carl_amon

Working on a Saturday morning

2009-12-12T06:09:13Z

was something I always enjoyed when I was still in the family business. I love that there are no imminent deadlines to beat, and that the pace is slower and lazier. I went to the office today, and while there were some staff working there, the vibe is the same. Only, I can play music this time. It's easier for me to concentrate when there's music because i actively have to tune it out, so my attention is more focused. My only complaint: no air conditioning is death. My cube does not have a dedicated electric fan. Hello, sweat shop!

My weekend's officially begun. Time to do the grocery, shop for Christmas gifts, and take a look at that memo I was making one last time. Hehe

I feel so out of touch

2009-12-10T15:07:17Z

outside of work. I do socialize, but with batchmates. Yes, you could say we suffer from separation anxiety still. I've had dinner with some of them for three nights in a row. All of my OT pay will go to the dinners I've had with friends post-cadetship. It really feels like we miss each other, even if we know we're one local phone call or an elevator ride away.

I've been busy arranging an inter-agency meetings for a Senate bill, and it's been four days of running around like a headless chicken. My bosses are the best. Ex-Dir says that the first year as officer is really all about learning the ropes. I'm so happy they're so understanding. And that there's always food every time I return to my desk - chocolate, or fruit.

Today, we went to the Senate for the budget hearing. The trip to the Senate, the wait before our turn came, seemed interminable, excepting the parts where Senator Santiago was speaking. She's always entertaining. And a bit scary. From where we were sitting, it seemed she was looking straight at us. I had to keep myself from laughing or looking too amused lest I incur her attention, and consequently, her wrath. When it was the department's turn, it took all of two minutes. Yeah, you could say it was underwhelming. They don't even let you clap afterwards, it was all so anti-climactic.

After tomorrow morning's meeting, I'll be more sane, I think. The first week of work was grueling, but I don't realize the time that passes by. I get surprised when I look out my window that looks over MOA and the Bay, and everything's dark and lit up in lights. But I don't notice the time passing by, and I'm not bored or stressed in a negative way. It's been good. Like my classmate likes to chant, I love my job. And I'm being sincere

12-hour workdays

2009-12-08T15:33:13Z

It sounds so wrong, but when the work comes in, you can't not do them, because there's more that needs to be done the next day. Our bosses are all so nice and helpful. And best of all, they love to eat and laugh! While there's work to be done, it doesn't feel heavy. I've been doing a lot of administrative work, but I'm on to the substantive part tomorrow. I'm a bit apprehensive, but this is the only way I'll learn.

If I recounted the number of times I ran down our hallway to check on the printer, and to submit all the requirements to my Director, the ex-dir and then Assec, for the USec's office, it would be counted as a workout. Running in heels!

Where Does The Time Go?

2009-12-06T03:04:37Z

I've just mooched off a bunch of Julia Fordham songs and listened to "Where Does the Time Go?", the one with Curtis Stigers. What a voice! He looks better older and with white hair. Hehe.

I'll be singing "Lock and Key" all day while I do all my errands. I'm gonna wrap you up and take you home with me.

It's 11.45

2009-12-03T16:24:11Z

and I just got back from a friend's birthday dinner. I should be used to this. An invitation is never more than just that. I lose out more when I don't go than when I take the pains TO go. And while it's a cloudy night with the moon obscured completely, my heart, for once, is not the moon.

Thanks and happy birthday wishes to Ker. That was good Jap food, and even better company. Arks, Ells, Lourds, Kimi, Dawn and Rics for the catch up and keeping me up, as well. I'm so glad this dinner party became a mini small group. I know where to go now, even amongst the confusion. I may be stubborn and independent, but knowing I can trouble you guys when I need to is comfort enough. I'll try to be less mysterious (?), but you know I'll work it out in my head first before I find the courage to reveal anything. Thanks for having my back.

Tama talaga!

2009-12-02T00:53:33Z

Assec totally skipped my name when he gave the office orders, but straightened it out and told me I'm heading to OSPPC. We were picked up by Miss Remy, our very nice AO who immediately welcomed me and my partner. We were also briefed by Ex-Dir, Assec, and another senior officer. We've got our work cut out for us. We're also waiting for Ma'am Arlene, who we will be working closely with on some projects. But yes, we've got our job descriptions down pat, our cubicles, PCs and phones straightened out. Thursday we begin work. My partner and I would love to straighten out the slew files in the office. It will have to wait. We prioritize the Senate budget hearing first.

This is us, nervously waiting for our office assignments.

Come Tuesday

2009-11-26T13:08:52Z

we are cadets no more. And while the Secretary is still deciding our fates - it's really true! nothing is set in stone until you get the office order - there's time for another wacky shot.

I Don't Believe You

2009-11-24T12:23:08Z

is Pink's new video, where she's dressed as a bride jilted at the altar. I remember her singing this at the O2 in London when my friends and I watched her concert in May. That feels like a lifetime ago! But I digress. The video reminds me of one of my absolute favorite movies, Alfonso Cuaron's version of "Great Expectations". While Cuaron's version is full of shades of the color green, Pink's video is in black and white. I suddenly want to travel again, especially after talking to JFA about Europe. I would go back to Europe again and again if I could.

Sputnik Sweetheart

2009-11-23T11:12:16Z

And it came to me then. That we were wonderful travelling companions, but in the end no more than lonely lumps of metal on their own separate orbits. From far off they look like beautiful shooting stars, but in reality they’re nothing more than prisons, where each of us is locked up alone, going nowhere. When the orbits of these two satellites of ours happened to cross paths, we could be together. Maybe even open our hearts to each other. But that was only for the briefest moment. In the next instant we’d be in absolute solitude. Until we burned up and became nothing.

- Haruki Murakami

In Russian, sputnik literally means fellow traveller. I love how this paragraph has so many meanings to it. It's significant to me, because I have to separate myself from 30 other people I've been breathing the same air with for the past six months. While we went through cadetship together, it rings true; we're all on our own separate orbits, carving out our own career paths. But it's not going to be for naught, no burning up and becoming nothing. We're all in this together, no matter which office we are assigned to.

How Could I Have Missed This?

2009-11-21T11:23:37Z

I took note of it, and intended to watch it at the CCP, but cadetship took over. Lumabas kaya ito sa Astrovision?

Yes! Prayer works!

2009-11-21T02:47:11Z

OSPPC, all along. I got the awesome news at Senor Garcia's house, where we had our class party. It was a double celebration. So now I'm hoarse all over again. Thank goodness I wasn't corralled into singing at the FVR luncheon. Six days to graduation, seven days to the beach, and then it's work in our new offices. Inhale, exhale.

I stopped the car

2009-11-15T09:07:52Z

to listen to this song. It's an old song, but I hadn't heard the One Republic/Sarah Bareilles version until today of "Come Home".

Come home, come home
Cause I`ve been waiting for you
For so long, for so long
And right now there's a war between the vanities
But all i see is you and me
And the fight for you is all I`ve ever known
So come home

I'm just a pile of mush these days, it's embarrassing.

14 Days of Cadetship Left

2009-11-13T13:43:04Z

Everything’s tainted with sadness these days. It’s the last paper, the last presentation, the last project as a cadet. Ugh, I’m a mess. Goodbye A520, hello new offices. We still don’t know where they’ll be assigning us, but while there have been hints, nothing’s set in stone unless we see the signed order. I would like to know before they let us go, to have time to psych ourselves for the work ahead.

An officemate who knows much about being uprooted and transplanted at a very young age told me to get used to it. That’s life in the foreign service. I should learn not to say goodbye, but instead, say see you later.

Friday the 13th today, this may well be the penultimate dinner we will have as cadets. We are a noisy bunch, I have to say.

Because I have no paper handy

2009-11-10T10:40:29Z

This week's crazy schedule should make room for:

1. Finish cultural promotions paper and submit tomorrow for editing - 10 Nov
2. Rehearsals for Subli, "Harana" with Ed - 11 Nov
3. Performance of dance and song - 12 Nov
4. Submission of cult paper to be given (gulp!) to NCCA - 13 Nov
5. Submission of foreign policy paper - 13 Nov
6. Get materials for policy matrix (oh my, do we ever need to!)
7. Organize for the lunch with FVR

I'm still hungover from the weekend's activities. I'm also developing a cold. A lot of us are getting sick, which isn't good. Good luck to my group with the singing.

I'm so kilig!

2009-11-09T12:59:14Z

Sir Ed said that Ed Manguiat, the founder of UP Singing Ambassadors, thought that as a choir, Batch 16 has tremendous potential, the type you can bring abroad for tours. Wow! That would make us the Singing (Future) Vice Cons. Hehe. How I wish the FSI offered voice lessons too, apart from language courses, diplomacy, etc.

I just keep going back to the weekend's seminar, and they had the most convoluted type of charades. X-rated! The better to reinforce the learnings, I suppose. Hehe, I laugh to myself sometimes when I remember how I had to act out oral sex. Funny.

Sometimes...

2009-11-08T11:58:55Z

...I long to lose myself in a crowd, but my personality won't let me. A resource speaker literally shushed me - twice. Let's see how it goes next week. I'll adopt the title of that James MacAvoy movie, "Inside I'm Dancing".

Drowning

2009-11-05T12:38:25Z

Anubaah! I still haven't packed for the all-weekend seminar. My group has yet to practice for the folk dance we need to present. And it turns out we have to present a couple of songs at that dance recital as well. But it's still cool, we still get to be taught singing techniques by the founder of the UP Singing Ambassadors.

Wait, I have to make another list and thresh out my thoughts.

1. Pack
2. Rehearse Subli
3. Cultural promotions paper - get materials from European Office
4. Final edit of the blessed foreign policy paper
5. Foreign policy matrix - meet with AsPac
6. Plan for FVR lunch
7. Prepare 2 songs for the recital

And all these to be done in about 20 days, or risk not graduating. Can I book time to breathe? Can someone wake me up when November ends? If I do an excellent job with all these, can I have my birthday wish come true?

What I Want for Christmas

2009-11-02T00:47:19Z

1,500 books at my disposal. I'm wondering if they get Newsweek there, too. I want.

I adore!

2009-11-01T09:16:37Z

I was in NBS buying my office supplies, when I spotted the latest version of Wuthering Heights. Lookit!

Cathy is in front, Heathcliff is in the back. Too bad all the copies were in plastic, I couldn't get a good angle on it so that the fluorescent lights didn't bounce off the cover. But isn't this too cute?

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-01T02:53:26Z

Sometimes, what you pray for is exactly what you get, so you better make sure you pray for exactly what you want. I do still worry. Boy, do I ever. But I do think I’ve been better about letting things go, and letting God take the helm while I enjoy the ride. It translates to less stress, and more time to read for work? Hehe. It’s a good thing I love to read, and read about anything, or I’d be a basket case by now.

So it turns out, the last Friday of the month is only a holiday for ARMM. They should get their facts straight before they make pronouncements. People will hope! I’m determined to enjoy THIS holiday, though, despite the work. And just to clear the cobwebs in my head, I need to:

1. Go over my bills
2. Upload 4 albums on FB
3. Buy office supplies in NBS
4. Read “Manual On Treaties”
5. Watch “This Is It”, care of Citibank’s free movie passes (thanks for the idea, Deni!)
6. Message Vodka to mail her foreign policy paper for critiquing
7. Read said foreign policy, and prep questions for presscon simulation
8. Meet Lars for Subli this afternoon
9. Catch up on the many, many books that have found a permanent home at the foot of my bed

Graduation countdown: 26 days

Have you ever been lectured by a Magsaysay Awardee?

2009-10-29T13:07:22Z

Antonio A. Oposa, Jr. is one of the Magsaysay awardees for 2009, and that’s only one of the awards conferred on him. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s answer to the Nobel Prize, so yes, you can say this is a pretty big deal. This man is so busy touring the Philippines (for free!) drumming up interest not for the preservation, but the restoration of Philippine biodiversity. He accepts speaking engagements all over the country. Imagine setting up 16 marine protected areas in one morning. That is passion for you! If you have the opportunity see him as speaker, go for it. You’ll realize just how beautiful the Philippines is, appreciate how rich and blessed we are to be living in this country, and how more advanced countries have the historical responsibility to make sure that future generations will not be inheriting a sick earth. It’s true what Ma’am Leila said – in the wake of Ondoy and Pepeng, climate change issues hit you on a personal level. I can imagine that the G77 must get so emotional stating their position on climate change. We had the opportunity to have the G77 negotiator, Merceditas Muller, as speaker in an earlier module, and she was just as passionate, only more diplomatic.

With cadetship down to the last 26 days, being wowed this late into the cadetship is a pleasant surprise. It’s also a good send-off, before we are assigned to our different offices. For inspiration, check out the link below. Go, Philippines!

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=477196&publicationSubCategoryId=111

Post-shopping guilt

2009-10-25T09:40:40Z

I bought a dress and a pink cardie Saturday, after Chorale rehearsals and a post-rehearsal prod team meeting and early dinner. I can’t wear that dress for the OSec interview, since Mondays are Filipiniana days. I just wanted the dress. Hehe. My sister took forever and a day to pick me up at the mall, so I also found a pair of shoes I couldn’t stop thinking about last night. So I came back for them today. I spent what I’d saved up for Christmas gifts on those shoes. Christmas came early for me! I can’t wait for the Christmas bonus which is supposed to be ear-marked for my insurance policies. I’m going to behave now.

All this shopping not only put a dent on my budget, but a dent on my schedule. OSec just required us to submit three forms of correspondence to be handed in on Tuesday. We’re supposed to note the substantive content and format. How exactly does a President of a country address a King of a country? I have to get back to work.

I've been summoned.

2009-10-22T12:59:14Z

I was walking to the parking lot outside work when a person stopped me and asked if I was a junior officer. I said yes, and he said that OSec would like to meet with me and a few other people on Monday. I’d been working towards the vision of going to another office. We had been warned that unless a piece of paper has been signed, you can’t be sure about anything. We’ll see. Five months into cadetship and I’m learning like I’ve been learning since day one. I can’t believe we’ve got a month and change left before we graduate. How time flies.

It’s finally here. An officemate brought a copy of this book to work. And since my knowledge of the Middle East is very limited, I thought to get a copy for myself. It has cheat sheets! Very reader-friendly. This was specially ordered – from Trinoma. That’s the only Fully Booked that had copies of this book lying around.

Here's the deal.

2009-10-21T13:03:40Z

The last five weeks of cadetship will go by in a whirl. This is what we need to accomplish to complete our requirements and GRADUATE!:

eLpets Publisher output - Oct 26 (just need to convert publisher to PDF)
HIV/AIDS seminar - Nov 6-8, check in at hotel by 8pm on the 6th
cultural promotions output - Nov 9 (e-mailed ex-dir for direction, on standby for research)
Subli performance - Nov 12 (coraled Lara to choreo for us, hehe)
Foreign policy matrix - Nov 20 completion, submission on Nov 26 (AsPac office)

It's a lot to do in five weeks. Go, go, go, Bahaghari!

35%

2009-10-19T07:17:10Z

The PIDS lectured to us today. Apart from basic Economics in college, my knowledge of the subject is limited. I tried to listen and absorb, but I only went so far before I felt myself zoning out soon after. Other batchmates seem to understand. Hay, economics, please be my friend.

If there is one thing that stood out in Dr. Medalla’s lecture, PIDS studies show that only 35% of budget for projects actually go to the project itself, and the 65% is attributed to corruption. This, she said, in spite of COA’s stringent rules. It boggles the mind. Were we to cut corruption in half, it would be a tremendous boost to the growth of our economy. It’s all about money, money, money. Whatever happened to the notion of honest living?