Power Interview

I went to Market! Market! for a job interview for a technical writer position. During the interview I was only asked one question — describe myself. I then proceeded to tell him that I am a vegetarian and that I’ve always had a passion for writing. There was actually a follow up question about why Library Science? I then proceeded to tell him that my parents did not want me to pursue writing as a career and then my story moved into how I got the biggest break in writing. After that, the Canadian who interviewed me described the nature of the job and then asked if I have any question. Then he escorted me out. I found out there are only two of us shortlisted for the position, and that the guy would make up his mind in about two weeks on who would become his personal technical writer.

Wow. That interview went fast. So fast that I feel bewildered right now. Did I do something wrong? Was I overbearing or did I come across too strong? What? It can’t be that fast. Or perhaps the human resources people really sifted thru all the different applications and decided that there are only two people who are qualified to be in the position.

Whatever the case may be, I then got  a text message from a school that I was applying for. They informed me that there’s a possible part time writing job for me there. I have yet to ascertain the details of the job. Furthermore, I have yet to determine what I am going to do as well about it.

If you ask me, I am really much more interested in the technical writer position of the call center because it offers the most challenge for me and also offers enough independence to work on my own. And that’s something that I want in a job as well. Besides, it’s still a daytime job and I still want a daytime job, as oppose to a graveyard shift work. It has a graveyard shift component but then it isn’t a regular thing.

So there you have it. I have two weeks to think about one job and two weeks to wait for another. Patience is a virtue that I need to practice right now. Waiting on God is another thing as well. Whatever happens, I do hope that I would be making the best decision in my career.

Passing the hours…

Today’s already Tuesday. I celebrate each day’s change at the strike of the digital clock on my laptop while my fingers caress the keyboard playfully into a symphony of its own. And though I am grateful for each passing moment, I also dread the fact that I am slowly winding down in a pit of despair as my finances are being washed away by the sands of time. It’s not easy not having a regular job or project for the past four months. It’s tough making through each week not knowing where would the next meal come from? I suddenly feel as if I am warped back into my college days in which I only have my faith in God to anchor me at times like these.

I guess people who depend on God never really graduate from such a situation as total dependence. There’s always that element of faith. An element of trusting in the unknown. And it is that element that is keeping me sane and reminding me that there is good reason to live, to love and to give love in return.

My only wish right now is that before I turn into 29 in three weeks time, I would at least have a new job. That’s all I ask right now. I have so many desires, longings and things that I wish to proclaim out loud. Yet for now, I must remain silent about such things. I must be sober enough and also smile and remind myself that these trials will also come to pass like the rains. So like my blog’s title, I will continue to go where the rain stops and where the rainbow begins to shine.

Speaking of Call Centers

Guess what? I have a job interview for a call center this coming Tuesday! I am actually excited about the prospect of having a job. But the prospect of working for a call center? Hmm, I don’t know. I have mixed feelings about it really. Anyway, after four months, they finally called me up. I was even surprised that the human resource people of the call center that called me up mentioned that the person who pulled out my file was among the top managers of the center. Hmm, should I be happy about it? For one thing, I was trying to read between the lines. Is it possible that the HR people didn’t go through my c.v? How come it takes a foreigner to pull out my file and ask them to call me up? In fact, the person who would be interviewing me isn’t part of HR but the manager who actually pulled out my file.

Well, all I know is that I am looking forward to the interview and also looking forward to the said event. I have still yet to receive any call from the other companies that I applied for. That’s life. I am just glad that I am still alive.

Feels like a Call Center

Okay, tonight’s one of the busiest night’s I’ve had in weeks and that’s not an understatement. For the first time in two years, my two mobile phones were ringing left and right, and there were important text messages coming through for possible work and even for job interviews. On top of that, I was also online having a video conference and online conference with an on going client of mine.

So yes, I do feel like a call center, going through secure web servers, webmails and also wearing this headset with a microphone. Is this a sign of things to come? Truth is, I did apply to a few call centers since there are several openings for a technical writer.

Anyway, the weather is really freaky. I swallowed up the walkway like morning coffee while meeting up with Constipated Diva near Greenbelt. We had breakfast together as I brought my four mushroom pesto pasta, apple juice and some vitamins and minerals. I’m glad Diva enjoyed the breakfast. On my part, I was inducted to the wonderful world of Ellen Digeneres? Did I get her name right? I hope so since I don’t want to look it up in Google at the moment.

I was laughing so hard every few minutes! She’s absolutely hilarious! Why? I’ve never laughed this hard for a morning talk show. And I love the way she dances! Man! She can really move that booty!

Aside from the tv show, I went around Makati and visited a few friends in their offices and brought them food. I’ve been in such a good mood lately, that I’ve been able to spend more time reading the Bible again, and also really pray for other people. I know that sounds strange to most people, but spirituality and knowing God is very important to me. And that’s something I don’t mind stressing again and again here in my blog.

So what did praying for others achieve? I don’t know. I would have to ask the people I pray for. There are others that I don’t even manage to tell them about it. I just hope that somehow God bestows spiritual enlightenment and blessings on their lives. That’s all. As for me, praying for others shifts the focus from me and makes me think of other people and their needs. When I think about them, and pray for them, I become less self conscious.

I’ve learned to laugh again, and I do mean laugh hard and smile more often. The pain is still there, of losing loved ones yes — but it doesn’t sting anymore or as deeply as it did the first time around. I hope I’ve not become emotionally dense. I hope that I am just learning to develop more strength to face life with gusto…….

Enter the Rain

It started raining in the metro a few days ago. And like the coming of the storm the first sign of the rain are dragonflies and ants that fly. I’m not familiar with the English name but here in the Philippines we call these things gamu-gamo. Their lives are short-lived, spanning only a few hours for most and they hover around light bulbs busy dancing around in circles as if they were worshiping the light that radiates within it. Then comes the rain, in small batches and sometimes in a torrent. How strange that these days people associate torrents as something downloadable. Ahh, the wonders of language. How I miss just trying to grapple the definition of words.

Speaking of words, a friend of mine will come over this coming saturday. She asked me to teach her how to cook tuna pasta. Wow! First time anybody actually asked for my recipe! I asked her if it’s okay to invite other friends as well. So this Saturday we’re going to have a cook fest at home! What was interesting is that she asked me for directions to my house. I used the word “perpendicular” to describe a street that is near my house which is near a major highway. I find this amazing because I don’t think I use this word regularly, not even in giving directions. In fact, from what I remember it has been five years since I used this word.

So the rain is here again and there are puddles of mud all over the place. In some areas of Makati, the rain causes a miniature flood which reminds me of Noah’s ark as one waits for a taxi or other vehicle that would traverse such murky waters that mix the dirt, grime and whatever else one could come up with that spill over from the hidden recesses of drainage pipes. Ah, I wonder how other cities in the world fare against Manila in light of this? For now though, I would either need to embrace the rains or fight against it. And yet at the end of the day, I remain…. and I will continue to go where the rain stops … a place where one is not just on higher ground,  but I think there are moments when time just stands still in that place of calm.

Hmmmm….

Okay, so I can’t think of a more inventive title for my blog entry. In fact, I am just trying to get my groove back in blogging and I am completely lost at what exactly do I share here. So many things happened during the past three months. In a span of eight weeks I attended two funerals, two weddings and one child dedication. Perhaps I ought to blog about that one too? Anyway, I haven’t been going to the gym regularly either. In fact, I started lifting weights about two days ago in more than a month I think and lo and behold, I ended up straining my muscles which are still in pain for two days now. Good thing I only lifted weights for the upper portion of my body. I could just imagine if I did the legs as well.

Anyway, it’s starting to rain here and I don’t have an umbrella. I keep losing umbrellas that’s why I don’t like to buy a new umbrella. I don’t know why, but there’s just something about umbrellas that I keep forgetting to bring around. I leave it on a bench, inside the public toilet rooms, even inside taxis or buses and even on the MRT. Come to think of it, it’s not just about umbrellas really. It has something to do with carrying more than one bag. If I carry two items with me, one item is bound to be left behind. That’s why whenever I travel I make it a point to just stick to one bag, so that I don’t have to keep thinking of where I placed that other one.

So that’s it for the moment.

Gettin Back to Blogging

Okay, so it’s been clost to two months since I’ve blogged anything here. And right now, I don’t know where to begin. There are a few things that I do need to get out here as well.

First of all, for those of you who are already regular readers of my blog, I  guess you know that I lost two very dear men in my life last summer. It’s hard to move on, but I don’t like the fact that many people that I come across the past three months think that it’s that easy to move on. Many offer words of encouragement and most of the time, they aren’t really appropriate for the situation.

For example, I didn’t like the fact that there were people who would say things that “things will eventually work out” or  “there is a purpose for everything.” I like what Constipated Diva said, he simply stated “Everybody dies, Blas. There’s nothing I can offer you now but I’ve also been there. The difference between us is you really feel what you’re going through while I became numb.”  I like his honesty and his candor. Diva, you’re a real friend. Thanks. I wish most people would see behind your bitching around in your blog and all. You’re truly sweet inside, you know.

I’m trying to understand where these people are coming from as well. They mean well, and they didn’t mean to hurt my feelings. But I wish that people would be more sensitive about it.

I’m still looking for either a regular job or for a new writing/research project. Frankly, I seem to be running out of luck since it has been three months since I’ve had a new writing/research project. At first I felt bad about it, but when I look back now, I am also thankful as well because I was able to spend more time in Batangas as well. Almost all of my siblings who are here in the Philippines goes to Batangas more regularly now to accompany our mother who is now widowed. Hay….. talk about life.

So many things have happened in the past twelve weeks, and yet I am still processing all these things. All I know right now  is that, I thank you guys who were there for me during the times when I felt confused, alone and depressed. Death is perhaps the most difficult experience I’ve had to deal with. Of course, I don’t know what it feels to die yet, but I do know what it is to be in intense physical pain. Enigma mentioned that I should just keep writing, as this would help me process things as well. And so there it is, this is just the beginning for me…..