Missing the life I left in Manila

I think I can do so much more when I'm back in Manila. I'm missing out on a lot of things. I miss weeknight gimmicks, spending more time on OrgForward, helping NLS with things that do not require my SAP skills.

My non-existent love life has been put on hold. When will it ever start?

I don't like this anymore. I'm really tired. This is definitley taking a toll on my life. I have again proved to myself that I am a city boy.

* I understand the circumstances that surround me (all of us) staying in Laguna. No worries.

A birthday message

I went to my friend K's birthday celebration the other night. There was a part in her party that friends would give K a birthday message. I liked the message of one of her friends. She said, even though they (K and her) have changed as persons they will never change as friends. Now isn't that genuinely sweet?

Now, you want to work here?

"Yang flew solo, you should be celebrating because that means your doing your job, teaching her how to save a life.

Residents are like puppies, eager and enthusiastic, and you need to learn how to teach without crushing their spirit.

Now, you want to work here? With my residents? Then, you need to do better. You need to be a better teacher."

Chief Richard Webber to Erika Hahn - Grey's Anatomy

In our company seniors are expected to teach the junior consultants. Expected. This office culture makes us stand out among other IT companies out there. The typical consultants would fend for himself in this skill-selfish industry. Its funny how the typical would operate as a unit when in fact SAP is all about integration.

Not for us. We, at least how I see it to be, intentionally go against the norm and asks 'what if we do it differently?' We dare to go against what is expected. Not because we just want to be different. Because we feel that this is the right thing to do. Why be selfish?

As a person who sees the value of mentoring, I love this line from the Chief. I hope this is lived out to the full here at Netlogic.

Down the halls

Passed by Ateneo yesteday. Lucky me, I caught some students preparing OrSem. I forgot that it was OrSem season. That means TNT training season too. I saw TNTs in groups going around practicing for the campus tours. I miss college. And I realized how old I was because I don't recognize anyone from TNT. I was watching from afar and to no avail, I didn't recognize anyone. No one recognized me either. Thinking, 'hey! I was a TNT too you know?!' Hahaha. 'TNT core pa!'. It's all good. Hahaha.

I also passed our bench at Kostka. memories. It was so nice to visit. I suppose I visit Ateneo more regularly than the average alumni. Even so, Ateneo never fails to recharge me. I think the Jesuits put something in the trees.

Someday soon I'll teach there.

On success and making a difference

It's nice to find out that there are other people out there who pursue the same things that I hold important. K, A college mate of mine emailed me two days ago telling me how he found OrgForward.com very interesting. And how he and his business partners also came up with a business called EntrepBuff, a profitable yet socially relevant venture. Although I was not surprised that they're pursuing this, it still gave me a good vibe that they we're actually and similarly doing something to make a difference. That I am not alone in this. We are not alone. And it so nice that I learn of that people I know from college too are pursuing these type of endeavors. "Civic-minded" batchmates as C describes it when I watched a fund raising concert she organized for the special children of Ang Arko ng Pilipinas.

I've always thought that Ateneo played a big role in me ending up like this. Maybe it's the Theo and Philo classes, the orgs I became active on, ASLA, or the different people I interacted with throughout my four year stay in college. Whatever it was, it sure did change my perspective on success and brought "making a difference" to a whole new level.

Brooke White

Was watching the re-runs of American Idol last weekend and it just dawned on me that Brooke White is so gorgeous. Could have realized this sooner if I get to watch American idol religiously. It's so obvious how TV deprived I am during the weekdays I spend here in Laguna. Going back to Brooke, I really like her. I still haven't heard all the songs she sang in the show, but I like her already. Will YouTube her when I get the time. Too bad she didn't make to the finals though. Her being part of the top 5 is completely respectable, although I think she shouldn't have left just yet. Maybe top 4. Jason Castro should have left that night.

TED: Ideas worth spreading

I love TED.com! Great talks, perfect to download or watch online. Will I ever make it to speak there? Short term goal is to watch it live. TED.com