of chocolates and phones..

Too many definitions for life, huh? There's a lot to say about life and while it is commonly thought of when you're at your happiest or lowest point, life definitions can also hit you on some idle Wednesday..

Today, I think life is..

..a box of chocolates..you'll never know what you're gonna get --if there's no label on it.. :p

*****

My friend Nikola lost her phone today at their office (i presume since she mentioned that one OM reported the incident). It wasn't the first time that this happened to her at the same office. And she's not the only one who experienced that. 

I felt bad that this had to happen..again. Despite the very tight security measures there, people still lose their phones. Sometimes, you can't help but blame the culture in there. A culture with a lot of trust issues. In the company I'm with right now, it's completely the opposite. I have left my phone at my desk a few times and when it hits me, I freak out and I fear that when I get back, it's gone..but it's not. And when i look around, I can see a lot of desks, with valuables out in the open that a thief could call it "buffet". However, nothing gets stolen. Too good to be true? Well, i thought so too at first but I've witnessed and experienced it and it made me realize that this is actually possible. 

One time when I left my phone, I told one of the associates "I'm really surprised to see my phone is still where I left it. In my previous company, just two seconds you take your eyes out of your phone at your desk, it's gone."

The associate responded, "Oh, that's sad. I've been here for two years already and no one ever had to worry about valuables being taken. People here got used to not touching things that are not theirs without permission. If things are left (ballpoint pens to a laptops), it always goes to Lost and Found department."

I guess this should always be the case. You don't have to put seven million security guards to ensure nothing gets lost. There will always be things that would be lost but if it's found, it should go back to the rightful owner. Sometimes, a mass reverse psychology about this would (might) work. 

With the previous companies, outlook takeover is rampant. Forget to lock you pc and you're done for. Email blasts about you treating everyone for pizza or professing you love the most peculiar person in the office is sure to happen. I have NEVER experienced it at my new office. There was a time when I saw a fellow trainer's pc unlocked and the outlook is there, as if telling me to send one funny email blast for fun. But I decided not to. I don't want to bring in bad culture there.

While most companies have INTEGRITY printed on their hallways and employee manuals, this company is living it.

:)

sweet deeds, anyone?

So my friend Tetay tagged me in one of her posts about paying it forward stuff. For some people, this concept would seem very heavy as it could mean things like adopting a school, sponsoring a less-fortunate kid's education, environmental pledges, orphanages/home for the aged visits, etc. (Well, I actually have some lined up for me this year..I'll probably post it as well and try to get some friends to join). While all of these are really ideal, we must not forget that a simple act of giving time to spend with a friend (in need or not) is also a form of paying it forward. Remember that when you spend time with someone, you're giving away a part of your life you'll never get back.

So setting aside the serious stuff, I committed to Tetay's Pay It Forward Program (haha)..but instead of limiting it to five friends, I'll pay it forward to 20.. :)

Friendship is always a sweet responsibility.

*****

I just wanted to post this screenshot of me during Facetime with thumBEYlina..thanks for the call last week..miss you! (ehem, tea set)

Cai and Baby B (B=Bugnutin -because that pink cuddly bear of mine looks grumpy) saying good morning to thumBEYlina!

*****

Work today is sooooooooo great! Lots of progress, commendations and recognition I got from bosses. Even got SB certs just for being diligent. So nice to be surrounded with people who are very appreciative of any efforts shown at work.

I used to have a mantra ("I love my job..i love my job..i love my job..") everytime i feel too stressed (or pissed) at work..but now, i say it because I mean it..i really love my job! Good times are coming around again. :)

Work's not that bad when you have........

(chocs courtesy of one of my big bosses, Gary)

:)

2013 for Cai

*just posting this from what i have on my journal..

So 2012 has come and gone and I'm still here. A question pops into my head though, "is life still the same as I've always known it?

Last year, I took risks. You see when you take risks, most people pray it would go the best way you want it to be and not bring you the worst possible situation. However, the consequences of our actions are so diverse that predicting the future is a very nasty job indeed. When you're "lucky" enough, you might get a bit of both. I guess I did. But nevertheless, I have no regrets. If i'd be asked to take the same risks again, I definitely would, but I'd be wiser.

So this year, take risks still, whatever it maybe about..but be braver..and wiser..

This year, I will also continue to nurture my love for travelling. 

Just recently, a friend of mine asked me, "So, what are you going to do this weekend?". I said, "Well, nothing much, I'm just staying at my apartment."

He responded with a loud, mocking laugh. "You're kidding, right? Cai -- indoors on a fine-weathered weekend? The world must have turned upside down."

Then it got me thinking, maybe it did. And what the hell just happened? Did I just let it happen? My friend's right. I was always travelling. No matter how sleep-deprived or energy-drained I am, I am always somewhere else.

This year, nothing shall/will stop me from travelling. 

If there's a risk I would not want to take, it's the risk of not taking the opportunity to explore the world while I can or enjoy life when I must.

So, is life the same as I've always known it? Yes, but it will definitely be better!