Anything goes...

I rarely complain when work is the topic because I know I will intentionally lose myself in the argument. I have always taken the guilt for being the youngest in our team that is why much of the bulk of work is on me. I have been feeling a little more than stressed lately and my blood pressure can't seem to go below 140/110 but I am taking things in stride because I have a family too, and I cannot just live for the work placed upon my shoulders. But I enjoy work, and that is an understatement. Maybe because I have loved the kind of work that was given me and I enjoy the service to others that I always feel like it's a chance to helping out the needy. I take it on me to support the needy especially when they really need a shoulder to help them. I have this passion for making good with my work that at times it leaves nothing for me and the children.    I get accustomed to going to trips because I have to send myself there in order to conduct orientations, give lectures...

My apologies to those who visit my blog and see nothing new. If I do not write my latest adventures now, it is because I am so up to my neck with work-related stuff that I do not have  time to blog.  Since my move to DOLE-Sarangani Field Office, I was assigned a number of programs that are quite important and most of them are because of Employment and other regulatory concerns like issuance of Alien Employment Permit and implementing the Anti-Child Labor Program. Most of all, what's kept me very tied to work is facilitating the provision of sustainable livelihood for the poor but deserving people in the province to which I owe my travels to and fro, here to there and a number of  overtime rendered. Seriously, I feel bad about it because I can no longer write what I feel, and in most  times, I wanted to rant about what I have been down about but time is so limited I cannot even write down my rants more so my raves. What's adding to my already hectic sch...

There, I am a full-fledged Labor and Employment Officer II now. I took my oath as a Labor Officer last Thursday when our department celebrated its 79th Anniversary. It was one of the most awaited moments I have been wanting to come, and it couldn't have come at a greater and most blessed timing - Christmas. Although we just had a week off from the hospital because of the son having had fits and bouts with amoebiasis, there are still more to be thankful for and I am glad that everything went better after the hospitalization. Things are at its better place now and we are wishing that everything will remain this way, and not ruined by that amoebiasis again.     This career advancement I have is just one of the many that I still need to work for. And yes, what comes after this is the decision to either finish that Law School I once took, or get a Masters Degree in Public Administration. Either way, I have decided to pursue more studies, spare some time to answer sample...

I've been asking for it, praying for it. And it has come. As the secretary to the Regional Director, my role is to place incoming and outgoing files on my boss' table and check whether some papers placed on it has been signed so I could have it routed back to where it belongs. That being one of my routine activities, I had to rummage through stacks of documents on my boss' table to check which ones are signed and those which need to stay for her appropriate action. But last Thursday when I had to check, I couldn't get my eyes off that sheet of paper bearing my name, in bold letters. I never placed that document inside her office because it was something confidential but I saw it right before my very eyes. The RD was to sign my appointment!  I have been waiting for it, in fact I have asked others to pray with me for that intention, and it has come. After 3 months of waiting for the answer, I got promoted! 3 months in feat for that sweet moment when the...

Did I already mention I have new bosses? Yes, I do, and during the the Turnover Ceremony for the new bosses, the new Regional Director and the Assistant Regional Director, I was the emcee. It got me thinking how I have endured the shame because I've had bloopers done on the turnover. While mentioning the field offices and their heads, I forgot to mention the team where I belong, and the technical division. After having corrected what I have forgotten, I also failed to mention the Mediation Arbiter Team and the head. Hayyy. I wasn't really supposed to be the emcee, but was assigned the very morning of the event. i didn't have enough time to prepare for what to say but I think I did well. We were all so hungry because it was almost past 12 and the event isn't done yet. Everyone was clamoring for the length of the event and so I asked somebody to pray for the food, until someone nudged me and reminded me to call the Technical Division Chief for his closing remarks. Waaaah,...

As you all know, I just got my regular item in the Department of Labor and Employment last September, and words were out that I was gonna be assigned at the regional office which is in Koronadal City, an hour of bus ride away from GenSan. It's a hassle for me to be going home daily to beat the traffic and the time for work, but there is no choice as I have to follow marching orders to be there on October 3 as my first day of duty at the regional office. It's just an hour, inisip ko na lang, parang Makati to Manila lang ang byahe ko, hahaha. Mas worse pa nga ata dun sa Luzon. Words were not only hearsays, I have confirmed too, that I am going to be secretary to the regional director. Something which I still cannot believe, the regional director trusting me with all things personal and office-related is a big job for me, a work which is many levels higher than my previous job as a Skills Registry encoder, or my job as editor in my previous employer. When I got welcomed in the off...

What a surprise this August has given me. Surely, when you knock, it shall be opened, when you seek, you shall find; and when you ask, it shall be given you. I worked hard for this, I prayed so hard. I did my best, I performed to the best of my capacity. I was not dismayed, I kept on. I did not settle for mediocrity but accepted failures as a challenge. And if there's one thing I never will forget, It is by HIS grace, and in HIS perfect timing that all things are falling in its place. This is my most loved status, way better than my FB status updates. This is a start of a new beginning, new challenges, new adventures, new career. Status in employment: Permanent. Now, it is safe to say: In the interest of public service, I remain.

It’s been two nights already. I sleep at 10, and woke up just in time for the husband to sleep at 12. I can no longer go back to sleep, I just had to write, so this post, as you should know is written exactly 1:07 AM in our clock. It’s a good thing it’s the long weekend, so I could just sleep whole day. I do not know what is the matter with me. My eyes are tired but my mind just cannot stop thinking. I am afraid it will soon be overheat with too much thinking and brain drain. The past days has been very glorious days, so I think the excitement about my being hired as regular in the government office has already wound down. I am not as excited anymore, but yes, admittedly, I am nervous of what the future will be. I will be assigned in a different location, 45 minutes ride away from home and being assigned there will entail a lot of sacrifices for my kids. I will have to sacrifice being the proud mom who will pin their ribbons of excellence as I can no longer do so, unless I ta...

My prayers have been answered, and I am very grateful to the Lord for keeping HIS promises to me, that He will never leave me, and He will grant all that I desire for as long as I trust in HIM. The year 2010 has been a year of misfortunes for me, I resigned from work due to a weary environment with my previous employer, it was the year when everything seemed without a direction. Sure, I had blessings crossing my way, but I have always wanted a job that will provide me security of tenure, good pay, and an unstressful environment where I could help many people by way of service. And with my copyreading job, it has not been materialized. I have been hopeful, and I remember posting what I felt during that time , times when I felt I could not get through the tunnel. And now my friends, 2011 seems like the beginning of a new adventure for me. I told you I was aiming for a regular post in the government. All of my good friends know how much I have devoted my time giving my best shot ...

To the people who trust me enough with what wonders I can do, thank you. And to those who know nothing much but put people down despite their trying, I tell you, we can do better than what you say. I thank God for the gift of wisdom He has given me during that time when I was asking for His wisdom and love. He was there the moment I needed HIM to fill me up with knowledge. I passed the Career Civil Service Professional Exam after trying thrice. I just hope this is the beginning of something better. We were 351 passers out of more than 3 thousands who took it. That was an achievement,wasn't it? You know how much I wanted to be in the government service, and you know how much I have always wanted to be stable with my work, and I hope to dedicate the rest of my working days to the department I am working with now. Well, there are always chances, and the chance is close at hand. Another opportunity has opened for me, an AA6 post is vacant. And I want this position badly that I need to ...

Sometimes, after a tiring day, you get home and realize that you need to breathe once in a while. One thing for sure though, I just can't give myself a breather now. It just ain't possible, but soon, maybe. B.U.S.Y. ang beauty ko! Waaaah, until after May 2. Dahil ito sa Nationwide Labor Day Jobs Fair. I was tasked to do some follow-ups, printing, vacancy slots, employers' attendance confirmation and way too many others. But I am not complaining with the amount of work I get, I can deliver. The thing is, after the four days of full rest, this comes, and my back is aching. TOXIC. I think need another spa session! Kayo?

God answers a YES and a NO and sometimes, he answers you with a "later". I went to the regional office yesterday to present something in line with my job, but was welcomed with a sad news that I didn't make it, there was 9 of us and there was only one vacant post, but sure enough, there will be more retirees this year, so there will be more vacant posts in store for me. I know it is God's will for me and God has his reasons. It may be disheartening but that incident made me all the more encouraged to try out what they still have in store. So, Plan A continues. Review again for the much dreaded exams. Exams again? Ohhh, I haven't told you this yet, my CS eligibility is sub-professional so this means I have to take the professional level exams this May 22, I hope I pass. Reviews, and more reviews. I will get to meet Math more often, darn! Today, I am bitten by the flu bug. The stress and lack of sleep may have gotten into me since last week in preparation for the ex...

Thursday came and I was grilled on the interview/deliberation. We were 9 applicants vying for only one regular position as Administrative Aide 6 for the DOLE. I was surprised there was only 9 from amongst the 25 on the first exam. But I am glad I was one of them. I prepared myself the night before, read about the department, and prepared myself for possible questions during the interview, to which some eventually were asked. In the afternoon, we had to undergo an aptitude test, Grammar: ok. Vocabulary: ok. Math: Darn. There were ten items for each, which can be answered for only 10 minutes. The most difficult of all, Math. I don't even know if I answered one correct item. All items were answerable by multiple choices, however, you have to solve them using multi-operations, to which cannot be made possible because of the ten minutes pressured span of time. Ugh. Oh, and an essay needs to be written too, my favorite among them all. But then again, should the selection board disregard ...

I am not one who really believes on luck, but there sure is nothing to lose if you think on the good luck stuff. I still prefer being able to prepare for the future and think of working on ways to achieve a dream you have been aiming at. Remember the exams (with time pressured abstract and 300 personality items test) I have told you once? It's over and I took it last Thursday, that is the reason why this blog became silent after my birthday. I think I did good on that exam, really, the abstract to which I thought was really a difficult one the first time I took it, wasn't really that hard the second time, I even took it with a breeze. But then again, I am still jittery of the outcome. I have such low confidence on myself when it comes to exams. Yesterday, I was really happy when one of the bosses told me to come back on Thursday for the deliberation, it's going to be a panel interview with the high officials of DOLE. Therefore, again, I am asking for your prayers, I need to...

When I entered the government service last November, I was surprised that there was so much space in the office that everywhere I looked, there seemed to be space. It was not the kind of environment I was looking forward to. In my previous office, everything just seemed too occupied. Papers here and there, folders, books, trash. There was a lot more of these stuffs, and our cubicle even seemed like one storeroom of trash. I was expecting the same scenario in the new office, even worst because it is the government, too many people, too many things to do, too many things to prioritize. But I was dead wrong. seeing the new office was quite a relief, at the same time, a wonder to me. Where did all the papers go? Why do they have to keep everything? Less paper and files on desks when in my previous working table, everything was just heaps of manuscripts to read. I finally learned that they were told to try practicing the 5 S, these are: Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, Shitsuke . I learned t...

Well, because it takes a lot of courage to tell somebody senior that she's not doing the right thing if she just prints on government property using the issued "original printer cartridges", I could only cry my heart silently. Corruption starts with the littlest things like this, bringing home a bundle of bond papers for your family's use, printing your personal calling card on the government office printer, and a lot more. Sometimes though, we get settled with the fact that the government has a lot more in store, and would not mind a few extra for its constituent employees. The employees too, are comfortable with what they get and consider them as small blessings. But this just isn't right! Those things these employees enjoy came from the public funds, meaning from taxes they pay to make the government work, and to get even small portions of these government property is already robbing. Well, I hate to say this, these are small things that run in the system, all ...

It's just my second day in the new office, the Department of Labor and Employment and with my 2 days there, I have realized that I truly have a lot to be thankful for. And, I am grateful that I am more blessed than the others out there. Realizations flooded through me while just observing people getting in and out of the office. I realized that the many people who needed work were too much to ignore. On my first day as I was seated on the first table from the entrance, I was approached by a lanky girl who asked where she could get a permit for the minors. I asked how old she was and why she wants one. She told me her parents can no longer send her to school, and that at 16, she has to look for work and help pay the bills in her home.My second day went through with encoding skilled worker registrants, and the pile was heaps. I remember encoding a civil engineer with his license still new for he has just passed the civil engineering licensure, and he is looking for work. The form ask...