Behind the Happy Smile

I have not written for quite a long time except for some photos I had been posting in my blog. Now, let me write what I had been doing offline in those days I slackened from posting or updating my blog. The year 2011 was a great challenge to me. I wanted to post stories that connote positive ideas. I thought I should keep to myself the real issues. I had silence for a while. I want everything to pass before I blog about it.

As early as Feb 2011 I had work related issues. We were advised the account we were working is to close the Manila, Philippines call center. It was announced 1^st week of Feb 2011 the account is to close by the 15^th of Feb 2011. All my plans for 2011 were done as early as Oct 2010. My plan was to look for an apartment comes 2011 to invite the daughter of my sister to stay with me to look for a job. The announcement of the closure made me adjust every plan I started.

Glad to be Back After a Long Absence

Hey folks, I had missed you guys. I was so excited when finally, after almost three weeks of waiting my internet is up and running. I disconnected my previous internet service provider to give way to the request of my nephew. We subscribed to another provider for faster internet connection. My nephew had facilitated the filing of application. That means our phone and internet is in his name. A tech accordingly called my nephew after three days of the application. The tech must have dialed a different cell phone number. After a week of waiting my nephew made a follow up. The tedious part was the waiting time for rescheduling of service order. Patience as they say is virtue.

Here is a photo I took from the small living room. Transferring to a new home is not easy especially if you have a limited budget. I am happy though I was able to get a place that is accessible to almost everywhere in Manila area. Neighbors are good. Except for the loud speaker of the karaoke and yelping of puppies, the place is quiet. I have new neighbors too, same area where the house we are renting is located. Except for one more wardrobe and automatic washing machine, I am pretty much complete with furniture and appliances we are to use. I type we for the benefits my new blog visitors.  I will share the house with my nephew and my niece. 

Off to Work Today

Speaking of Christmas shopping, my apology to the daddies and mommies who do not want to think about the occasion yet, yes some of you are correct it is too early. However, the reason why I shop early is because of pre-Christmas discounted sales. I guess some of the malls in Manila are trying to dispose some of their stocks to replenish with new ones. Manufacturers instead of taking the items back. They sell the items at discounted price. I developed the technique of scouting for items that might go on sale. I checked on the original price of the items.

During mid night madness, it is how we call it here. Malls are open until twelve midnight during the sale. That is why it was called midnight madness. When the items go on sale I tried to check how much they are being marked down. I noticed mall owners had been wiser this time. They would only get few stocks and would reorder when needed. Before, I could buy books for as low as seventy percent mark down, now not all the books go on sale. If all of them do, only up to twenty percent off. Budgeting? Count me in, folks. Well, just being wise when it comes to spending.

Today, the 30^th of August is Philippines National Heroes Day, and therefore it is a holiday. No work for those that goes to the other offices at daytime. Not me, I got work. Call Centers do not have work Holiday. We do get additional pay though when we work on Philippines Holidays. I received a text message from our team captain at work that we have to render at least one hour overtime today. I replied okay, count me in. Hush! I do not want to frustrate him in exchange of my remaining vacation leave. I want him to approve the vacation leave at the latest next week. ☺