Sad :(

In this posting I will try to avoid the use of the pronoun.  

Let’s just call this person Orange as reference. I was just being myself when I choose to reject the apparent developing relationship with Orange.  I was thinking of the possible heartaches I will be dealing if Orange leaves the Kingdom of the Sands in five months’ time.  I kept my distance and avoided intimacy.  Orange never suspected anything strange for the past weeks.

I was surprised last Sunday morning when Orange told me that they (I’m avoiding using pronoun again) along those who complained to the Saudi Labor Office are being sent home.  Orange asked to see me for the last time that evening.  I was busy assisting the training the whole day but rushed home to see Orange.  We talked a lot and I advised Orange (again avoiding the pronoun) that should they reach Manila, they should just go back to their respective hometowns.   What they were planning was to log a complaint to the POEA and the DOLE against the agent that sent them for contract violation.  I told Orange that filing a case and waiting for the case resolution would just be a waste of time and money.  The best thing that they could do is to, as I’ve suggested, go home, take the needed rest and reapply for another job elsewhere in the world.

After we ate our dinner, I let Orange go.  When Orange left, I just couldn’t express how I felt.  Sadness filled my heart but on the other hand, happy because Orange can finally leave hell.  The following day was not better either.  Today’s day three and I’m still sad.  I am beginning to think that I really love Orange. 

I told D and Nilo about it and they just said arte lang iyan LOL.

Forcing yourself on people

“You don’t force yourself on people.  If you do, you have a void in your life that you want to fill… and that’s sad.” 

I don’t force myself on people.  I've already come to a point where I’m tired of pleasing others.  I've been through hell and back and if today is the last day of my existence, I will not spend it pleasing others who do not care about me.  Don’t get me wrong though.  I’m not mean and I don’t want to be mean to people who did not do anything to me.  If I can get rid and cut ties with some of my family members, it’ll be easier to cut ties with people whom I just met here in the Kingdom of the Sands.

I don’t force myself on people because I don’t owe my existence to them.  It was thanks to God, and my parents that I was born in this world.  The lifestyle, monies, savings and all the goods that come to me are because of the company that I’m working for.  If I’m doing well with my career, they’re all thanks to my bosses and my hard work.  I’ve always prayed to God that I’ll be generous and I think, in my own way, I am.  And by the way, whatever I’m enjoying today could also be taken away, I just don’t know when, but since I’m in Saudi Arabia, that’s the main reason why I’m always preparing for the worst.

I just have one advice to whoever you are, you can’t bring me down.  I’ve seen worst, I’ve been through hell and what you are doing and what you can do is nothing compared to what I’ve been through.  I’m a survivor.  Your words and actions can’t hurt me. I’m made of stone.  If you have pride, show it and don’t be selective.  Just so you remember: You often forget your pride once it is convenient to you.

The man in the mirror

Girl Abunda, host of ABiaS CBN show, would often ask his guests the corniest question in the world, that is ‘What do you see when you look at the mirror?’  I admit, I don’t watch ABiaS CBNs shows as a choice but in a sense, we really could not ignore the intensity of that question.

I called BB (for Black Berry because he’s dark skinned) earlier and I told him the feedback from the people he works with.  There are people who do not really like the way he interacts with them.  To them he’s arrogant.  He was very defensive when I told him that he sent me several emails explaining his side after we talked.  He also said that he does not care how other people’s impression in him and that they’re just envious of him.  He even said that if they’re really interested in his current position, they can have it, he does not care.

I told him that I don’t mean for him to be offended when I called him.  I just want him to realize that as a person, we really do not know how people see us.  In my case, I don’t know that I could be very arrogant, rude and sarcastic at times.  I don’t know that but that is how people view me.  That’s why I told BB to reflect and the best question he could ask himself is of course, ‘What will he tell to that man in the mirror?’

I told him that I’m a survivor.  I’ve learned it early on since growing up without my parents around is very difficult.  If I wasn’t tough, I wouldn’t survive.  In a way, being tough taught me how to be independent and to fend for myself.  That explains why I really do not want people to trample upon me and in any argument or fighting; I always win whether I’m right or wrong.  There was a point in my life that I was also like BB, very defensive and would not admit mistakes.  It would take a lot of time and maturity before we became mature.  In my case, the near death experience made me realized that I’m no superhuman.  If I’m unwell, I’m nothing and it was a life changing experience for me.  It made me stronger but softer at the same time.  I can now handle the meanest criticism without being bothered about it. 

BBs a friend and I want him to get along with the people he’s working with.  To stay and grow in a company, you have to learn how to get along with people.  I know that he has a future in his current role and if he’s matured enough, he’ll be able to achieve whatever he aims to achieve.  Kaya nga lang, I know that it’ll take a lot of counseling for him to grow up.  If he’ll just open his mind and learn to listen to my advice, he’s on his way to the ladder of success.

Is this a good way start the year?

There were numerous rumors regarding our insurance coverage for 2013 but there were just murmurs until everyone received the policy.  It was sent yesterday morning and yes, it was a bomb and it blasted.  Words were spread like wildfire, calls were made and exchanges of opinions took placed.  Oming of Strategy thought of drafting a petition which were sent all over the company.  Everyone signed except for those who wanted to protect their relationship with their direct superior who approved the insurance proposal for 2013.

In the new insurance coverage, employees have to subsidize 20%.  Gone are the days when we enjoyed full coverage.  This is the first time that our company made this decision and people were all surprised.  The sad thing is, not all employees in our company are well paid and can afford in subsidizing the insurance coverage.  The new insurance scheme came out as ‘COLD’ and ‘UNFEELING’ on the part of those who made the decision.  I know that cost were the main consideration why they came up with that decision. 

As an HR Professional, I believe that HR should have been consulted before the scheme was approved since their decision will affect the employees.  Consultations should have been made especially on the effects of their decision.  The decision to close down an insurance deal should never been delegated to people who counts NUMBERS and MONEY because we’re dealing with people.  People have feelings and emotions, NUMBERS and MONEY have none.  However, if that’s the decision of the decision maker, I will bow to their decision.

As an employee however, I think I have the right to know how they came up with the decision.  So, like the rest of the employees, I signed the petition.  Is this a good way to start the year?