Pet Peeves 101

I am often an objective person when it comes to other people's antics and shits. But sometimes, I just get so annoyed at some little things that other people find irrational (Hey! That's why it's called pet peeve.)

1. People who walk veeeeeeery slow. I can understand the senior citizens, but a teenager with strong limbs and high energy? No.
2. People who block the way.
3. Intense Grammar Nazis.
4. Erasures on notes. I am sorry, but I take particular notice to handwriting and its neatness. So pardon me if I find erasures and intelligible writing offensive.
5. People who write on my notebooks/planner. I get very snappy when it comes to my notebooks/planner because they are my valuables. I can let a very close friend to write on my valuables, but it is only on rare occasions.
6. Self-glorifying people. I hate people who say/point out that what they do is way better than what other people are doing. Does demeaning other people's job make them a lot better? I find myself guilty of this crime sometimes, but I am trying to change the habit of lol-ing at some call center agents who are Grammar Nazis and so mayabang (because they can speak the language) but fail on delivering well.
7. Seniority. Some people/systems uphold the value of seniority. I understand it sometimes, but it is just too much when some people/systems tend to disrespect the neophytes.
8. Impolite elders. Oldies tend to be know-it-all creatures. Sometimes the way they speak to the younger generation is just too much. Most of the time, they are disrespectful of my generation. During those times, I just want to shout to them that it is their generation that raised us. But that would defeat my principle on individuals capacity to think critically. Or maybe it would not. I still have to figure that.
9. MRT.
10. When people become moody and inconsistent. That's just annoying.

Ten Reasons to be Happy

I feel awful today in a depressing way (I think that is redundant, but that's exactly how I feel.) I am depressed for reasons I do not want to disclose (yet). But then I know that I still have reasons to be happy.

1. I got my diploma and TOR (transcript of record.)
2. I had the chance to be at UP Manila again, and to see old faces, and to feel okay.
3. Four new books for only PHP 180.00 (Well, I only bought these books because I wanted to feel less depressed.)
4. One of those books is Prince Caspian, which means that I am close to completing The Chronicles of Narnia. I only need to get The Horse and His Boy. Yey!
5. We have a dog now! He is already 8 months old when he was given to us last Monday. Quite old, if I may add. His name is Hachi, but I like to call him Hachi P. because he is Panget for ruining Leonard The Throwpillow (which is five years old). He is a Shiba Inu.
6. I had two Jolly Hotdogs.
7. I have Haruki Murakami's eBooks. Sorry for not buying the real books, I am already broke.
8. I have two new (lola) bags and two pairs of shoes sponsored by my Tita. Yehey for vintage stuff.
9. I am Asian!!! I do not know why I am including that one here. Fill-in reason.
10. I am thinking of going broke all the way. Like real broke. I certainly need a new phone. Okay, that was just a joke. I just can't think of any other reasons to be happy. Oh! Now I know. I am home!

10 Reasons Why I Won't Be A Musician

I once dreamed of being a Musician.

I love listening to music. I love putting into melody what I feel and what I think. I could play the piano when I was five years old. I took interest in learning how to play the guitar when I was eight. But by the time that I reached puberty, all the music-related things that I know have been erased from my memory. It was Tabularasa all over again. Suddenly, I do not know how to read notes, how to play the piano, and how to differentiate the tones. I even forgot how to get the right rhythm and timing. It was as if I was doomed to a world of Mediocrity. I was stigmatized. I was ripped off of the potential of being a Musician.

For some time, I cried over a spilled milk. But then I realized that I am not cut for it. I am not destined to be a Musician. And here are the 10 reasons why...

1. I am tone deaf.
2. I am off tune. ALWAYS.
3. I cannot make a difference between the sound of piano and lead guitar and base when put together.
4. I have no context of rhythm and timing.
5. I cannot grasp the difference between Tempo and Beat. Seriously.
6. I find it hard to remember the title of the song and the artist (and/or the song itself!) no matter how many times I have heard it. Well, unless I get fixated on it.
7. I cannot read notes. My music teacher could attest to that! Or even my friends!
8. I do not like the F# and Bm, B chords!
9. I can get really stubborn over a tone that is stuck on my mind.
10. For 20 years, I believed that Trumpet is Harmonica, and Harmonica is Trumpet. For real.

So you see. I may have known how to play piano before, but then... If it is not for me, then it is not for me. I can still listen to music, anyway.

10 Things I Learned in Job Hunting

The following are the things that I learned in the Job Hunting 101 Fieldwork AKA Pre-employment exam/Interview.

Know the company profile. Before you confirm your attendance to the company's invitation, know the company first. Even though you are up only for an exam, it is always a must the you know something about the company. Because most of the time, their company profile is related to the exam you will be having. And in the interview they will also ask you about what you know about the company. So be prepared.

Know what you are signing up for. Most fresh graduates have the tendency to apply and apply and apply (repeat till fade) without knowing and understanding first the job description. (Though most of the time, the companies do not really give a comprehensive job description so fresh graduates are not to be blamed all the way.) It is a requirement to know what position you are applying. Know if you are qualified, not qualified, or overqualified to the position before you send out your resume, so that in the interview you'll not be shocked to know that you applied for a job that you do not want.

Be on-time. Duh! This should not be included here! It is a requirement that you are at the venue 10 to 15 minutes earlier than your schedule. (This is more of a note to myself, don't worry. So don't mind this.) Be also aware of the company's concept of time. If you are scheduled for an interview at 2pm, and yet the interviewer is still having lunch break until 3pm, then you should start thinking if this company is worth your time. I have this kind of experience. I think, no one should be kept waiting for more than 30 minutes because the employer is still having a break (any invalid/unprofessional excuse).

Be fashionable. In an acceptable way. Know the right trend for the right occasion. Avoid wearing printed tops mixed with printed bottoms. And please! Avoid the floral print. I know how it is a trend nowadays, but come on. This is not a summer get-away. Also, wear decent skirts. This is not just-another-day-in-school thing.

Be dignified. Appearance is the first thing people see in us. Let's admit it, most of the time we judge the people around us based on how they look and how they dress. In looking for a job, it is a must that the applicant should dress up accordingly and appropriately. It is also a must that the applicant gives justice, dignity and angst to what s/he wears. It is not enough that the applicant has a good pair of corporate attire. I have seen some applicants who wear super suits, but they do not look like dignified at all.

Be smart. When the employer asks you something, be smart in answering. It is not enough that the you have good academic records. Most of the times, the way you bring yourself has more points than what is written on your curriculum vitae. Carry yourself in a manner that will give the employers an image of someone who is not only intelligent, but also street smart. Don't be too timid and shy, because that won't bring you anywhere. But don't be too assertive as well. You don't want to make a bad impression, right?

Be prepared. Always bring an extra copy of your curriculum vitae, even though you are in for the pre-employment exam. It comes very handy most of the time, believe me. And please, know/remember what position you are applying for.

Bring extra everything. Extra pen, extra clothes, extra shoes... Extra everything. BUT! Do not get bring too much of everything. The essentials I have in my bag are a pair of clothes and flat shoes. Usually, I change my outfit after the pre-employment exam or job interview. I am just not comfortable enough in projecting my corporate image. (Changing outfit is optional).

Don't bring your parents with you. Seriously? It is not a PTA meeting.

Bring your brains. Okay, enough said.

10 Reasons Why I Don't Date

Sleep has been eluding me for past weeks. I have a screwed up sleeping pattern as I usually do every vacation. But last night, I went to bed four hours earlier than my usual bedtime to pacify my mom who just wouldn't stop nagging about the benefits of a good night sleep. As I felt the bed on my back, I knew that sleep would be once again elusive. Hence, the 10-reasons-blog-entry.

1. I am awkward towards the opposite sex.
2. My communication skills suck.
3. I have the tendency to be weird. Uh, I am weird
4. I am not comfortable with dating shit.
5. Dating is... boring?
6. Dating is not my forte.
7. I have no idea what dating means. (Yeah, remind me of my age)
8. Uh... What else?
9. ...
10. I just don't date.

Okay, these are just pure bullshit. I just want to grow old alone. I don't want to know people. LOL. Whatever.

Isang Pag-amin

1. Emosyonal akong tao. Madali akong madala ng emosyon. Hindi pa kasi ako disiplinado sa ganitong aspeto ng pagkatao ko. Kaya may tendency ako na maging detached at objective sa lahat ng pagkakataon. REASON OVER EMOTION lagi ang unang isinasaksak ko sa utak ko kapag nararamdaman kong nao-overpower na ako ng emosyon ko.
2. Hindi ko pinapansin o kinakausap ang crush ko o ang tanong nagugustuhan ko. Wala din akong eye contact, at hindi ako makatingin kahit sa direksyon niya.
3. Ma-effort akong tao. Hindi lang halata. Kapag mahal (platonic o romantic love) ko ang isang tao, gumagawa ako ng (mga maliliit na) paraan para mairamdam kong importante sila. Hindi conventional ang style ko sa ganito. Hindi ako yung tipo ng tao na magsu-surprise o magbibigay ng gifts o ng sulat sa mga "inaasahang pagkakataon" (i.e. birthday, anniversary, valentines day). Kadalasan sa mga normal na araw ko ginagawa ang mga "paglabag" ko sa sarili kong paniniwala. Pag mahal kita, mahal kita. Di ko na yun kailangang sabihin. SHOW, DON'T TELL.
4. Long term ako mag-isip. Hindi lang din halata.
5. Madalas kong pangunahan ang pagkakataon. Kailangan lagi akong may back-up plan. Kailangan laging may fall back in case ng pagpalya. Laging may damage control. Laging may list of possibilities. Laging may pros and cons.
6. Romantic and Idealistic ako. Ayaw ko lang ipakita.
7. Minsan gusto ko din yung inaalagaan ako, pero huwag naman sanang pakitang tao lang.
8. Mataas ang expectations ko sa mga taong nakapaligid sa akin at sa sarili ko.
9. Judgmental ako. Aminado ako dito, kaya ang tendency ko ay maging super objective sa mga bagay-bagay at maglay out ng - and + sides.
10. Jerk ako.