TELETECH! APPLY FOR A JOB NOW!

INTERESTED ON BECOMING PART OF TELETECH?

Just send me your resume now at ambafrica@yahoo.com

Subject: teletech application

Include also which site you want to work in: LIPA, ROXAS, BACOLOD, ETC.
plus the position you intend on applying for: CSR, TSR, TL, COACH, ETC.

There are a lot of vacancies right now and career advancements are rampant, so get started now!

;p

Alive yet not living

I'm alive yet I miss living.

In a few hours, it'll be Monday once more. Another day, another week. Another mundane life ahead. Some things have changed and I did felt excitement. But then again it revolved around work still. I am thankful for the blessings I have been receiving lately. And I know I'm not in the position to ask for more. Despite my shortcomings, I plea with the big guy way upstairs to have mercy.

I'm tired. I've been feeling exhausted lately. I don't smoke and I haven't gotten drunk in a long, long time. Still, I feel intoxicated with life's sorrows. I want to scream, I want to shout. I want everyone to know I'm not alright.

But they'll ask, "Why shouldn't you be?"

I have no answer aside from an annoying, “because…”. Yep, an ellipsis, my life has been full of those lately. I don’t know… I don’t know where to go… I don’t know where I should be or how things should be. But I’m still here, going through life. Alive yet not truly living.

I miss the party, I miss the companion. I miss the friends that are now seemingly from a distant world. It’s like I reside in a part of the earth where blocks of ice prevent people from enjoying the sunlight or appreciating the stars and the moon above. It’s unfair but then maybe it is I who tips the scale.

I miss how my own sweat drizzled from my forehead and blocked my vision temporarily. Because I know that the moment I pull my shirt against it, something awaits – a ball soaring waiting to be caught, another dance move waiting to be learned. Life was beautiful and life should stay that way. Getting high, that’s what I miss most. And there’s nothing more exhilarating than the elevation I get when I push myself, when I’m in haste.

But for now, I live this dogged life. Never changing, never exciting. Oh, it’s Monday already. Cool.

Make the shoe fit!

I remember the first time I applied for a higher position in our company. I recall saying to myself that I'll only do it for fun. In fact, I just wanted to experience how it was to apply - how it was to be grilled by the other bosses. Yeah, I got what I wanted - just plain experience.

I knew I wasn't going to be accepted. I was just out of nesting back then. Just a few weeks after being regularized. I don't suppose they'll hire a fresh college grad with no previous work experience to handle a team - lead, inspire, devote.

But then the interview took place. It was more than I could have ever imagined. There were questions that were out of this world. Maybe because the interviewers themselves seem to be from beyond this earth. Haha. And then it hit me, I could really do this job.

So there I was, confident- thinking I did well. Heck, better than the applicants who were much older than I was. Still, I kept telling everyone that I know I'm not going to be promoted. Yet, deep down... deep, deep down, my heart whispers its desires. I aspired to be a team leader.

Then there it was. The day they announced who the new team leader was. Of course it wasn't me. Why would they entrust me of such position? I know I was ready for the responsibility, but was I ready to mingle with this new clique?

Months have passed and there I was - bored beyond measure. I don't know why I'm still there, taking calls. Repetitive. Repetitive. Repetitive. There came a point where I developed an annoyance of what I do. The days and months drifted away mocking me of my robotic existence. I wasn't challenged anymore. But then again, even as doors opened up every now and then, I did nothing. I was no longer interested in applying for anything. It seemed like it was a dead end for me.

Outside the company, opportunities kept on knocking. At first, I hurried to them with glee. Yet, something seems to be not working for me. I drag my feet to interviews and exams. I wanted to do everything. I wanted to write, to teach, to excel. But the minute an offer comes within my grasp, I feel a longing to postpone it.

Then there it was, during my most mundane shift. I was walking around the floor thinking of something to liven up my work. I went to my then team leader to ask her for any updates. Nothing new there.

Then there he was, the account's trainer, asking me to pass a resume and an internal application. It seems like they were looking for applicants when my previous team leader (which is now to become Manager) recommended me for the job. No problem. I filled out the form for a new "ride".

I felt excited. Another application. A chance to stimulate my brain and show them what I got. I just wish this time, the challenge was worth the effort. The next day after filing my application, the trainer approached my station 2 hours before my shift ends asking me till what time I'll be taking calls.

Umm, 6am...

Good, you'll have a demo by 6am.

Ahh, okay...

Training room 2, boracay

tug... tug... thug... thug... dug, dug, dug, dug... my heart was raising as hell... What can I possibly demo about? God, God, God... With a 15minute break left before my demo, I was able to conjure a presentation about ta-dah! PRIVATIZING PRISONS - not the most enticing subject in the world but what the hell...

Oh, and did I mention? It was my birthday then... Happy Birthday to me...

Days passed and I heard nothing from them. How did it go, how did it go? Argh, I'm going to lose my mind for sure.

...to be continued...

Verification

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

This is just a verification for mybloglog...
Check my profile there: posham

The morning after

"Being with you was like throwing up after getting drunk. It feels blissful pouring everything out.. But afterwards, you'll wake up realizing that you spent the whole night hugging the toilet."

"Being with you surpasses the trance-like joy tequila brings, until I realized that I can't stop throwing up."

Whoever this is for, don't feel bad. Note that eventhough there's truth in this. We still come back for more.

Harhar! I wrote these for a friend who just had a heartbreak or maybe just realized that the reason for her pain was moronic. HAHA!

City in Crisis, Youngblood INQ

Got published in The Philippine Daily Inquirer at last... hahaha...

I don't know if I can repost it here so here's the link instead.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080506-134767/City_in_crisis

Last Sundown

If tonight's the night all comes to an end, will it be a shame?

If this cold breeze above my bed be the last thing I breathe, will everything remain the same?

If I leave tonight the world that nourished my dreams, will the earth consume not only me but also my life's aspirations? Why not? There's no point of keeping thoughts alive as the brain withers away with the body that protected it and unfortunately kept it imprisoned at the same time.

If tonight's the night, there's no point in arguing, no more reason to regret unrealized accomplishments. For no longer is the mind restricted to the fear of a worldly thinker hiding cowardly behind a safe smile

But if these stars dictate that I need to go, will they give me time for things left unsaid? For bright as they may be in the sky, they're still dim compared to the twinkle of a certain someone's eyes.

I know tonight's not that night for I have a myriad things undone. And though I to the universe is but a single grain of sand, I know the waves will labour constantly just to return me safely to shore.

Love the Earth You’re In

Earlier this morning, I earned more than two thousand steps walking from the office to our house. Rather than feeling fit and renewed, I felt that my new found regimen was actually hazardous to my health. Then, I realized, I was better off riding the jeepney on the way home.

Setting aside the peril of crazy motorists in a world deprived of pedestrian lanes and side walks, I found myself playing hide and seek with the scorching sun though it was barely pass six o’clock in the morning. That’s okay, I can manage. Instead of dealing with vitamin C offered by the mighty sun, I opted to utilize my hooded jacket and just attempted to ignore the bystanders curious of my out-of-place fashion pick. That’s right, I don’t need the C right now, I have supplements at home – I just had carcinogens for breakfast.

And if the sun’s rays are not enough, the streets offer another recipe for cancer – smoke. Yes, smoke belchers reign over the street putting the over population of China to shame. And to think that I live in one of the relatively greener cities in the country, I can’t imagine having to walk from Buendia to Gil Puyat without my trusty handkerchief (I tried this once and kids, don’t try this at home). I don’t know why we let them get away with this. It’s like robbery in broad daylight. The policemen charged motorists all the time with bending existing and non-existent rules ranging from not putting your seatbelts on to not following an invisible traffic sign. Then why can’t the law against smoke belchers be upheld? I know we have one somewhere between the gazillion bills and rules that our legislators passed.

All right, I can still tolerate the smoke. My hands are enough to cover my nose and mouth in one swift motion since I have long abandoned the use of handkerchiefs. Doing just that, I was able to get rid of the stinky smell from the surrounding and the silent poisoning care of carbon monoxide and other harmful gasses.

What now? Oh, did I forget to mention particulates? No, this is not merely the “pollen bodies” that triggered your asthma and kept you sneezing for hours. Forget about trying to block them with your hands because preventing them to enter your pipes will just leave you gasping for air. These minute matter enter your body without warning causing the mightiest of the lungs to bow down and disintegrate over time. Not bad for such tiny particles, huh? Another case of David beats Goliath only in this case, millions or probably billions of Davids entering your body and making you sick. But hey, who’s counting?

I know there are plenty of other environmental risks posing danger to our incredibly vulnerable body. However, I’m no longer aware of any other immediate threat that everyday brings. And so does billions of people around the world. Those who had grown so accustomed to the filthy air and infested waters no longer pay attention not knowing that those were causing our withering health. And that ignorance poses the biggest threat – the apathy that the majority expressed is detrimental to the entire population. But I have a dream, that one day, white radiation and black pollution will walk hand in hand and leave me free to roam not just the street I walk but the only earth I know.

Alexis Marian Africa
www.posham.blogspot.com
www.walk-a-ton.blogspot.com
Lipa City, Philippines

“If trees could speak, they would cry out that since they are not the cause of war, it is wrong for them to bear its penalties” - quoted

How my face broke my fall…

How my face broke my fall…

There I was, minding my own business, speeding down the slope when my pants caught up with the bike’s chains. My mind was racing even faster than gravity’s pull. But there was no escaping the inevitable. Einstein or whoever discovered gravity was wrong; there was no constant formula for free fall. Not that it was wilfully schemed. For in those milliseconds, I was able to conjure a whole different scenario reaching as far back as agreeing to take over the ride, as far back as deciding to stay after the meal, beyond deciding to say ‘yes’ to an invitation for a morning in the park. All those thoughts, all those feelings and eagerness to join in a special day lead to something memorable in a way I never deemed it to be.

It all started with the news of a colleague facing charges that might earn him the pink slip in our company. This guy is the one whom we abased, at first, during times that we were ignorant of what he is, the person that he is. A mistake that was easily surpassed by time. We, of course started there together, learned as a wave but he was longer than any of us in that company’s relatively new site.

Going back, as we tried to decide what to pursue next, the crocodile’s nest or the human maze, a friend of mine handed me a bike, the one I that I was too sleepy to rent in the first place. But hey, it’s there, it’s fun, so why not, right?

The first few rounds were uneventful, we just went around in circles until genius decided to break it up and explore the park. Then, I followed David because he was first in line and got the hang of it. I pedalled so hard which seemed effortlessly at the time that a few minutes later, I was ahead of him. Then, without any rational thought present in my brilliant brain, I went ahead and chased an automobile. And if that wasn’t crazy enough, I continued with all the speed I can muster down the slippy concrete cement - all that using a ragged bike with no body shield disregarding the fact that I had no sleep the previous night leaving me with no defences whatsoever.

And then it happened. All hell broke lose as my pants tangled up with the chains. Inevitably, the bike lost controls as the pedal and back tire froze together with my heartbeat. Luckily for my heart, it was just temporarily – brought about by the excitement of the “situation”. I thought about how it would end. Pondered on how I should fall. Rewinding the events even slipped my mind. But then it hit me, there are sets of eyes less than a great distance from where I stood or whatever you want to term it. I wondered how their faces looked like as they witness mine sweep the ground.

And it happened. It pricked but I guess the pain was overwhelmed by the emotion. It may sound like absurd but I kinda liked it. The pain, the fear, the excitement – it made me feel alive. Like out of the mundane soiree, I had thrilling rendezvous with the earth! Not in the way that I brushed with death because all my face got to brush up against was some grass and gravel but it was the sweetest “mudpie” I had in months.

Of course it was awkward. Not to mention that I had to commute and walk home with blood stains on my pants. Not that it was really noticeable that half of my pure white jacket was smudged by mud. It didn’t even bother me that when I got home, my mom had this look saying “what else is new?” from all the times I went home with bruises and cuts all over. But still, there was something that can ruin a great experience. Indeed, I realized fun was over when I needed to clean up, and the hydrogen peroxide seemed more like acid burning through my skin followed by the stinging sensation found only in betadine. With that, I remembered, to be careful the next time.

23 Feb 2008, Bluroze Farms

Happy Heart's day!

The moon shone one snowy eve and asked the stars around him a simple question:

"Anyone elses heart breaking at this very moment?"

A blue star just below him dimmed it's light and tried to veer away from the discussion..
But the moon was persistent, he lowered his head and asked the star:

"What's your story?"

The star looked away and whispered,

"Well, I handed it to my friend and I told him to hold it for a while because I was trying to open the new safe i built (the combination was really tough to code, you know). he was looking at it and walked around the room for a while. but then my heart was uneasy and he lost grip.. so it broked.. there.."

The moon turned around and gave way to the rising sun, and the star mourned in solitude.

Volunteerism: A Path to Fulfillment

Volunteerism: A Path to Fulfillment

By Alexis Marian Africa

Volunteerism is widespread throughout the world. Countless people driven by altruism seek to take action in order to help those in need. Certainly, a simple smile from a deprived family or a sick kid wipes away the exhaustion a volunteer feels. However, in terms of environmental volunteerism, the pay-off is subtle to the eye. This is where genuine selflessness comes in. And the earth has a funny approach when it comes to rewards.

The organization of choice for this article is the GREENPEACE International. This is a non-profit organization that caters to the needs of mother earth by focusing on the “world’s most crucial threat to our planet’s biodiversity and environment”. Established in 1971, Greenpeace poses as earth’s voice and fights to stop climate change, protect ancient forests, save the oceans, stop whaling, say no to genetic engineering, stop the nuclear threat and so on.

Before I joined this organization, I pictured myself going to the field and doing the dirty but rewarding dirty work. With this thought, I couldn’t wait to start and save the world! However, in my first week of membership, I learned that I could do so much for the environment even in the comfort of my own home. That’s right! Thanks to technological advances in telecommunication, I could easily come to the rescue to an ancient forests miles and miles away!

That was in fact the first action I have accomplished. Through electronic mail, I was able to communicate to an international company my disgust on how they destroy nature for profit. The company in question is the Kimberly-Clark, the producer of Kleenex tissue. Because of unethical practices done by Kimberly-Clark, Greenpeace decided to mobilize concerned people in order to make the former understand the detriments of their production. The campaign aims to put a stop in the mindless flushing of ancient forests down the toilet.

Aside from being a cyber activist, there are a lot of other ways to assist Greenpeace to help the planet. First, you can make a donation in order to facilitate different activities. Second, you can be a field volunteer. They will train you to ensure you do the right job for the right thing. In addition, most of their employees started out as volunteers. Third, you can help spread the word (like what I’m pretty much doing) so that more and more people will get involved. Fourth, share your thoughts and ideas! They will surely listen to your concern. Lastly, if you really want to make volunteerism your vocation, work for them! There’s nothing more rewarding than doing something that makes a difference and having the job you love!

Don’t just take my word for it! Visit their site right now!

Greenpeace.org

Ibang Klaseng Hang Over

Ibang klaseng Hang Over
Ni Alexis Marian Africa

Nakapagtataka. Sa dami ng nainom ko kagabi, himala yata at wala akong hang-over. Teka, nasaan na nga ba ako? Ah, nandito lang pala sa may kanto. Ayos din ‘tong sina Tisoy ah, ‘di man lang ako hinatid hanggang bahay. Nakatulog lang ako sa tsikot n'ya, iniwan na lang ata ako dito basta. Peste naman o, maglalakad pa ko.

Hayyy, nalasing siguro ng husto ang mga gago.

Sabagay, marami na rin namang katuwaang naranasan tuwing nag-iinuman kami. Hahaha, katuwaan pa? Sabihin mo, kalokohan! Wala na talagang sasaya pa, kapag pinapainit ng toma ang aming samahan. Tama na nga ‘to. Dramachine na naman ako. Hay, hirap naman kasi magsalita mag-isa.

Uy, bukas na ang tindahan ni Aling Pepang. Makapag-yosi kaya muna? Malayo-layong lakarin din ‘to eh.

Aling Pepang! Pagbilhan ninyo nga ako ng yosi! Yung dati pa rin, salamat!

Aling Pepang naman eh, puro kayo TV! Por que humahaba na listahan ko sa inyo, ‘di n’yo na ko pinapansin. ‘Wag kayong mag-alala, bayaran ko lahat yan pagdating ng pasukan. Kayo naman o, 'la pa lang akong baon ngayon.

Hay naku, bakit ‘pag kay kuya Rolly, abot agad kayo. Eh mas bigats naman ako dun!

Asan na nga pala kaya ‘tong si kuya? Kala ko hahabol siya sa inuman kagabi? Kasi naman, inuna pa mga pa-party party niya eh. Siguradong doon pa lang eh lasing na yun. Lakas kasi tumagay eh, kala mo sa kanya lang umiikot ang baso.

Teka, uuwi na ba ‘ko? Makabili kaya muna ng load at maitext si Shirley? Kamusta na kaya yung babaeng yun… Ang KJ naman kasi eh, ‘di pa sumama. Lungkot tuloy. Finals daw… Pa-summer-summer classes pa kasi.

Ayaw makinig sakin. ‘Wag ng mag-aral, nakakasira lang ng barkada yan! Hehehe… Bugoy! Pero sabagay, dapat sabay kami grumaduate ‘nun ah…

Naku, wala pala ‘kong pera. Naiwan ko ata wallet ko sa kotse nina Tisoy. Malas naman. Kay Mommy na lang ako makikitext. **cha naman o, ‘di rin pala ‘ko makakabili ng yosi. Makauwi na nga.

Hay salamat, nakarating din sa wakas. Ano ba naman ‘tong si Inday, iniwan na namang bukas ‘yung gate. Hirap pa naman ng panahon ngayon, ‘la ka ng mapagkakatiwalaan. Pwedeng malasin ka na lang ng bigla-biglaan.

Bah! Daddy! Himala ‘ata nasa bahay kayo ngayon. Mukang nakalibre kayo sa office ah? Hehehe… kala ko dun na kayo nakatira. Sabi ko naman sa inyo dad, tutulungan na namin kayo ni kuya sa business natin. Hindi lang naman alcohol ang dumadaloy sa kokote namin eh. Lalo na ngayon at konting tiis na lang, baka magtapos na ko sa kolehiyo. Tamang-tama yun. Trabaho sa umaga, toma sa gabi. Ayos ba yun dad?

Hay naku, simangot pa rin si erpats, parang walang narinig ah. Nakakatanggal talaga siguro ng sense of humor ang trabaho. Buti na lang at extended ako sa kolehiyo…

Tina! Tina! Asan ka bang bata ka? Kanina ka pa tinatawag ni daddy! Hoy!

Puntahan ko na po sa kwarto, baka nagkukulong na naman yun. Pasensya nga po pala at inumaga na naman. Hay, heto na naman po kami, ‘di na naman ako kikibuin…

TINA! TINA! TINA! HOY!

And’yan ka lang pala sa kwarto, ayaw mo pang sumagot! Nagkukulong ka na naman d’yan! Konting tukso lang ng mga kalaro mo, iyak ka na kagad! Lampa ka talaga.

O, dad! Sabi ko sa inyo, nandito lang ‘tong batang ‘to eh.

Ha? Ano? Ospital? Bakit andun si kuya at si mommy? Naaksidente ba si kuya? Ba’t naman walang nagsabi sakin? Pambihira naman o! Ano na’ng lagay niya? Sige, dumiretso na kayo dun, maliligo lang ako at susunod na ‘ko. Grabe.

Ano kayang nangyari kay kuya? Kaya siguro hindi na siya nakasunod sa hacienda. Dapat kasi hindi na siya dumayo ng inuman sa malate, delikado kasi dun.

Naman ‘tong si Inday o, kanina pa yung doorbell, ayaw pang pagbuksan. Lahat na lang ba ng bagay dito, ako ang gagawa? Leche naman o.

Eh ako na rin kaya magluto noh?!

K-kuya? Anong ginagawa mo dito? Kala ko nasa ospital kayo ni mommy? Kuya, magsalita ka! Anong nangyari kay mommy? Sabihin mo sakin. Ano bang problema mo!?! Karipas ka kagad sa TV! Yan na naman aatupagin mo, kita mong kinakausap ka ng tao!

O, ano? Ba’t tulala ka dyan? Kaw din Inday, puro kayo TV! Wala ng mababago dyan sa balita! Wala na kayong magagawa at leche talaga ang panahon ngayon. Puro walang kwenta nilalabas sa news…

Anak ng tinapa! Mga ganang balita, dapat ‘di na pinapakita sa TV. Baka magulintang mga batang nanonood niyan. Teka, kotse ni Tisoy yan ah…