not as simple and easy to deal with new people. Not everyone's ready to be friendly. It's the culture, people are very clannish/clique-ish.

4. Fast Internet Connection. Yes, mababaw as it may seem, I miss this. It's something I took for granted when I was part of the industry. Internet connection is expected. And it should be fast. Everyone has access to the internet (though maybe agents have limited access), still there's internet. Here, not everyone is connected. It's considered a privilege to have access. You have to request to have connection and even an email address. I couldn't believe it at first but it's true. I couldn't imagine how some of my colleagues work without it.

5. Two Rest Days. I have work half-day Saturdays. And it's not so bad. But I still have not adjusted to the fact that Friday night (Richard and my date night) is not the start of the weekend. There's work the next day. When I get home, it's already afternoon of Saturday! Little time left to enjoy the day and the next day's already Sunday! Gaaaah. Then Monday, I go back to work again. It is something I don't think I will ever get used to. But I gotta try. My only consolation is that Richard brings me to work and hangs out with me here in my office on Saturdays. He plays his computer games while I do other stuff. At least once a week, I get to work having him beside me. Kahit hindi kami mag-usap basta andyan lang siya, ok na.

Haaaay, wala, ranting ranting lang on a Saturday morning here at work. Hehehe.

NN Diamond Christmas Party Dec 19 2007

Posted in Multiply Dec 19 07

It was my first NN Christmas. I arrived alone at the Ilustrado in Intramuros. After registering for the raffle, I immediately felt like fish out of water. I was alone and didn’t know who I’d be hanging out with that night. All of a sudden, I missed my TDS friends more. I sent them a text message and to show support, they called me on the phone to keep me company at least for a few minutes (How sweet is that, huh? Thanks Lyn, Maianne, Beth, and Claire!). The medical team was sweet enough to adopt me for a few hours, so I wouldn’t have to sit alone. Later on, Ron and Chona arrived (also from Oceanlink) and we ended up sitting together later. Colleagues from Sales (Donnie and Rommel) later hung out and said hello. I didn’t have to sit alone naman pala! Thank goodness! And it’s not entirely true that I don’t have friends in NN. Siguro, budding friendships pa lang kaya I don’t really feel it yet.

As the hours passed, I realized that I was enjoying the party. It wasn’t so bad! The performers were great (Fat Babes are actually fat gays who sing like women – but can also sound like men, Jennifer Lee of Viva Hot Babes was really eye-catching and entertaining – especially for the men), the food was yummy (or was I just too hungry?!), and the Chairman announced one month’s bonus for everyone (yahoo!).

It was just so sad that I didn’t win ANYTHING out of the 150 ++ gift items to be raffled off (what’s one tv out of the 7 21” TV’s or so that they gave out? O kaya man lang one of the washing machines – we need to replace ours – or kahit man lang one of the 17 rice cookers? Anything would have been appreciated!). Oh well, unlucky in raffles, lucky in other things, I’d say.

All in all, it was a good night. It was.

Merry Christmas, NN! Thanks for counting me as part of the family!

Post Christmas party: Just learned the bitter fact that NOT ALL employees will get a bonus. I assumed ( I made an ass of u and me) that when the Chairman said ALL EMPLOYEES, he meant all employees of the mother company. Turned out, he just meant employees of the MAIN company (and it’s subsidiary) and not the other sister companies (including us).

So now my team (there are only 4 of us) have long faces for being led to believe that ALL meant ALL. Sana pala hindi na lang nila inannounce sa party, noh?

Away for the Weekend

Posted in Multiply Nov 9 07

It's Friday night, I'm still here in the office. I'm waiting for the announcement that we can already board the vessel. My team and I are all having a training program onboard. It's a chance for all our Shipboard Trainers to get to know each other and to be able to realign the way they teach. It's really required that we do this. It will only do our group good. We will be back Sunday night. I know it in my mind, but my heart screams in yearning.

I wanna go home.

I wanna go home to see my sexy bunny. I wanna go home and see my chungchung boy. I wanna have dinner with my husband tonight.I wanna watch the news snuggling close to my hubby. I wanna play with my son til he falls asleep. I wanna laugh while watching him raise his hand when we say, "Alejandro Luis Consing Motas. PRESENT!" I wanna sleep with my hubby. I wanna fall alseep embracing him while he snores. I wanna wake up and see him stirring when I stir. I wanna go to the mall tomorrow. I wanna do what we originally planned to do on Sunday - bring our parents to Sonya's. I wanna do what we had planned to do this weekend.

Waaaaah! I'll so miss my family.