Split Skill - Split Skull

When I took my job, signed the contract, as a call center agent, one of the things that I had to agree with was that I was willing to be transfered to another department/account if required, without really understanding the implications of that agreement. I belonged to a sales account, DR or Direct Response, where the basics are learned and practiced. Other accounts in the company where I work are customer service, travel (hotel and airline), banking or credit, and technical accounts (read: phones and computers where customer's sometimes don't understand the difference between closing all the windows in the computer, from closing all the windows in the house, how stupid is that). Minsan pag kelangan ng ibang managers ng additional agents para sa account nila, they turn to the DR, comes up with a shortlist of agents willing to be transfered to different accounts where they can help take the call volume and minimize work load. I have survived, or make that excused myself, from a number of interviews with managers wanting to take me as their agent, I had always said no because I dont want to leave my team mates and friends from DR. Then there was this opportunity to be transfered to a travel account, not as a permanent agent, it was a temporary transfer. I thought, hey, maybe this might actually help me in the future. Additional knowledge won't hurt ya. So I took it, I said yes. But that was a wrong decision, major catastrophe! One of the agents of a certain travel account got seriously sick so they asked me to cover for her. So mid-October, I voluntered to be trained for this travel account, it was for a hotel reservation agency based in Denver, Colorado, but the back up customer service department will be operating in a remote area, which is Makati, duh! This required me to take a night shift (because its the only time when Americans are awake, kasi nga naman nasa other side of the globe sila, good God!) During training, I've already felt like I wanted to back out because I've observed the task was not as easy as I thought, and the tools, oh the online processing tools! I even intentionally tried to fail the training exam hoping I could go back from the heaven account where I came from. But the exam was so easy, masyado na atang obvious kung ibabagsak ko pa, and I dont want the trainer to think that I was dimwitted when it was one of the DR managers who recommended me to that stupid travel account. What - a - bummer! It was getting worst when I already went live in the floor, started taking calls, processing reservations, the veteran agents from that account were nearly as humble and as nice as Miriam Defensor Santiago! Even caught them backstabbing me while in the office pantry taking my coffee break. Oh our relationship was just great (sarcastic). It was like hell. I couldnt take it, the work load, the night shift, the deadlines, those b_tch_s. I even pretended to be sick, called in making lame excuses that I had migraine. My wonderful experience with this account continued for a couple of weeks. Then when the sick agent came back, my agony ended. Went back to DR, back with my friends. But that joy was shortlived. Before our company's year end party, I was informed that I had to go back to the travel account because the agent who got sick resigned. I cried. Who wants to go back there. I had no choice, it was part of the job. I attended the year end party but couldnt force myself to have fun knowing that in the next few days I'll split my skull again, er... I'll be split skilled again.

Pinoy Big Brother - My Edition

I live in an apartment. I have housemates who, like me, are also from Davao or who understands Visayan. We all met here in Manila and I was happy that we were all gonna be sharing the same house. We became close, naturally, after being together under 1 roof for almost a year now. We girls share stuffs, eat together, go out or watch movies altogether. There are times when we have minor arguments. But in reality, when you live in a real "Big Brother House", these wonderful relationships, may eventually become sour once you discover your housemates true personalities , that certain closeness and openess for each other slowly disappears. Its like when a couple gets married, one will only discover the other's indifferences when the two live in the same house. This is the same predicament where I am in right now. I thought that my housemates and I were getting along fine. Errrr... Yun ang akala ko... It turned out that the other housemates have already been keeping their grudges against me for quite a while. All the while , I think, they have misinterpreted my jokes and my behaviour, causing them to be indignant about me. I have to admit that I might have offended some peoples feelings because of some of the things I said. I was completely floored when I found out from another housemate that they felt I have humiliated and insulted them, clueless how and when did this happened. I never thought that they would say na may " attitude problem " pala ako , unless ofcourse if I enjoy watching people quip when Im around. Who wants that? Okay, so maybe I didn't feel anything negative about my attitude, sometimes it takes other people to help you acknowledge your shortcomings. Mabait ako pero maldita ako pag naprovoke ako. But I believe my parents have raised me well to be ethical and to be sensitive for the feelings and opinions of others . But I'm not perfect and even if we are, we cant please other people. Not all people can always understand, not willing to accept you for who you naturally are. Even though you know for yourself that you are not doing anything wrong, but still, you cant ignore the ill feelings of other people for you and, in my case, it - really - bothers - me that all the while this is how they perceived me. I cried. For the 4th time, yes, this would be the 4th time I cried over what I would think an irreversible friendship. The first one had something to do with my best friend, there were actually two of them. So the 3rd one was about a classmate of mine in college whom I used to hang out with, thought the frienship would last, I hoped because she was really smart and cool, but I realized I couldnt accept her for who she is, other than her coolness, even if I tried to rekindle our old frienship. But Im contented that even if we bump into each other, we are civil.

Now, I have to handle yet another friendship , what seems to be so nice has become pitiable, which I'm afraid will never be like as it used to be, because this has already been scarred with their irrational judgement against me, even saying "so kami pa ang mag-aadjust para sa kanya... I simply dont like her " , when I have not the idea kung alin...saan sila mag-aadjust. I would have admitted my faults had I known for my self that I did something, big deal, or some sort of a major - humiliating - disgusting... thingy. I resented them for having ill thoughts against me when I have not even thought of them that way, not once. But I am sincerely sorry if I have offended them in any way they thought I have. I dont wish to argue who's right or who's wrong, I dont want to give them the satisfaction, it will only make me guilty over something they're judging me. Im not saying that the hurt I caused or they caused was not important or that what happened between us was okay. "Its not a question of whether who needs to be forgiven and who needs to forgive." I want to free myself from resentment and grudges. Sure I may have made mistakes despite my best intentions, and my housemates and I have diffrences that needs to be resolved, its unavoidable. By the time that I need to move to a new and different "Big Bother House", I may still recall this experience, my actions and thoughts. I still thank God for the wonderful friendships I have made, and will ponder on the things that made those frienships die. Why would I let myself get trapped. Just move on and get it over with, that's how it should be. If you're experiencing the same way, I hope you handle it smoothly. I am proud of myself that I have been able to deal with it on my own and, I wont keep my hopes to high, I still want my housemates and I to become friends until we all go back to our "real homes."

Pride and Prejudice scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyMYkiefnwg

(Mr. Darcy, In an hurried manner) Miss Elizabeth...I have struggled in vain and can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment.I came to Rosings only to see you.I have fought against judgement, my family's expectation,the inferiority of your birth,my rank. I will put them aside and ask you to end my agony.

(Elizabeth looking confused)

I don't understand.

Darcy: I love you... Most ardently.Please do me the honourof accepting my hand.

(Elizabeth was astonished, tried to compose herself) Sir, I appreciate the struggle you have been through, and I am very sorryto have caused you pain. Believe me it was unconsciously done.

Is this your reply?

Lizzy: Yes, sir.

(Mr. Darcy now looking pale in anger)

Are you... are you laughing at me?

Lizzy: No, sir.

Darcy: Are you rejecting me?

Lizzy: I'm sure the feelings which hindered your regard will help you overcome it.

Darcy: Might I ask why with so little civility I am thus repulsed?

Lizzy: I might enquire why you told me you liked me against your better judgement?If I was uncivil,then that is some excuse. But you know I have other reasons.

Darcy: What reasons?

Lizzy: Do you think anything might tempt me to accept the man who has ruined the happiness of a most beloved sister?Do you deny that you separated a young couple who loved each other,exposing your friend to censure for caprice and my sister to derision for disappointed hopes, involving them both in acute misery? Do you deny it Mr. Darcy...

Darcy: I do not deny it.

Lizzy: How could you do it?

Darcy: I believed your sister indifferent to him. I realised his attachment was deeper than hers.

Lizzy: That's because she's shy!

Darcy: Bingley was persuaded she didn't feel strongly.

Lizzy: You suggested it.

Darcy: For his own good.

Lizzy: My sister hardly shows her true feelings to me. I suppose his fortune had some bearing?

Darcy: I wouldn't do your sister the dishonour.It was suggested...

Lizzy: What was?

Darcy: It was clear an advantageous marriage...

Lizzy: Did my sister give that impression?

Darcy: No! No. There was, however, your family...

Lizzy: Our want of connection?

Darcy: No, it was more than that.

Lizzy: How, sir? (demandingly)

Darcy: The lack of propriety shown by yourmother, younger sisters and your father. Forgive me.... You and your sisterI must exclude from this.

Lizzy: And what about Mr Wickham?

Darcy: Mr Wickham? (moves closer to Elizabeth more irritatingly)

Lizzy: What excuse can you give for your behaviour?

Darcy: You take an eager interest in that gentleman's concerns.

Lizzy: He told me of his misfortunes.

Darcy: His misfortunes! Yes, his misfortunes have been great indeed!

Lizzy: You ruin his chances yet treat him with sarcasm.

Darcy: So this is your opinion of me? Thank you for explaining it so fully. Perhaps these offences might have been overlooked had not your pride been hurt by my scruples about our relationship. Could you expect me to rejoice in the inferiority of your connections?

Lizzy: (in a high tone) And those are the words of a gentleman! (Elizabeth now more angry) From the very beginning, of my acquaintance with you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realise you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed on to marry.

(Darcy's face almost close enough to kiss Elizabeth) Forgive me, madam,for taking up so much of your time.

Sat-there-day (Saturday)

As you all know (or for those of you who dont know), my job as an inbound sales agent involves handling calls from America, from people who are sick and tired of their cable service provider and wants to switch to satellite tv (digital programming). Most days, marami kaming calls na natatangap, lalo na pag may laban si Pek-yeow. Its like, totally, super que, there would be between 40 to 70 answered calls. By then, namamaga na ang tonsils namin. But dont fret, the office clinic has a lotta anti-soar throat medicines stocked inside.

June 30th,this particular Saturday was just one of the most boring days in my life inside the office as a call center agent. Because I have not been receiving any calls lately. There was just nothing to do. It was a "sat-there-day". I have checked a few websites just to keep my self from falling asleep. Pumunta akong Batangas beach resorts sa kakasurf online, nakarating ako sa Land of Far Far Away sa kakapanuod ng trailers and clips ng Shrek 3rd movie, nakipagchikahan sa cast ng movie na Transformers sa kakapakinig sa inteview sa MSN..com. Argh!

Then, I tried to read the magazine I brought with me. Arhhh! Enough! I have had enough of this God damn... But I cant help it, inantok ako sa sobrang walang magawa. After my shift, my friend, ClioGoddess, and I, went to the mall in need of some simple retail therapy to perk me up.