Boy oh boy! It's glad to be back on my own two feet! I'm so proud to say that I've gotten that job I was hoping I'd get in the aiport. I'm working as a sales associate in the Discovery Channel store. Pfft, you'd think. Discovery Channel, wtf? Then again, it's one of the coolest places to work at. The gadgets and gizmos you'd see in the channel are actually in the store. Best part is, I'm enjoying every minute of it. Well.... of course not the standing up all the time and not getting a chance to sit down unless it's my fifteen minute break or if there are no customers (which rarely happens) that I get to sit on one of the display tables. (That of course given that the manager is in the back room.) But, it's all good. 25 hours/week with a $10.50 pay is not so bad. I've been waiting on these two other jobs like that character in Ice Age waiting for each and every acorn. One is Altitunes, this CD store beside the Discovery Channel Store and one is in Bally Fitness. I have a membership there and I'd love to work there. However, I don't think I can tackle two jobs, with 25 hours/week on one and 15 hours/week on the other. The schedule, plus school, will be too crazy. (I don't know what do you think?) Transportation at first wasn't too much of a problem because my boyfriend's mom's boyfriend took me to work the first day. The second day however, I didn't have any way going there since he was rattling about bringing me (which I took as an excuse to just stay in bed) so my soon to be mother-in-law :) took me to the BART station. The bart is like a shuttle which brings you to places you would usually drive to or take the bus to. Sure the fare is more expensive, but the reliability is much better. It was my first time stepping unto the BART station by myself. I breathed in and told myself to open my eyes and read the signs before I ask frantically for help. I bought the ticket, reading the instructions carefully. Even putting in the ticket for validation seemed so hard. Haha. So finally, I saw the sign that said San Francisco International Airport. I boarded that shuttle. I was hesitant, poking my head in and out of the door because I might be heading somewhere I'm not familiar with (which is... anywhere really in San Francisco. Haha) Finally I heard the driver say that the shuttle was heading to the airport. I was relieved. I wasn't even done putting on my make-up when he announced that we were there already. So I left the shuttle and walked pretending that I knew where the international terminals were. I just followed the signs, which I have now proved really works for me, and I ended up in the right place! I got to work 30 minutes early, so I became friends with the restroom and finished my make-up. I then saw the assistant manager of the store, that is I guessed it was him and approached him. Turns out I was right! So we went inside, fixed the store up a little bit, put on our i.d.'s and got to work. The district manager was there yesterday for an evaluation. She didn't expect much from me since it was only my second day. But she was so pleased that I was able to sell 5 Discovery Channel membership cards and a $230 purchase from a Japanese lady. She was glad I was able to demonstrate the toys I can't even pronounce and she was happy at the fact that I greeted every customer with a smile. I was pleased then with myself when she said that "We're definitely keeping you." I was psyched. So, on the second day on the job, everything went smoothly. My managers are super and my job is good (except for the standing part). Even though my feet ache when I get home, I'm proud I could still stand on them despite all that happened since I moved here.

Working in the airport teaches you a lot of stuff. I've learned how God is so great that he made each individual different. He made each and every one of us unique. I was just pondering on that as I stayed an extra minute in bed. For the two days that I've worked in the store, I've learned that not all tall, white, medium-built men are scary and intimidating. Not all white men in suits can speak English. SOME MEN ARE ACTUALLY SOFT-SPOKEN! Not all European-looking families are European. Not all white kids who dress like Nelly are American. (This kid was French!) Not all Japanese appear like they don't know how to say "How you doin'?" Not all Filipinos speak somewhat skewed English. Not all security guards are reserved. Not all African-American men talk slang. Not all people are thrifty. Japanese buy in bulk. Toys that are similar to a flying saucer sell instantly to ANYONE. Not all neat men are straight (oh for sure) and finally, not all white, red-headed district managers are monsters. She was nice. :) So yeah, it was cool to know that everyone is made different. And the past two days were a first-hand experience of that for me.

I think it's a privilege to have been born from smart parents. I've never dedicated a blog entry to them, and maybe my writing about them was just looking for the right time. So, this is it. To all those who've known me for 18 years, you're well aware what my parents do for a living. But for all of you who don't, let me tell you with pride. My dad is a surgeon. He is a urologist, a doctor on the kidneys and the urinary tract. He's been a doctor ever since I could remember. And if you know somebody who needs circumcision, just tell me. (I'm secretly laughing inside.) He works for one of the top pharmaceutical companies as a consultant. Medicines to be put out in the market have to pass through him. He travels all around the world to give talks and attend conventions. He just recently stepped down as the president of their association. Next up is my mom. My mom used to work for Air France for 17 years. She is a licensed physical therapist in Manila. After that she worked in the Real Estate. When she moved here, she worked in an auto-wrecking company. And now, she's back to being a physical therapist in a rehabilitation center. My mom and my dad are very smart. And cheers to them for always pushing me to do good in school. Kudos to all the values they've instilled in me, for giving me the best of the best. Most of all, I'm thankful for the genes they've passed on to me, the same ones that brought skills out of me, and the skills and talents that my parents NEVER STOPPED honing. They're great. They enrolled me in Miriam College. This is where I studied, Geo (whom I don't know but reads my blog so a bottle of San Mig to you my friend!). There is not a better private, Catholic, all-girls school than Miriam. Maryknoll to most, and I'm a proud Knoller no matter where I go. My education definitely paid off. I can fill out an application correctly at the very least, unlike some I've reviewed in my old job before. I don't mean to insult others of another race, or others who have not attained much education. Instead, I'm thankful for what I've pursued on improving all this time. I'm not the smartest, I didn't graduate valedictorian or what have you. I'm just me and I'm glad I've been exposed to so much to have tried and tested how far my knowledge would take me. So far, it's been working out pretty well. It's different graduating as a Knoller because wherever I go, I try my very best to uphold and show the education and values that this premier school has taught me since I was 4 years old. Definitely, where I am now has a lot to do with my alma mater. Thanks, MC.

I had a haircut about a week ago and it just reminded me of your hair, Cucay. :)