Jolly Princess @ World Wide Web

The Busy Month of May

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Thu, 31 May 2012 16:02:38 PDT

May had been an extremely busy month for me. After my sister left I attended work related training. The training was not on schedule. I had to make some adjustments. The training was about the new scheme in our monthly score metric. Our score is measured monthly in terms of attendance, customer survey, monthly exam etc. Have I not mentioned working in Call Center is very challenging job? If you want to be part of the industry, be prepared to pass the monthly scoring or the bosses would call your attention. Worst scenario, they will advise you to try another industry. The positive way of saying, you resign. The training lasted for three weeks.

Mothers Day was allotted to my parents. I visited my parents on their resting place. My father joined the Creator May 11, 1999 mother was September 8, 2010. Mothers Day was May 13. The caretaker was just happy to see me. I gave him my monthly dues for taking care of my parents resting place. I seldom visit the place, only on special occasions. I hope father and mother could still hear me when I talk to them in my mind. We, their four children are fine, as well as their four beloved grandchildren. Hmmmm, runaway imagination, but who knows I made them happy by telling them so.

My niece who stays with me finally got a job. Not related to her digital animation course. It is in a Call Center too, but not the same Call Center I work. The Call Center where she was hired has an account that deals with graphics designs but no vacancy for the time being. She decided to try being a Call Center agent until such time there will be vacancy on her target job. I advice her working in a Call Center is a demanding job. She is willing to try her luck rather than staying home all the time. She will start her training today 3pm to 12 midnight.

I had been busy accompanying my niece to get all her job application requirements done. To name a few, physical examination, government clearances, applying for bank account designated by the company for their payroll, etc. I am glad she was able to submit all requirements Wednesday this week. It gives me now more time to sleep after work when we were finally done. My niece coming from a province south of Manila is not familiar with the big city of Manila. My sister is happy her daughter got the job. I am wishing her the best on her very first job. I do hope she takes every challenge as opportunities rather than roadblocks in her pursuit of success. Anyhow, I know she is well prepared.

Family First

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 06 May 2012 05:26:36 PDT

My sister and I, years back at our house in the province.

Folks, spam did not get into my blog it is why I was on vacation from blogging. I had just some activities for the past few weeks that got me so tied up. We had team building at work around the third week of April. Last week of April, my youngest brother and my sister came. My sister stayed with me for a week. The three of us, me my sis and my niece, my sis daughter who stays with me had bonding time in those days I am off from blogging.

The last time I saw my sister was October last year. She did not come last Christmas. She is lazy traveling when there are too many people. When she is in Manila that is the time I am on vacation from household chores. She does almost everything, from house cleaning, laundry and most importantly cooking for me and her daughter. Our stories do not seem to let up from our childhood years to our preteens. She is a good cook. I always missed her cooking style.

Our youngest brother with his wife and daughter came to the Philippines all the way from Singapore to attend their class reunion in high school. The place where the reunion was held was close to the house of my sister. My sister was happy to be among the passengers in a car driven by the owner himself, our brother. It was convenient than a public transport. She had bonding time with the daughter of our brother during the eight hour drive to Manila.

My sister left at around five in the morning today. I had to accompany her to the bus station. She is not too confident commuting around a bigger place compared to where she lives. She sent me text message late this afternoon, she is already home. The time spent with family is worth taking time off from blogging. Right, I got free groceries again for a week courtesy of my sister, some surprises from my bro and sis in law, and more from my sister.

Spam and Spammers

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:49:55 PDT

Folks, my blog had been hit by spammers when I turned off the spam word verification option for submitting comments on my blog. If you received messages on your email coming from my blog mentioning about pornographic contents, I did not send them to you. I found the comments from spammers on the spam folder on my blog and deleted them all.

I was alerted by one of my blogger friends here, Luke Regler he received strange messages from my blog. Last month two of my blogger friends Jean and Rolf advised me of virus alert they encountered upon visiting my blog. I thought it was coming from the one page ad I had before. I turned off the one page ad. I also suspected the chat box I once had in here as being used by spammers. I deleted the chat box.

I turned on the word verification again to prevent these spammers from posting comments on my blog. Please feel free to post me comments had you received some inappropriate message from my blog. Also your suggestions are welcome to secure our blogs. I would suggest you check your spam folder from time to time. We bloggers must unite to stop these vermin from creating havoc on our blogs. Thank you for understanding.

The Busy Me

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:36:03 PDT

Green salad for my dinner. Soda is not on every meal. :)

I had been too busy these past two days attending to my household chores. Working on my laundry, house cleaning, attending to my plants, going to groceries, all these stuffs, plus I had to attend two hours training for two days at work. My two days off, flew away just like bubbles. My concern is when I get to work a lot inside the house I had the tendency to raid my fridge. Instead of burning calories as I sweat a lot, I tend to add more. When my house shorts get a bit tighter that is my clue.

Once again, I made commitments, no more stuffing up myself with calorie laden food. I promised to eat at least two cups white rice or brown rice a day. Or I can have veggie salad or two slices of wheat bread to substitute a cup or rice. I can have seedless mandarin orange for snacks, bananas, or pineapple. Oh, yes, I started my diet at dinner time last night.

At work, I had a change of schedule this week for my day off, Sunday and Saturday now instead of Thursday and Friday. Meaning I was on day off yesterday, Sunday comes this Saturday will be my second day off. I have split off day off schedule this week. We cannot choose what our scheduler would plot according to our score card. I prefer weekdays off instead of weekend.

Our office had a free gym opened at our site last 10^th of April. I have to rearrange my schedule just to be able to work out. I promise I will find time. Or should I say, I am making a commitment I will allot some of my precious time for the work out. Who does not want to be looking good, healthy and sexy, after all? Hmmm, I know you are smiling. :)

Easter Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 22:53:32 PDT

HAPPY EASTER!

I got work tonight. Our team will have some pizza. The money comes from the gift certificates we won for being number one team for the month of February 2012. No Easter egg hunting for those who got work shift tonight. I guess the organizers are busy attending training, or must have been on summer vacation. Right, it is summer in the Philippines. We are all feeling the heat of summer. It is alright, for a change. We will have egg hunting next year. :)

It is Holy Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:11:12 PDT

I am home today and yesterday, my days off. Although I would love to be at work being a holiday in Manila, Philippines. That means additional budget for my groceries. On my way home from work yesterday morning no traffic jam. I guess almost everyone is on vacation to their respective provinces or on retreat. Shopping malls and groceries are closed Maunday Thursday and Good Friday. They will be back to business on Black Saturday.

To my believer blogger friends –“God bless everyone as we commemorate the Holy Week. The week of the great sacrifices our Lord Jesus Christ did to give us everlasting life.. “

Palm Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:07:32 PDT

It was Palm Sunday last of April 1st. Remembering my childhood days, my mother never missed this day being a devout Catholic. They would summon me, my brothers and my sister to go with her to attend mass in celebration of Palm Sunday. Philippines being dominated by Catholic religion Palm Sunday is very important occasion. This is to commemorate Jesus Christ triumphal entry to Jerusalem met by people bearing palm leaves. Palm Sunday is the start of the Holy Week.
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I remember lining up bearing young coconut leaves shaped in the best way my young imaginative mind could design. As practice in Philippines Catholic churches, we substitute palm leaves with young coconut leaves. There was a designated place inside the church for those bearing the leaves. The priest would come to us and whisked Holy Water on the leaves. After the mass, we brought home those leaves. My mother put them in the altar. Those blessed leaves are believed to drive evil spirits.

Growing up, my parents allowed us to choose the religion we will be comfortable with. I am no longer a Roman Catholic and so with my two brothers. My sister chose Catholic religion. To date I still could see some children bearing those designed young coconut leaves. It gives me time to reminisce. I was once like them. A young girl dutifully lining up to have those leaves blessed by the Holy Water as the priest passed by.

Earth Hour 60 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:16:00 PDT

Folks... It is Earth Hour 60 tonight 31^st of March from 8:30pm to 9:30 pm. Manila Philippines time is ahead of that of Canada, UK and U.S. but Australia is ahead of our time. I will be at work by then. I will miss the celebration. You may want to share with me here on my blog how you will celebrate or how you celebrated this worldwide event. We are saving mother earth, do no miss it. You got a date tonight. :)

Online Bills Payment

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:38:47 PDT

Finally, I was able to sort out all the info I needed, to change my online bills payment. Our salary is withdrawn from automated teller machine (ATM), from a designated bank by our office. We changed our bank due to some update in our HR computer system. Apparently the previous bank is unable to support some of our business requirements.

I had to re-enroll all the companies for my utility bills, such as electricity, water, phone and internet, etc. It took me a while. I had to save all confirmation transaction numbers. I had to check and recheck all the account numbers, billing numbers to make sure I do not enroll someone else account. I am glad I have fast internet connection.

As a busy person online bills payment is very convenient for me. I do not have to endure lining up on bills payment facilities. I could use the hours spent falling in line, going to grocery after work shift. Shopping malls have various payment facilities. They open at mall hours at ten or eleven in the morning. Banks also accept bills payment. They open at nine in the morning same with bills payment centers. Aside from lining up, when I am on early work shift, I had to wait for these working hours. Just think of the productive hours I am saving with paying my bills on line.

February 2012 Highlight

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:45:05 PDT

Kudos to our team captain and congrats to team mates! A job well done! We bested six teams in February. We topped the Satellite TV and Phone Tech Support teams, scoring the BEST in February among all months. We passed all metrics with FLYING COLORS! We were jubilant upon learning we made it. We are NUMBER ONE!

It is almost the end of March. The team is still on top in Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) score. We do hope we will pass all metrics. Being number one is not at all easy. All eyes are on us. Pressure is mounting but giving up is not an option. :)

Not My Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:20:50 PDT

Tough day today folks...I encountered a very rude lady Chinese customer during my work shift. Her phone has no dial tone. From the onset of the call she was already yelling. What I did not like about her is aside from venting her anger on me for the supposedly ineptness of the company she had criticized me personally. She said she does not understand my English!!&%#$&!! I am almost tempted to say. Look who is talking?!!! What about the fai, fai telo, telo? (Five, five zero, zero) My office mates noticed I changed my color from my fair complexion to red complexion. My bad, it is not my day today.

No offense to some Chinese guys and gals reading my blog. I do not mean all Chinese, just that lady Chinese I spoke with during my work shift. When I accepted the job in the current account I am working with. I was advised Canadians are five times nicer than my previous account. I agree Canadians are very professional people. The things is, there are too many settlers in Canada. Some customers I encountered rude in most of my work shifts are Chinese, those from India and my fellow Filipinos. Holy cow! I am also an Asian. But I know where to put my feet on the ground.

As front line agent, I was not put in front of the computer without proper training. Every Nationality has his own unique accent. Oh, I am just venting folks. I guess... it is time for a cup of coffee. Anyone wants a cup? Tim Horton? Stabucks? Or Batangas coffee? :)

More on London Lad

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:12:19 PDT

In my previous post I blogged about my nephew being sent to London by their Manila office. He works as a web designer. Let me share with you a little background of this young fellow. Nope, he is not an achiever in his college days. Like most stories of some young successful entrepreneurs. School is not a favorite place of my nephew. He wants to earn money but he does not want to study. His mom graduated from one of the best universities in Manila, University of the Philippines and my brother despite being a working student, graduated from Ateneo University in our province.

When my nephew was in high school his grades are not satisfactory. When he was about to graduate we were worried he will not make it. He was enrolled in a good school in high school. He could see some of his classmates coming to school with parents dropping them off to school in big cars. He often asked his mom, why they do not have money despite his parents graduating from good schools. Out of these premise he concluded education is not needed to become successful. Therefore, he does not need to study to earn money. We did not let up on him.

I used to tell him jokingly he is good, he is my relative. We give him gifts on his birthdays and Christmas to boost his morale. I would tell him we will not be able to buy those items if we do not have jobs. We have good jobs because we studied. Education became our passport to elevate ourselves from poverty level. We were thankful he graduated in high school. Time for college after his first year, he advised his mom he would like to stop. He feels he does not want to go to college.

My sister in law decided to give in rather than forcing him to college with failing grades. After a year of quitting college, he decided to go back to school. I guess it was due to the prodding of his high school classmates. All of them must finish college. I likewise used to remind him I know how good he is. He used to be a scrabble champ in his elementary grade. In his fourth grade, he defeated the sixth graders in scrabble. He was never defeated by anyone from his fourth to sixth grade in his elementary years in scrabble game.

Finally, he graduated after six years in college out of the four years business college course. I gave money as a gift for him to start with, while he is looking for a job. He started a part time job on web designing, designing a website for a bank. He was happy to receive his precious money from web designing job. He would accept jobs like trouble shooting and fixing computers. After about six months of side line jobs he was finally hired as a web designer by a company for a full time job. He accepted another side line job aside from his regular job. Meaning he got two jobs.

He took a special course on web designing at University of the Philippines the Alma Mater of his mom. After eight months working full time, their company closed. He was endorsed to another company. The new company became his passport going to London. He still maintains his other job. The transformation is great! From a once upon a time an almost drop out boy to a hard working lad. I am happy for him. He found his interest and dream job. I know he will have some challenges ahead. We, his family members will always be ready to lend our helping hands.

London Lad

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 10:31:11 PST

This is the very first photo my nephew posted a day after he arrived in London. This was taken from his cell phone by a friend. Funny, when he was on his way to UK we were anxious monitoring him on Facebook.

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When the plane landed in Doha Qatar, he posted a comment he is in Qatar already for the connecting flight to London. We, his close relatives commented on his post. Some of his friends replied on his post too. The next post we read was he was about to sleep, already in London. The following day, the post was he was watching rugby in South Wimbledon with some friends.

My nephew will be attending two weeks training with a male office mate. They left for London, Saturday 3^rd of March. His travel expenses, housing, allowance and other expenses to London are shouldered by their office. I guess he had gotten busy. No time to post some more photos.

Okay folks, please do not tell on me. He does not know I am posting his photo here on my blog.

Early Surprises for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 21:18:47 PST

End of February, my Team Captain advised me through our office communicator, I got an award to be announced by our Office Manager. I teased if it was cash award. I was sent a smiley figure. I had a call, finished the inquiry first before I joined my colleague with our Country Manager, a Canadian. I was called, the citation on the certificate says I topped the last quarter of 2011. I am the number one agent for Manila site last quarter 2011 as a phone tech support? I could not believe it! My team captain and my teammates were jubilant!

To pass our monthly metrics, an agent needs to pass customers survey, average handle time on every call must be at the minimal. The score on our monthly exam given by trainers must be eighty percent and above, quality assurance score must be passing, break adherence, attendance, etc. It could not be it. But yes, the certificate said so. A family size of Yellow Cab Pizza comes our pay day will be my treat to my teammates.

I got home that day feeling happy. My nephew bursts from our doorway unexpectedly. He had taken two days off to buy his things. His visa to London was approved. He and his male office mates are leaving Saturday, the 3^rd. I had a small talk with him while he got busy paying some bills online. He mentioned he bought a two bedrooms pre-selling condo in Makati City with the help of his dad, my brother. The turnover would be in 2014. Double surprise!

Instead of me paying for my apartment he wants me to stay in his condo and give him what I am paying for my apartment. Not bad, I like the place where he bought the condo. I will be looking at Makati skyline when we move there. The place is likewise accessible to all rides anywhere in Manila. I like the condo because of the other amenities it offers. I told my nephew what about the other tower beside his? I mean not the pre-selling so we can move earlier. Apparently all units were sold. Resell is a bit expensive.

My nephew left for London at ten in the morning today, Saturday, Manila time. He will be on training for two weeks. He works as a web designer here in Manila for a company base in London, UK. I am happy for what is happening at the beginning of the year 2012 in contrast to 2011. I guess the storm in my life had past. I want good news and many more to come this 2012.

I Got My Voice Back

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:45:39 PST

My breakfast today. Cereal, graham crackers, pineapple tidbits and grapes.
I added milk and it tasted yummy!:)

After two days of nursing my voice with ginger and hot tea with lemon. I was back to work last Thursday. My team captain instead of charging my two days absences to sick leave had me on furlough. The two days will be charged to my vacation leave within the month. The company allows us six days sick leave a year.

If we do not use the sick leave, we received the cash equivalent of six days or whatever remains of our sick leave comes February of the succeeding year. We, employees had been bombarding management to convert to cash at least six days of our vacation leave in addition to the six days sick leave. In this way employees would be encouraged to report to work. Management could not decide yet. That is one thing with big companies. They have to reconsider budget, and all.

Friday and Saturday are my day off. As I had been used to, I would sleep soon as I come home from work then wakes up early morning. I do my laundry, house cleaning and other household chores upon getting up. My niece is not sensitive about the humming sound of my washing machine so it works just fine for both of us. My nephew works at night like me. Lady luck has not smiled on my niece yet. The job she wanted to have is quite illusive. She had some job interviews but still on waiting list.

My niece is talented and graduated from an exclusive school. In contrast, my nephew graduated from a regular school like me. It took him to finish six years his four years college course. Now, my nephew has a well paying job for over a year. He is to go to London for two weeks training first week of March this year. Twist of fate, huh? It is good my niece has the right attitude. She has the patience to wait for the right job for her.

Although I still have coughs and my voice is not back to original. If a raise my voice I still could feel I could not do it. So, no singing inside the bathroom yet, I am happy I am back to work. Appreciate your comments folks. Thank you for all the good wishes. :)

Furlough

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:59:04 PST

Yesterday night, I reported for work as usual. It was a little different anyhow from previous nights, I have no voice. I remember the voice of Ariel being stolen by Ursula at the Disney flick Little Mermaid. I hope no one attempted to steal my voice. It is one of my greatest assets. Likewise, talking as most gentlemen knew is the best pastime for most ladies. I am not exempted.

Yes, I do sing, inside the bath room. Working in a call center, my voice has a price of gold. The gold is just converted to Philippines Pesos. I was allowed not to accept calls. Otherwise I might get dissatisfied customer. They might think they are talking to Minnie Mouse. While I sat on my desk, I read all work related emails, saved the important ones and deleted those that are not needed. I created folders for each updates and tools I used at work for easy reference.

All of a sudden, I learned the art of sign language. It is good enough we have office communicator. The communicator is similar to that of yahoo messenger. The only difference is we cannot post our photos in there. I guess it is safer that way. At least no one could post our photos in an unfavorable websites by any chance we get entangled with some technician missing an appointment for repair.

The communicator is our fastest way of communicating in all departments either here in Manila Philippines or sites overseas. My temporary disability enabled me to read the website we are using as guide in trouble shooting phone features of our customers. Trouble shooting may include activation code for voice mail, call display not showing the phone number and name of caller, call forwarding not working, etc.

I do not smoke as opposed to the lifestyle of most call center agents. I had colds for two days now. We still have warm weather in Manila and to drink cold water is very tempting. Now, you know, not who, but what to blame for the loss of my voice. At this time, I had to take in more liquid just tap water and hot tea with lemon.

After sitting on my work station for several hours, our Office Manager approached me. I can go home. I was allowed furlough in lieu of and administrative work. Thanks goodness! The team captains in our account are very efficient. No filing work to be done! I just had a second thought. Possibly some agents had same case as mine. I heard cacophony of coughs. I was home via a taxi cab after around twenty minutes. I do hope by the time I write a new blog post. I will have my voice back to its original state. Wish me luck, folks! :)

Behind the Happy Smile

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:42:47 PST

I have not written for quite a long time except for some photos I had been posting in my blog. Now, let me write what I had been doing offline in those days I slackened from posting or updating my blog. The year 2011 was a great challenge to me. I wanted to post stories that connote positive ideas. I thought I should keep to myself the real issues. I had silence for a while. I want everything to pass before I blog about it.

As early as Feb 2011 I had work related issues. We were advised the account we were working is to close the Manila, Philippines call center. It was announced 1^st week of Feb 2011 the account is to close by the 15^th of Feb 2011. All my plans for 2011 were done as early as Oct 2010. My plan was to look for an apartment comes 2011 to invite the daughter of my sister to stay with me to look for a job. The announcement of the closure made me adjust every plan I started.

My niece was set to come to Manila, March 2011. I did not have difficulty getting an apartment for at least three people. My nephew, cousin of my niece as requested by my sister in law is to stay with us. Last week of Jan 2011, I bought the much needed fixtures and appliances in cash. I do not have a credit card. I refused to have one anyway.

In view of the possibility of losing my job I had to rearrange my budget. Luckily the call center I am working has several captive accounts. I was endorsed to at least two accounts. One is a tech support for gaming account, a U.S. based account. The other job is as tech support to a telephone company in Canada. I was trained as customer service for sales and billing. How am I to handle technical accounts?

It was not an easy transition. I have to pass the exam and interview to count me in, despite my five years of stay with the same call center. I did not make it to the gaming account. The exam was almost all computer and internet related. I do not have formal education in computer. I became computer literate through self study. I was advised I could retake the exam comes April 2011. How am I to eat and pay for my house rental between Feb and April? I grabbed the phone tech support upon passing the interview.

The training was not at all smooth sailing. Some of my co trainees quit before we hit the phone lab. Reason was info overload. No quitting, I thought to myself. I needed a job. I made it to the floor. I guess my good performance with the other account had paved a favorable result. It was barely a week with training, handling phone tech support calls when I had issues with my landlord.

The landlord would collect the rental fees in advance. One day my landlord with his family went into hiding. Some people were knocking at their door for some unpaid utility bills. Until one day, my neighbor and I lost our water and electricity services. Apparently our landlord was collecting our payments for utility bills without remitting our payments to the service providers. Worst, when my neighbor and I moved out from that apartment we were not refunded back our one month advance deposit.

When I moved to the apartment where I am now, I had very tight budget. I had to take salary loan from our Social Security System. This is a government owned agency that takes care of retirement for employees who work with private companies. I used the money to pay my one month advance and two months deposit to move to the new apartment. To make plans is too tiring. How much more if money is involved?

My perseverance finally was rewarded. Despite a little hassle on my training I passed it. I have a new place I would say I am happier compared to the previous apartment. I have a plus or should I say a bonus when I got accepted as a tech support agent. I got tech premium added to my monthly salary. I am likewise getting cash incentives. I just have to pass all metrics. Passing the metrics is not easy, but the reward that goes with passing it, is worth working for.

Folks, this is my side 0f the story. I have my ups and downs in life too, like most of you. It is a matter of not giving up. We cannot have everything in life... it is a matter of making the most of what we have. Life is too, short. Be nice to yourself. Be happy, why worry? :)

Moonlit Dawn

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:36:23 PST

I posted about the sunlight here are photos of the moon I took at dawn from my terrace. This was at around five am today. The lady street cleaner working on the bridge was probably wondering if I was taking her photos. I am just fascinated by the crescent moon. What was I doing at the terrace at five in the morning? Today is my day off from work. Friday and Saturdays are my day from work. I will have same work schedule until the end of March. I was hanging my laundry at the terrace when I chanced upon this lovely moon.


The lights are located on the bridge close to my apartment.

This is how the bridge looks at night. I made it lighter so it could be seen.

The unedited photo of the above.

The river below the bridge looking like lights are falling. It is actually a reflection of lights.

The clothes I was hanging at the terrace. I took this photo in the morning. The vine looking thing is bitter
gourd one of my favorite vegie. I made clothes line made of straw in lieu of trellis.

For the Love of Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:59:46 PST

From the terrace of my apartment. These bright rays of the sun bathing the river below.

Every time I woke up during my day off from work. I love the sound of chirping house sparrows when I would open my window and door leading to the terrace. I just could not have a chance snapping photos of them. They normally appeared when the sun is to start rising.

I admire the sun as it little by little takes charge of the horizon indicating a bright new day! A new beginning! The bright rays striking the river close to my apartment as if to say “ Hey! Buddy wake up! It is morning!” Here are some photos I took from my terrace. I may not have taken the photo of the sun itself. At least you could see its rays passing through the leaves of a tree.

The entrance to the terrace.

The bright rays of the rising sun passing through the leaves of the trees.

A bright new day! A new beginning!

A Day to Remember

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:51:36 PST

Yesterday, Feb 5 is the 85^th birthday of my late father. I went to the memorial park to bring flowers and candle. My parents were laid to rest in the same place. The memorial park is not close to my house. I do not visit my parents too often. Except if there is occasion. I am a bit guilty for not visiting them last Christmas as I used to do. Despite the difference of the place where they are now, we still belong to one family.

I was amazed by the number of people at the memorial park. Cars were neatly parked at the designated parking spaces. Family members were having lunch together under the shade of a huge picnic umbrella. Some children were running around to probably ease their boredom or simply just to play. Are you not wondering how quickly children could invent a game on any occasion?

It was a Sunday. The memorial park was on a festive mood so I thought. One of my acquaintances once said. She does not want to visit memorial parks and cemeteries. These are lonely places. Well, I would say not always. The caretaker I hired to look after my parents mentioned there had never been a time the memorial park is empty of visitors.

Filipinos may differ in so many ways. Yet, I am glad there are still those who value their loved ones and family members, regardless of where they are now.

Here are some photos I took just to practice my camera :)

My favorite statue. Jesus Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.


*The entrance to the Garden of Gethsemane where my parents are now.*

Who says this place is lonely?

When visitors could come any time of the day, any day of the week.

This is me taking photos under the shade of my umbrella. :)

Make a Difference

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:18:16 PST

I want to share this video with my blogger friends and blog readers. Watching this video made me utter words of thanks. It is simply because I am a complete person. This made me realized faith works in mysterious way. It is a matter of not giving up.. Enjoy watching, folks. :)

Customer First

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:39:25 PST

Thank you for calling how may I help you today?”

“I am calling about my telephone. I reported the noise on it since December. I was promised of someone coming but, no one has ever come to our house. My husband is undergoing chemotherapy. I have to endure this noisy telephone every time I call his doctor.”

I received the call from a soft spoken lady a minute before I log out to end my shift, around the second week of January 2012. I could imagine the effort calling from a very crackling telephone. We had to shout at each other to be heard. I responded without hesitation, accessed the trouble ticket. To my surprise, I searched an open ticket that indicated “acknowledged” by dispatch but no technician was ever assigned.
My instinct dictated to me the lady on the phone needed her phone badly. Putting customer first, I did not mind at all extending my working hours. I rebooked the ticket, routed it to the correct department. To backup my request for priority, I sent a request for manager call back. I assured the lady on the phone. Someone will call her the soonest possible time and her phone will be fixed.

Three days after the call. I received a notification though my email the issue was resolved. I felt happy reading the email. I could see in my mind the smile on the face of that soft spoken lady. By putting customer first on my list, I believed I extended a much needed help to the lady customer and her husband. Likewise, I retain a satisfied loyal customer.

This is an excerpt from what I had written for our essay writing contest at our office. I hope my entry would arrive in time. The first one I sent through email came back to me. I had to resend my entry. Wish me luck, folks.

Jolly Princess Is Four Years Old

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:09:59 PST

My blog Jolly Princess @ World Wide celebrated its fourth blog anniversary last Jan 11, 2012. Yes, the birth of this blog was Jan 11, 2008. Since, then until now this had been my window to the World Wide Web.

Jolly Princess is my personal journal. I write whatever I feel I would like to share with my readers. This blog absorbs my feelings. Who says I am alone when I have the World Wide Web to share my thoughts with? This is the beauty of being a blogger. You communicate and learn to share your feelings with others. Most of all you gain many friends.

Folks, I hope you guys would never let up visiting my blog despite my absence in some months. A word of thanks and appreciation to those who leave comments and let me know of their visit. To those you expressed concern in my days of absence – A MILLION THANKS! :)

My Precious Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:52:28 PST

Enjoying dinner on New Years Eve. I forgot we do have comb at home.:)

I had a simple Christmas and New Year celebration. Simple as I did not spend a lot for decors and food. After all I have to watch my diet. I have voracious appetite. The only things I spent a bit more is my gifts to my family members, godchildren and close family friends. I had to ask my family members of what they wanted to make it easier for me to shop. I had to work on the budget for the items. For my godchildren I know what they wanted, toys. I did not ask some friends of what they want. The question is exclusive for my family members. I love shopping but my limited time will now allow me to. The wish list was a great help. My family members did not ask me what I wanted but they sure know what to give me. Here are my precious gifts. I do not care much of how expensive or how much do they cost. The excitement of accepting them is what counts to me.

My precious microwave. My first gift from my nephew.

Old rose shoulder bag and blue legging paths from my sis and her family

Shoes from my youngest bro and his family.

My youngest bro was assigned by his company in Dublin Ireland. I got these cute t-shirts from him.

I thought of sharing some of my blessing to my fellow Filipinos who were not fortunate to celebrate Christmas with their loved ones. When our HR at the office asked to share to those you were impacted by typhoon and flood in Mindanao area. I sent email to have some amounts be deducted from my salaries for these people.

Have a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR, folks!

Welcome 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Jolly Princess) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:37:29 PST

Happy New Year!

New beginning, new hope.. May there will be prosperity, love and peace in the entire universe as we welcome the 2012.. Never give up hope.. We can fulfill our dreams, we can make things happen!

Wishing my blogger friends and readers, ALL the BEST through the years and... ALWAYS!