Sunday, May 06, 2007

to go or not to go...

well i guess it's somewhat a bit early for me to be thinking about this right now considering I don't have a fallback yet... I would still need to give atan something, I would still need to reapply kina jake... but they can wait after I receive feedback from Friday's talk/tour... I'm hoping for the best but scared at the same time... it's good to have a choice but sometimes it's just so much easier if there's none... parang sign na dito ka dapat... there's this one thing I realized from Friday's escapade though: my ENGLISH sucks big time!!!!!

anyway, posting this article here so I won't forget... saktong sakto!

4 ways to make any job good
by Penelope Trunk

The best way to be happier at work is to take personal responsibility for your workplace well-being. Any job can be better than it is right now.Here are four ways you can improve your job instead of relying on your boss or your company to change:

1. Make a friend at work.
People with one friend at work are much more likely to find their work interesting. And people with three friends at work are virtually guaranteed to be very satisfied with their life, according to extensive research from Gallup published in the book "Vital Friends" by Tom Rath. These findings are independent of what a person's job entails, and what their home life is like.

On one level, this isn't surprising. We're better equipped to deal with hardship if we have friends near us, and we have more fun when we're with friends. So a friend allows us to deal with the ups and downs of work much more easily. (sobrang relate ako!!!huge factor!!!)

We often think of work and life as separate, and consequently fortify our home life with friends. But we need different friends for different contexts. Having someone you can count on at work to care about you and understand you feeds your soul in a way that used to apply only at home.

Of course, once you have this information, you have to figure out the most effective ways to make friends at work. Because friends don't just materialize in your cubicle -- you need to cultivate them.

2. Decrease your commute time by moving closer to work.
More than three million people have a commute that lasts more than 90 minutes. Many of them justify this commute by saying that their job is worth it, or that it allows them to have a bigger house. But the commute may be doing them great harm at home and at work.

Humans can adjust to almost any amount of bad news, according to Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert. In his book "Stumbling on Happiness," he shows that we think losing a limb will be terrible, but in fact we adjust to it pretty well. In fact, in the long run it generally doesn't affect our level of happiness.

A commute is different, though. It's impossible to adjust to because the way in which it's bad changes every day. So the tension of not knowing what will be bad, and when it will be bad, and not being able to control those things, means we're unable to use our outstanding mental abilities to adjust.

Here's the clincher, though: Even though people tell themselves it won't happen to them, a bad commute spills over into the rest of the day for almost everyone. If you have a bad commute on the way to work and you walk into the office in a bad mood, that's the mood you're likely to have all day. And if you have a bad commute on the way home, you'll probably still be grouchy by the time you go to bed.

3. Know when it's not about your job.
I'm not certain whether this is good news or bad news, but the connection between your job and your happiness is overrated. In general, the kind of work you do isn't going to have huge bearing on whether you're happy or not.

To be sure, your work can make you unhappy (see No. 2 above, for example), but work isn't going to give you the key to the meaning of life or anything like that.

Still, you can do a quick check to make sure you have a job that's good for you.
A good job:
• Stretches you without defeating you
• Provides clear goals
• Provides unambiguous feedback
• Provides a sense of control

If you have these things in your job and you're still not happy, it's not your job -- it's you. (hmmmm...so is it just me or not????)

So maybe it's time to start looking inside yourself to figure out what's wrong, instead of blaming everything on your job. I'm a big fan of getting help when you feel stuck. Sure, we can all get ourselves through life, but it's often easier to get where you want to be faster if you have someone to help you overcome your barriers.

To this end, you need to know if you need a career coach or a shrink. And if your job meets the criteria on the above list, you could probably use help from a mental health professional in order to find ways to get happier.

4. Do good deeds.
Help people. Be kind. Don't think about what you get in return. Just be nice. In this way, you can make the world a better place in the job you have right now.

Take personal responsibility for your happiness during the day, and do things that make you feel good. You've heard a lot of this before. If you go to the gym, your mood will get better (and your mind will be sharper). If you eat healthy food, you feel better than if you go to McDonald's for lunch. And if you do random acts of kindness, you get as much out of it as the person you're being kind to.

But most importantly, stop looking for your work to give your life meaning. The meaning of life is in your relationships. Cultivate them. A good job is a nice thing to have, but only in the context of larger meaning.

If you're happy outside of work, where you don't rely on your boss or your company, then finding happiness at work will be that much easier.

Monday, April 16, 2007

green tea anyone?

this one's not for me...
two/three sips more and that was it...
what a waste...

slow reader...

head hurts big time but the application i'm installing is still 11% from completing... so to kill time, instead of "working" blog na lang!

Books were on sale at Powerbooks (huh?) and being the frugal person that I am I decided to just get Night. You see the last time I bought a book for myself was November of last year! *gasp* that long already... and even after 5 months this book is still a work in progress:

I'm getting there though maybe a few more months! kidding! I actually use this book to make me fall asleep for those "sleepless" nights... The only other book (of course of the few books I've read or attempted to read so far) which I haven't been able to finish till now (more of have no intention to finish) is Foucault's Pendulum. Although, I must say I liked Eco's other book The Name of the Rose but anyway, I am digressing. Unfortunately for me, Night is currentlysold out and they have this reservation list already (so much for planning to raid other Powerbooks outlets). So, I ended up getting these instead:


This is quite a splurge already for me since I am not really a bookworm (hello january, jeff, bowdy???!!!) but then again these will probably last me until say november?hahaha :D Until then, Night would have to wait. Good luck to me on finishing all these especially The God of Small Things (must finish each one!)!

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

if this was true, i should be getting ready to tie the knot by now!!! :p

not!!! hahahaha :))

anyway, bored lang... and since i'm not a fan of friendster dito na lang... hehehe

[ ] I know how to make a pot of coffee.
[x] I keep track of dates using a calendar.
[ ] I own more than one credit card.
[ ] I know how to change the oil in my dads car.
[ ] I do my own laundry.
[x] I vote every election.(uh once pa lang?)
[ ] I can cook for myself.
[ ] I think politics are exciting.
[ ] I balance my checkbook.
[x] My parents have better things to say than my friends.

total: 3

[ ] I show up for school/college/workevery day early. >>> used to be very punctual... mejo na lang! :D
[x] I always carry a pen in my pocket/purse.
[ ] I've never gotten a detention.
[x] I have never smoked a cigarette.
[ ] I have never gotten completely trashed.
[ ] I have forgotten my own birthday at least once.
[x] I like to take walks by myself.
[x] I've watched talk shows.
[x] I know what 'credibility' means without looking it up.
[ ]I drink coffee at least once a week.
total: 5

[x] I know how to do the dishes
[x] I can count to 10 in anotherlanguage.>>>(indio???)
[x] When I say I'm going to dosomething I do it
[x] My parents trust me.>>>strict lang talaga??? :p
[ ] I can mow the lawn.
[ ] I can make adults laugh without being stupid.
[ ] I remember to water the plants.
[x] I study when I have to.
[x] I pay attention at school/college.
[ ] I remember to feed my pets.>>i don't have one!

total: 6

[x] I can spell 'experience' without looking it up
[ ] I work out on a regular basis. >>> i should if i want to stay in shape!!!!!
[x] I clean up my own mess.
[ ] The people at Starbucks know me by name.
[ ] my favorite kind of food is takeout.
[x] I have gained weight sincemiddle/high school.
[ ] The first thing I do when I wake up is get caffeine.
[ ] I cant go out of the store without getting something I don't need.
[ ] I understand political jokes the first time they are said. >>> joyce=slow!
[x] I can type quickly. >>define quickly???

total: 4

[ ] I have realized that the weather forecast changes every hour.
[ ] My only friends are from my place of employment.
[ ] I have been to a tupperware party >> no idea, ano to??? :D
[ ] I have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 or have a job.
[ ] I have more bills than I can pay.
[ ] Most of my friends are older than Iam.
[x] I can say no to staying out all night. >>> cinderella is that you???
[x] I use the internet every day.>>> i have to?
[x] My wardrobe hasn't changed in awhile.
[x] I can read a book and actually finish it.

total:4

add up all the number and repost thisas: MY MARRiAGE AGE iS 22 (score)

Saturday, March 31, 2007

scorching summer heat--Taal style

when: MARCH 26, 2007
where: TAAL
who: GI, JI, JOYCE, MIKE, JC, BOWDY, PAOLO
coming soon: pinatubo, EK, MOA (skating), Corregidor, Taal take 2????

(side note: lakwatsa galore! mapapagalitan na ako nito pag nagkataon! hahaha may sorsogon/bicol, laguna, bangkok pa with college friends! hahaha :p pro sana matuloy and makajoin ako hehehe....)




we conquered Taal! well at least they did! hahaha :p


"Other people's opinion of you doesn't have to become your reality. Those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it. I don't know the key to success, but one key to failure is to please everyone. So why waste time thinking about what others will tell you. Instead, do what makes you happy." >>> wow, that makes sense especially to me... one i should keep in mind... toink!

Sunday, March 18, 2007

not so random words...

  • mind games
  • perfect storm
  • character
  • one voice
  • triangle
  • coffee talk
  • goodbye
  • comfort zone
  • octagon

Saturday, March 17, 2007

oh well...

Gosh! i think i should go back to the salon and give another round of bigger tip to the one who cut my hair! i never heard that many comments on my new 'do! [sorry no pictures yet...]i guess they just got tired of my long hair... change is good...

but not always... and yet you have to welcome and embrace them... so that you can grow as a person and experience life at its fullest...

to my friend, congrats... it's been nice knowing you. whatever happens i'm happy for you... carpe diem! listen to your heart and mind... let your soul talk to God... wish you all the best...

and as much as i would want to deny this... i'm on the verge of feeling sorry for myself... being lost, hopeless, pressured, and depressed... whoever said life would be easy? how would you know gain from pain if you have not experienced both...

it's downhill from here again for me... damn, i need an upper (aka something to lift my spirits)!

like i always say, "oh well..."

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

crushed

so what is this trying to tell me? am i stuck here?

>>>edit: then again, i guess not! it's a win-win situation i just have to weigh my options carefully and think hard about the decision I would make... what makes me happy, satisfied, contented and proud... and if i'm ready to face the consequences... of course, time, effort, determination, conviction, principle, and blessing are essential... no easy way out...

Sunday, February 18, 2007

things are looking good... the more the merrier! and yeah, count me in! sabi nga ni atan, it's a milestone! true! haha! :D giddy! giddy! now I have something to think about to get me through this week... s0 hopefully less stress... and less "negative energy"...

why do all good things come to an end?...

half of the week was hard... so hard i had a meltdown...
so yeah, bowdy's right, it does feel like a Golden Cage...
hopefully, i won't be THAT emotional again... it's a struggle... but I'm optimistic that one day I'll be able to overcome this...

it has come to a point where I pretty much don't care about the person anymore... and what he'd feel or others would think... there's a saying in our organization back in college before, "huwag kang mang-aapak pero huwag kang magpapatapak"... i don't think by being like this or feeling like this i'm already offending the person... there's just this what you call as a limit on what a person can take... I've reached that limit and i think he's gone too far... and that you've given him all the chance you can to understand and hope that he'll treat you maybe not nicely at least fairly... sabi nga ni January, tiis pa and tiis lang... hopefully, next week I'll be detached from all these negative emotions... para deadma na lang... that week maybe sort of brought out the worst in me... it was not intentional, and i sincerely hope that I won't be marked for life because of it... yeah, I'm still young and have so much to learn...

on the other hand, there's still no news which adds to my sadness... I'm wishing, hoping, praying for the best...

if plans push through, the weekend ahead might help...

Saturday, February 10, 2007

better days...

take away the bitterness...
take away the hurt...
admire the sunset
glow in the sunrise
everything happens for a reason...
and we should embrace, conquer
not be imprisoned by it...
whatever the reason...
add them all together
and you have better days...
bliss!

**hey look at the sun, it's shining brightly on my life**

everything happens for a reason. It makes you:
1. appreciate what you have
2. rethink your goals
3. reevaluate your priorities
4. redefine your standards
5. aim higher!
Reach for the stars!

Sunday, February 04, 2007

what next?

my take on my current state:
Lord, please show me the way...

savoring the stress-free weekend...

weekends should really be like this... though not easy on the purse

first stop: MOA day with Jake, JP, Cy, Cha and Katre... think: dinner, Night at the museum, impromptu ice skating and coffee afterwards in Greenbelt... priceless!!!! major laugh trip with bits of serious convo here and there... BUT being the Cinderella/KJ aka 'kill joyce' that I am, i had to excuse myself from subjecting myself to humiliation when it was red box time which lasted until the following day... too bad I couldn't join (when will I ever? that's why I gotta seriously think about moving out or relocating perhaps?)... There were quite a number missing in attendance but it sure feels great to be with the 'gang' again, (got the term from Jake). Hopefully on the next "gimik" I'll be able to join again!


ice skating was one unplanned activity but a 'cool' one at that! 'twas actually my second time only since like 1st or 2nd year of college! that LONG already!!! wasn't able to bring the camera on the ice so I'm just going to borrow pics taken by Cy in his phone when he uploads them. Somehow, the three pics that I have don't even come close to illustrating what happened on the ice!!! haha


sidenote: guys, if you haven't you should watch Night at the Museum... major laugh trip! but it could also be that we were just so stressed out with "work" that found even the tiniest of things in the movie as very funny. :p


second stop: Lunch at Leslie's Tagaytay. I have promised the family that I'll treat them for Lunch or dinner at Leslie's since like December of last year! Due to our hectic schedules which somehow do not seem to match it has been postponed indefinitely. I've been wanting to get the family to go to Tagaytay again since it's been so long that we've been to Tagaytay as a family. I was actually motivated during Erik's visit last year when I saw that so much has changed since I've been there last. Leslie's a start, maybe when dad goes to Sonia's this weekend he can then treat us there too next time. we were supposed to go there with my cousin but unfortunately, she was in the province... maybe next time :) Lunch was good but again not on the budget... but it's enough that they appreciated the fact that we went to Tagaytay to eat Lunch! ahaha :D kidding aside, my mom couldn't agree more on the positive changes. She could still remember the 'kubo-kubo' by the road before in order to get a good view of the Taal Lake/volcano... ooopppssssss.... all of a sudden I remember someone with the mere mention of Taal!
some pics:


weekends should be like this... at least once in a while... refreshing...