For September, It's All About...

Whew! It feels good to be back blogging again. The last half of August was just crazy. I've been taking care of application forms, both for employment and for review classes. Also, I finally had the guts to ask the apparel store in our neighborhood if they accept resellers. I've decided that the companies I applied for are either taking too long to reply or have rejected my applications. Now it's time to take matters into my own hands. I'm prepared to take the risk of becoming an online merchant. At least I answer to nobody, I have my own schedule and most of my work can be done at home. yay! From my calculations, the earnings may not be so high, but I'll never know, right?

The past month wasn't all about submitting forms. I've been taking some household responsibilities by doing some chores, mainly the groceries. This chore ain't so bad. I've been going to the supermarket with my mom ever since I was little so I'm pretty familiar with standard product prices, discount deals and the methods on how to spot fresh meat and vegetables. The best part is that I get to buy the latest snacks and beverages out in the market. And that is what I plan to blog all this September (hopefully I'll be able to keep this commitment). It's about reviewing, criticizing and maybe even promoting the latest food products on the grocery shelves.

PLDT Stockholder's Meeting

I went to PLDT's annual stockholder's meeting with may dad at the Dusit Hotel in Makati. He figured that it would be a good opportunity for me to learn the activities of the corporate world. We don't have any investments in PLDT but it turns out that all land line subscribers are technically entitled to 1 share. It's not at all significant but it's enough for us to get invited to the meeting. I saw some big personalities in the business world like Mr. Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee, Mr. Alfred Ty of Metrobank and of course, Mr. Manny Pangilinan. Believe it or not, Fr. Nebres was even there as an independent director and, as expected, he presided over the opening prayers. I don't know exactly what an independent director does that is different from the regular members of the board. I also have no idea whether Fr Nebres really owns stocks or if the Ateneo owns it and he is just the university's representative.

What I learned from the event... during the portion of the meeting where the shareholders ask questions about the company activities, there were (and I guess always will be) people who either asked irrelevant questions or did not ask any questions at all and just ranted random sentences. There was this old lady who began preaching verses from the Bible (weird!) and this greasy fellow, who looked like a drug pusher, who voiced out his useless concerns loudly and emotionally. He kept on hogging the microphone even after the technicians cut off the mic's power to force him to shut up. He finally stopped only when Mr Pangilinan threatened to throw him out (But I think he should have done that earlier). These people acted as if they had a majority of the shares when they probably don't even own one. My dad said that these nuisances are a fact of shareholder meetings. They're just there to waste everyone's time and annoy the board of directors. Now I'm really impressed with CEO's like MVP because not only do they put up with the rigors of corporate activities but they also put up with these disruptive lunatics every year.

Are the JGSOM lessons outdated?

We just completed our first full 3-hour class with Mr. Rico Gonzalez today. It was about business ethics but in his class, we got more out of it than we expected. For nearly the entire duration of the period, sir Rico told a lot of stories about himself and his adventurous friends who went abroad to work for investment firms. I personally don't know what exactly happens in those firms but people who work there sure make a lot of money. And by that, we are talking about dollars in the billions! Then he goes on talking about the experiences of other people who worked in the same industry. He told us how three people saved a company during an economic crisis and because of their intuition, they were given a bonus of more than $15 billion each. So what's the point of all this?

Taking a break from work

So what's up with my life lately? I just celebrated my birthday last Saturday and got an awesome Nintendo Gameboy SP from my mom. My sis gave me this cool Rin Tosaka action figure from the Anime Fate Stay Night. It's just a shame that I'm not able to fully enjoy those gifts since I've been cramming my 200 hours of OJT time in just a span of a few weeks. I need to finish it in time before the school starts. I'm working at the Quality Assurance Laboratory of Pure Foods, by the way. The plant is located in Marikina City which is convenient since I know that place like the back of my hand. The QA department normally hires licensed chemists and engineers but I think a person with a MAC degree is qualified as well. Although there might be some restrictions to what such a graduate can do since they are not licensed to sign forms and make recommendations.

Need... sleep...

It's been more than a week since school ended. And for the past few months, I've been sleeping late... like around 3am everyday since December. This is thanks to the countless school work, papers, reports and assigned readings. You can tell that my body got used to this kind of unhealthy schedule - sleeping late and waking up late. Now that it's summer time, it's important that I get to sleep as early as possible for two reasons:

Suffering from thermal shock

It's summer again and with the continuous problem of global warming the temperature reaches abnormally high levels. The heat from the midday sun is so extreme that I can feel the radiation piercing through my skin like thousands of hot needles. This is the reason why I don't go out much and if I need to, I plan my trip well as to avoid as much sun as I can. I'm thankful I don't have any summer classes this time.

Shot down

Its only been a week since the final exams ended. I feel the summer heat but not the break. It seems that my work spills over the months of April and May since I need to finish my OJT. I was supposed to apply for the laboratory inside our school, PIPAC (Philippine Insitute of Pure and Applied Chemistry), along with some friends but it seems the job descripion didn't fit the standards of JG-SOM. They shot down our application and

Minor degree in Philo? Why not?

If everything goes well (and I hope it does), I'm expected to only have a few subjects during my super senior (5th) year. And by "few" I mean 6 units each semester, which is equivalent to 2 subjects per sem. So I decided to make good use of the time I'll have. Now, why Philosophy? Well, one of the shallow reasons is that it's one of the minor degrees that doesn't involve group works. The only thing that hinders me from earning this degree is laziness. Next, the prerequisites are not that high. There are no QPI requirements and the only condition is that you didn't get a grade below C during for your PH101-104 classes.

Deceleration

The last laboratory report has been submitted and the presentation is finally over. Thanks to the coming Holy Week break, we'll be getting some well deserved rest. It's not over yet though. We still have to face our final exams after this. Yes, that's right. We still have to go back after Holy Week. I think it's the first time this has ever happened to me. The Lent Season really started early this year. Oh well... At least it gives us time to rest. But I shouldn't dedicate my entire break on video games and blogging. I must set aside time to review even if I don't want to. The finals on both my chemistry subjects seem brutal. With such long coverages, who knows what questions will pop out of the exam? Just thinking about it is enough to drive me up the wall. I just hope the exams are not going to be as ugly as I expect it to be.

OJT! Holy Crap!

This coming summer, I have the option of either taking a Business Tour of China or an OJT. Both options look attractive but I must only choose one. If I take the Business Tour, I can still take an OJT, in theory. However, it'll be difficult applying for a GOOD company in the middle of summer! If I choose to look for an OJT, I'll lose the chance of going to China and the opportunity of bonding with some of my block mates. It'll also be a risk because it's still not 100% sure if a reputable company will hire me. They say that I shouldn't rely

Slowing down

Last week was a real hell week. I had a long test in physical chem, I stayed up the entire night to finish a lab report, I made an outline for Theology class and I even had to negotiate with the Chemistry department stock room for our supplies for next week. Fortunately I passed the long test *whew* and our group was able to submit the lab report in time. What really wore me out was the research we had to do for our next lab experiment. In just a single day I had to run back and forth from the library, to the stock room and to the faculty room just to get our prelab approved. Luckily I was able to secure the reagents and equipment with the technician before the week was over. After that day, I was surprised that there were very few assignments left to do. The amount of school work flowing towards me suddenly slowed down. This coming Monday is even a holiday for our school, which means a long weekend. This long break is just what the doctor ordered for us students who are stressed out.

OJT! Oh No!

Ever since the week began, the entire block has been preparing their resumes, transcripts and recommendation letters for summer internship (OJT). I never realized how much work it was. I've been getting pamphlets, calling cards and have been handing out resumes like crazy to companies and . I'm not even sure if they'll even take time to read it. And to think I've been going to only one job fair. What more if there are a lot of them? During these moments, it pays to have a lot of friends and contacts because it's every man for himself. If you're too slow to respond, you'll surely be left behind. The department really doesn't give that much announcements and guidelines. Sometimes, you'll just be overwhelmed by how much details you've been missing and you ask yourself, "How long have I been sleeping?" I guess this style really prepares us for the real world. Nobody's gonna watch your back for you. I know that there should be another job fair in UP soon. I'll have to keep my eyes and ears open for any updates.

ebay blues

I've been trying to figure out how to trade online lately. I was surprised by the number of Filipinos who actually go online to shop. There are probably hundreds if not thousands of transactions completed everyday. But it turns out that even when selling or buying items locally, there are a lot of obstacles to overcome. For one thing, I need a means of acquiring payments. But it shouldn't be just any payment method. It must appeal to the preference of the buyers. The most common form so far is through Globe G-cash, which was recently banned by ebay international (But it's still acceptable in ebay.ph). Others prefer paying through Smart Money while some would rather pay through bank deposit. So for the past weeks, I've been going to banks and mobile centers trying to apply for these e-transaction services. I was just overwhelmed by the number of fees, annual rates and the strict terms and conditions.So much for trading in the Philippines. Selling on the international market is much worse. I need the verification of ebay USA by registering a Paypal account. And what exactly is Paypal? It's the preferred method of payment of international buyers. The closest Paypal service we have here in the Philippines is through debit and credit cards, which includes additional fees. Currently, Union bank is the only firm known to give full support to this service. Unfortunately the ADB (Average daily balance) to be able to open an account and apply for a debit card is pretty high (P10,000). And that initial deposit won't even earn any interest. The minimum balance is P25,000! That's even more than what I expect to generate in a month!

I guess there really is no escaping these fees and outrageous requirements. Probably it's better to look at it as investments than costs. As economists would say, "There is no such thing as a free lunch". Luckily I'm not an economics major so I don't have to hold on to this as my creed. Haha

Prioritizing

We just had our first surprise quiz for physical chemistry for the semester and as usual less than half of the class passed. Probably only 4 out of 25. It's a clear sign that I must set my brain back to school-mode. I have to admit it's difficult to do just that this time of the year since I just came back from sem break and the fact that it's Christmas Season already. I just have this tendency to take things too easy and lightly.

I know I have to go back and hit the books but I still have to write a novel (Yes. I wrote something during the break) which is a chapter away from completion. So close...

I also have this extreme desire to make that online store and sell some of my old junk on ebay. This time of the year is perfect since a lot of people will be shopping online to buy Christmas gifts. Too bad I'll be missing out on it. Talk about opportunity costs...

Well, first things first. I must not let my Gemini instincts of starting one thing without finishing the other get the best of me. So it's academics, then the novel and finally profit. The most important task comes first before the most complicated.

First days

First days of school. Break is over and it's back to work. I don't mind going back to school at all. The schedule's been fixed in my favor (and it should be!) . But I guess the most frustrating part of the first days of school is the hunt for books and handouts. I haven't bartered this much and this desperately before in my entire student career. A lot of the books I need have been borrowed and I have also been renting books to the lower class men. I just hope I remember all of the things I have borrowed and lent.

Aside from bartering, I've been (and I guess a lot of students too) breaking the copyright rules (what am I saying?!) by photocopying the handouts for our classes. So many readings, so few xerox machines to exploit. Not to mention so little time. The ORP (Office of Research and Publications) has recently banned the teachers from duplicating reading materials. If readings are needed, then the we, the students, have to photocopy the master copies ourselves. Those Pilates! They're white-washing themselves again so the blame for copyright infringement will be on our heads! That means double work for all of us. I guess this explains why a lot of they're graduates turn out to be assholes. Hey, don't blame us for the illegal mass duplication of the handouts and books.

Anyways, this is like fighting city hall. Whining does no good. Just blindly comply to the "Big Brother"

Yes! All this for a dumb class schedule

I only post stuff here for two reasons. The first one being if I want to share something interesting that has happened. Another if I simply want to rant away my angsts and anger. Since today was an uneventful day, you can guess what this post will be all about.

Last semester, the registrar approved my enlistment with conflicting classes. I can easily let that mistake go since it was partly my fault for not rechecking my schedule. I was able to fix it immediately with minor setbacks on my part. I learned from that experience. But did they? Noooooo. Of course not. I sent them a complaint email last semester about the incident and they didn't listen! Believe it or not the registrar's office fucked up big time again!

A few hours after everyone has finished their enlistment, they changed the class schedule again at the last minute! Now I have a chemistry class in conflict with my philosophy class. No way in hell I'm giving up my philo class. There are no more alternatives available. It's either they change the schedule back to the way it was or I won't take the chem class this semester.

Students who fall victims to the incompetence of our schools services have all the right to be angry at them. A lot of law-abiding students try to be perfect. Is this what they get in exchange? A system that makes their lives more complicated than it already is? School authorities hunt down those who slightly deviate from the norm and unfortunately treat them like common criminals complete with alienation, public humiliation, monetary fines and punishment. So why can't we treat those who screwed up the same way? They show that all mistakes no matter how small should be disciplined. Then maybe it's about time that the employees too should be disciplined.

Most if not all people will say, "It's just a minor mistake and should be let go." or "You're just exaggerating again." or "Hmpf. Another emo post" or "All this for a dumb schedule?"

Well let me tell you something. It's not the first time somebody snapped because of a screwed up school system. Remember the Virgina Tech Shooting? Or the famous Columbine High School Massacre? Those were just examples of cases where the people were simply ignored and put aside. And when they respond with a hail of bullets, then the world begins to stop and ask itself, "Where did we go wrong?" I'd like to slap the world in the face and say, "Wake up you moron. It's right there." The problem was already in front of their faces and yet they persisted to ignore its growing magnitude. Maybe a lot of people are really dumb enough not to listen to others and the only way to make them get to their senses is through violence. It's the only thing they'll listen to.

Maybe the murderous teenagers weren't criminals after all. Maybe they were just victims of a corrupt and faulty system not only of the school but of society as well. The souls of the people they killed were retribution for society's crimes.

COLUMBINE... NEVER FORGET

It's all over! :D

Yay! The final requirements for school have been submitted. The laboratory reports are all done and the semester is officially over for me! Now it's time for me to think about my "post-semester activities".

First up is of course cleaning up the mess I made during the semester. Time to keep the books, organize and forget about the past tests and throw the scraps of scratch paper. I'll be literally cleaning up the past.

Next on the list is getting addicted to PlayStation all over again. I just bought these new games for PS2 and I'm excited to try them all out. I'm just afraid that I might not have enough time to finish my other activities.

Finally , I need to decide what to do with my site and livejournal. Should I keep it or just get a multiply account and move there? Hmm... tough decision. I hope I'll be able to make a sound one soon.

Just a post

It's strange how the journal feels so dead when there are no posts regardless whether I really have an audience out there reading them. So I decided to grab this opportunity and post even just one entry on this 30-minute free time that I have.

So far I have been a slave of Philosophy thanks to the many required readings that we have. I guess it's self-explanatory why I don't post so much compared to last time. And it's even ironic since the book I'm devoting my time to is entitled, "Slavery and Freedom" by Nikolai Berdyaev. And it shows just how much I'm learning from it - NOTHING. Because if I really learned something about liberating myself, I should have stopped taking my subjects seriously a long time ago.
The workload feels like it's dying down. Probably because my philo finals is fast approaching (It's already next week!). The seminar I had for MACA is finally over (I'll probably schedule another one next semester on a better time slot). The only thing left for Phychem laboratory is the student project. After all of these, the only problem left is how to tackle the remaining tests for the Phychem Lecture.

Sometime I daydream about what I'm going to do for the upcoming semestral break aside from worrying about my report card. My friends say that I should get a multiply account so I can join them. The good thing I see about multiply is that it's great for sharing and posting multimedia files like picture images and music. The problem is, I don't have any picture images and music to share. I'm thinking of creating a personal website containing my journal, my cyber bazaar and everything else that I can think of. I can either link my livejournal to it or avail of the blog services of a host. Bravenet has a lot of useful web tools and the best part is that they're free. I want to try them all out.

Well my 30 minutes is up. Time to get back to work.

What can I say? They did it again!

Well they did it again! The government declared a suspension of classes and guess what? It's pretty much dry outside (not that I'm complaining). At least they were smart enough to suspend it yesterday because it was really pouring that morning. Now I'm able to catch up with a lot of things: my website, my CS project and more importantly sleep. This suspension of classes means that my chem lab sessions are canceled as well (for the second time!) And I think it won't be long before they eat up our beloved semestral and Christmas breaks and make us pay for the lost sessions. I don't k now if that's a good thing or not. I gotta make this entry short because it's almost time for our group meeting in CS. I have to prepare my camera and take some relevant (and probably some irrelevant) photos of our school.

I just remembered that we also have another project for our theology class which I think is due by the first week of September. I wonder if any of my group mates are aware?

Working on a Caturday?

Wow. I didn't realize I haven't been posting for more than a week. I missed Caturday! This is thanks to the hell weeks I've been experiencing (and I guess I'm not the only one). But I must admit that the work load this semester may be as demanding but not as many as the previous ones.

Let's see... classes are suspended tomorrow. This could mean that my Philosophy oral exam will be piled up together with the coming hell week. I have to make good use of this unexpected break and devise a strategy on how to tackle the next hell week.

I can start working on editing my website. I just realized that the current design is not as "customer-friendly" as it should be.

Even if I don't want to, I have to start preparing for my midterm lab test on Physical Chemistry. I still can't believe they scheduled it on a Caturday!