crash and burn: birthday realizations

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

birthday realizations

I took a birthday leave yesterday. I made an excuse so I could go to this job interview. The company is located just a few buildings away from my current office. I had to make sure no one from the office see me, otherwise, my little lie would be found out.

1st realization. I am early for the job interview.
The interview time was 9am. I got in 10 minutes before 9am. Not bad. Not bad at all considering my official time at the office is 9am sharp, and I come in at 15 minutes past.

2nd realization. Thou shall eat breakfast before an interview.
It was past 10 when I was called for the initial interview. I kept thinking of the leftover pizza and lasagna in the ref. Cold pizza is always better than hot pizza, or maybe that’s just my grumbling stomach speaking. I had 1 mint candy in my bag and that, somehow, got me through the initial interview.

3rd realization. Blessed : Fearless is incorrect.
Passed the initial interview. Exam time na. First question – heathen : godless; blessed : blank. Whhhaaaat? I’m embarrassed to admit that I spent almost 5 minutes on that question alone. Later on, I found out na mali pa pala ang sinagot ko. Syet.

4th realization. Two bathrooms are better than one.
Need I say more?

5th realization. Always be thankful.
Passed the final interview as well. When I learned of the salary package, I was dismayed. It wasn’t what I expected, and it’s a few thousands less than what I am currently getting. The other applicants who passed were ecstatic not just about the pay, but more for being employed. “magpa-practice na akong mag-english,” said one. “text ko na ang asawa ko na pumasa ako,” said another. The other applicants needed the job kaya deadma na ung zero absences during the 4-week training. During the 10-month probationary period, an employee is allowed 5 absences and 3 lates. Only 5? Gudlak na lang.

When we got down, I looked at the Discovery building – one of the tallest and grandest in Pasig – and thought “employed naman na ako, so what did I just do there?” The office has 4 bathrooms, there is a 15-minute grace period in the morning, a health card, 12 vacation leaves + 15 sick leaves, and unlimited use of the internet.

6th realization. Next year, get a facial or a massage instead.

posted by click & crash @ 2/14/2007 03:21:00 PM

2 Comments:

At 2/14/2007 5:18 PM, Anonymous said…

hmnn... more age, more realizatons, more understanding of life/self. haneeep!
sabay tayo pa-facial at pa-massage ha? libre mo ako ha? yipee!

happy hearts day kom!
At 2/19/2007 8:09 AM, RelinqWish said…

oh wow, that is a fantastic package! daig pa US standards yung benefits ninyo ha. i don't even have sick days, in the 4 years I've been withhe the company. i'm so proud of you, darling, keep up the good work. happy birthday ulit!