Dear Dr. Rena...

Last week, i had the opportunity to counsel three of my friends on their plans to make a career shift. Then i realized that a lot of people are still at a loss on what they want to do with their life/lives. And I'm not saying that it's bad. It's just difficult to make a decision. But I find it fun being able to help others go through the process of self-discovery. It's a fulfillment being able to share what I've been through (believe me, I'm fond of doing this even if it involves minor issues). Just don't expect me to give a straightforward answer because my role is to help "you" discover and weigh all your options. For your free consultations...hehe...joke joke joke!

Open sesame!

It took me two hours to open my PC. I'M HAVING PANIC ATTACKS! I don't want to spend my entire vacation doing paperrworks for school!!!!! Got it???!!! So, guys, any tips on what to do in case this happens again? What I learned today is to let it lie down. Successful so far. The other day, i had it cleaned using a small paint brush. I wonder what's next...

Time of my life

This vacation is the best. Waking up late, sleeping late not worrying if I can pull myself off from bed the following morning, accomplishing my 'things to do' without any pressure, shopping during the day...it's simply the best. A much needed career break though I'm down on my countdown to 9 more days (huhuhu...) I still have a long list of what I want to accomplish but as I've said, i want to take my time.

I went to Divisoria last weekend. Luckily, there weren't too many people (wait till next month). If you're really looking for the best bargains in town...Divi is the place to be. But i suggest that you make a list of what you need to buy because the (low) prices will really attract you to but almost everything you see. Name it, they have it! In fact, I plan to go back this week...

2/15

Today, I...

• enrolled online (i got feedback that there were a lot of glitches...bad, bad! I'll have a discussion on this soon)
• responded to emails (after 20 attempts to open my PC)
• studied ManAcc (nagpapaka-nerd!)
• played with kitkat, spider kitty,scooby doo and house guests
• pacified a lil girl by the name of shamoy

15 day countdown

Tsk! It's actually the second day of my 15-day vacation from work. What did I do during my first day?

• kept bugging people for 2003 receipts
• updated friends
• called my doctor (gastro-specialist)
• kept bugging IT people in the office to help me save my PC files
• had coffee at Bean Perk (recommended)
• bought medicines (money out again)
• checked my car (it's now being painted, might be able to get it this Friday)
• studied ManAcc (compre exam in DLSU-GSB)

goodbye

I feel sad...I'm having this separation anxiety. After seven years in this institution, it's now time to say goodbye. Whoever said that parting was such an easy thing? Except of course if it really sucks in there. I really had plans of moving but I said not until next year. There's my MBA that I give into consideration, since I'm on my last year. Then, of course all the bonus + my retirement (eeewww...sounds financially good but the thought of retirement... it's a benefit if you're more than 5 years). But as they say "opportunity only knocks once..." I'll definitely miss the organization that I consider as my second family. I grew up and developed there...had established lasting relationships (as of now...hehehe), fell in love, been hurt, had enemies as well (yes, the one and only BASTARD). Don't get me wrong, you might be asking then "why did you resign?" Of course I don't intend to discuss that here, perhaps one of these days (after I get my clearance). It's similar to someone moving to another country. It's difficult leaving everything behind but you know that there's something out there waiting for you , something you have always dreamed of to look forward to. Goodbye UnionBank...I'll surely miss all the perks!
Siyet...no more free food, less lakwatsa time, magpapakitang-gilas na naman po ako at bagong pakikisama. Good luck to me!

Information Security

Summary (FYI peeps)

Employees at numerous Shell locations have received "spoofed" (forged) emails in recent weeks which pretend to be from a financial institution such as a bank or from an online service provider such as AOL or eBay, stating that there has been a billing problem with the recipient's account and requesting the recipient to click on a link to go to a website in order to sort it out.

The email often states that the account will be suspended if this is not done.

The website that the link takes you to is also spoofed. It generally asks for personal details to be entered, such as name, address, date of birth, account numbers and even PIN codes.

The emails are carefully crafted and often carry the genuine logo of the organisation concerned, stolen from its own website. They are designed to fool people into responding to them.

The emails are sent randomly, with no attempt to check that the recipient uses the organisation that the email pretends to come from.

This activity is known as "phishing" and its aim is to acquire details of people's personal financial data so that those behind the scam can access those accounts.

Experts estimate that up to 5% of people respond to these emails, risking unauthorised access to their bank account and sometimes identity theft.

Report

Hello??? Ever heard of effective presentations??? It was quite frustrating seeing MBA people who still don't know know how to prepare for effective presentations and I specifically mean doing powerpoint presentations. Powerpoint is just there to guide the reporter, that's why it makes use of bullet points/words/phrases. Now, i can't understand why people keep on writing the whole sentence/paragraph and even on what they have to say...if that's the case, might as well print it and just give us copies. One, it doesn't entice us to look at your presentations. It's like reading a book flashed on the screen. Two, less retention because key words are not highlighted. Third, instead of the person in front communicating/delivering the message to his audience, he is like a story teller or a live audio in front. Professors should also be responsible in correcting this...how? give feedback to your students.

Warrior of the Light

The unexpected happens when you least expect it! Well, things haven't been going well lately and I'm referring here to my health. It started with my tummy (which i thought twas my appendix), then my intestines and now here comes Mr. Cardiologist saying negative results of my ECG! I can relate to Alanis' 'Ironic' -- for someone who 'excretes' regularly, for someone who's active...tsk tsk. Now let's see what will happen next. But for the meantime, I'd like to share this:

"A Warrior of the Light practices a powerful exercise for inner growth: He pays attention to the things he does automatically, such as breathing, blinking, or noticing the things around him.

He uses this technique whenever he is faced with a difficult situation."
--- Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light

Shamonoy

(To the tune of Copacabana)
"Kami Shamonoy, babies ni ahme"
Nonoy: Ako may tricycle
Shamoy: Ako may magic cloud
""Kami Shamonoy, babies ni ahhhhhmehhh...."

Call of Nature

I have this habit of responding to the call of nature as soon as I wake up. But today, i had to CONTROL it and wait till I get to the office...darn with those physical exams! I just learned last saturday that you cannot store human excrement for more than 2 hours or else it will be stale (Hmmm...that i didn't know. That was lesson #1 in "banyo" 101). So that explains why I need to do it in the office, during office hours. Oh! For lesson #2: if you can, remove all your clothes while doing it. You'll never know where the stench will stick....

Manila..manila

Hats off to Mayor Lito Atienza...I've been going around Manila lately and boy, what a big change! Good projects! It also gave me a feeling of security (?) seeing policemen present in gimik areas. Not that they've replaced the so-called "bouncers" but at least it will give those with "criminal minds" second thoughts before they do some action...sige na nga, pwde na ring "taga-bantay nang kotse"

Dunno

I really dunno how this thing works...anyway, just want to welcome myself here!