O•P•I Please

I remember back in college, my love affair with hot pink started. Way before it became a hit.

It all started with a huge drawstring bag from Benetton.  Ever since, I refused to wear small bags.  I hated carrying paper bags and a bag for PE day.  I thought it was such a hassle since I have to drop by ze boyfriend's (now husband) house and also on days when we'd meet in the mall.

Ok... going back...

I wanted to use hot pink on my nails.  I started the quest for the perfect hot pink nail polish.  I checked all brands from Caronia to Chanel. 

Only two brands stood out with my desired shade of hot pink, NARS and O•P•I.
Back then, the price was Php 1295 for  a 15ml bottle.  And that was just too much.
I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I bought that.  That was in 2002.

Now, 8 years later, I am still yearning/ lusting over a hot pink nail polish.  Yes, I am still resisting the urge.

So I saw this online and I am a sucker for lotions too.  And just like lip balms, I don't use them as much as I'm supposed to.

The Softener: Avocado

This familiar fruit is full of oleic acid, an essential fatty acid that has a softening and hydrating effect on hair and skin. A recent study showed that avocado extracts may help heal cuts several days faster and could possibly help guard against oral cancer.

Find it in: Opi Avoplex Cuticle Oil to Go, $7.50, opi.com for locations.

Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment

The Skin Plumper: Grapeseed

It’s a top source of skin-protecting proanthocyanidins, which are 20 times more potent than vitamin E and 50 times stronger than vitamin C. The extract helps skin retain firmness by preserving its collagen and elastin. Studies suggest it may help minimize scars and stretch marks, too.

Find it in: Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment, $22.50, fresh.com. 

For some reason, I have a thing for lip balms. I don't tolerate myself in buying because I know I don't end up using them.  They just sit on my drawer and have the urge to use them when they are about to expire. 

What attracts me to this is being "natural" and the collagen/elastin factor.  Plus it looks like it will give a little tint on my lips.  

Oh well, I know for a fact I won't buy this.  I just like looking at it.

imgsrc

Hope All Is Well

I AM VERY SORRY to hear that.

What happened?
How old was your husband?
Where did it happen?
How many years were you married?
How are your kids? How are you?


I wish you all the best.

My Husband Is Sweet. And so are YOU!

You're so sweet!  Thank you!

Thank you for reading my overactive, over analyzing, and rambling thoughts.
Thank you for appreciating my outfit.

My answer to your questions:

I'd like to thank my sweet husband for my clothes.
Hahaha.
Seriously. He's the one who bought me that red top from Mango. Oh gosh, way back 2006?
I wear off-season clothes because I'm poor and a normal person. Hahaha.
And I refuse to let go of it since ze husband gave it to me. 

(Trivia: We go shopping together. We enjoy it.  He doesn't care if I take a long time picking out clothes.  Actually, he takes looonger to shop)

We've got to hand it to the man who takes me to shopping (sort of) sprees anytime I like.  One of the reasons why we're still poor. Hehehe.

As for the skirt, I'd like to thank my ze husband again for buying it for me in Turkey way back 2007.  He's a seaman so on rare occasions that he gets to go out, he finds something for me.

But, lo and behold, I saw something similar in SM Makati last year.  It was in a different color though.
So much for buying imported, diba? Hahaha. Ok lang.

And it was cheap ha. I'm not sure about the price. I do remember it was below a thousand.

Thank you again!!! I'm very grateful.

Feeling Uninspired

I have no idea what is going on but I feel too tired to write.
Could it be the new job?  Could it be the number of articles I recently accomplished?

When I'm in front of my laptop, I want to do so many things but I don't know where to start and at the same time, I feel so lazy to even start.  But if I try to move away from the screen, I get more bored.

Oh, I know.  I'm too dependent with the internet.  Even when I'm out of the house, I find myself browsing the web.

I have so many bookmarks that I have to filter.  There's my digg, my delicious, my stumbleupon, and so much more.

I'm just too visible on the internet.  So impossible for me to hide.

What I wore last Saturday gathered a lot of "papuri"
I know I mentioned here several months back that I will be posting my "What I Wore" but forgot about it.

Scary Spice // My Hair // Jerome - Piandre

Saw this online.  A very recent photo of my non-favorite Spice Girl, Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown.

Looking for hairstyles since I have long been planning on getting a haircut.  But I am SOOO sick of layered hair with side swept bangs.  I see it everywhere.

This is just my belief but I don't think I ever followed a trend when it comes to hairstyles.
Back in 2003 (or 2004?) when rebonding, relaxing, and straightening were all the rage, I refused to ride it.  Well, mainly because I have straight hair.  And second, I didn't want to follow everyone.

So I went with soft curls.  But only on a few occasions.

During that time too, I started cutting my own bangs and learned that I should part my hair on a different side.  I bloomed. Hahaha..  Seriously, I was pleased to find a hairstyle that flattered my face.  I started going to Toni & Guy in 6750 and on ONE low-budget season, I went to FIX (in Glorietta 4) and regretted it!

Late 2004, I got tired of side-swept bangs, I went to this hairstylist from Piandre and gave me a radical haircut.  Layered hair with uneven bangs.  I loved it so much.  My hair looked so different. Now if only I can find a photo of that...

By 2005, while the boyfriend (then) was onboard, I was feeling so down and wanted to do something radical with my hair.  I wanted a totally different look. 
And I achieved it. Again by Jerome of Piandre.

 

After that haircut, I had to grow it out in time for my wedding day.  Then I got pregnant and thought, I need my hair long so I can tie it once I give birth.  

By December 31, 2007-- I went to a new salon, Antonio's Hairdressing, and asked for a really short haircut.  I liked the outcome but I was expecting more.

Yes, we wore matchy-matchy from head to toe back in 2007 and waaay before.  But we stopped.  Too many matchy matchy people out there already.

Then I just grew it out. 
In 2008, a couple of months after giving birth to Mateo and few weeks before ze husband's homecoming, I tried out a new one, H Salon in Glorietta 4, right beside Debenhams entrance.

I had a fairly nice experience and I somehow liked the haircut.  BUT nobody does it like JEROME of Piandre.

By June 2009, I yearned for full bangs (again).  Jerome, my stylist is in a Piandre too far.  I couldn't drag my (non)ass to go to QC.  If only ze husband was here..
So I settled for something less (not in value, though) and more convenient.  I went to Franck Provost, The Fort.

 

This was such a disappointment!  As in! As seen in this entry  

And I have never gotten a haircut after that.  I know, poor me, right?  

I'm saving my hair for Jerome so he better do it right once I go there, hoefully by March.

Citibank GlobeShopper

First things first, I saw this banner on Citibank's website a couple of days ago but opted to finish my deadlines first before I proceed with blogging.  And as usual, I am so backlogged.  Eeep!!

I got so ecstatic when I saw this!
I'm really like that when I see something new but once I learn more about it, my energy subsides.  And the more I know about any new thing, I grow out of it.

Well, I just can't believe that Citibank went the extra mile.  They probably noticed a lot of cardholders purchasing online.  After checking the costs, the service is actually expensive.  Johnny Air is still the cheapest.  I even have a complimentary membership from MyUSbox but it's really just more expensive than Johnny Air.

Truth be known, I've never really tried purchasing something from US that's shipped here.  I'm too scared of the outcome.  I've only purchased a few online, this domain, Multiply premium account, Flickr Pro account, and a lot from iTunes.  Other than that, nada.  And yes, I find it hard to accept to pay for shipping fees.  Once I tally the charges, I chicken out.


And for a limited time, they are offering:

HD Pocket Camcorder Graphical Review

Warning:
Image-heavy post.  Collated a few essential points of comparison of HD Pocket Camcorders as seen in Camcorder Info


JVC Picsio GC FM1, priced at $199

just another Flip clone,....
Beneath the surface, the Picsio provides some impressive quality video that is, unfortunately, accompanied by a body design that lacks durability and reliability.

 • The flashy metallic aesthetic might demand an acquired taste.
• The large sensor has an impressive resolution.
• Fixed lens with an f/2.8 aperture.
• Tele-macro switch seems unreliable and sometimes impacts focus.

Now, here is a color comparison among JVC Picsio, FLIP HD, Sony Bloggie, Kodak ZX1

Clearly, the JVC is at par when it comes to color accuracy.


When it comes to Noise comparison, JVC Picsio does not disappoint

The Picsio turns out to be the sharpest, followed by Kodak ZX1, Sony Bloggie, and the lowest score going to Flip HD.

Here goes the comparison for video sharpness which is won again by JVC Picsio

In this page, you will see the motion test for the said HD pocket camcorders.

In low light comparisons,

MEDIA

Picsio makes use of SD cards. The bundled software is NOT Mac-compatible. Blah.

CONTROLS:

Aside from the side slider to switch between normal and macro, these are the buttons for zooming, power, trash, playback, etc.


STILL SHOTS


Bottom left is Sony Bloggie.
Bottom right is Kodak ZX1

BATTERY LIFE

AS COMPARED TO FLIP HD

• The Picsio has better-looking video, but the Flip is easier to use.
• The Flip records to internal memory and relies on AA batteries for power.
• The Picsio records to SD/SDHC memory cards and is powered by an internal rechargeable battery.
• The built-in USB arm is more convenient and more reliable than the exposed USB port (and separate USB cable) of the Picsio.
• The Picsio records 1080p video (as opposed to 720p) and is capable of capturing still photographs.

In conclusion,
I can't choose among the four! Hahahaha!!! Effort pa to creathis post. Hahaha!!

To buy JVC FM1 Picsio, Sony Bloggie, Kodak ZX1, Flip HD

Predict Your Kid's Height

Browsing through my mails in gmail, I saw this link to one of my favorite sites that I don't ofetn visit.
There's too much articles from that website that whenever I browse it, I really don't know where to start.
Hahaha.

But I got this newsletter with the title:
How Tall Will Your Kids Be?

I clicked on it and I was brought here

After filling out some details for Mateo, it said there that Mateo may grow up to 5 ft 9 inches.

Yehey!!

LINK

Sync Software

As I am writing this entry, Mateo is on the bed learning his alphabets, exploring apps on his own.
I am struggling to keep my eyes open.  I'm dying to sleep!!!
But I refuse to lie down beside Mateo; I'm certain he will be feeding non-stop from me.

Monica, on the other hand is doodling some letters on her Dora notebook. Juggling blogging and taking pcitures of my kids.  I keep thinking, I really need a sync software, to make sure our memories are intact and organized.  I have so many photos, I don't know anymore where to keep them.

I do have a Time Machine for Mac which is very helpful and reliable but I don't wanna take my chances.  Online storage, over the web are a lot of freebies but all of them have storage limits.  Believe me when I say I sign up for each and every new website offering storage.  I don't really care if it's just 1gb or 50gb.

I'm always on the lookout for a website with practical costs and flexible uploading and syncing options.

Right now, I have Multiply premium, Flickr Pro, Adrive, 4shared, Windows Live, and a lot more.

And Yet Another Round Of HD Pocket Camcorders Face-Off

Just before I started composing this entry, another pocket camcorder in HD added to my confusion.

I'm disappointed with myself.  I've been meaning to buy an HD pocket camcorder for our family since September of 2009.  Oh, I won't link it anymore.  It's in my archive.

So what has kept me from buying?

FEAR.

I'm not really a techie-type of person.
I can easily understand new technologies.  Yes, I can easily comprehend and easily attracted with new technologies.  That's why I'm so scared to buy an HD camcorder, it's such a trend now that I'm sure every few months or so, something better will be released and I'll be sad for not "waiting" for that product. Although mobile phones are easier to buy, because I know it's something that's really not meant to last for a year.  And yes, I can consider myself as a gadget slave.  One can never have enough gadgets.

And it seems that I have transferred that disease to ze husband. Hahaha! Nope, I'm not complaining at all.

Because I keep waiting for the "latest" HD pocket camcorder...
I'm losing Mateo's memories.  And Monica's too.

What I'm using now is the Sony T300 for video.  For still shots, I use the Canon from ze husband.  And that one I plan to make him bring next time he leaves.

Ok, going back!!!
I'm going astray again..

☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰    ☰  

The other day, after work, I got tempted to walk around the mall since it was still empty at 10am.
I wasn't looking for something specific.  Anything lang that I'd fancy.

In I went to Electronics Boutique.
On one of the shelves, I saw this shiny HOT PINK gadget.  I rushed and checked it.
I couldn't believe my eyes that it was JVC--because honestly, it looked like something "cloned" from China.

But the price is soo cheap!! It's hard to resist!
JVC Picsio GC-FM1
Php 11, 990
It boasts of full HD video coupled with 8MP still images.
No flash.
I have to admit, the casing looks REALLY tacky.  As in. And it seems brittle too.
Video is in .mov format.

Reason why I like this is because it's locally available unlike the other ones I love.

On another post, I will post side-by-side comparison with the other HD pocket camcorders.

You'll be impressed.



Once I got home, I researched about it and was convinced.  But the case! The case! It's not right!

Then I checked Sony if there's similar.
The Sony HD MHS-PM5V. Wow! Beyond words, wow!
I'm a sucker for Sony too.

$170, roughly around Php 8000
Full HD in mp4 format.
Still images at 5MP
No flash.
270-degree swivel lens.
MAC Compatible. Yehey!
And because it's a SONY, I love it already!

Sidenote: Norvz and I think that if SONY VAIO would ever be installed with a MAC OSX, we would definitely buy one. But that's impossible.

Not locally available. LOSER!



And while I was checking Amazon to grab pictures of the SONY PM5, I chanced upon this another product!

KODAK PlaySport Waterproof HD Pocket Camcorder and it's just $150!!!!!!
You can submerse it up to 10 feet or 3 meters of water!
Full HD video and 5MP still images.

So among the 3 brands, I'm egging on SONY but Kodak is making me confused since it's waterproof and cheaper. Considering I would have to buy this in Amazon.

As for JVC, its advantage is that I can buy it here in deferred payments.  I'm a sucker for deferred payments! Hahaha. I love the idea that I can buy more things!

But then, JVC is not too much of a popular brand and I might have a hard time buying accessories like battery for it.
And let's not forget about the tacky casing.

Here I go again...

Headphones: Audio Technica ONTO vs WeSC Oboe

You may probably have read my previous post.
Or not? Well, read it. Hahahaha!!!

There's a growing number of people who have ear muffs walking around everywhere. ✌

No, seriously.

Some headphones look really cool and expensive while some are, umm... so-so.

Just based on my observation, I think it's safe to assume that SkullCandy is the most common.
Reason why I don't like it.  Reason why I don't wanna have it.
And the designs are too young and trendy for me.

So let's fuh-gedda-bout-it.

What I'm really lusting for are these two:
Audio Technica ONTO Headphones and WeSC Oboe headphones

First up, WeSC, correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I know, this brand has been around for several years now. I'm sure the sound quality is good.


I like this because it's simple, not too outlandish.  And it's white.  Aah... white.
And being the brand-snob/slave that I am, I like that WeSC logo on the side.

WAIT!!

It's not pronounced as Wesk.. It's We SC, as how you pronounce the letters.

Next in line is the super humble and super simple Audio Technica ONTO Headphones

It's adjustable.
It feels barely there.  It hides on your hair.
It won't mess up your hair.

The pads only rest on your ears instead of covering the whole area around the ears which can hurt you if worn for a long time.

They have the same price and the same specs.


I will really buy one, maybe next month.
But I wanna know ze husband's opinion first--which one he likes better.

Flaw Revelation + Audio Technica ONTO vs WeSC Oboe Headphones

In all honesty, one of my flaws that I love would be my ears.

My ears are not normal.  They are not tucked in.  They look like radars.

Never in my entire life have I felt conscious or insecure about it. Honest!
Maybe I'm really just thick-faced like that. Hahaha!

Seriously, I don't mind having it.  I actually love it. I love it that I'm different. And the fact that some people with the same ears as mine hate it.

Wanna know something weird?

I think we were on our 3rd month together as a couple, still in high school, I told Norvz something I noticed with the all girls he's had.

They/We all have the same kind of ears.  Just different in sizes.
Grabeeee!!!

✖ First there was that girl named *bleepa* who appears to me as someone possessive, childish, and arrogant just because she is a *bleeper*bleepf*bleepor*

✖ Then there was another girl named *bleep* who seems to be desperate. And a *bleep-bleeper*.  She was also *bleeper*. Ugh! She even had the guts to *bleep* a *bleep* to my *bleepbleep*

✖ Then there's another girl named *bleepa* who was a *bleeper* and is eternally jealous of me being friends with Norvz.  We were constant companions back then.  In showbiz logic, we were just really friends.  Honest.  But I like that girl.  But felt sorry for her, little does she know, she was just a *bleep*.

✖ And you guessed it right, there's another one named *bleepa* again.  She almost killed herself.  Really.

✖ That girl beside me in the picture is my best friend/ soul sister/ maid of honor and and ex too.
And yes, she has radar-like ears too.

And that trend Norvz never noticed until I told him.  He was amazed. Yes, amazed, that all along he's been involved with radar-eared ( is there such a word?? ☺) girls without his knowledge.
Those I've mentioned only covered sophomore year to juior year in high school.  I didn't care/know anymore the ones prior to that.

⫸⫸⫸⫸⫸⫸⫸⫸⫸⫸⫸  ⫷⫷⫷⫷⫷⫷⫷⫷⫷

And there goes my thought organization.
I didn't plan on blogging about that.
My over-active mind told my fingers to type those instead of my REALIZATION a couple of months ago which I remembered just now.

Nothing life-changing.  Just something that urges me to buy something.  Nothing new with that. ☺

You see, it was in college when I started noticing that it's hard for headphones to stay in my ears.  They start by getting loose until one of them falls off.  I never really took the time to think about why it did.

Last year, I thought of something revolutionary. Hahaha!! What a term!

No wonder regular and/or in-ear headphones don't stay in my ears, it's because my ears are outward!  It pushes the headphones out!

EUREKA!!!!

Look Up!!!

Last night, I had nothing to do and felt too lazy to blog..

I decided to take a look at my template and did a little tweaking.

I am proud to anounce that those buttons up there beside the title are working!!!
Yes, clicking on one of those will route you to a post pertaining to the title.

But wait, it still a work in progress. Okay?

And have you noticed that Blogger now supports SUB-PAGES??


WOW!!! That's just wonderful!!

GREAT NEWS!!!

The Battle of the Pocket Camcorders.. in HD

I'm getting tired with this battle.  Really. 

First it was this post wherein I had to compare several pocket camcorders side by side (roughly).

From there, I have somehow decided to let go of Canon IXUS 100 or 120is since it would just make my DSLR dusty.  Dusty because I'm so sure I would feel lazy to lug it around.  It hurt me that I had to let go of Canon IXUS. It produces really nice shots!  Oh well, maybe some other time.










Haay.. Thinking abut it still hurts me.

--------------------
Anyway..

So I narrowed down my choices to Kodak Zi8 which I have been lusting for since September 2009.  It's been too long!  I like it because of the color, it captures in full HD and 5 MP still shots.  But after I saw it in real, untouched photos, the camera isn't as sparkly as it looks in the Kodak website and in Amazon.  That dampened my lust a little.










Then I saw another pocket camcorder, a brand that pioneered the pocket camcorder. Xacti VPC-CG10

Oooh... bee-yoo-tee-fool!!!!  I would like to note that color is not a basis for my choice.  Tee-hee.
This actually locally available unlike Kodak. But I'm too scared for the still images it will produce.  I am merely speaking from experience.
I had to forget about this. Sort of.








But lo and behold!

I bought a Flip Ultra!  So cheapt at only Php 4995 in Anson's Makati. And before you know it I sold it already.  I think it was with me for just 5 days.  No doubt about it, it's really idiot-proof.  Even my first born can operate it, and she's just two. 
Main downside for me is that there is no battery indicator.  And I am just too Obsessive-Compulsive and found it impossible to use a gadget with no battery indicator.









It's been 3 months, I think.
And I'm starting on a new quest.

A lot will react again but I don't care anymore.
This is just me, EVER SINCE with ANYTHING.

I don't like the Zi8 anymore, again because of the finish and spending Php 10k online is just too much for me.

I don't like the Flip because everybody is using it.  Everybody knows a Flip.  I want to deviate.  I'm not one to conform when it comes to things like these.  Especially when I know something out there is better....

Silly Me

Do you have a Brother?

Silly me, when I read it, I thought of a brother, as in part of the family.

I didn't realize that it's actually asking about the brand.

I do remember having a Brother electronic typewriter in our household before.  When having a personal computer was too much of a trend yet, back in the day when it was still very young.

Going back to the topic, as I have mentioned, yes, I do remember using a Brother typewriter from previous years.  I had so much fun with that.

I think I was just 10 years old then?  I thought it was cool how it "ate" the paper and type as fast as you can.

And oh, one thing I can never forget!
There's no more need for a correction fluid or a correction tape.  All it took was a backspace. Hahahaha!!


Then it was gone.


Back in the day when I had just given birth to my first-born Monica, I wanted so much to study Fashion Design and Sewing.  Yup, that's right.

I felt so tempted to buy a Brother Sewing Machine when it had an exhibit in Market! Market!
Hay, I was THIS close to buying it.  I had to stop myself since I haven't even enrolled nor stepped foot in the school.  Yes, it is still in my must-have list.

Though I'm not creative or artsy, I still want it.  That's just me!  :))

Finally Done

Ok, I'm thankful that I am finally done with my 8 articles.

Now I can breathe.
Now I can focus on blogging.
And, now I can focus on my new work.

Oh yes, THAT work that I am still in denial of.

Just a thought, while I am typing this, is it a bad sign that I am still in denial of my new job?
Would that mean I won't be happy with it and leave right away?

I am trying my best to love my new job but it's just hard for me.
I find it hard to accept that I am reduced to this.
Really, I have nothing against them.  I respect them.

It's just that I never saw myself working as one.

Yes, I have said that I am no longer working for career.  Seriously.  I am not.

And don't think I'm earning a lot.  I'm just lucky that I live 5 minutes away so I get to save on fare and on lunches.

And there it goes, I am rambling again.

Will resume blogging tomorrow after work.  Do expect some sponsored posts tomorrow.

I Miss You!!

I miss you, blog!!!!!

Miss you!!!

I long for the day when I can have a couple of hours to blog!
I'm currently finishing my articles. And I'm so sick of the topics I have to cover.

Oh, I can't wait!

Please keep coming back!
I hope to update this later tonight.


❤,
Lil

On To A New Journey

...or should I say adventure???

Oh, good heavens! Where do I start?

Notice: Disorganized thoughts, up ahead! My mind is over active again.  I'm just typing as I think as to how I'd be talking to ze husband.

So it all started over this thought-turned-blog entry.  And partly because I miss working and PLUS I wanted to earn something more stable than all my writing jobs (as if I have a lot! Hahahaha), this blog and that home-based editor thing--which I still have to blog about.  Define procrastinate.

With nothing to lose, I asked my good friend from TELUS if there was a part-time job.  There wasn't any back then.  Flop.

And yes, I was considering an agent position. Much to my disappointment.  ☮

Fast forward to a couple of weeks, I got a call ☎  from my friend telling me about this urgent class that needs to filled up.  What's new TELUS??  Everything's urgent!  Nothing's changed with you, guys!

I went to the office the next day.  It was SO FUNNY!!!

The moment I approached the reception, the receptionists and the guards thought I was joking when I told them I'm applying for an agent position.  I feel flattered that they still know me BY NAME.  I'm happy.

As usual, the process takes too long.  And I mean, toooooo loooooong!

Then my name was called.  It felt totally weird sitting side by side with all the other applicants in the interview room and watching this new recruiter explain a few things.  And yes, I didn't like the position I was in, I still couldn't believe I'm an applicant in a room that I used to be the ♕ QUEEN ♔  of.  Yikes, can't think of any more proper terms to use.  I did warn you about scattered thoughts, right?

While waiting for my turn to be asked, I listened to all the applicants answer the questions and all of a sudden, memories came flashing through my mind!  I started remembering all the terms used for evaluating.  And yes! While they were talking, in my head, I was evaluating them and pretending I had a pen and clipboard with me.  I started picking who will and will not make it in this initial process.

Fillers, grammatical errors, S-V agreement, use of prepositions, lack of confidence, beating around the bush, verb tenses, and all those other areas.  I'm far from perfect.  I know that.  But those are basics, right?

Now it's my turn.  I introduced myself and explained why I'm applying for a part time agent.  The recruiter only had one question for me, how was your experience working with TELUS as a recruiter?

END OF INITIAL INTERVIEW

Come Monday, I went back to take that gruelling 100-minute exam that never existed but in the works already during my time.  While going through the exam, I remember answering thouse questions in one of our General Assemblies, during the time when it was still being developed.  Nothing new to me.

END OF EXAM

Up next was the final HR interview which I had to wait for so long again, an hour and a half, I think?
Weird experience again.  Funny how these recruiters refuse to ask me questions.  Hahaha! Knowing I'm pioneer?  Nye! I left 2008, surely a lot have changed and the people I left with the same level as mine were promoted already.  Another sidenote, I knew for a fact, that I would have been promoted if only I didn't avail my maternity leave and would've been promoted again if I did not resign.  But that time, I didn't care about any of those and I still don't up to now.  But I do admit, that up to now I still think about how my career would have flourished.

But far, far, far greater than that, if I never went on maternity leave, I wouldn't have been able to breastfeed my high-need and high-maintenance baby! Then I wouldn't have lost weight!!! That would just be QUE HORROR!!!! Forget career! Hahaha!! Yes, I am and I can be shallow at times.  Well, most of the time.  But I am reflective, mind you. Ok, going off-topic again.

Going back, again, I was just asked a couple of questions.  Why am I re-applying and what is my shift preference.

My answer, I prefer a 7am to 11am shift.  If I won't get that, then I won't pursue with my application.  Hahaha!! As if I didn't want the job huh?

END OF HR FINAL INTERVIEW

On To A New Journey (Part 2)

Tuesday, 11am
My schedule to meet with the Operations for the last part of the process.  I was late! Flop, 2 points.

I was asked to transfer to the other entrance of TELUS.  At first, I felt so giddy being able to step inside the Operations floor.  But once I took my 10th step (bilang na bilang talaga! Hahaha!), I got too emotional.  I swear, I thought I was gonna cry!  I recalled all too quickly that I was alone and would surely look crazy if I cried.  Really, I was emotional, walking along the hallways, feeling the cold breeze of the aircon (yuck, parang author lang!), hearing the agents talk, reading the billboards, seeing very few familiar faces.

That was the time I realized something. I LOVE TELUS.  
It was my first real mature job.  Prior to working with TELUS, I figured I was just playing and hate mostly all the things I did.

So yes,  I love TELUS.  I love it that I learned so much from my work, and gained some friends.  I love all the stressful job responsibilities.  I now miss hitting the impossible head count requirement for every class weekly.

Then a Team Captain approached me and the interview started.

Just the same, he asked me only a couple of questions.
Why do these people refuse to ask me questions?? I'm an applicant! Hahaha!!

Things he asked, why am I applying for an agent position and how do I think would I be challenged with the transition.

Super easy questions, right?

What's funnier was when he told me,

"I assume you already know the result of this interview."

END OF OPERATIONS INTERVIEW

By afternoon, I signed the contract already.  The offer is a lot cheaper but I couldn't really complain.  I wanted a part time position and I knew very well how much I would be getting.

In all honesty, there are three main reasons why I wanted to work again.
1)  For health benefits.  Being a mom of two, I wanted to take advantage of this benefit.  I'm now starting to realize the value of health cards.
2)  Stability.  I wanted to earn a stable income.  In preparation for ze husband's arrival and long vacation by May or June.  Yes, I might have sidelines and I still plan to start up my business and although we still have another business, we can never have enough money.  We want to enjoy his vacation and we don't want to dramatically cut costs.
3)  Self-fulfillment.  Oh, I'm not sure if I found the right word.  What I want is that, just in case I decide to go full-time (but that's very unlikely) I want my CV to appear that I did something worthwhile.  I don't want to stagnate myself with just writing and thinking of more creative ideas for my small dream business.

CHALLENGES

1)  Having to wake up so early in the morning to make it to the 7am shift.  But really, that time is perfect.  I leave the kids sleeping and be home when they are about to wake up or just did.  I give high importance to eating together with my kids and giving them a bath.  I can never bargain that for anything else.
2)  It's a great deal for me to actually step down from my previous position and be just an agent to a customer service account.  I'm no genius but I know my brains can do more than that.
3)  I never imagined myself to be an agent.  In fact, I hated some of them.  It's so hard to explain.  Let's just put it this way.  There are two types in my own humble opinion.  The agents who really have good comm skills even before joining the industry and stay the same all throughout their employment and talk like a normal person when outside the production area.

The other type, the type I despise the most, are those who just enhanced their comm skills via exposure and experience in the industry.  Most of the time, these are the ones who have a change in their attitudes once they hit their 3rd month in the company.  And these are also the ones who talk in coffee shops as if they are still on call.  Holding on to their accent in a very irritating manner.

Oh agents, they all look the same.  Printed jackets or over the top winter coats with a Starbucks tumbler in hand and a cigarette in the other.  Plus sporting their oh-so-cool sunnies.  

I SWEAR, I will never be like those.

I do realize that this is a very aggressive opinion.  It is MINE.

I may be wrong, but I higly doubt it.