The Date

This is a ridiculously long post (with no pictures). Read at your risk.
TL;DR see Conclusion, last paragraph.

The Engagement
Cristyl was in Davao for a leadership seminar conducted by her colleagues from AdM and she sent us an SMS to have dinner with her later. She also invited some of her closest friends so I was pleasantly surprised to have been notified of said endeavor. After I left the gym, I immediately headed for school (meeting place) worrying that my tardiness would upset some people.

It wasn’t much of a reunion for them as it was for me. Entering the school was mildly nostalgic; seeing an almost infinite sea of students and their imaginary woes reminded me of my own. We (with Hannah and Noemie) hurried to the Samahan office to find Cristyl and find her they did!

Reunion
I haven’t seen Cristyl since her impressive valedictory speech on our commencement exercises last March so I almost didn’t recognize her amid the hair colour and blush ons. But she was still pretty. Charot. She must have adapted well to the ‘Manilan’ lifestyle because clearly, she didn’t look stressed. We greeted each other (excitingly at that) and went to the Claveria terminal. Then we proceeded to go to the Roxas terminal (I had no idea why) and saw Valerie. She recently received the news of her success at the Nursing board exams so imagine us jumping and screaming with her while onlookers seemed baffled.

Peter called and they decided it was best to decide everything at the mall. Everything was so spontaneous (i.e. unplanned) so I just went with the flow, noisily. We saw Peter and Haroh (and to our surprise, Aimely) there. I haven’t seen him since when and he was really lean! He clearly put on some muscle because he looked bigger. Then we decided to go to ‘Cubiyertos’ (spell check?) to eat.

Dinner
The place was lovely (not too many people) and the food was great. Although quantity wise, it wasn’t satisfying. We talked a lot about what we’ve been doing after the graduation and I was very curious as to what Manila life was about then I realized that I needed to travel more. Lol. I learned that Cristyl had a job in AdM and that she was enrolled there for a semester.

Tammy came late (as usual) and she barely ate. She did have some cake (Valerie’s treat) though. She also passed the Nursing exams so I was really giddy when she arrived and she happened to share the same sentiment with me. I was genuinely happy and proud for her. We paid for the food and left hastily.

The Chaser
Afterwards we went to this café place (I forgot the name) to talk more. We had a hard time choosing our orders because we were (sort of) full and the slections were way beyond our budget (well, mine at least). Alfred finally arrived and we cheered at his arrival. We had some (non-alcoholic) drinks here and there whilst continuing our discussion on what we’ve done with our lives so far.

Learning
I learned a lot from the RNs. We’ve had the same conversation before about how they fare at the hospital and every single time we do, I could only imagine myself (always unfailingly) fainting on the spot. I could never do their job, having someone else’s life on my hands would only spell harm for said person. I’ve neglected to perceive how good and selfless they were at what they do. Our nurses should get paid more then, I thought.

Then Cristyl talked about her job on how they help people, the youth especially, tap (and possibly enhance) their leadership potentials. They do not merely limit themselves to training said people and randomly conducting seminars but also to form and foster said organization within the premise of their recipients and for said organizations (including theirs) to be self sustaining in the long run.

I pray I could be of service to people like they do.

Then they counseled me (intensely) on why I’ve been acridly frugal on my career decisions (and consequently being pessimistic about everything I choose) and on what I currently lack: a clear-cut career path. Ugh. It pains me to recognize that they’re right; that I do have tendencies to be irregular at my career options and too particular about my selections. I recognize that I am excessively prudent on this matter and that it’s not always harmful to have lowered expectations. I also revealed that most of us have this belief on self-entitlement myths and that ranting too much on this would warrant another post. Lol.

Conclusion
Then, on the heat of the discussions, my mum called. I had to go. So, we wrapped up our conversations with small talk and some hilarious commentary about Alfred’s apparent disinterest at said discussion. So, we (Tammy, Hannah and I) called in a cab and went aboard. We slipped a few topics here and there while in the vehicle and before we knew it, we were home.

Hence, we’ve all played the ‘catch up with your friends’ life game’ before and it’s almost always a guaranteed funfest. Nothing beats the salty humor of your seatmate’s sporadic ramblings, the seriousness of the person across you when he/she talks about impending challenges and the encouragement you get from their conquest of an almost insurmountable obstacle. And a sprinkle of gossip makes every detail delectable.

Cheers! :D

Law School Delayed?

I was really hyped when my mum offered me the opportunity to take law school this year (even if I unfailingly tease her that I hate it) but I’m afraid I’d have to reexamine my options again.

My father suggested today that I set aside said endeavor for a year or so because he wants me to focus at my job first. As if I was working na. Anyway, he’s almost always right (much to my displeasure) and I’d have to take his words at heart (he’s a lawyer, by the way, and he’s supposedly going to finance my tuition).

Just as I was ready to get this to work, I get another wrench thrown in my plans. Ugh. Guess it’s back to the drawing board this time.

Our Status Quo

An Unexpected Reunion

I had my scheduled exam in Davao Light yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Reggie and Den-Den there. We discussed our experiences after the results came in and eventually (almost mandatorily) we talked about our ‘careers’. I didn’t have much to say really except that I had to explain to them how I was ’supposedly’ hired but had to start working in a month or so.

Reggie was working in COA and was assigned in the City Hall. She said that her boss was my reviewer in BLT. Small world. Den-Den on the other hand said that she’s just begun her job hunt. I think we’re all faring well, though not as well as I imagined, but with news of imminent economic recession, it didn’t surprise me that much.

The Exams

Then we met with several candidates and realized that we all had the same qualifications. The HR representative led us to a classy room (with classy chairs and classy furniture) and instructed that we complete the 3-part IQ test within the set time. It wasn’t that difficult but the Math part drove me crazy.

After that Reggie had to report back to her office and I accompanied Den-Den to the nearest jeepney terminal. She talked enthusiastically about her awful experience in Cebu during her review and on why she opted for Davao instead of Manila for her search. I had to agree with her on Cebu being filthy and unfit for survival (I hope I don’t offend my relatives).

Aftermath

We both parted ways when we reached the Claveria junction and I rode home full of hope in my heart. Lol! I also received a confirmation from my future employer stating that I need not go to my interview (in another Landbank office) because I was ‘for hiring’ na daw. It doesn’t have to take a genius to figure out that my she wants me to report to her department and that she values me as a future employee. Lol. I love how I stretch reality.

TL;DR I saw some friends, took an exam and my I hope my future boss loves me.

Cheers and thank you for reading this exhausting entry!:D

Day 14: Protip TL;DR and Employment

TL;DR (actually not in full caps) means ‘too long; didn’t read’, not teal deer, usually followed by a succinct summary of the long post above. It’s designed to.. well, summarize said post so that people wouldn’t have to read the entire entry.

It’s a terminology pegged by anons claiming to be the true face of the internet in a certain website. Rules 1 and 2 are still in force (even if they are only applicable to raids) so I am forbidden to reveal the link.

Anyway, it’s a Monday and I’ve got great news. I’ve been hired (finally) in Landbank but I’d have to start working (probably) next month pa. I personally think it’s worth the wait although having no firm affirmation (i.e. contract signing, etc.) of my employment worries me.

I also have a scheduled interview in another Landbank office tomorrow so I’m kind of weighing my options a little. If I trust my employer I should be able to relax, yes? Well, I do. till, I think it’s normal for people to feel reluctant with employment because of the constant influx of retrenchments and all. Plus, I’m new to this thing so I believe my apprehensions are valid.

I also have an exam tomorrow at the Davao Light office so I have to study for that. Lol. I’d have to quote Tammy for pointing out my apparent obliviousness on this matter: ‘Ikaw lang jud akong kaila na naga-study para sa IQ test!’

TL;DR I’ve been hired but I’m quite apprehensive.

Cheers!:D

Day 13: Lazy Sundays

I dislike my Sundays because nothing of particular import happens to me on these days (aside from chores) so it would be pointless for me to blabber about nothing of significance. Lol. Cognitive dissonance strikes again.

However, my brother did request me to elaborate the concept of certain variances so that kind’a lightened up my mood for a while. They’ve been discussing said topic for the past weeks, the most current relating to overhead. They’ll have a quiz tomorrow so he had to ask me in the last hour (we’re very complacent people).

In retrospect (forcibly extracted by the problem he wanted me to explain), I had a really hard time with overhead variances because I didn’t know we had to memorize a lot of formulas for it. Na-culture shock ko, in short, because I thought accountants only had to analyze exhaustively, not memorize.

I was bombarded by terms (4-way, 3-way, AFOH, BASH, BAAH, etc) that were alien to me and it took me a while (only until the review actually) to fully absorb them.

So, through thorough and proper exertion of intellectual effort, I was able to love this particular field of Managerial Accounting. Though I still get perplexed sometimes and it punches my pride in the gut.

I just hope my brother gets through it because I know it won’t be easy for him as well (although my worrisome presumptions have been oftentimes wrong since he still gets notable marks from the subject considering that I rarely see him study). Maybe he studies in secret, yes?

TL;DR I still like Standard Costing.

Cheers! :D

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