Crossroads

My son has been sick on and off for the past 3 weeks, we've brought him to the doctor every time and  been told that his fever is due to his perennial cough and colds. I don't know if it is related, but last week we rushed him to the doctor due to an infection called balanitis. This kind of infection is common to the male gender and can happen at any age according to the Pedia who saw him. Plus the fact that he has colds and a bit of cough again. But wait...there's more... Now exactly a week from the time that we rushed him to the hospital, he has high grade fever and I don't have the heart to leave him with people I don't really know well enough while I go to work. Besides even if I reported for work, I know my mind will always be with my baby boy.

This brings me to a couple of decisions which literally tears me apart...first, should i leave my current job and find  work that does not require me to be physically present in the office? second, should we continue with the suspended procedure that my son needs? (under http://ofwifediary.blogspot.com/2010/11/to-remove-or-not-remove.html) we've parked that temporarily for some odd reason or another. 

The latter is something that needs to be done A.S.A.P. but leaving my job will be such a hard decision. Why? I don't want my company to think that Filipino women are that way and at the same time I would not want my children to feel that their mom is always at work at a time they need me most. Hence, I face this dilemma every single day...for the past 3 weeks. Back in the Philippines it was easier for me to leave my kids home even if they're sick as my kids have a nanny to take care of them in my absence. A nanny who takes care of them the way I do. I noticed that my son has always been sick since I started working and since I started leaving him at the day care. 

Aaaargh! Now I face my crossroads...should I or should I not?....with the Lord's help and the guidance of the Holy Spirit I pray for an answer...

Of rice cookers and Allen

I guess my children have my "funny bones"... earlier this evening while bathing my children with warm water, my son Alloy suddenly said "I feel warm already." My youngest son who always wants to have the last say, said "ako, cook" (normally this would be "cooked") but he meant it as "cook" literally. Then I suddenly realised that the reason why he said so is because he has our rice cooker in mind. Remember the "cook" and "warm" indicator? I almost peed on my pants from laughing so hard!

Icing on the cake

I had such a bad day today and to think that it is my birthday... if I could only turn back the hands of time I would have gone ahead and do it. It's no use crying over spilt milk though and there is no other way to move but forward. I know I am speaking in riddles but for now all I want to do is forget that this day ever happened. I received a cake though from my Ramada family...one of the manager's surprised me with this yummy yummy cake! All I can think of now is "All's well that ends well..." thank you for the present sir! My kids and husband enjoyed the special treat! 

If the shoe fits

Yey! Got my first paycheck yihee! And since it's my birthday today I treated myself by buying a new pair of shoes. I so love it!!! It was on sale and since this brand is something that I can't afford to buy in the Philippines I just went ahead and bought it. Yipee!!!

Work Ethics

Last week our General Manager called me to his office... naturally this made me nervous, being new to the company. I asked his secretary why I was wanted by our GM and all she could say was "just be yourself". The moment I entered the room, I was met by a local lady and another man...the big boss then introduced me to them as "our new and efficient Filipina staff, this lady is an asset to our company!" I felt awkward and yet overwhelmed  by the outpouring of praise from nonetheless the boss of all bosses. 

All I know is that whatever I am applying in my current job is the result of all the vast and rich experience I have acquired from previous companies I have worked for, all the good managers who have nurtured me with good work ethics, and parents who have taught me well.

I know the pressure will be hard as there are expectations that I need to meet; I need to be consistent with my work and if there should be any changes then it should always be for the better. Because as I mentioned in  my article "I will survive", I do not only represent the values that my parents taught me, but I also represent the Filipino people as well. 

Selling like hotcakes

Yesterday I made more than a dozen pancakes as requested by my children. Since last week I have been cooking home made pancakes for them as I discovered of late that it is less expensive than buying a box of hotcake mix. While 1/4 kilo of pancake mix costs around 6 to 7 riyal in the supermarket, 5 kilos of flour costs only 6 riyal which can go a long long way as compared to the latter. Even my husband, who hardly eats pancakes instantly became a fan!! :)

Yummy!

I will survive...

"First I was afraid, I was petrified..." it's that part of Gloria Gaynor's song that reverberated in my mind when I took the first step and applied for work at Ramada. When I got that first call from the hotel asking me if I was interested in applying for an HR assistant post, although I said "Yes", in my mind, I asked myself over and over again if it is something that I am prepared to do. I have no background in HR only friends employed in the HR department in my previous work. And you can't even put that in your resume' right? :)  But that's all water under the bridge...

Now I can finally say "I will survive...", the job although tedious, is something I look forward to doing everyday. I am an "organising freak", a certified OC... and it's a good thing that my boss likes the way I work. For me that is enough, at least I know that I am in the right direction. But I got to one realisation the other day, when my boss told me that he needs another staff who can help me in our department. He said I changed his mind and he wants to hire another Filipina. For me that is such a big word, because it is not only an acknowledgement of a job well done but something else. I realised that the kind of work I give will not only benefit me and my family but Filipinos as well. As long as I give them my 100% I know there would be more job opportunities for my kababayans. My boss gave me the upperhand to hire and choose among those I feel would contribute to the company, and among the 5 phone calls I made. One made a difference. I felt a tug at my heartstrings she was the only candidate who did not ask me about the salary offer. She was more concerned about company expectation and about the work she will be handling. For me she is a good candidate for the post. I want someone who can work with the same deep understanding and compassion. I know I made the right decision because my heart tells me so. Sometimes the heart can give you strong emotions that lead you to the right answer... So to my new colleague goodluck and see you tomorrow!