Night of Letting Go

Last Friday night is what I call "A Night of Letting Go" because I just got news from my aunt that one of my uncles (one of their brothers) passed away due to lung cancer and as I was on my way home, I noticed that my bag was already open although I already had a bad hunch of the bubbly woman sitting beside me inside the jeep,all I did was turn away from her and clutching my bag and other things tightly yet, I no longer found my phones inside my bag when the jeepney was nearing Ayala. I set aside the idea that it was picked from my bag thinking I must've left it at the store. Much to my dismay, the next day, I could not find my phone pouch and even worse, my phones! It finally dawned on me that I was victimized again by pickpockets (I believe there were two of them). After 4 years of being freed from the traumatic experience of the Boodle Gang (God bless their souls) who smoothly took away also my two phones, here I am again, although less traumatized yet the thought of that I still lost my phones which i have most dearly treasured since 2007 has slipped through my hands.ouch..But I have to let go of it now and move on. Probably, I have mastered the art of letting go because it no longer hurts just as before. Maybe because I know I tried to do some safety precautions against the hag yet she still managed to slip her hand through my bag. As for my Uncle Edgar, he has been our music mentor especially when he stayed with us during his stint in Cebu. Knowing that he had cancer, I was planning to send him some alternative supplements but it was too late already because it was relayed to me that he was gone. It's really tempting to blame myself for not taking necessary actions right away but it would probably become a waste of time if I dwell much on the what if's of my situation. All I can do as for now is pray for his soul and for the souls of the pickpockets(I mean that they will be enlightened). Letting go? Yes. Moving on? It's the best option. :-)

Blank

As of now, I just want to stare at the computer screen and type on anything. I wanted to do alot of things through the internet but it seems that nothing comes into my mind right now. Oh well, something came up! hahaha because I am starting to type whatever came up! Probably, blogging will become one of my de-stressers because it actually relieves my stress a bit. I wanted to write something about the organic products I sell still, nothing happens. I can express myself better through writing than speaking. But hey, I'm not saying I'm a good one because I'm not! Sometimes, I should say, that this is also my way of boring myself to sleep? You know why? 'Coz I am actually getting sleepy now. So, goodnight friensd! 'Til my next blog! Mwah!

Glimpses of my Davao trip

I just arrived from Davao yesterday. It was the least that I expected because I feel too stressed to go out due to my asthma attack. Nevertheless, I decided to go out and cross the main city ( I stayed by the way in the Island Garden City of Samal-my mother's hometown, an island declared a city off coast of Davao City) and accompany my mom in the city. Every time we crossed to and from the island I couldn't get enough of the captivating view of the Mt. Apo which is dubbed as the tallest mountain in the country (google the height if you want). Much as  I would like to take a picture of it, we forgot to buy the right batteries for my digicam. Moving on, I never fail to breathe the cool air breeze with the belief that it could slightly relieve my attack. Thank God, I managed everything despite my dilemma! One of the things I've accomplished during my trip was getting  duplicate copy of my baptismal certificate because I have long planned to secure one and it only took less than an hour to get it at a reasonable price! I also convinced my mom to visit her former employer or the establishment where she used to work for a long time-Merco ( Mercantile Corporation), a famous food joint in Davao during the 90's which now specializes in ice cream and cakes. We were lucky enough because there was a Halloween promo on the Watermelon Ice cream special which was buy one take one. Three scoops of ice cream (for the single serving at 115 pesos, 4 scoops for double at 135 pesos) sits on a half sliced watermelon fruit with garnished round watermelon balls and topped with sliced bananas. It was indeed a feast on the eyes. I will be showing you a picture in my next blog after I finished uploading it from my mobile. Most of all, we took time to meet up and bond with relatives when there is time and there was never a lull moment in these times. For me, it was no longer a tearful goodbye to leave Davao because I promised myself that I will be back next year and this time, to tour the whole Island Garden City as well as the Davao City escapades. Davao is not just my mother's hometown, it is also where I was born and nothing can ever change that. Just thinking of going back really makes me excited! :-)

OJT Chronicles: Day 3 and so forth...

I think it was during this day that I learned how to use the vacuum cleaner. YEah, it was easy but it works also a lot of muscles and veins in my arms and hands.My butt hurt too but it doesn't matter because I really felt working my butt out! lol! I was actually too excited to pack my things for my trip to Manila the next dy yet I still managed to bond with some old OJT's at one of their places together with my mom. It was fun because I also get to know some room attendants in our department. Good thing, we went home early due to some of them still have to report to work also the next day. Of course, I was excited to travel the next morning to Manila for a Gawad Kalinga activity as well as missing OJT. Hopefully I could insert a picture of the bonding time in my next blog. :-)

OJT Chronicles: Day 2

October 7, 2010: I was dead tired to wake up for work but I told myself I  shouldn't give up and I can do this! I woke up earlier because it was a Wednesday and we won't have time anymore to attend mass after office hours.

Tasks I did for the day was doing the laundry, segregate the linens and the rest of the day, helped the 4th floor room attendant clean the guest rooms. Indeed, cleaning the guest rooms was the most tiring. There were still a lot of tasks to be learned that we forgot during theory sessions. A lot has been covered in theory but more often than not, we tend to forget theories when we are already faced with actual applications. Anyway, I get to try making the bed and the technique we used was actually time consuming compared to what the room attendant taught me. It was actually easy when two people helped together just as the saying goes " two heads are better than one". After a hard day's work, my mother and I proceeded to a party where she was invited by a previous co-worker from Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa. Food and videoke made my day although I was not in the mood to sing much because I am starting to feel sleepy. Good thing, we went home early and I immediately doze off ready for another day. :-)

OJT Chronicles: Day 1

October 6, 2010: Excited to start my first day in Alpa City Suites Hotel ( the hotel where I signed an On the Job Training). My day started assisting for another batch of Housekeeping NC II Assessment with an assessor that lasted for almost 5 hours. After that, I went to the hotel so that I could log-in early. I was issued two new shirts  as uniforms with the hotel logo and we have to secure for ourselves the black slacks and black shoes. Lo and behold, my mom forgot to bring my requirements which I was supposed to submit to the Human Resource Head! Anyway, she explained that it was her fault and was allowed to start officially.

My first task was to help segregate the linens. I was introduced on how to measure by hand single, double and king sized bed sheets and duvet covers: Two meters for singles, two and a half for doubles and Three meters for king-sized linens. I also helped segregating the towels as per who's going to pick up what. For me, the most fun part was counting! No, I'm not good in Math, I just love it. As the daughter of an Executive housekeeper, I couldn't afford my mom to be put to shame because of me so, I make it a point that I don't slack at work. Good thing is, she also makes sure that I have something to do. When we were done counting and segregating the linens,  a few minutes (2-3 minutes) would do to stretch out your body (I am starting to feel some muscle pain already). The next task was to accompany a room attendant for rooms check. For a VC (Vacant Clean/Arrival) room, we have to check if the air conditioner  was set on standard thermostat, if the vault is on its default pin, towels on the right places (e.g.  folded bath mat should be placed on top of toilet bowl cover) , draperies opened (both shower and window curtains except for the sheer window curtain),complete amenities such as complimentary bottled water, mini bar (depending on the instructions), bathroom supplies, standard channel and volume (CNN and volume 20),etc. As for the Turn Down Service Rooms (these are rooms that were cleaned by 5:30pm and beyond),curtains should be closed and the duvet will be folded in triangular form, bath mat is spread facing the shower curtain, etc. We almost lost track of the time 'coz we did not notice that it's almost time for supper. After eating dinner, a guest requested for hot water  and was asked to bring to the guest's room. The guest immediately handed me a twenty (20) peso bill after I gave the thermos of hot water. Well, not really bad for a first day. I was then assigned at the lobby to partner with another OJT assigned there. We were based near the employee's entrance but the area we are covering is the public area. So much learned for the first day and was actually looking forward for Day 2! :-)

OJT Chronicles: Genesis

I just started this year in the hotel industry. It all began when I was invited to take up the Housekeeping NC II at the MGB Skills Development and Assessment Center, Incorporated in Lahug, Cebu City. This is a TESDA Accredited Training Center. So, It was already in the middle of the class where I started my training nevertheless, I was able to catch up. Prior to our assessment, my mom, who was my big influence for getting me started asked if I want to pursue an On the job training in the hotel that she worked for. I said, " Sure" and asked her to print the resume that was saved in her USB. However, I was not able to start right away due to lack of requirements. I really believe in blessings in disguise because these times that I was supposed to start, my cousin, who was an Executive Chef in one of the international cruise ships visited Cebu after his contract for this term ended. During the last two days of his stay, together with his girlfriend, they encouraged us (I'm referring to my two other cousins)to pass our resume because there was one that need not require an experience. Anyway, with what happened, new plans are forming in my mind. Here it is: 'I will work in a cruise ship after my Mama and I will be going to Australia for my brother's wedding. Then, after I finish my contract in a span of 6-8 months, I will visit again my brother in Sydney for a month or two and go back to the Philippines to spend a vacation or it could be the other way around too. But, I also want to start up a semi-passive and eventually a passive income so that even if I will not be working after my contract, I still have an income during my vacation. Hopefully, I could get more internet traffic and also invest on it to add up my monetary blueprint.' Well, so far, that's all I could think of my new career dream plan. It is actually my motivation as well to work hard as a Housekeeping OJT. I immediately rushed when they left to settle and complete my requirements so I can immediately start. I still have some sideline businesses and opportunities but my priority is also housekeeping training. I pray that I could endure and that these plans will be blessed. Stay tuned for my OJT Chronicles: Day 1