Random Thoughts

In one way or another, I always plan ahead… not for everything but at least for my career and my family’s future.  It’s usually not a definitive plan, but just trying to look ahead what I wanna achieve in 3-5 years or sometimes 10 years.  Some says that you shouldn’t put a timeline with your goals  because it makes you disappointed and discouraged if you do not achieve them within the set timeframe.  For me,  I think timeline is important but its should be realistic.  I usually write my goals with the corresponding target year/s and how I am going to work for it.  That way, I see clearly what are the obstacles and constraints that I will encounter along the way and if the timeframe is realistic.

Right now, I am focusing on one goal…I want myself to be my own boss!!!  I am giving myself 15 years (from now) for this but I want to achieve it in less than 15 years because I don’t think I’d like to remain an employee for the next 15 years.  I am not sure yet, how I will achieve it but I do have have some ideas already.  I’ve read some books and I keep on reading more and  I continue to expand my network and learn for those who succeed already.  If after 15 years I’m still employed and hadn’t fulfilled my goals, I will work harder and have more perseverance….eventually, I know I will be successful.

According to my boss, the 44-hour work week was already approved! Next week would probably be our last 48-hour work week.  It’s not so bad after all!

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The applicant with the zodiac sign was called-in for an interview. But it’s not because of the zodiac sign (btw, she’s a Filipino); she is really qualified for the job and the two other applicant was not considered because when our American Engineer conducted a preliminary interview over the phone, he couldn’t understand these two South Asians. Hahahahaha!!!! 

I’m not racist… In fact, being an Asian and a Filipino, I experience discrimination to some extent.  But honestly, I’d prefer to work with other nationalities! Hahahahahahaha! I’m sure yong mga nasa Middle East nakakarelate!  As my friend says…"Nina, I have nothing against them but I really couldn’t stand them." I agree, 100%.

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Been busy lately and not able to write anything.  I think most people are busy as very few blogs have been posted lately.  So what’s going on with me?… Let’s see…

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I moved to a different workstation in our Office.  It’s silly but I moved because I read that I should be facing west when working in order to balance the negative and positive energy.  My new place is actually less private and a bit noisy at times but I think it’s better because it’s brighter and I get more natural lighting.

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For the record, I haven’t eaten rice since I started my so-called "diet."   I think I’m doing good on that part.  But after the drastic weight loss in the first two weeks, my weight remained constant.  Probably because I haven’t been really strict on carbs and sugar after the fisrt two weeks and my body have adjusted already plus I really need to work out.  Sure, I try to avoid carbs and sugar but sometimes, I can’t help it. How can I resist a "megamelt ensaymada" and "suman" if the last time I had it was one and half years ago?

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Would you hire an applicant based on zodiac sign?  I asked this because we just received a resume with a zodiac sign specified….it’s so weird.  I don’t think I’ll ever put my zodiac sign in my resume

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I wasn’t able to watch Atlantika tonight and I don’t think we’ll have signal until Saturday because tomorrow is weekend!  Grrrrrr………….. We explained to the st*p*d customer service, that there could have been a problem with the auto debit payment but he told us there’s no problem and we’ll have the signal in 20 minutes!  It’s been hours and there’s still no signal! I think, he didn’t want to attend to our call because it was closing time already when we called.  Grrrr…………..

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YM is now banned at the office and the site was banned also… can’t  download it during weekends…Huhuhuhuhuh!!!

I told myself that I’ll be conscious of my spendings beginning January 2007 so I can save for a future project I was planning!  But the year started with shoes and bags sale. hehehehhehe…  Can’t help it, I bought a pair of slippers.  Isn’t it a big savings when it’s 50% off?

It used to be P54 to a dollar 2-3 years ago, P5 more for every dollar.  Lower exchange rate makes shopping cheaper when converted to Peso.  But it can be expensive the other way around because you now need more $ for the same amount of peso. Just a thought!

I wrote this blog sometime last week but decided not to publish it because it contains a lot of whining about my company.  But I can’t help it.  I am starting to get upset at the office and I want to express my frustration!  You can skip this blog, if you find the contents not interesting!

Yesterday, I e-mailed my boss to ask if we’re on with the 44-hours work week.  I also told him, I will resume my work on the 7th.  I think it’s fine not to come back to work until the 7th.  He replied to everyone, with other things.  The highlights of his e-mail:

1. The 44-hour work week has not been approved yet
2. Salary increases has not been finalized but it will surely be included in pay ending-January.
3. The 12 days holiday for 2007 will be 3 days for EID Al-Adha (January), 4 days for Ramadan (8 hours per week for 4 weeks in Sepetember/October), 3 days for EID Al-Fitr (October) and 2 days for EID Al-Adha (December).

Item No. 1

My boss mentioned before that the target implementation of 44-hour work week is January 1.  The idea is to work 44 hours but making sure that it is 44 billable hours.  When I entered into consulting,  I didn’t have an idea that consulting firms are like law firms…that revenues will come from every hour that the consultants/lawyers put in; thus, every hour is so precious for me and my company…it matters when you put in overhead hours because every overhead hour is a loss of revenue.

I’m quite disappointed when I knew that we’re still 48 hours per week! Now that it hasn’t been approved yet, I have a feeling that chances of implementing it would be slimmer.  I am really looking forward into it.  Four hours mean a lot to me…I can take lunch break and still go at home at 6 PM or go home at 5 PM without lunch break.  1 hour for four days…Gosh, I can go home early, I won’t get caught in the traffic which is getting worse day by day. I can do a lot of things in those 4 hours.  48 hours sqeezed in 5 days is quite a lot of hours per day and mind you, we are encouraged to put in 48 billable hours….that excludes general overhead work, office trainings, office meetings, etc.  I have to admit that by thursday, I really don’t have the energy to work anymore.

Item No. 2

I will not whine about my salary…not yet… even if inexperienced people is getting more than I do.  I really do not expect a huge increase.  Last year, people got about 2-4% increase.  What I am really looking forward to is the salary standarization.  I just hope it will happen this year.  But my haunch is that even if standardization happens this year, it will be implemented in January 2008 to save money in 2007.

Item No. 3

The Labor law provides 12 days of holiday per year, 3 days of which is for Eid Al-Fitr and 3 days for Eid Al-Adha.  Qatar Independence Day is normally a holiday.  The rest is decided by the company.  In 2005 and 2006, our Office declared Christmas as a holiday (most American or European companies do that). 

The law also provides that during Ramadan, workers are required to work only 6 hours per day which equates to 36 hours per week for us.  This is very big deal for our company because the 12 hours off per week results to loss of revenue.  Now, my boss is declaring an 8-hour holiday per week during the 2007 Ramadan!  I think it’s unfair!  The law did not say it’s included in the holiday!!!  Now we only had 2 days of holiday left for December Eid Al-Adha.  Christmas will not be a holiday.

I am happy with my company but I think, they are pushing us too hard to  put in more hours so we’ll have more revenues.  I am beginning to be disapppointed because they are becoming more focused on the revenue and profit and have little concern for us.  My company is good….I’d say, better than many companies in Doha in terms of salary.  I understand that for us to remain in the business, we have to be profitable.  But stealing our holidays is too much!  Why declare an 8-hour holiday during Ramadan?  They must accept the fact that revenue will always go down during Ramadan because of 6-hour work day required by law.

So why am I staying with my company?…Well, it’s not yet time to leave.  I am happy with my job…I like it…and I need it to fulfill my career goals.  So I guess, unless better oppurtunity that is in line with my career goals comes up, I am staying even if Christmas is not anymore a holiday!

2006 has been a truly blessed year for me and my husband.  It’s really been a great year; we were showered with so much blessings and I thank God for that.  Actually, at the beginning of 2006, I sort of sensed it that it’s going to be good year.  Also, the block rosary visited our house in early 2006 and I just knew that her visit would bring in blessings to our home.

I am not supertitious and I believe that each person makes his own destinity; but if something is believed to bring in good luck, good vibes or energy, I sometimes try it especially if I can do it wihtout extra effort.  For instance, sweets and sticky delicacies and round fruits are believed to bring prosperity so for this new year’s eve, I baked pastries (brownies, crinkles, chocolate chip cookies), mocha cake and I made palitaw and leche flan.  I also asked my uncle to prepare biko. Then, I bought round fruits; but not necessarily 13 kinds.  I know I am on diet, but things are in control

According to Chinese Horoscope, year of the Pig will not be good a year for a Snake like me.  But i’m not really into it, I am into positive things only.  I just believe the good things.  I know that with hard work, faith in God and some lucky charms, we’ll have a good year ahead!