Let’s Drink To That

Another belated post. LoL. I’ve been meaning to post about my musings as the year got underway but was just too damn lazy to do so.

First of all, I was feeling melancholic at the start of the year. This was mainly due to the reason of me not making it to the sendoff of my brother Ray. He had been arranging his work papers to Dubai during the 2nd half of last year and before the year was over, he got word that he’d be leaving early in 2009. He will be there for a 2-year work contract. When he got word that his final travel date would be January 7, he immediately texted me asking me when I’d be home. My base off from work would not be until the 10th so I asked him to delay his departure so that we’d still see each other before he leaves. There was no way I could escape from my work schedule and I was in Kidapawan that time.

Emotionally, I didn’t know how to describe how it felt thinking that he’d be leaving soon. Growing up separated by just 2 years (I am older, but I could easily pass off as younger than him..LoL), there was the usual sibling rivalry. It even is funny now that I think of the memories. My brother and I used to sleep in 1 bed together when we were still little. He was malikot when he slept, often kicking and turning about throughout the night, and I’d be awakened by this trait of his. At times, I’d punch him when this happened. Naturally, he would be at the losing end since I was awake, while he wasn’t..LoL. We weren’t that close growing up as I think I sort of looked at him as competition. Even in sports, we both were very competitive. I was even closer to my friends and classmates than I was with him. Oftentimes, we couldn’t converse without one eventually raising his voice. This did not get by without our parents noticing and numerous times, they even brought this to our attention. Blood was thicker than water, they told me.

As far as I remember, the turning point came when we were separated from each other for a long time, when he decided to work in Manila as a callcenter agent. When he came back after that, things were different. I couldn’t quite describe how, but it was just that. We were more gentle with each other. Another thing that brought us closer to each other was the game of badminton. We became partners and on a number of occasions, we went out of town to on road trips to join badminton tournaments. Yes, the usual conflicts between us were still there, but somehow, we were already communicating and it was easier to talk things over, unlike our situation before. When I was assigned in Bacolod, he’d text me whatever was happening back home, sometimes also to blow off some steam. I guess our bonding developed at that point. It came at a later part in our lives, but I think what was important was it did.

..1st runner up during our first tournament..

The whole family went to Cebu to send him off at Mactan International Airport last January 7..while I had to be contented with being passed around and talking to everybody on the mobile phone while they were at the pre-departure area. My brother is now an OFW.

Blood indeed is thicker than water.

Ingat always dinha brod!

Sounds like the end of the world right? LoL. I was just referring to the end of my vacation leave, my wedding leave, honeymoon leave, or whatever you’d like to call it. LoL. Borski and I are quite busy opening our gifts before I would leave for my next job assignment in Bacolod. And it didn’t help that we were both down with the flu.

Anyway, I’d be leaving for Bacolod later today. I hope to be able to post as much, which I think would be quite challenging as I already had my Smartbro account there discontinued. Will just post updates if and when I can. Ciao.

Earlier today, I was interviewed by a panel composed of 3 persons, the Deputy Managers of the department where I am applying for a transfer to. More or less, it was just them making sure that I was already committed on my decision to transfer and not having second thoughts since they needed people who were 100% committed.

the interview was somewhat informal, with the first part doing away with the general personal info such as the age, general interests, with the toughest question of that round being, “Why do you want to transfer to this department?” That was a tricky one since I had to answer in such a way that it would not sound like I am putting down my present department. In fairness, I love my present department, as the people are okay and the atmosphere is pretty relaxed (we have 6 days of consecutive days off). However, there’s always that bit about wanting “career growth” so I guess moving to  a new department would be the logical choice.

Then came the second part.

Questions were like…umm..actually, they weren’t at all questions. It was more of them painting a picture of the job description, and you imagining it, and then reinforcing your resolve that THIS is what you want to be a part of…

1. Nasubukan namin na nagtatrabaho while nagbabakbakan ang NPA and military sa kabilang bundok, kaya mo yan?

2. Habang nag aalmusal kami, dumaan yung military bringing with them the slain rebel leader with his guts spilling out, do you think you can have breakfast like that?

3. Sa ibang sites natin, when we lost water supply, you have to trace the water line through dense vegetation and there is always that risk of a snake lurking somewhere.

Are you sure?

Even though I was a bit surprised/astonished by these facts, at the back of my mind, I certainly was hoping that this was their attempt at bluffing me so that I’d be scared off and run, but I guess I’ve wanted this for so long, so I told them, “Bring it on!” or words to that effect.

I hope this decision is right.