Promise of new beginning

I had this feeling for sometime now. Why would not I ? after returning from 3 months leave, the office was already full of new and new, yet old faces. It's surprises me thou to see the later because, those people have left the company for sometime and then go back with a continuous length of service. Oh well, where can you find such favor? anyway, I'm pretty sure they do know exactly what they're doing.

I do loved my job, there's no question about that. But with the recent changes of leadership, plus my health being compromised made me to consider resigning after a month. I do understand the employment risk of expats here in Taiwan. In a span of one month, hundreds of Filipino's where laid-off and sent home. Rules also become stringent in the company, say for example: once there's customer complain and mis-operation, the fault person will be automatically terminated. No negotiation, period and this rule applies to either local or foreign.

Despite the uncertain economy, thought of resigning made me think a lot. Perhaps the reason why I'm feeling low these past few weeks. Yet, decision has to be made. So, when I had the chance to talk to my manager, I boldly told him to lay-me off or transfer me to another team rather than suffer more misery later on with my leader. Mind you leader was my close friends before she got promoted, but started to complain favors I got from manager. Indeed, I was blessed to have higher favors.

Manager was good enough allowing my transfer and say good things about me. Why will I knew? he blind copy me on all e-mails sent to dept heads. He said, he can't afford to loose me, but only this crucial timing that need the transfer. Each time I saw it, I can't help not to shed tears. And though I'm trying to hold on for my love with my job, at the back of it, I knew staying isn't the answer.

I am about to go home for Christmas holidays using my 2 weeks force leave. But when I get my ticket yesterday, the HR personnel asked me to go to the meeting room. Oh boy, this must be something really serious, I said to myself. That's it, everything was settled there. I took my stuff back to office accompanied by a security. And thou I have prepared myself should matters gets worse, once you're there, it isn't enough. The blow of events strike me like a knife. I don't know how many hours I cried. What I knew is that my head kills me in pain and weigh so heavy that made me throw up. So once again, I was back to the hospital.

I rush to the clinic or hospital by myself most of the time. But tonight it's different, I have a christian companion with me. The fellowship was an encouragement and a reminder of my situation compared with other people. Certainly, if I will look on deeper, I have more things to be grateful for.

So, when I wake up this morning, I'm not hurrying for work anymore. The good night sleep last night was surprising. It enabled replenishment of God's promises for the new direction I'm going to face. Yes, I am jobless now, but I do believe His preparing better things for me than I had planned for myself. That all these things are connected with one another in order to meet God's ultimate plan for my life. You see, if I resigned earlier I will not get an SLP, it's not much, but it's a good start. Plus my papers update for immigration came-up timely. So what can I ask more, what can I complain in this situation. Nothing I supposed, but to give thanks to God and rejoice!

P.S. This blog will be in hiatus for a while...but I'm still here, talking... @_@

Greeting you in advance.....

A blessed Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Atypical Monday

It's atypical Monday for work today...hmm, it might be only me as colleagues seems to be in some sort of discussion or pretending to be busy in hitting their laptops keys. Well I think I had fairly done my share for today's need-to-do list and am sure, each one of us had their styles spending those not so very busy days right. Plus, we're still entitled to take break once in a while. So, spare me, I'm not being defensive OK....hahaha

And so, while waiting for the time signaling it's done for today, I browse on my archive mails and found this forwarded mail which made me almost fell out of my chair. It's funny, that I would like to share it with you guys. So enjoy a loud belly laugh as it takes years off your face and does surely makes you fabulous when you laugh.

Have a nice day ahead everyone!

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There are 4 gents who go out to play golf one sunny morning. One is detained in the clubhouse, and the other three are discussing their children while walking to the first tee.

"My son Kent," says one, "has made quite a name for himself in the home-building industry. He began as a carpenter, but now owns his own design and construction firm. He's so successful in fact, in the last year he was able to give a good friend a brand new home as a gift."

The second man, no to be out done, tells how his son began his career as a car salesman, but now owns a multi-line dealership. "Norm's so successful, in fact, in the last six months he gave his friend two brand new cars as a gift."

The third man's son, Greg, has worked his way up through a stock brokerage, and in the last few weeks has given a good friend a large stock portfolio as a gift.

As the fourth man arrives at the tee, another tells him that they have been discussing their progeny and asks what line his son is in.

"To tell the truth, I'm not very pleased with how my son turned out," he replies. "For 15 years, Chico's been a hairdresser, and I've just recently discovered he's gay. However, on the bright side, he must be good at what he does because his last three boyfriends have given him a brand new house, two cars, and a big pile of stock certificates."

Simplicity is beauty

Things aren't really going well recently and apparently, this mayhem has affected me more that expected. If there's something beneficial I see, is to often find myself wanting to post an entry. Perhaps as means to release tension, an escape from this roller coaster ride mix of emotion.

However, if that post would only mean to whine and groan, I would rather discard it. So, I choose to revert on positive thoughts and pray at the same time. Later, I also realized that it's really useless and tiring to feel down on something that is beyond my control. So, why waste this precious time!

While at office, I was able to do blog hopping and fortunate to come across a blog which really encourage me. Like a journal as it is, but what captured me most is the way he shared his beautiful photos. I was really shocked how beautiful the Philippines is. That blogger indeed savor every minute of the places his been with.

Not bragging, but I've been to several countries already and had taken remarkable photos that I could keep as memento of such travels. But what I learned from him is photography. It strike a chord on me to always take the shot on those times that it had taken my breath away, as simple as the sunset, the silhouette, a flower, oh and so much more, much much more. Simple right, my happiness is really simple you know.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

PS. I hurriedly check the available photos on my computer. It may not be the best, but it's one of those moments, so glad that God created such beautiful sight for free.

Sunset at Chin Ching Lake, Taiwan

On time of crisis (Part2)

Who's paranoid? I guess it's a normal thing nowadays as everyone is asking the latest update of ones status quo. Just like tonight, I bumped into another Filipino folk at work and heard that there were Filipinos sent back home as of today. So, I hurriedly checked the news for authenticity to end up my speculations and here's what I got, courtesy of gmanews.tv

2nd batch of laid-off OFWs arrives from Taiwan
12/02/2008 09:06 PM

MANILA, Philippines — A second batch of overseas Filipino workers who lost their jobs in Taiwan arrived in the country Tuesday evening, a radio report said.

Radio dzBB's Lito Laparan reported that the second batch of 21 Filipinos arrived aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR-899 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

This developed as Labor Secretary Marianito Roque admitted some 200 Filipino seamen working in a luxury liner had been laid off.

But Roque said it is not a cause for worry, as more Filipinos are still deployed abroad then those who lost their jobs.

Last Monday, militant labor group Migrante said at least 103 OFWs more were to return from Taiwan on Tuesday after being laid off due to the impact of the global financial crisis.

Migrante chairwoman Connie Regalado said the first batch included 82 OFWs while the second included 21.

Regalado said as of November 2007, 720 Filipinos in Taiwan have already lost their jobs after companies there were forced to close down or lay off workers due to the global financial crisis. - GMANews.TV

Appeasing as it seems and an optimistic lover like me, but dropping the word "anxiety" is kinda out of my list now. I've been in the same economic slump down 8 years ago, but this one is quite different. Technically speaking, it's alarming to see that almost everything is smashing down in the economy, accompanied with conflicts happening in other nations like India , Thailand, including Taiwan. Oh yeah, their ex-president has been detained recently facing graft and corruption charges. And from latest news, his on hunger strike behind bars.

With this turn of events, our tendency is to dwell on the problem and not into solution. And so far the effect on me is not wanting to move at all. I became unsure of the challenges I'm facing ahead and I don't like this feeling. If there's only a pause button in this race of life, I have pushed it long time ago. Anyway, it's still a long way to go and how I really wish that it will be resolved soon, as in real soon. And hoping there's be no more tension adderr. I may have been looking on things it differently, was it because of PMS...oh oh, blame it to PMS? toink!!!

On times of crisis

Everyone heeds and trying to keep composure as the verdict will come out in just a matter of days. News circulating around says that 10% of the current workforce will be cut-off from both direct and indirect labor. And that would mean adding 1000 more jobless people in this sadly to say rapidly depleting world.

With the advantage of seeing everyone working at their best efforts, it still fretting going to work and later found out that you'll never come back the next day right. I actually don't believe that the weakest link are mostly expected to be sent off. What about those people who pledge their loyalty and service to the company, will it just end up in vain and wait till the company goes into bankruptcy? as such, no one is indispensable, recession is at the threshold and shortly after will be opened.

Even me, I'm starting to prepare myself and deal issues related to this. But what I'm more concerned about are the OFW's who just came here. When they left home, everyone is hoping for a better future for their family. Most of them has payed large amount of processing fees, which was either taken from loan sharks or worse sold or used their hard earned possession as collateral. What about those? what will happen next?

It's really sad that in a situation like this, the ones affected most are the "little people". Last Friday night as I've waited my bus and work shift Filipinos pass me by, I don't know why I can't help not to stare on their eyes and feel sorry at the same time. I'm not sure what I'm thinking exactly, but I guess if there's only enough good job back home, maybe the pain won't be this much.

On the side, I will always be forever grateful to God for bringing me to Taiwan. I'm sure lots of expats will agree. For me, He has given the best years experience of my life and career. More than I could ever dreamed or imagined and amidst the situation, I believe His preparing the best things for everyone. Just like the bible says, when a door closes, He will open another window, and that window is from ceiling to floor.

On budget campaign

2 months ago, a former colleague of mine e-mailed me about their company's imposing force leave due to economic downturn. She inquired further of how are we doing so far, which I replied back as still stable. Our respective companies are basically the top competitors in this field and having said that, we're not into spying each other OK, but rather checking out latest updates in our lives.

But in just a matter of time, this global economic crisis has also started it's blow in our company. Effective last week, we're enforce of 1 day-off every week. Now it's 1 day, maybe 2 next month or 3, who knows...as economist predicts that this crisis will last until quarter 2 of next year. A total big loss for sure, but looking at the bright side, there's definitely a purpose and something that can be learned out of it.

So for my case, I started real budgeting and watch out my expenses. Actually, this statement is a big deal especially for a shopaholic like me ( I may misspelled it) and would like to believe that I'm succeeding to date. Anyway, everything is a work in process right. So, I'll do it one step at a time.

Say for example, today I went to Watson's to buy my toiletries. And in that area, several shopping stores are found which I usually go thru just like today. With the season changing and winter coming in, it's a norm to check the newest fad and those for sale summer clothes I've been eyeing. Oh my, the gorgeous dress is already 50% off, so I hurriedly fit it and was convince does looks good. But deep inside says it isn't practical and so I left without regrets after returning the dress on its rack. Yeah, no regrets because for sure it's much cheaper next month...ha ha

Another way to may I say budget campaign is to lessen eating outside. Just like today's stride is usually accomplish with me eating my favourite beef noodles. Well, apart from the toiletries, I also bought chocolote cookies for my craving, it's no yet dinner anyway. Hmm, wise buy I guess as I could also eat it during my snacks, yummy with milk.

Productive weekend

This weekend seems productive I think and maybe you might ask why.

Well, yesterday morning I was able to go to the wet market which I was planning for more than a month. Before with my housemates, we normally go there every payday, but since I started leaving alone, I became used to buy in the grocery. Of course groceries has higher prizes than the traditional ones, so I was really happy that I could save plus it's fresher I supposed.

What amazes me here in Taiwan is that in their wet markets, you could also do shopping at the same time. Yeah, it's a one time shop which has stores for clothes, bags, shoes and anything you'll want in much affordable prizes. How I wish I bought my camera with me for your visualization. Anyways, I'll try to do it next time. And since I'm on budget, I settled my eyes in looking and left after getting my needs. A record breaker of spending only an hour of buying.

My mother is really a good cook and I love to cook when I had time. The problem is, I didn't inherit her skills. So far, I only know 5 recipes which I alternately cook, and maybe it's only me who'll aprub the taste. Well, as long as it's edible right, ha ha...So I cooked nilagang baboy just enough for the whole days consumption.

And then in the afternoon, I was able to sweep and mop the floor. Finally, I could removed those accumulated dust. Can't remember when was the last time I mopped. And with just me, surely one afternoon isn't enough to clean everything. But at least, I did my best, so should be OK. One more thing, what about the laundry? well, skip this week and do it next week. Whew so tiring! can somebody send me a maid please!

I spent this morning till noon in the church and after checking progress of our activities for Christmas, I went home afterwards. So, I cooked broccoli with shrimp sufficient till dinner and then took a quick nap.

After waking-up, I could still feel my stomach full and so, I decided to jog in the university which is just in front of my apartment. Again, I forgot to bring the camera with me. I was downstairs when I realized it and so lazy to go back. I guess, my thoughts are also still flying at the time. Anyway, I was able to have 4 loops this time, twice as I had 2 weeks ago and I hope I'll improve next time. I missed jogging with sweats dripping my face and back and with the winter coming, I bet it'll be a lot of effort doing so.

The night is still young, much so in saying I'm not yet finish doing my chores. I ate my dinner and took break by watching television just enough to do the next task. So, while watching Dwayne Johnson's movie "The game plan", I was ironing clothes for this workweek. Well, it's the last one to finish and had a good time while watching it. And before I closed this post, I was reminded of Peyton's question to Joe which you'll know the answer if you've watched the movie. But the question is actually applicable to all, and made me also to ponder. So, what about you, " What is the best thing that ever happened to you?"