get to know more about me

As part of my extra curricular activities in the workplace, I had joined the global eLife team which aims to encourage the use of technology to ease daily pains of the employees.

In line with the team's kick off, we had to fill out some questions to be posted in the office intranet.

As this is for people in the workplace, I tried to keep it as somewhat-casual-and-personal-but-doesn't-reveal-much as plausible.

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I WAS BORN IN... (I keep coming back to) Manila.

DURING THE NEW YEAR'S EVE OF 1999, I WAS...celebrating my last new year as a teenager.

THE WORSE PROJECT I HAD EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN...was the one that required us to dissect a (live at the beginning) frog for fourth grade science class. Never again!.

IF I COULD CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT MYSELF IT WOULD BE...to increase my tolerance to noise.

AS FAR AS FUTURE PLANS GO, MINE IS... to be more healthy.

I HAD ALWAYS DREAMED OF...reading fairy tales to my grandkids.

Make 3 statements and make sure that there are 2 truths and one lie about you.

1. All the women in my family have "Maria" (equivalent) in their names

2. My favorite era is the 80's

3. I love colorful clothes

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Can you spot the lie?

mugged

I really didn't want to put anything in my new office area. By this, I mean that apart from my toothbrushing kit and desk calendar (that was there, waiting for me when I was assigned my seat), I don't have anything else personal in my bin and on my desk. I want to keep as little things as possible. In line with this strategy, I don't have my own mug. I utilized the disposable cups in the pantry.

Yesterday though, someone came to me, handed me a box and said I noticed you didn't have your own cup, here. Company mug. Use it.

Now, I'm thinking I need a coaster.

personalised

I requested a headset from purchasing team so as not to disturb people seated near me when I am doing calls--and that is a significant amount of time.

They came back to me saying that a sales person will meet up with me on Monday morning with different headsets to help me find the headset for me as different people have different needs. True.

I can't help but smile to myself as I don't think that even call center agents, who spend all their time on calls have the option to pick a headset most suited to their needs--or head size.

HEALTHE: take cointreau

Among the people in this photo, I was the last one standing.
In this one, I was the first one out.

lost

Tomorrow is my last day with my current company. And before I write about how much I would miss my colleagues, my bosses and my office that is a few paces away from the Merlion--literally, I would write about what I lost today.

I took the last of my things and put it in a bag. And left to meet a good friend for coffee. I had such a good time that I realized I was running late for dinner. I was such in a hurry that it was only when I was nearing our home when I realized that the bag with my office stuff is missing.

To make a long story short, the bag is lost. Forever.

The contents?

- Tooth Brush / Tooth Paste
- Mouthwash
- Dental Floss
- Alcohol (disinfectant!)
- Lavender Cologne (Yeah, the one that smells hmmmmm!)
- Hand Cream
- Box of calling cards
- Scissors
- Tissue
- Coasters
- Pain killers (for cramps)
- Sliced ginseng chips (supposed to help with the cramps)
- White Flower Oil (for fainting spells, as advised by unknown woman in bus stop)
- Other supplies (for women)

While I feel bad losing some of my stuff, I can't help but feel thankful that it was that bag that I left behind rather than my main bag. I would be very hassling if it was the other way around. I'm blessed.

howl at the moon

Thanks guys for putting up a wonderful birthday eve for me :)

(and for putting a leg up while trying to get a ball in)

It is the very first time that I celebrated the eve of my birthday with colleagues--turned good friends.

you got gold

I think I saw a leprechaun in the pantry. Only, he is so much taller than me. I always imagined them to be a foot tall.

He was wearing a green suit and with that, an even brighter green shirt--and, pointed gold shoes. He was missing his hat. Maybe because we were in the pantry. It is bad manners to wear a hat when you are indoors.

He had sleek back hair (READ: Steven Seagal) and was continuously snapping his fingers while waiting for his cappuccino drip.

I smiled at him and greeted him a good morning. He smiled back and said likewise.

I grabbed a glass filled it with water and left.

When I got back to my seat, I felt my pockets for gold. There wasn't any.

(something catastrophic) something blue

I finally wore a top I had been wanting to wear for a long time (it beats me why I haven't).

It is our first day in our new office location. It is Monday. It is the perfect day for the top.

Maybe not exactly perfect.

I decided however, to forget that although it is very thin and one-third lace, it is after all, long sleeved, high collared.

I got to the office at nine, there was no one there except one colleague. I told him I haven't had breakfast and I was going out to get some. He said he'd go with me.

Where to go?

Ahhh. This is a tough one.

We ended up walking quite a bit--under the sun.

Breakfast was uneventful, but good. I love clam chowder.

The walk from the office was bad enough. The walk back was disastrous.

By the time we got back to the office I was ready to faint. Joyce said I looked really hot. I don't think she meant it in a good way.

I sat down and hurriedly let loose a few buttons down the back of my top. Any more delay and I could have totally blacked out. I couldn't breathe. I also felt like vomiting. The next few minutes were spent reclined, fanning and occasionally sipping water.

I am now feeling a bit better, but still not 100%.

If only I didn't have a meeting this afternoon, I would have gone home.

So much for my much anticipated top debut where I passed up on smokes, coffee, lunch and even after office drinks.

company of packers

We are leaving our current location, and by the end of the week, we should have literally cleaned up our mess. The movers are due midday on Friday.

The room I share with Joyce (that sounds like we actually live in together!) is now almost empty.

The only things left are two coasters, a desk calendar and two pens--red and black. Everything else is packed, boxed and ready for pick up, thrown or set aside for me to bring home tomorrow.

Packing is hard work (especially when you are not dressed for it).

It's five. It's time. I'm thirsty.

(I did come in very early today to get things done as I anticipated the afternoon activity. Good thing too, as I had almost forgotten how productive I am before eight.)

the end is near

I've started seeing this at random times during my workday. There are things that you expect to happen eventually, yet you still feel surprised when it actually happens.

don't throw it all away (our mugs, our mugs)

We have white mugs in the office. As with white mugs, cracks (among other things) are very visible and with continued use, the color of the drinks seeps into these cracks. Hideous. Glaring.

Very hideous that I cringe upon sight of it.

There is this one mug that was in a please-end-my-life state. I got so affected that one day, I took it from the cupboard and tossed it into the pantry trash can. The next day, I found it in the cupboard. The cleaning lady rescued it.

I was determined to see the mug go, so this time I tossed it into the trash can in my room. The next day, I found it in the cupboard. The cleaning lady rescued it. Again.

Of course I cursed a bit when I found it, this time I opted for the toilet trash can. I was grossing myself out imagining the cleaning lady saving it. I mean, someone might use it! (Goosebumps)

The next day, I found it in the cupboard again. The cleaning lady is probably as determined keeping the mug as I am throwing it away.

I was not going to give up. This time opened the garbage bag from the previous day (as I came in early), threw the mug in, closed the bag and washed my hands profusely.

Since then, cupboard opening exercise had been a breeze.