The Do-It-Later Attitude

I consider myself as the epitome of the Filipino's "Mañana Habit". Yes, I make sure that I do my task to the best of my abilities by hook or by crook, but then again, I wouldn't do it right away if I can get away by doing it a later time.

So what is the so-called Mañana Habit about? The term "Mañana was coined from our Spaniard ancestors which means "in the future" (with specified time frame) or "tomorrow". This is also known as the "Mamaya Na" habit in Filipino. This is the kind of attitude that we Filipinos are famous for that we are very complacent even if we can finish tasks assigned to us way before the deadline. This is because of the mentality that we still have ample time anyway to do what is expected of us. End result? We rush on the last minute just to make it done, or worse, we won't be able to complete or do our tasks at all.

A good example of this habit is one of my deliverables as a trainer for one of the top contact centers in the Philippines. To ensure that what we are teaching are still aligned with the processes, we, trainers are required to take calls just like the rest of the agents, or what most of us know as Customer Service Representative. The trainers are being asked to take calls for just for four (4) hours per month to be updated with client policies and to help with the queue as well. Since I am a legit Filipina, I normally complete my "phonetime requirement" as we call it, on the last day of the month when I can do it at the start of the month or when I have the opportunity to do it beforehand.

Pretty much you have already guessed that I get all so tensed more often than not because of this behavior that I can no longer remove from my system. We call such a "habit" because it's something we do as routinary. Something that we are accustomed to doing for we feel that it works without any critical impact since we do it anyway. On a positive note, despite the complacency, we still meet our deadline on the last minute. The reason? Filipinos have this winning attitude. No matter what the effects are, no matter how we finish our tasks, we still make sure that we exceed expectations of us.

The big question though is: "Why do it later when you can do it today?" :)

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Rant of a Person With a Terrible Toothache

Toothache is believed to be the most challenging feeling specially for a trainer like me. It affects the entire body system to the extent that you can acquire fever and migraine from it. Just when I have a Culture and Communications class. How in the world can I spot correct my trainees with enunciation if I can't even properly produce the sounds? S, F, and TH sounds are quite hard to produce if you have toothache. How can I make my trainees believe me that mispronunciation affects comprehensibility when I am not comprehensible myself? Talk about credibility, right? Hahaha! Life is really ironic.

What's worse? I have the best pain killer known to mankind and even bought one of the most expensive branded antibiotics, but both seem not too effective! Can I blame Winston Lights (My cigar brand) or my occasional drinking habits why medicines aren't working as they are supposed to?

Should I be happy for this will lessen my food intake and therefore help me with my endless dieting? Or do I need to just sleep and stop from ranting about something I know I don't have any control of right now? I just wish that my impacted molar is no longer swollen by the time I wake up tomorrow. :)

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Longing..

Singing, as they say, is a way of expressing your thoughts. It can either clear your mind or break your heart. You enjoy the rhythm of the music as well as the context of the songs. As I listen to the lyrics of the songs here being sang by my colleagues, and as I try to understand the meaning of the countless songs I tried to sing earlier, it makes me realize how I miss having someone special in my life. I can't help but start to long for someone who will make my life complete again.. Someone who will pick up the pieces of the puzzle together. Do not get me wrong. I love my son to the moon and back. I guess you will agree with me that it's different to have someone special whom you can talk to about anything and everything under the sun. Someone you can be with everyday, from the moment you open your eyes in the morning to the time you close your eyes at night. Someone who will always be there for you no matter what and someone whom you call yours. Sure, dating a lot of guys somehow fulfill those empty spaces. It can definite boost your confidence if male species are interested with you. However, being interested and being loved are two different things. The former can be temporary, while the latter can last for a long time.

As I belt the high notes of one of my favorite songs, I came to conclusion that this feeling of emptiness will be gone and will be replaced with contentment in time, when I least expect it...

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