Day 12: Bleach Update and A Sunday Service Recommendation

Since I’m technically employed (I hope), I relinquish my ‘obligation’ (a daunting and mentally draining one at that) to post an entry here daily. Lol. And because of the undying law of diminishing marginal utility, I realized that my content has gradually.. well, diminished. So I believe it’s for the best if I did. :D

Bleach Update! In the latest Bleach manga, Ulquiorra and Ichigo are still at it, Orihime tries to help Ichigo, Ulquiorra’s fraccion intend to kill Orihime and Yammy’s climactic arrival at the scene builds up the series’ momentum (probably to vent his frustration on Ichigo for cutting his arm off).

And it’s a Saturday. We’re off to church later to do worship. We’ve been patronizing the Redemptorist church for our Sunday (and anticipated mass) services because said services are the best in the city. Their lectors speak and sound well, the choir doesn’t shout and most of the presiding priests make wonderful (albeit oftentimes long) homilies. I suggest you go here too; though if you like English masses (like me) you’d have to check their schedules beforehand.

Cheers! :D

Day 11: Tax Me, Baby!

In a nutshell, it [tax seminar] was as exciting as shopping for antiques. Well, most of the people there were, well.. antique-looking so the logic fits.

The topics were for experienced CPAs and it was spearheaded by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (along with the local PICPA chapter) and most of the topics were highly elaborate tax circulars that repealed previous pronouncements. Apparently, I had no idea what said previous pronouncements were so just imagine me nodding my head in utter bewilderment. I was also caught off guard when I saw the Bureau’s new vision: it had the word integrity in it so I took in some time to laugh ‘internally’.

They heavily discussed:

1. The Bureau’s (RDO 113) plans for the current year;

2. A lot about the Optional Standard Deduction (OSD);

3. And other tax updates (Top 20,000 Tax Payers, Director’s Fees, Registration of Manual Books, etc).

To respect the effort the speakers put into their presentations (though one proved to be entertaining) I pretended to listen, gently shaking my head in specific instances (albeit delayed because I had to see if others were doing likewise) and slightly chuckling at their apparent struggle with some words.. err, comical retorts.

The ruse I was playing strained me so I turned to my seatmates only to find that we were all on the same playing field. At least we rightfully earned (through an extensive exertion of force) our CPE units, yes? Not bad for wee freshmen, I suppose.

TL;DR I was bored to tears.

Cheers! :D

Day 10: Good News, Bad News

Hello avid readers! Lol. It’s like talking to an empty chasm, yes?

OK, the bad news first: I flunked the BDO interview today. I’m not one to make too many excuses (not really true) but I think it had something to do with my preference for law school and the short time I was considering myself for employment (when I said I wanted to work there for at least 2 years her eyes squinted in disgust). Oh well. Like they say, an exit is akin to an entrance with better lighting. Lol, I made that up.

The good news is I passed the Landbank examination (along with some of my friends who took it as well). Yey! :D The branch manager finally considered my application and she told me she’d be processing it if I completed all the requirements. But I’m still not sure about that because March is still a month away, the only position open (I think) is for bookkeeping and I could still consider my other pending applications. Still, it’s assuring to know that I have stable backup plans (this and law school, eventually).

Here’s to hoping for the best! Cheers!:D

Day 9: Still Keeping It Positive (in a Bipolar Sort of Way)

Productivity wise, this day would fare better a tad bit because I was able to do my exercise routines albeit not taking lunch beforehand. I had to stop it prematurely because I was feeling wobbly and inexplicably hungry (LOL at lack of appropriate adverb).

I actually looked for a new pair of shorts but it was unfortunate that I couldn’t find the exact piece I loved (and wore tirelessly) so I quit. I was only able to look for it in one mall so there’s hope still. But I’m keeping my options open. This could be a window in which I would discover a new fit that I would stick with the rest of my working out days. Lol. (My sentences are running so I must be hungry again.)

That pretty much sums my day up. It’s quite hard being unemployed and trying to write something of essence. I’m not bitter though. I’m sure my plans will come to fruition in due time. Meanwhile, I’ll just have to embrace my static status (as people unerringly suggest) because viewing it in another perspective, it’s actually a considerable luxury (if y’know what I mean).

Cheers!

Day 8: Obligatory Post 3

I wanted to finish these series yesterday but I was too tired and I ran out of things to say. When work stacks up, it really takes a toll on you.

I’m supposed to rant about my awful Monday. A wrench was thrown into my plans and my day got screwed entirely. Yeah, that’s when I discovered that I lost my gym shorts. Hence, going there was out of the question. I thought of doing alternative routines at home but then I dropped it because I thought I could just increase the intensity of my exercises the next time I do them.

As much as I would hate to admit it, I often put things on hold for inane reasons and the consequences become relatively dire.

Just like the time I put off an entry here. Before I knew it, I had to make four. Quite similar to loans with compounded interest, really. Hence I must suffer with muscular collapse until I can temper these guns again. Lol, I’m kidding. They’re not guns and they’re not that huge.

And since I had some time left (and after realizing that my hair was horrid), I had my hair cut really short. Although the difference may not seem too apparent, I’m really meticulous with detail and I become restless if I don’t get it my way.

I’m ending this post with 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally. I have to read this chapter pa. Cheers!

Day 7: Obligatory (and Uninspired) Post 2

We went to church today. We usually do that on Saturdays (for convenience) but we were apparently too busy to do so.

It was a usual Sunday, with usual activities with the same usual people. Nothing exciting really. Except for the fact that I forgot to take the lotion I bought home. My bad. I was too distracted by Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s If I Can’t Dance song that I misplaced it in the grocery counter and it eventually drifted off my mind. I never told my mum about that so I’d have to buy one again myself. First my shorts, then this. What’s this world coming to? Lol.

Here’s Sophie to lift my spirit (although whenever I’d hear her song I’d remember my wanton foolishness).

Still, cheers! :D

Day 6: Obligatory Post 1

Ugh, I missed 2 posts in a row. Oh well, that means I just have to try a bit harder next time.

I was quite busy last Saturday (though not as intense as my employed peers are). I accomplished a couple of chores but the catch is that they had to be done in several locations simultaneously. Lol.

I went to PICPA to register for a tax seminar. I dreadfully need the CPE units because (as if I haven’t emphasized enough) I’m jobless. The fee was noticeably generous considering the duration of said event. The speakers are overcharging their honorariums, yes?

I also went to the mall to shop for an ‘item’. As if I have the finances to splurge pud. Lol. What made this day surprising was that I saw people there I never expected I’d see in a millennia of struggle.

I saw Ma’am Dagoy first (my 4th year ReEd instructor). We talked for a while (whilst subconsciously holding her hand) about my career path and then swerved off to the reunion thing. She also suggested that I visit during the Sama-sama. I’m sure I’d still be unemployed then so I think I’ll find time. Almost immediately, I caught up with Mianne (a former colleague). Again, we talked about ourselves, how anxious she was on the NLE results and her employment. Then, after a while I saw Cyril, another former classmate. I mistook her name (I called her Arianne) when she called me (so embarrassing) and she reintroduced herself. She said she was married and is currently continuing her studies. Because of the shock and apparent humiliation, I forgot to congratulate her.

After all those chance encounters, I went to the other mall to search for said ‘item’ and I bought it eventually. The apparent lack of variety forced me to. Then I hit the gym, lost my shorts, went home and dozed off.

I never thought that day would be so eventful. I definitely need to go out more. Cheers!:D

Day 5: I’m Amazed at my Own Dedication to This!

Seriously. I dread of missing a single entry here. Maybe because I can afford doing it.

Well, this was a slow day so I’m going to talk about the New Civil Code of the Philippines. Lol. I’m just going to say na it’s quite interesting. I’ve read the 3rd article stating the age-old Ignorantia juris non excusat. I’m not going to rant about that any more because I would sound like a total assh*le. And I admit that I do not possess the credentials to be speaking in such a pretentious manner.

But, I’m kind of glad I took Business Law in college because the constant slew of terms bothers me less now. So there, blog updated! Cheers!

Day 4: Yet Another Sporadic Post

It’s kind of funny that I’m writing the draft for this post (surprise, I make drafts!) in a piece of parchment I’ve used for a previous Philo quiz. I got a 100 for it and yet it will be eventually thrown blindly like worthless clutter. It’s kind’a sad (lo the dissonance) considering how much delight it gave me back then; something so ripe with memory, to be discarded like trash. OK, this is turning out to be a weirdly sappy post.

Anyway, all the isolated muscle groups I’ve been trying to tone this week are searingly painful. Guess that means they’ve been torn and my scrawny body’s trying to patch the damage up. Yay for regeneration! I’m still sore so it’s not all cheeky.

Finally, I’ve heard (and apparently stolen) Kelly Clarkson’s new single ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’ and it’s quite nice. A little too much pop in your system won’t hurt, yes? So Limewire it up immediately para ingnon na updated pud ka music-wise. Lol.


Oh, and I also saw this movie called Noroi: The Curse (I didn't finish it voluntarily because it’s insanely creepy) and it scared me sh*tless. So, if you want a good scare, I recommend watching this treat alone. Cheers! :D

TL;DR I'm so unemployed I even have time for pointless blabber.

Day 3: Minimal Progress

Day three come hither! Lol. Oh, and my body is in intense pain right now so please bear with the odious content.

This time, I'm giving you an update on the minute progress I've garnered on my extensive and extremely exhausting job hunt. I've always thought 'Since I have a certification I'm certain that everything will be a breeze.' Boy did I err. Lol.

I've went to tons of thriving companies here (I'm not allowed to venture anywhere remote) and most of them have (apparently) no immediate need for additional labor resource. I know that the best ones are in Makati but I can't survive in that upscale urban jungle.

Well, I got a side door entry (I'm sure karma will be a witch) in a Landbank office and I took their astoundingly difficult aptitude exam. The contents were American based. I was like 'Who in tarnations are people?' when I was filling up the analogy test sheet. The Math items were also challenging. I literally bit my nails off when I realized I was going to be deprived of my calculator.

I've also been in several (four) interviews. One proved to be a failure, the other went quite well while the other two, although the employers conferred favor towards me, were not appeasing career-wise. Since I'm desperate enough as it is, I'm not supposed to be a choosy prick, yes?

Regardless of the futility, the experience is quite priceless, really. Thus, the search will ensue and I'm sure I'm going to find my dream job in the soonest possible time. I'm staying positive. Shouldn't we all? :D Cheers!

Day 2: I’m Exhausted

My body is going to be completely sore (bordering paralysis) tomorrow and I bet my fat behind that I’m the only person that cares.

Y’see, since I finished the exams and because I’m unemployed, I often feel fat and useless so I decided to continue my work out routine (I actually re-started last November, and I’m not seeing great results thus far). I knew that my instructor had a new exercise program for me so I was feintly excited about that. My goal (ever since) was to tone my body down, not bulk it up (eck!), because I always thought that was kind’a skinny fat. Sidenote: I’m also glad Kuya Joel was assigned as my instructor because he doesn’t leave his clients to struggle on a damp corner on their own.

So, I stuck with the new routines and I barely lifted the weights Kuya Joel gave me. But I lifted them nonetheless so I must be getting stronger. Then when I came home I decided not to waste the momentum so I did over 9000 chores simultaneously. Now, I’m slumping at the computer trying to accomplish this post without passing out. I’m kidding. Thus, I’m positive that pain will be my constant counselor tomorrow.

Day 1: Favorite Anime Rant!

Hey guys! (As if people are reading this.)

As promised, here’s my daily post. I’m going to waste this entry on a guilty pleasure: BLEACH. No, not the substance you use on your counter tops (I’m not sick). It’s a japanese anime (an intelligent one at that) about the relationships of shinigami, humans and hollows. It’s manga is penned by this Tite Kubo guy and is currently nearing completion pa. It’s like Naruto on steroids.

Converting this epic piece onto every tube in Japan (and subsequently, the world) is not easy. Regardless, the show is a feast for the senses. It houses tons of characters that have unique attributes (and when I say tons of them, I mean it). It makes everything slightly beleaguering but more interesting nonetheless. What separates Bleach from the pack is it’s ability to constantly fascinate people.

Ah, enough of this rant. Let the show speak for itself. Here’s a link for the episodes:

http://anime6.org/m6/index.php?_action=item_view&id=11

Here’s another link for your information fix:

http://www.bleach.wikia.com

Enjoy.

TL;DR I love Bleach, I urge you to watch it (links above) and I updated my blog.

It's Been A While

Yup. 6 months to be exact. There's no excuse for my wanton neglect of this blog page but I'm going to make up for it by posting daily here (at least until I get employed).

Let me start by saying that 2008 was a blast for me. I graduated, enrolled myself in a review class for the board exams, and.. we're getting way ahead here. Let's talk about the review and the exams first since I dedicated this page for the sole reason of having a daily journal for said endeavor (and that really went well, eh?).


The Review in Retrospect

I took the review classes last May (I think) and I accomplished it on the 1st week of October. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I mean, I was just going to REview and REapply every single theory I learned from college. I was unbelievably wrong. I actually (slightly ) feared the program because I wasn't very good in college. Much to my surprise, I didn't improve much in the review either. Lol. But yes, we did RElearn evrything, albeit 500x faster.

slacked off A LOT too. I (almost) became too complacent on the fact that exactly the same content would reappear on the exam (boy was I wrong). Had I not taken said classes, I would never have had the aptitude (and intestinal fortitude) to tackle the board. I mean people who take said exam immediately after graduation are either insanely smart or insanely rich. I didn't happen to fall on either category.

I had to register to be able to take the exams. The worst part was having to get my police clearance. I got 'hit', lost my receipt and I ultimately had to find and clear my own records. It took me three months (I had to take my classes so I barely had time for it) to accomplish this feat. Good thing my father was lawyer. He just barged right in and had me cleared in a DAY. I raged at that.

Anyway, I was beat up during the review. I didn't have many friends to study with (which I realized later was a good thing) and everyday I spent on it was crazily exhausting. I broke my exercise routine and failed my diet standards which subsequently led to my poor performance on said daily activity. I accomplish very little when I study with my friends. I found myself chatting all the time when I did and although it did relieve my stress a bit, it would be automatically offset when I see how much progress they've made compared to mine. It wasn't all negative though.

Even if some of the materials were new, I found most of them to be easy and I eagerly absorbed and (hopefully) mastered those I found to be daunting during college (e.g. lease, standard costing, business combination). They were quite easy pala to be honest. Most of my reviewers were great people. I found my Business Law reviewer, Atty. Janet Fabrero, to be the best and most inspiring followed closely by Sir Pol (MAS) and Sir Sailadin (Audit Theory).

God was my constant companion (well, almost constantly) during this period. I prayed with everything I had everytime I got the chance and I surrendered everything to Him. I would have never been able to do all this had it not been for His love.


The Board

Judgment day. Almost 200-300 people tops took the exams in Davao. It was held in the UM campus and I was lucky enough to have been given a good seat.

I was taken aback by the contents of the exams during the first day (TOA, BLT) because every question that came out of the test sheets was alien to me. But I held on to my seat, persevered and (barely) finished it all on time. On my way home, I was almost oblivious to everything I was doing because I couldn’t take my mind off the experience. I realized that the exams were not something to be messed with. So, with that new found wisdom, I geared myself for the next day.

Surprisingly after that, the questions came a little bit easier and I gained more momentum that in every test set I finished, I was postive that I would do well (except Prac 1). The only thing that kept me going was my constant conversations with God on how grateful I was to have been given the opportunity to experience all of this. Still, the stress took a toll on me.

Thus everything was done and every cost was sunk.


October 20, Verdict

I slept well on the day of the last test set. I didn't think of the results too much. I just prayed (really hard) and hoped for the best. Morning came and I (suddenly) became frantic. I wanted to do a lot of things to keep my mind off the results so I surfed the net and went to church. I wasn't as productive as I thought I would be.

I went to church at 5 p.m. and amazingly, I found someone to talk to. He was my friend during high school (we were orators) and he's a Redemptorist seminarian now. We caught up with each other's lives and before I knew it I received an SMS from my friend. I was anxious because I though to myself 'This was it!'. To my surprise, the message did not come from a co-reviewee nor a classmate. It was Gail. She said I passed the exam. I asked again. She confirmed it. I texted my friends and they did likewise.

I asked my companion if I could have a moment to call my mother and I ran outside the church, jumped around, bought some cell phone credits and called my mum. It was almost cloud 9. But happiness is abruptly fleeting because some of my close friends weren't able make it.


Aftermath

I came home and was congratulated by my parents. A slew of text messages came in and I was thankful for that. But I was most grateful to God. Amen.