Have stories to share but just have limited time to write about them. For now, let me just say ..

I love Coldplay’s new single - Viva La Vida. The song opens with the sound of strings.. cello if i am not mistaken.. As we hear Chris Martin’s voice, sounds of violin join the wonderful harmony. Haven’t had time to listen to the words though. Speaking of strings, the song reminds me of David Foster’s Just for a moment, the theme of St Elmos Fire. The instrumental version. It has a faster beat than the one with the vocals. That song opens with soothing sound of strings, the violin then the piano.

1)Wouldn’t it be better to walk the path of life with a little sway on the hips and a happy tune from your lips?

2) Sometimes, preconceptions and over analysis can hinder you from enjoying those simple and random moments.

3) Two things - either you have changed or the people you used to be with have changed. Or…there was never a connection in the first place.

4) When you try to gauge people using your own stereotypes and ideals, you will be disillusioned. You might even end up becoming judgmental.

5) Being in a financial predicament doesn’t mean that the well-off is beholden to you – especially when you could have avoided the mess you put yourself into in the first place.

6) There is no effective counsel to someone who refuses to listen.

7) We may be pawns in the eyes of corporate giants but you can choose to be the best pawn you can be .. (I am not liking the sound of that..! lol!!)….BUT (the second but) make sure you have an exit strategy… just in case.

8.) Some people feel satisfied seeing someone else suffer…it gives them that false sense of being ahead in the game.

9) I have noticed that the people who are most outspoken about their principles and ideals are the very people who eat their words.

And most profoundly –

Number 10:
When you have a copy of the entire season of House MD and you don’t have time watch it – re evaluate your priorities.

1) It stars the iconic Meryl Streep
2) The iconic Meryl Streep will sing and dance
3) It stars Remington Steele and my James Bond Pierce Brosnan
4) This James Bond will sing and dance!!
5) It is the famous musical featuring the songs of ABBA, one of my guilty pleasures from the 70’s!

I would love to hear my favorites once again! Super trouper, Knowing me knowing you, Thank you for the music, Gimme gimme gimme, The winner takes it all, Take a chance on me and of course, the videoke favourite amongst ladies, Dancing Queen.

The movie is showing here in Manila on Thursday.

Five am Sunday, the eerie howl of the wind and the restless sway of the trees woke me up. I stared out the window and saw a particularly huge tree branch hanging dangerously low as if about to break. Oh poor Honda, I thought as I looked at the parked red car several meters under the branch. I took out a thick blanket and tried hard to get back to sleep, but I couldn’t. The next thing I knew it was 7am and the rain was pouring hard. Is there a typhoon? I checked the news yesterday and I read of a storm named Frank that is somewhere south. I though it will not reach Metro Manila. But a typhoon can choose any direction it chooses to take — and it chose to go north.

Then the sound of water strongly dripping on a pail brought me and my sisters out of bed. Just as I had feared, the landlord made a poor repair of our kitchen ceiling. My youngest sister took another pail and replaced the first pail which was almost overflowing with rainwater. She rushed to bathroom and emptied the pail. Water was dripping from the kitchen wall. Oh goodness! My other sister and I sat down and started scooping the water using dustpan into another pail. I felt a little panic as I watch the water slowly making its way towards the living area.

I am not sure how long this lasted but after a while, the water stopped coming in even as we hear the rains continue to pour. We knew that it won’t be long until we hear the sound of water in the kitchen again but we took advantage of the respite and had quick bites of a slice of bread and downed hot coffee. I mustered all the control I had not to call the landlord and let him know exactly what I was feeling. I decided to send a text message instead informing them that I will file a formal complaint to the barangay if nothing is done to permanently fix the recurring problem. I was already drafting the complaint letter in my head when I heard again the sound of the water pelting against the pail and off we went to our “positions”. With pail, dustpan and rags in hand, we contained the rainwater and kept it from going beyond a few feet. This happened maybe four times that morning. We were basically running on adrenaline. Before I knew it, it was half past eleven. We were hungry. We decided to call for delivery because we just too tired to cook lunch. Understandably, delivery services of the nearby restaurants were cancelled due to the severe weather. Oh boy.

We had no choice but to prepare lunch while the roof seemed to hold the rain. I spoke to our caretaker and he says he made a temporary fix on the roof and will take a look again when the weather clears.. I breathed a sigh of temporary relief.

I can’t recall what time it was but the place turned quiet. I saw birds perched on the nearby branch and a few others on the balcony ledge. Whoa! That is it! It is over.

I saw my two sisters asleep. I began to feel exhausted myself until I heard the rain pour again!! Oh boy, the quiet could have just been the eye of the storm passing over the metro. This time, I was feeling desperate already and fought back the tears as I prayed an emotional prayer. If the water starts coming in again, I’d hate to wake my obviously tired sisters.

I think it was two hours later when I woke up and scrambled out of bed to check the kitchen area.

Dry.

Whew! Those last two hours were actually spent getting in and out of bed and checking the kitchen. The place remains dry. Oh thank you God. I saw my sisters sleeping soundly. I think the storm has truly passed.

–

I know what we went through over the weekend is nothing compared to the sorrow of the families whose loved one were aboard the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars. 700 missing.

Ours was just a huge inconvenience. That is it. It was irritating because the landlords do not seem to realize how negligent they have been. It is frustrating because we are paying for a fairly expensive place in a very nice subdivision and we are not getting our money’s worth. It is disappointing because we could have been watching some old movies or reading a book or just watching the beautiful rain by the window (which I actually love doing!). Instead, we had to contend with wet rags and a wet apartment.

We already found a new place to move into but it won’t be available for three more weeks. We just have to be prepared for the inconveniences that might still come until then. This “headache” should have long been addressed if only I had more responsible and decent landlords. But I don’t.

The next morning, I see repair guys/carpenters go up the roof for the umpteenth time – perhaps doing some more makeshift repairs as usual. I wish I was taller, my frame bigger and voice thicker and louder so I could intimidate these people and express my disgust. But I am not. Times like these call for a man in the house. Grrrrr..

So meantime, I need to grit my teeth each time I think of our landlords and pray that no storms will pass over Metro Manila. At least not that strong a storm.

Right….! On a rainy season.

–

One amazing thing that I observed that stormy rainy Sunday. None of my sisters complained. In fact, several times during our pails and rags moments, we were cracking jokes and laughing at our ludicrous predicament. I remember telling them “Okay men! Position yourself. Enemy approaching!” (the rainwater is the enemy in this case)

They would laugh and just do what they can to contain the water. I thought of how resilient we have all become. Events like this one are defining moments for us. Scooping rainwater is undoubtedly bad news but we have learned to take everything in stride. I am amazed at how the events of the last few years have transformed us.
I felt so proud of my sisters that I said to them “Next Sunday, let’s find some place special for lunch after church. Then maybe catch a movie.”

They smiled at me, their eyebrows raised as if waiting for something else..

I smiled and said resignedly, “Lunch on me.”

They clapped in glee and went on with the tasks at hand.

Frank may have been storm signal number 3 but it was not strong enough to bring our spirits down.

How do you know if this person is the right one? How do you read between the well-rehearsed lines and platitudes? What signs do you look for? What words to watch out for? What body language? How can I look past and try not to be impressed by the confident air and fluent speech?

(No, I am not deciding between suitors. I am quite happily attached to a special someone who happens to be both confident and articulate. )

I am choosing the best candidate for the new post that will work night shift and will report to the US team. My Boston based boss didn’t see the value of phone interviews so he said he will “defer to my judgement”. The new hire will work directly with him so I had to make a good choice.

Long before I prepared the questions and read through the resumes, I prayed for the right choice.

The six candidates on my list come in highly recommended by Josie, the group head — but not without some hesitation.

“Do you really need to hire internally? Do you really need someone with their background?” I remember Josie’s worried look. After all, I did get one of her experienced analysts to join me in the team last December. She also recently had to appoint another three of her experienced analysts to move to a newly formed group in the Manila office. I can understand how she feels but my boss needed someone from Josie’s team.
–
“Are you aware that this post will be assigned to work EST (Eastern Standard Time) shift? “ was my standard first interview question. Of course they all said they want the challenge and they don’t mind working night shift. Of course they all tell me that they are deserving of this senior post. What they told me is nothing that I wouldn’t say myself if I was being interviewed.

The first candidate was very confident and driven. He is the youngest applicant but he definitely gave the other more senior candidates serious competition. He sees the challenge of being the pioneer team member very attractive. He understands figures and articulates himself well.

The second one has the technical skills I need but lacks points in the interpersonal skills department. (words of our HR specialist). He is just three cubicles away from me so I am aware that he is one diligent guy. He is ready and raring for a bigger challenge. I can feel how much he wanted the post.

The third one, well…I knew he applied because he wanted change and he was comfortable with me. He is one of my coffee buddies you see. But I knew that he is not equipped yet for this responsibility.

The fourth one is the tallest and most soft spoken of all. He mumbles his words sometimes but like the second applicant, he seems ready for the next challenge and has the tech skills I prefer. His six foot frame exudes competence and confidence. He has never been late in his four years with the company. (I didn’t realize this was possible). Zero data error.

The fifth applicant has the technical skills. She has made initiatives that have been applied for global practice. I know her to be curious and relentless in solving data issues.

Except that she came in late.

Not ten minutes. Not twenty. Not even thirty minutes. (I left the interview room around that time). She came in 40 minutes late. If she was held up in a meeting or was resolving an important client query, I would have understood BUT …she went to the mall for lunch!! And forgot about the time!

I interviewed her still but only for 20 minutes because of another interview that I have set. Imagine my effort to control my temper and not reprimand her because it was obvious that she was already quietly berating herself. And yes, I have mentally scratched her off my list.

The last candidate was highly recommended by her boss. I think because she seemed very dependable and teachable. She just needed a break to prove herself. She is experienced in her kind of work but sadly, does not have the requisite technical skills.

I realized that what they say about the first ten seconds of an interview is true – that you have an idea if the person in front of you has a chance. Gut feel tells me that I have found the right one but I needed to send out two resumes to the boss. I also consulted with all of their managers regarding potential problems that come with someone being remotely managed.

I consulted with our HR business partner, who held separate interviews with the six candidates. I was too happy to learn that HR’s first choice is also my first pick.

Sure, he stuttered in some of his responses during the interview, but he seemed to me as someone I can trust to deliver and impress our US counterparts. I realized that the communications skills is something he can work on but he has the potential. He seemed most committed to the corporation and wasn’t really just out to look for the next senior role. His punctuality reflects maturity and discipline. He seemed to me like someone who will own the role. And I liked him. I knew that I have an answered prayer.

Satisfied, I sent my boss the shortlist together with my recommendation.

The fourth one – Andrew.

Heard over the radio
Del: Am I bossy? Do I boss you around?
Chico: You do express your opinions very strongly. But nope, you are not bossy.
Del: Whew! That’s a relief. Now you get back to work.
***
Seen on tv
David Letterman: Why did it take you 20 years to come up with another Indiana Jones movie?
Harrison Ford: Well, I had to memorize my lines (he says with that signature smirk)
***
Also on tv
Veronica Webb: (co host, Tim Gunn’s guide to style) We need to let her have her own time to go look around for the right clothes. What better place than Macy’s, the wilderness of retail.
***
Daks: What their company needs is a CFO who is technically savvy and someone who has an entrepreneurial flair.
Me: Wait a minute. Are you talking about yourself?
Daks: (belts his typical pa humble but really a boisterous laugh):
(He actually is a genius in corporate finance, a very effective deal maker and a successful businessman. And he knows that we know that. So yes, we indulge him.)
***
Me: You found a ring? (she and her fiancé have been shopping for a wedding ring)
Gilda: Yes.
Me: White gold?
Gilda: Yellow gold. It suits him. He looks better in yellow gold.
(pause…) I look great in anything.

Yes she is my college friend. Go figure.
***
Me: So have you asked him where the apartment is? (she is moving to Sydney in July to be with her husband)
Jec: He has mentioned it several times but I keep forgetting. He also says it is somewhere northwest. Don’t know where that is. He is so fond of using those words when describing a location!! Duh!
(The rest of us nod in silent agreement)
Setting: coffee time with my three girlfriends

Receiving a dozen (of my favorite color!) roses from a loved one who is half a world away.