Things I Learned (4th of series)

I still haven't caught up with sleep. Its just the middle of the week and yet I feel that I will just fall off my chair any moment. Its Chito's turn to drive now. I really can't. Too sleepy na talaga. So here are the things that I did to keep me awake.

1. COFFEE - This is not permitted for ulcers. However, I have no choice. I need caffeine in my system. I have pain killers though. Not that I have taken one already. =P

2. COKE - same as number 1.

3. VISINE (the minty one) - patak ng patak. akalain na ng roommate ko addict na ko at sa mata ko pinadadaan. I don't care. As long as it keeps me awake (though only for a few minutes)... just an update, paubos na ang kalahating visine ko dito... hehehehe

4. BORHERDING - for those who do not know this, this is a concentrated menthol stick. Great for headaches. Imagine the methol effect if you put this just under your nose. magigising ka talaga sa hapdi.

5. HURTING YOURSELF - sampal, kurot, sabunot... three effective ways to keep you awake for the meantime

6. EAT - This would keep you awake. Although I need to go to the vending machine to get something to eat. BUT going there is like a maze... takes minutes off your working hours (hehehehe!!)

7. GO TO THE BATHROOM AND TALK TO YOURSELF - sumasagot naman pag kinakausap ko. hehehehe...

8. WALK - i walk to the coffee machine, i walk to the water dispenser, i walk to the vendo machine, i walk to the bathroom... (you can even walk to the HUGE parking lot if you want)

9. TALK TO SOMEONE - Chito and I have different offices so hindi sya kausap ko. Sending occassional IM helps a lot! It better to talk to someone... however, if you cannot understand their accent.... DON'T! (please refer to the 3rd of series)

10. DO JUMPING JACKS - i sometimes do it in the bathroom. If I do it somewhere public, they might think I'm going mad.

11. EYE RUBBING - they said rubbing your eyes is bad. WELL, this is helpful especially when you are in a meeting.


These are the things I have done FOR NOW. I can't tell you what is more effective. I just do what I think is applicable to the situation.

Ever wondered why I did not include washing my face? Well, if I do that, lahat ng concealers ko matatanggal. Mahirap na. Lalabas na SOOOBBBRRAANNGG itim na ng eyebags ko. Baka isipin nila, bumbay ako... =P

The Things That I Learned (3rd of series)

It would be normal for me to have jetlags because there is a 13 hour time difference from the Philippines. This would depend on the person. Some would have a short time overcoming it. Well, I'm not one of those lucky people. And its taking an effect on my everyday living....

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If you still have jetlag, don't ever attempt to ask Southerners questions that would require long explanations

We were in a mall looking for a good cellphone deal. Our mistake was, we were asking questions... not answerable by just a yes or a no. So the attendant, a local, explained the different plans, the pros and cons, the different networks, different cellphone units, etc. So the three of us were intently listening to her. After a few minutes, we said thank you and left. So the HR person (mind you, she's an american too) asked us to explain a little. I answered, "I was hoping you were listening since I really didn't understand a word she said". We all laughed. Pati pala sya di nya nainitindihan. My gulay, nawala na ko agad sa "howyaaldoin'?"

If you still have jetlag, don't try to stay awake by working

Its been 6 days and yet i still have jetlag. Actually, i haven't had a decent sleep since i left Manila. I'm trying to keep myself busy by answering emails, reading reports, etc. Well, if you have a choice, DON'T! I was reading something on my computer here at the office when my head fell almost hitting the keyboards. Buti na lang yung kasama ko sa room, nakatalikod sakin. Would it be better if i put seatbelts on my chair to prevent me from falling? ;) Gusto ko na ngang sugatan ang sarili ko at patakan ng calamansi para magising.... but, unfortunately, I dont know where i could buy calamansi here. hehehehe...

If you have jetlag, don't set meetings especially with Southerners

This is number 1 and number 2 COMBINED! I tell you, I am trying to keep myself awake while trying to understand what they're saying. Parusa to the max ito! =)


I hope i get over this jetlag. Its killing me... literally! hehehehe.... (you could imagine how I managed to drive at 85mph)

The Things That I Learned (2nd of series)

Now, here's the most important thing in my life that I need to work on... feeding myself!!! My main challenge living here in the US (its good that I know how to drive to go to fastfood restaurants if all else fails).

And here is my first try feeding myself....

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If you don't know how to cook, don't try to experiment the day before you need it.

There is no cafeteria in the refinery. I have no choice. I have to bring lunch. Big problem because I don't know how to cook. So when I went to Wal-Mart, I bought the easiest thing to cook. Spaghetti. And guess what, even the easiest of cooking, I was not successful. Totally not successful. But I have no choice. I'm pressed for time and I have to bring that and have it for lunch. Take a guess how my lunch was...

If you don't know how to cook, don't think twice. Go for the reliable. SPAM.

I don't know what I'm thinking, why I thought of cooking spaghetti. Maybe its my love for pasta. Maybe its my craving for Italian food. Maybe, maybe, maybe... I tell you, for whatever reason you have... DON'T. Go for the idiot proof alternative.... SPAM!!! (unless of course if you do have some time to spend for some cooking experiments.. refer to number 1)

If you don't know how to cook and you only know SPAM, go for the other idiot proof alternatives.

Would you like to eat Spam everyday of your life? DUH?!?! Life has full of choices. So does lunches. There's the best ingenious invention of the 20th century... TV DINNERS!! You want Italian, Mexican or American? Just name it and you got it. Warning though, just watch your weight... you cannot get anything easy in life... laging may kapalit. Just thank God you did not sell your soul for good food. ;)


Or if you have the resources, better bring a cook. It would lessen your stress. =P

The Things That I Learned

I just arrived here in Pascagoula, Mississippi for a 2-year assignment. Its not my first time in the US but its my first time to stay this long in a foreign country. Cultures do differ.

Here are some of my learnings.

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Don't be a navigator if you haven't slept a wink

I haven't slept from the time I left manila. Siguro idlip, pero sleep talaga, wala. So on our 2nd day here in the US, the HR admin was driving the car and I was the one sitting in front. All of us (Chito, HR and me) are new to the area so we all know nothing here. =P

ayun, tanong sya ng tanong... maya-maya bumagsak na ang ulo ko. tulog!! ofcourse, pahiya ako.

Don't be a navigator if you don't know how to read maps

Accepted fact is we don't know really how to read maps. In the Philippines, we just ask for directions. Di pala uso dito yun. E naman, ang lalayo ng mga lugar. Natataranta ako pag nagtatanong na sya ng directions based sa map. e sus, ni di ko alam ang mga ibig sabihn ng paiba-ibang kulay, linya at drawing dun eh. parang recitation. may kaba. One time we asked for directions to an apartment complex. the person on the other line described the directions based on landmarks ang not the streets ( e.g. when you see Wal-Mart, turn left, then you will see McDonalds, turn right... etc). Pinagtawanan sya nung HR... di lang ako makahirit, ganon tayo sa pilipinas...

Don't be a navigator especially if its a combination of 1 and 2

Do I still need to explain?


hehehehehehe...