Thoughts of an unemployed

I just launched two new blogs: the one I’m doing with my friend Normandy titled “Komyutnista” which is about the day to day life of commuters. Knowing my friend, it’s gonna be hilarious, exciting, and really interesting. Do visit our blog and make us rich.

The second one is…a secret. To be safe, I don’t want to claim ownership of that blog but I’m going to give it double effort because it’s for “charity.”

So what are my thoughts these days?

I’m on my sixth day of being officially jobless and it doesn’t feel good at all. I’ve never been unemployed in 11 years so this feeling is very alien to me. I have worries where to get my income supporting a 13-year-old nephew I just enrolled in a private school, payment to my very hard-working helper, the bills, everyday expenses, and some simple pleasures like books and eating out. (God, I miss National Sports Grill, my second home.)

Okay, so what do you do when you don’t have a job to feed you? Look for one. Beg to your editors and friends and do the extra mile by writing five stories a day.

Seriously, this episode in my life taught me so many things. I always tell myself that I learned my lesson the hard way but in many ways I don’t regret anything. I am happy with my personal life. If I didn’t resign from my previous company prior to the recent one, I wouldn’t have met “my Arthur.” Yes, it’s that important to me. I’d tell myself that no amount of money can equal the happiness and love “my Arthur” unconditionally gives me. I can earn the money I lost but finding the one to love me could take a lifetime.

I have friends in the broadsheet who want to quit but I always tell them to think twice. Take it from someone who now has the privilege to see things in the perspective of an outsider. When your company pays well, try to endure the small things that don’t make you happy. Sometimes, when we are in that difficult situation we try to blow things up and make small things big ones.

Alright, what tips can I give to those who don’t have a job yet (and those planning to quit their jobs)?

-Before filing for resignation from your present job, make sure that you already have a company to move in to. It’s still best not to be unemployed. There are online job-hunting sites that are good sources of prospective new jobs.

-Before sending an application to any company, make sure that the job is really want you want to do and not just “kahit ano na lang basta may income.” If you have the luxury to be choosy, take your time. I received responses from companies but many times I have to beg off because I realized that what they offer is not something I really want to do.

-In the event that you lost your job untimely and you find yourself living a slacker’s life, try to see what your skills are. In my case, I can at least write. So, I advertised myself through text, email, and word of mouth that I can do freelance writing. I am now looking forward to a sure income next month. (When you resign from a company, don’t burn bridges.)

-Don’t stop sending out resumes to the companies that offer the job you like.

-If your time permits, take the exams with the companies that responded to your application. Go to interviews and then decide later if you want to go for it or turn it down. It is still best to get to know the company and job first before turning it down.

-Discover what other skills you may have, or better yet, develop other skills. In my case, I’m trying to learn more on Photoshop. (Yeah, for me it’s a skill.) You may find it helpful in the future.

-Sell on ebay or be an online entrepreneur. After a brief hiatus, I’m fixing my store and will convert my Multiply account into an online bookshop.

-Never stop learning. Read, watch TV, listen to news, and surf the Internet. For those who lived in the Stone Age and think that being in front of the computer all day means not having a life, better think twice. The worldwide web is a community and we meet people who we can learn things from.

-Take time to contemplate and pick the good things you learned from your previous job. If you resigned because you hate the people, try to think of the chosen few who made your stay in the company enjoyable. Pick out the things that can help you get on and be better in the new job.

-Do what you were unable to do when you were still employed. For me, it’s watching TV, reading a good book, and playing with my pets.

-The thought of unemployment is scary but keep in your heart that it will only be just for a brief time. Everything happens for a reason. In my case, I needed to learn how to value the things I had in the past. Be determined to regain whatever you have lost and believe that you can surpass that in the very near future.

Now, to those reading this…need my services?

Recap

Alright children, let's recap the last month of my life for the benefit of the four or so people (who are all dear to me) reading my blog and keeping up with my otherwise unexciting life.

I'm currently jobless but...doing many freelance work which put food on the table and a penny for Internet surfing. That stint with a research company somewhere in Makati is forgettable (no, that's an understatement, is a nightmare). It deserves a blog and I'll pattern it after the TV series "The Office." I'll keep you posted on this because I know I'm gonna make money! Will I do a Brian Gorrel? No, because this blog wil be participated in by the other "victims" of the vicious three: the principal, the guidance counsellor, and the librarian.

I'll focus on the happier side of me (which does not include my financial situation) which is my personal life.

I know, it's too cheesy but what can I do? I can't help but smile every time I think that I now have "my Arthur" or to be closer to home, I have my "Aries to Tessa," "LA to Leng," or "Joel to Sharon."

Yes, he is THAT. That guy who would put your needs first before his; who would change his schedule to fit yours; who would take a leave of absence from work to accompany you on a coverage; and that someone na isusubo na lang ibibigay pa sa 'yo.

He is not perfect but that imperfection makes him more lovable...

Now my life....soon :)

Blessings

Dear God,
I know that you don’t always give us what we prayed for; that things don’t always happen the way we planned it. And I’d like to thank you for not giving me the person I’ve always wanted because you just gave me the best.
-Me

Masaya

Syet, bakit masaya ako?

For once in my life, I am happy and never felt so good despite the many challenges coming ahead. I never felt this good about myself; I didn’t feel that I have to exert an effort to look good for him. I just feel (strangely) secure of myself and of how he feels about me.

No matter how much we tried we can’t help but smile when we see each other anywhere in the office. We just can’t hide it!

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it must be love

"Friendship! Mahal ko na siya!" Anong gagawin ko?"

This was my text message to my friend last night after realizing that I have been thinking about this guy for two days, non-stop, every minute, every second. And I have been re-reading his text messages for the gazillionth time.

I didn’t want to fall in love, yet. Not yet, not so soon but he is the nicest guy I’ve ever met. Oh by the way, the cutest so far. I’ve never felt so pampered and appreciated until now. He’s sweet and well, super sweet.

Being the apple of his eyes somewhat boosts my ego because as I have mentioned he is really cute. Read: many women (and gay) swoon over him. For some strange reason, I caught his eye and heart, I hope.

I guess it’s just that simple. Even if I find him extremely likable, I never showed any sign that I like him. I didn’t’ talk to him even if I had to. I just emailed him when I need something from him regarding work. It was like that for four months. I knew that he wanted to be my friend. As I have said many times over, the eyes can’t lie. Even my friend here in the office told me so especially last Friday.

My computer is against the wall so I cannot see who passes by. But my friend told me she saw him looking at me and smiling. Her exact words: What did you do to him? Blooming siya ngayon and he can’t help looking at you.

We already went out for a couple of dates and he was with me when I did an interview in Quezon City. It was really fun and we always have a good time together.

But I realized that the happiness I’m talking about is not just because we’re having fun but it comes from the heart. That’s the time I texted my friend and told her, I think I just fell in love with the most sought after guy in the office.

Jeez, I wanted to scream: Eat your heart out girls and gays. Hehehe. Ego-booster to the max.

Happy, so far

If there is one thing I am grateful for in this company that is I met someone who always makes my day.

This may be a scary thing but of all the men I met (and I got involved with) in the past, this person gives me the emotional stability I haven’t found in all of them. It may be too early to tell but there’s something about him that makes me feel whole again.

He may not possess all of my requirements in the list but I forgot to put something there that he is giving to me now: he cares.

I’m not looking at it long-term, at least not yet; I’m not even sure if I’m already in love even if he claims he already is and always tells me that; I’m not sure how far will we go. Many uncertainties but I’m happy so far and I genuinely enjoy his company.

(Puwera usog)

I miss my work in media

I’m running my 5th month is a different field and I still miss my work in media. Initially, I thought it was just some adjustment anxiety but as the days go on, I don’t think I can deny the fact that I am still a feature writer after all.

It’s been a long while since I wrote a really nice feature story. Well, the one on April 6 is a special one. But it’s been 2 months since I “wrote.” I’m not sure if I still know how to write.

I’m afraid that the company’s promise of writing job is being thrown into the trash bin. It’s been hell not being able to write. And if this feeling can kill, I would’ve died many times over.

I am contemplating on going back to what I love doing and pursuing another thing that is of great interest to me. Am I ready financially, definitely not but I don’t think I can last longer than 6 months. I’m just completing the 6th month for reference purposes.

God, once in media will be always in media?

Lift Sink on Myx

My friends (and colleagues) in my former company have formed a group called Lift Sink. They will be seen on Myx on May 1 so do watch out for them.

'Stunning'

I guess this is the best compliment I’ve ever received in my life—so far--(well, aside from the ones given to me as a writer and an employee). And what makes it really nice is it came from a guy. Cheesy…but hey, every girl needs some dose of it, right? Nice. Nice Monday morning.

Just got a new haircut, put a little make-up on and donned a new dress (yes, I now wear a dress). Well, it just boosts my ego and I don’t want to forget this day even if the compliment didn’t come from the guy I like (well, he already complimented me last week but I haven’t had my hair done that time).

It just feels good. Hehehe.

Work....

What do you do when there is so much work on your table and yet you cannot finish anything at all? You just want to go home because you’re pretty sure you will be more productive in the comforts of your bed. You are sure that you will finish all this work with a more encouraging environment, with pretty sights like your pets chasing each other around the house instead of a burning hell of an office you are in.

At your table, you just want to sneak in reading the book “He’s just not into you” instead of researching about some numbing tool a client needs. It feels more exciting answering the messages of your officemate who seems to like you (and you really like) than burying yourself into this useless work you end up doing.

In times like this, you just want to get hitched and raise kids instead of dealing with people you don’t particularly enjoy seeing each day.

Life sometimes is a bitch. And in case you still don’t know, it also sucks...