Bye 2012 and Hello 2013

Tonight. It’s the end of 2012 and the start of a new year. Looking back the days of 2012, there’s too many things happened this year.

First, I was able to attend more program my princess Hershey is part of. Can’t fight but smile every time I remember her playing her instrument as part of the mini band – of how proud she is of being there and performing. Also there’s the dance presentation of the class and how she stand out on dancing Gangnam Style among the group.

Got few travel this year but was able to enjoy much of it. Happy to be back in Boracay just this month with Bernz and Joan (replacing Milan who can’t join us) and enjoy the beach. Will always be in love with Boracay – bumming, sand and round of drinks; just a good place to relax and chill.

The trip to Ilocos early this year with Bernz only (as the others drop out.. sad right?) but we are able to wander both in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte plus the late trips traveling. Travel back in time as we strode the old streets of Ilocos while riding the karetela.  And not to miss the beach as we hit Pagudpud and short trip to the windmill.

Yeah, the many food trip moment spent with Milan. We rarely have time before to meet due to conflict on sched but this year made all those missed time. Roaming around the streets of Legazpi Village and Salcedo Village, hunting for good places to eat and hang for a while to share stories and few laughs. Remember how critique the food we order and debating which places offer much better service and food.

How this year bring out how much of a Kpop lover I am! Listening to Kpop songs particularly from Bigbang (their timeless songs I love much - Make Love, Haru Haru and Sunset Glow) has been part of my life ever since I’m hooked watching Boys Over Flowers way back my highschool days. But this year, I was able meet few fellow fanatics of kpop for real and those friendly Twitter peeps, attend a Kpop convention and watched the Bigbang concert. These giving an opener for other stuff I wanted to do.

The there’s transfer to The Fort as WH builds its own support group here in Manila. It’s something expected after the pull out issue in the midst of 2012 but not expecting working out of Makati. Oh well! Happy yet sad as I am going to leave Paragon and Makati where I am based for the past 6 years.

Lastly, I was able to replace my old Sony Ericsson phone that I am using for more than 4 years (it’s really asking for a replacement already) with Sony Xperia phone (super love Sony/Sony Ericsson phone due to their camera).. super happy with that!

For the coming year, still too many things to look forward to as I check the list of things I wanted to do. Follow ups of my writings – blogs, reviews and journal (something I forgot to do due to busy work). Planning my trip for this year and prioritize places to visit but for sure won’t miss the Vietnam trip with Khino (before he beat me for cancelling it). Continue learning Spanish and might add a new language on the list – Korean, Italian – what you think? I got a new work place as I will officially work now at Bonifacio Global City.  And more to do and come.

Not sure how  things will turn out but looking forward to a lot more. For now, wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Of 6 Years That Passed

It’s been 6 years - of working here, of meeting new people, of changing systems and support, of building part of my future. I have noticed the changes around me but not the days that passed. Yeah, time flies past that I’ve been here working that long – having my first work right after I graduated college. 

Remembering the few times I applied for various companies before I was given the contract to start here. The initial interview where I still feel sleepy due to the scheduled night training from another company and not knowing one of the interviewee will be my future department manager Itay G. and the pretty Miss Glen from HR.

Oh yeah, those first few days where there are only two rooms on the floor – one for training and one for the work. The times when going to work alongside the workers who are going to complete the area – adding carpet, wall divisions and going to set up the stations. Those days where the working area is not yet complete – bare of the amenities like what it is now. And yeah, I’m with the Diamond ICC then before it became Paragon ICC, then there’s the merging cause of closing the US market. Soon, it will be a new one.

Poker Chat Peeps

How many poker rooms have I’ve been on chat support? Three from Tropez group then 4 for the CD group before I’m transferred to sports group. And yeah, don’t forget the bouncing from one team to another as requested by TLs due to lack of agents. Guess, I’m that good that they always requested me to be part of their team. And yeah, my fishing skills that makes me a top agent plus the never ending knowledge on alternative payment methods. Still can remember the names –there’s My Citadel, Ecocard, Epassport eWalletXpress, and Firepay that’s no longer offered. Then there’s Ukash voucher that can be used as withdrawal method before (wonder why the said option was removed).

Then there are my shifts. I’m part of the vampire team. The forever night shift schedule I have with just a 2 weeks or month break doing either mid or morning. Even when I’m transferred to Orbis, I still the same schedule – night shift, plus a requested productivity of 100-140 within 9 hours. Whew! Anyway, who won’t love the night shift if you will have the night diff right? That was when I’m an agent.

Who will ever forget the “basagan moments” particularly with Ate Ces and Ate Mimi after the mid shift during the poker days? One must know all the drinking hole before Central and Distillery were opened in Makati. We have Sukina, Chunky Boys and the ever moving Carefe. Or the karaoke slash drinking session somewhere in Vito Cruz. These moments when I can say I became an alcoholic – from beer to Cruiser to cocktails (I so love Vodka Seven!). Why? We drink for 5 straight days or drink for one long night until more than half of the group is drunk – that is thanks to Ate Ces.

At Chunky Boys

Karaoke Session

Then there’s the “nomnom session” after the night shift during the Orbis days. We got the flowing drinks on Ianne’s place for birthday celebration or just a group gathering. To drinking in Central til our lips gets either green or blue from the drinks – bad boy, bad girl and bad trip. And lastly, there’s the popcorn throwing in between drinks at Distillery. Don’t forget the farewell party for Sheree that’s end until 12 noon even if we have shift later. Plus, we have the special after party for Cheltenham and Grand National events (Thanks to Craig for that!).

Quezon Trip

Lastly, the foodtrip! We all get fat from the eating moments we had. Proofs are the olds picture of us from then and now. I can clearly remember how Ate Mimi gave me this how-I used-to-look-like on her face, on how thin I was when I started at Poker Chat. Then there’s the envious faces of Ate Mimi and Ate Mi on how I eat after hours of drinking (this happens at the Mint at Fort Strip). Then there’s Emil’s I-hate-you-look for giving links of restaurant and food places we should try to eat after wards but still he agreed to eat along with JD.  There’s tambay mode after night shift at Starbuck till 12 noon with the endless chismax.

  

Those times, yeah, reminiscing those moments. What matters most are meeting folks who became dear to me, those who became my trusted friends, getting transferred or not. Of so many people whom I’ve met during my stay here – agents coming in and out, managers and colleagues, each passing by my life yet only few leave a special mark. Those who saw me as me – acknowledged my weakness and draw strength from me and accepted as me.

Today, my six years of stay in Makati will end and lots to be missed – persons and places. I’m going to miss the guys from the Titan Poker Support – Nick, Mia, Milan and Bernz. It will be less time seeing them and even lesser time having our bonding moments. And the other names for sure I will miss seeing/hanging out with that I cannot mention but for sure they know who they are. Gonna be bye, Makati!

Tomorrow is new beginning. I’ll be on a different work place, a change on management, and a new environment. It’s a fresh place to start anew.