Life on the road

Nice to be back home after almost a month of traveling for work. I love that I get to places I've never been to. It just took its toll on me after a month of doing it -- laundry, time, social life, lovelife, not to mention the sheer exhaustion.

I tried scoring myself on how much of the Philippines I've been to again and I got a C+. Mababa pa rin pala teehee! =D

http://forge.codedgraphic.com/lakbayan/

In other news, I'm so glad to be alive after that fastcraft trip from Sorsogon to Masbate. Ayayay! The sea was so rough that a lot of the luggage and even the TV inside the seacraft fell from its place. I was literally yanked off my seat quite a number of times, too.

I shall never go to Masbate again during the rainy season. And if I really need to, there's always the plane.

In hindsight, the trip was good. I was able to book a case, at the very least. =)

Ciao!

Bicolandia and everything in between

So I'm here in Naga waiting for Chris to come back from the airport. In a few hours I'll be in Legaspi City. Then Sorsogon then Masbate.

I just came from Zamboanga City and Clark last week.

I wonder where life takes me next.

It's tiring but I'm just trying to take it all in and enjoying it altogether. I almost forgot to mention that I was in CWC yesterday. I wasn't able to wakeboard but at least I've seen the place.

So this is me making lemonades after life throws me lemons. Besides, I know I'll miss doing this eventually and wish I'll be as busy when the humdrum of office work takes over.

Until then, ciao!

This is why I work

I've been stressed and exhausted before. Pero parang ngayon lang ako nalunod ulit sa work. Stress to the maximum. And just when I thought I wasn't doing anything right, this text comes along:

"Sir Bry, this is _____ po from Batch 38... Sir thank you nga po pala kanina. Natouch po ako. Sir kinakabahan po ak osa revalida hay. Sa inyo ko lang po sinabi sir. Sana makapasa at makaya po. Good night Sir Bry. Mamimiss namin yung 3 weeks na nakasama namin kayo. We love you Sir Bry the best ka talaga, very approachable ;("

I know this is His way of telling me, "It's okay to be tired, son. You're doing a good job!"

Thank you, Lord. Thank you. I just always have to remind myself that I'm blessed. This is more than enough. Okay na sakin ang maka affect at maka-inspire ng one single soul.

=)

the gift

They say big things come in small packages.
Small package: The gift.
Big thing: The thought, the effort, and the gesture behind the gift.


Along with this small token is the video of their messages of thanks (which I have to figure out how to convert so I can upload).
Thank you Batch 26. It's the small things that I love most about this job. Good luck and God bless you all.

pocketful of sunshine

so last friday, after lunch, i decided to do an activity to prepare them for the long afternoon ahead. usually, it's just a small game wherein the losing group will have to do the consequence as given by the winning group.

i decided to digress from that usual ice breaker because i, too, am beginning to get tired of it. what i did was to write all their names on each paper and posted it in front of the class. i instructed them to go in front of the paper as it was laid out in front and write something positive about the person. it took us quite a while to finish and after which, i read it aloud in class and have each of them tell me if they liked what they heard or if anything isn't true about what was written. it was a good 30 minutes spent. after the activity, i proceeded with the afternoon discussion.

in the middle of my discussion, i noticed a piece of paper being passed around. i don't normally mind those things during my class because i'm sure as hell they were already on information overload and passing notes could help them regain their focus and, well, refrain from drifting into the oblivion.

in the middle of the afternoon, i gave them a 15-minute break so they can rest and do whatever they need and want to do. as for me, i went down to have a smoke.

when i came back, i saw a piece of paper in front of me with my name on it and a note to "please read it aloud :)"

i froze for a split second. could this be? is this the moment i realize i'm not made of stone? that i have feelings? that i am touched? hahaha.

so i gave them a smile and said thank you for the gesture. apparently, they also made one for me like i have them do earlier that day.

see, those are the small things that make me love my job even more. :)

and oh, here's what they wrote :)

• loves necktie
• male version of miss joy
• gwapo oiiis!
• kenkoy
• gracious
• mortal enemy of RC (one of the attendees i always poke fun of, in a good way, of course)
• cute
• approachable
• alaskador
• workaholic
• talented
• sweet (??)
• i like his haircut
• -- hehe what hair?!
• funny
• marunong mag plantsa
• break na pag nag-weewee
• "sige, pabili tayo ng coffee"
• "sige, pabili tayo ng sugar"
• "sige, paakyat natin yung notes"
• "sige, paakyat natin kay clavio"

now, now, now. i know there are things there that made me go "wwwuuut?!" haha but the gesture really touched me.

ciao!

last week

i just finished my first two training days last thursday and friday. that just strengthened my belief that teaching/training is my passion. it makes me sweat, it makes me tired, it exhausts me, yet at the same time it fulfills me, it rewards me, and it makes me proud and happy.

i've been training what i'm training now since my prudentialife days. it's just that we don't do an in-depth training of the industry. this time, i have to learn and relearn everything i've known the past years. i need to study and review all the materials in a few days for me to train them effectively in just a matter of days. i actually miss the training i got from my last company where trainers are given months to prepare for just one product. this time, i need to cover 8-9 products in two weeks.

fortunately for me, i was able to do it last thursday and friday.

last wednesday, i was on super panic mode because there was a miscommunication between me and my boss. it was clear to me that i was going to train all the products but it wasn't made clear to me that aside from that, i was to train another module PLUS the sales process module on friday.

i was so anxious last wednesday and i called tin to talk me through what i'm about to do. i thought it was suicide already. good thing tin was able to calm me down and lay down all the facts about what i'm going to do. thanks tin.

sometimes when the world seems to run in chaos and you feel like you're in the middle of it, all you need is to have someone to make you see things in perspective AND make you feel that you can definitely do it. for that, thanks tin and macky. macky was there, too, to listen to my rants :)

thursday and friday was the best for me. after being exhausted because of the whole day training my boss and i had a short sit down meeting about my performance. he said, and i paraphrase: wow. congratulations! i'm very much impressed. i didn't expect you to train the way you trained given the short time you have to study the materials. it's impressive. keep it up and may pupuntahan ka.

:) as if all the tension went away (my right hip and right thigh still hurt from all the standing and walking haha)

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friday, i went out with my colleagues for a birthday celebration -- still hoping that i finally gain some lunchmates hahaha.

last night, saturday, i went out with my dear barkada. i love you guys so much!

anyway, that's my week.

(anti-climactic, LOL)

ciao!

ang pagtatapos

the dale carnegie training offers the following courses:

dale carnegie course: effective communications and human relations

This course will help you master the capabilities demanded in today's tough business environment. You'll learn to strengthen interpersonal relationships, manage stress and handle fast-changing workplace conditions. You'll be better equipped to perform as a persuasive communicator, problem-solver and focused leader. And you'll develop a take-charge attitude initiated with confidence and enthusiasm.

In short, the course will power you to move far beyond your comfort zone as you stretch for and attain ambitious new goals.

leadership training for managers

Leadership development has meant different things in different times. The modern leader knows that it means developing the skills needed to motivate the modern team. These necessary skills can be learned through a leadership development training program, which is less stressful than being forced to learn the skills on the job. Working your way up the ladder, you've experienced numerous leadership styles from the previous generations of managers. With these new expectations, managers need to undertake new leadership development training strategies.

This management leadership training course will teach you how to stop managing and start leading; and, as a result, make you a vital part to your organization's future. Investing in leadership development training will help build your team's leadership fundamentals, which will ensure you are more than likely to have a bright career path ahead of you.

This management leadership training course also empowers you to practice the skills you need to stop pushing and start pulling. Developing the skill set of the modern leader will help your team to thrive within the company and it will help you to achieve your career goals.

high impact presentation

Whether you are persuading colleagues, selling a client or energizing a team, the power of your presentation makes the difference between success and failure.

The experience in this presentations skills training seminar is as close as you can get to having a personal, public speaking coach. You present at least seven times over the course of two days. Your presentations are videotaped and evaluated. And you get expert one-on-one coaching at the end of each presentation.

(source: http://www.philippines.dalecarnegie.com)

the executive training institute is the sole franchise holder of dale carnegie training in the philippines.

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masaya akong natapos ko na ang lahat ng ito. dahil dito, tapos na ang panahon ng pamimilit ng mga kasamahan sa trabaho sa pagdalo sa mga kursong ito =) ngunit sa kabila nito, ako ay masaya sa aking pagtatapos.

katulad ng nabanggit ko, natapos ko na ang ikatlo at pinakahuling kurso na tinatawag na high impact presentation. ang una kong dahilan kaya ako nagpalista sa kurso ay gusto kong maging mas mabisa sa paghihimok sa mga taong dumadalo sa aking mga pagsasanay. bagamat ang karera ko ay nasa pagsasanay o training, naniwala ako na hindi ako isang "ma-sales" na tao. sa totoo lang, ako ang tipo ng tao na hindi namimilit: kung gusto mo, mabuti. kung ayaw mo, 'di 'wag. kabilang sa aming ginagawa tuwing kami ay nagsasalita sa harap ay maghimok ng tao. kaya naman ang pagbabago sa ganitong istilo ang una kong layunin sa pagsali sa kurso.
kaya naman laking gulat ko nalang ng sabihan ako ng aming tagapagsanay na mabuti at epektibo akong tagapagsalita upang manghimok ng tao; sa totoo lang, parang nakikipaglaro ang kalawakan sa akin sapagkat sa tuwing ako ay magtatapos ng aking pagsasalita sa harap, lagi akong pinupuri ng aming tagapagsanay. hindi naman sa pagyayabang, ngunit minsan, masarap din sa pakiramdam ang mapatunayan na ako pala ay may kwenta. malabo man kung iisipin, minsan mabuti ang masabihan na ikaw ay mali -- lalo pa kung ito ay may kinalaman sa iyong kakayanan.
nagkaroon kami ng pitong pagkakataong makapagsalita sa harap upang maitama at masabihan kung ano man ang kailangan naming baguhin o ayusin sa aming pagsasalita. at sa lahat ng pagkakataong iyon, wala namang masamang nasabi sakin. pinagpupursigi pa nga ako ng aming tagapagsanay na ipagpatuloy ko ang karera sa pagsasanay sapagkat ako daw ay may natural na biyaya sa pagharap at pagsasalita sa madla. wala akong ibang masabi kundi ang lubos na pasasalamat at binanggit ko na rin sa aming tagapagsanay ang tungkol sa aking paniniwala bago pa man ako magsimula sa kurso.

hindi ko na nais pahabain pa ang mistulang pagbubuhat ng sariling upuan. ang punto ng aking pagsusulat ngayon ay hindi para gawin ito kung hindi ang pagpaptunay sa sarili ko na mahusay pala ako at ang kailangan ko lang ay maniwala sa aking kakayanan.

siguro rin ay nagtataka kayo kung bakit ako nagsusulat sa wikang filipino. ako ay nagsulat sa wikang filipino sapagkat nabanggit sa akin ng aming tagapagsanay na ang nakikita niya sa akin ay isang pang-"corporate" na tagapagsanay at hindi siya sigurado kung kaya kong humarap sa masa. pinatunayan ko sa kanya, at sa akin, na kaya ko ito sa pamamagitan ng aking huling paguulat sa wikang filipino. pinandigan ko na lamang ang pagsusulat dito sa filipino.

sa pagtatapos, nais kong magpasalamat sa aking mga kasamahan sa trabaho sa paghihimok sa akin na dumalo sa nasabing kurso. nagpapasalamat din ako sa aming tagapagsanay na si rex resurreccion at elean pazon sa mga mabubuting salita na masagana at taos puso nilang ipinamahagi sa akin at sa buong klase. pinasasalamatan ko rin ang aking mga kamag-aral sa pagsuporta at patuloy na paniniwala sa akin at isa't-isa sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng angkop na palagay, pananaw, at kritisismo sa bawat pagsasanay. nawa'y naging mabuti at masaya ang kurso sa inyong lahat, tulad ng sa akin.

sa panahong ito, gusto ko rin magpasalamat sa Panginoon sa pagbibiyaya sa akin ng mga talentong minsan ay hindi nagagamit sa tama. sa Panginoon ang buong kadakilaan!

muli, maraming, maraming salamat!

pocketful of sunshine

i was in the office a while ago and was doing nothing (fyi: i finished all my tasks and deliverables in the morning. =P ) and thought about this:

i need something to hold on to every time i feel a little down. i need it to come from my own experiences. so i thought of putting all the good things that i can be proud of/happy of in pieces of paper and just draw from the lot when i feel the need to.
but why waste paper? so i'll just do it here online. on my blog. duh.

so starting from today, whenever i experience something good, i shall write it on here. that's all hehe.

pocketful of sunshine:

in my previous job, while helping out one of the cashiers, one customer, while paying for his merchandise asked for my name. the whole time i was helping the cashier, i was all smiles and i was actually quite cheerful. he asked so aggressively that i was actually taken aback and thought immediately that i was a bit too irritating for him. and the fact that his eyes were squinting at my name plate's direction didn't help at all.
so i looked at him shyly and said: uhh, yes sir? it's bryan.
i was actually waiting for some not-so-nice words from him.
then he paused and said: bryan, huh... you deserve your position.
then he went off carrying loads of paper bags.

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in other news, i love this new coke angel ad. something really refreshing.

i wish i know what soundtrack was used though. help?

ciao!

randomness

randomness

dumaguete-ness is still coming up. sorry i've no time to upload them all, i'll try to upload it in multiply if possible.

the other day, a co-worker told me that there was a letter addressed to me. it was snail mail and handwritten in back-to-back pink (yellow) paper. honestly, we had a hard time reading it because of the handwriting and flow of thought. BUT we got the point of the letter. it was from an attendee of a seminar we regularly conduct; a letter of appreciation to us being good trainers.
the letter contained three things: 1. appreciation of our work, 2. she wants to continue her education, 3. preaching - citing instances in her life on how God works.
grabe. nakakataba ng puso. there are people pala that would really take the time out to say how much they enjoyed the trainings/seminars. saya.

and since we're in the subject of work. here's the TDD family.

taken during on of our meetings. crunch time.
(click to enlarge)

++++++++++

we watched rata... ratatu... ratatouw... ratatouille *sigh* last night. IT WAS HELLA FUN.

i'm not sure but i think the story is a bit too mature for younger viewers. however, the story IS good. kainis! ang daming magagandang movies na sunod sunod!

tomorrow's the simpsons! hehe.

++++++++++

listen to amy winehouse! there's a lot of songs to be favorite-d :)

Tracks:
rehab
you know i'm no good
me and mr. jones
back to black
love is a losing game
tears dry on their own
wake up alone
some unholdy war
he can only hold her

ciao!