the dangers of working late

This is why you should never work late...hahaha!

This video spread throughout Singapore a few months ago and everyone thought it was real. Some couldn't even take the lift alone. They say this was taken in one of the buildings in Raffles area. Unlike other scary videos, this one didn't even get any reaction from me. That's saying a lot because I get scared so easily. I thought it looked fake.

And I was right. This video is just a hoax. It's just an advertising campaign for a certain HR firm.

According to Snopes, it is just a promotional stunt done by the Singapore branch of McCann Worldgroup advertising agency in behalf of the GMP Group, a business recruitment and staffing firm with offices throughout Asia. If you're one of those Pinoys on a job-hunt here, you've probably heard about GMP, right?

This is a perfect example of how a big ruckus can come out from just a small-budgeted ad. How I'd love to share this with Paul, my chummy from the "ahensya", who once told me: You're in the wrong industry, Chie. You should work in advertising.

So anyway, Josh Goh of GMP appeared on another online video, to explain the purpose behind the Raffles Place Ghost video. So in the end, it all boils down to marketing. He says, at GMP, "We want to highlight the dangers of working late. Stress, fatigue, ill health...and if you're really, really unlucky, you might see a ghost." Here's GMP's video:

Ay naku, basta ko graduate na ko sa ganyang ka-OA mag OT. I still remember those times I got locked inside RobPlace because I finished work at 3am! I didn't know how to go out and I couldn't find any security! I was holding my boxes and bag and running like a mad woman! Movie-mode na nman ako that time! Genre: Horror. Hehe.

That's one of the reasons why I like working the public sector. The Singapore Government is a firm advocate of work-life balance. I know for a fact that if you work in Singapore's private sector, naku, doing overtime and bringing home work is sooo common. I hope I do not have to undergo the same thing again. Die, already, die!

who stole my magic?

Doubt the 1st

Weep the 2nd

Trust the 3rd

Live the 4th.

These past few months for me seems like living the 2nd day all over again.

I hope I can have the strength and faith again to live like it's the 4th day.

Because someone stole my magic and never gave it back.

And now I'm left with the numbness that only mediocrity can offer.

para sa mga lalaking hindi nagpractice ng safe sex...

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

to you!!!

Hahaha. Late na.

I wasn't even able to greet my daddy-friends yesterday. So busy the whole day!

Anyway, Happy father's day to all Papas, Daddies, Tatays, Erpats, Pappies....

Most especially to my father, my hero. He taught me the value of hard work, of patience, of sacrifice...and that one of the best ways to show your children that you love them is by respecting their mother.

I tried all means of communication to greet him yesterday--email, SMSs and all--but I couldn't get hold of him.

But it doesn't matter. When you're not with your father for most of your life, everyday with him is Father's Day.

I love you. I miss you. I'll see you soon.

day off

We've finally moved to our new place in Holland Village! I have yet to share this year's moving out episode, but I'll leave that for next time. We moved out Friday night and by the looks of it, it will take us another month to finish unpacking...

Good thing I was able to take 2 days leave plus my weekend off, of course.

I'm so thankful for my weekend off. I get to do a lot of things and hangout with my hubby.

I used to have my off on weekdays and it was such a bummer because the rest of the population is at work. But now, I get to have fun on weekends.

Just imagine NOT having a rest day/off (or off-day, in singlish)! Even though you'll probably earn extra income, it is still not a healthy practice. I remember when I was still teaching, I volunteered (crazy crazy me) to help out with the classes because we were under-staffed that time. So for two months, I didn't have a rest day! My god! It drove me to the wall!!!

That's why my heart goes out to some of our kababayans here working as domestic helpers who don't even have a day off. Having one day off a month is a requirement that their employers must give them. But some do not even take this in exchange for higher pay. Which is actually not worth it because the difference is something like $30 only. But for our kababayans, this is a lot of money already. Extra money that they can send to their families back in the Philippines.

Right now, having a compulsary day off for them is not yet included in Singapore's legislation. There is an ongoing advocacy right now to push for it, but before they can push for this change, this campaign must get a strong public support first.

Help show our concern to our kababayans. All you need to do is click here and add your name and e-mail address to show that you support this campaign. I hope you can browse through it to know more about this campaign. With these baby steps, we will soon take that giant leap to let this country know that these people should also be treated the same way as every other foreign employee.

Once again, here's the site: http://www.dayoff.org.sg/index.shtml

the fringe benefits of failure and the importance of imagination

"You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all - in which case, you fail by default...

Given a time machine or a Time Turner, I would tell my 21-year-old self that personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a check-list of acquisition or achievement. Your qualifications, your CV, are not your life, though you will meet many people of my age and older who confuse the two. Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone’s total control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes...

We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better..."

-Harry Potter mastermind J.K. Rowling's Commencement Address at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association (June 2008) entitled "The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination"

To watch the video and read the entire address, please click here.

Music & Lyrics

Never underestimate the power of songs to help you get over that heartbreak!!!

Okay, after going through failed relationships in my past life (hehe), I have already branded songs that you should and should not listen to during your transition period. (Read: transition period is the immediate three months after your break up; it could also be your "rebound" period).

I may be tone-deaf and I may be the only one in our family (and extended family) who doesn't know how to sing, but like I always tell my husband: "I AM MUSICALLY INCLINED, IT'S JUST THAT IT'S ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL."

So if you're in your transition period, listen and listen well. (Pasensha na sa song choices, I'm kinda OLD SCHOOL e. hehe)

Under no circumstances should you listen to the following songs:
I LOVE YOU, GOODBYE (Celine Dion)
ALL BY MYSELF (Eric Carmen) - the first few seconds of the song will make you want to reach that acetone and nail polish and shove it down your throat.
SOMEDAY (Nina) - note: you can only listen to this song for the first 10 days after your break up. anything longer than 10 days will just make you as BITTER as a hilaw na ampalaya.
HIRAM (Sza Sza Padilla) - lalo na kung may third party or worse, you are THE third party.
PASKO NA SINTA KO (Gary V.) - understandable if it's the Holiday Season, pero kung HOLY WEEK na at pinapatugtog mo pa rin eto e please consult your dentist.
OTHERS: Maybe This Time, Somewhere Down The Road, End of the Road, all Barry Manilow songs including Copacobana, Everybody Hurts etc.

And my favorite music uppers:
I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW (Holly Cole Trio)
HERE COMES THE SUN (Beatles)
YOU OUGHT TO KNOW (Alanis) - ok some people may not agree, but back then, this was really my anthem for post-break ups, but only for the transition period, remember that.
I DON'T NEED A MAN (PCD) - yan kinda new song. until now, i love listening to this song when i'm in my "kainis-si-tutuy" mood.
I WILL SURVIVE - of course, because you will.
OTHERS: Beautiful Day, Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing, With A Smile, and other feel good songs that DO NOT have a special meaning (because you used to listen to these songs with him).

But more importantly, the best "songs" to hear come from the voices of your true friends, who will be there for you to listen to these songs with you and comfort you while you cry and kick your butt if you're being too much of a drama queen. And when you've finally healed, or you're happy again, or you found another love (who will probably break your heart again), don't forget these friends. They're the real Music & Lyrics to your wounded heart.

Don't fret because, as cliche as it may sound, it's true: TIME WOUNDS ALL HEALS. Hehe.

tuloy ang ligaya

Knowing that we need to move out by June 15th gave us a lot of stress. After four viewings, we almost resigned ourselves to the fact that we may never get a flat that we like--one that is near the city, yet well-maintained and affordable.

Our first two viewings were disappointments. Although it was within the location that we want (Tiong Bahru/Redhill area and Boon Keng), the flat was so old and small that it felt like you were in a pigeon hole. The third flat we viewed was almost bearable, being in the heart of Bugis (as in just behind the Bugis Junction) and walking distance to Chijmes, Bras Basah, etc. BUT it was old and the first three stories consists of a market place. It would feel like living in the Bronx or something.

Then, bad news came. Instead of moving out in July, the owner informed us the other day that we need to move by the 15th of June. Omg! That's like 2 weeks. 2 weeks to find a new place? At a time when the Singapore property rental is at its peak? Are you kidding me or are you kidding me? Owner said it had something to do with their Chinese calendar--that they need to move out for auspicious reasons.

Then yesterday, we had a schedued viewing at Holland Village. I didn't want to keep my hopes up anymore. I had to manage my expectations. We had a limited budget but we are very particular with the flat condition and its location.

Then, just like I always do when my big fat arse is in deep sh*t, I PRAYED. REALLY REALLY HARD. Prayed like there was no tomorrow. Prayed even while cooking. Prayed while folding clothes. Prayed while ironing.

So yesterday afternoon, we went to the viewing. My keen eye started to take down my observations while alighting from the bus stop: conveniently located-check. near the bus stop-check. surrounding area is maaliwalas-check. building in good condition-check. near a shopping mall-check. rental rate-within the budget (but can still haggle, hopefully.)

Upon getting off the lift, the agent opened the door, and when Jun and I saw the flat, we looked at each other and almost blurted out "ok we'll get it". But of course, we didn't want to sound too eager. It looks even better than our Choa Chu Kang flat.

Okay, to make a long story less long (heheh). We signed the contract this evening. The owner, who's in Vietnam for a three-year overseas assignment, did not say yes to our "tawad" but we decided to get it. The location and the flat was just too good to pass on.

Joel will still be staying with us while Jun and I will occupy the other room.

THANK YOU KUYA JESS FOR ALWAYS, ALWAYS BEING OUR SAVIOR TALGA. I guess despite all my kabaliwans, I still do something good because you keep answering my prayers! You may not answer in the exact way I want to be answered, but you surround me with good people and you give me strength and wisdom to just carry on despite everything...

Ok enough drama...here's a glimpse of the next TULOY ANG LIGAYA RESIDENCE:

More kwentos, rants and pang-ookrays to follow!