Three: It wouldn't hurt to be courteous.

I think it’s imperative for customer representatives or sales agents who transact business over the phone to be courteous. For someone who wants an explanation of an unknown increase in his monthly bill, the most you can do is assure the client that things will be looked through and acted upon the instance the complaint is placed.

You do not fight fire with fire. If a client is irked or furious, you, of all people, must remain your cool. A client is not dense or naïve to not notice the increase in the pitch of your voice, or the voluntary and unnecessary sounds you make during the duration of the call. I can personally sense if you’re being a pain in my arse. And if you’re lucky, this irate client can give you the time of his day, or worse, a piece of his mind.

It’s also a waste of a client’s time and effort to be CONTINUALLY asked to dial another number as you cannot attend to his concern. When you tell a client that he will be put on hold for the next one to two minutes so that you can look into his account, PLEASE be considerate enough to not extend it to twenty minutes or almost an hour. It’s a long wait with an irritating music on the background. And when a client’s call is cut, you should be smart enough to return the call (because you obviously have his area code and number) as he deserves that and to call and explain ALL OVER AGAIN the entire matter to another representative is DUMB and a waste of his saliva.

You are being paid to make sure the client is satisfied with the services and products your company offers. A fraction of every client’s monthly bill goes to your salary. With these said, it’s only proper that you show courteousness to every client placing a call.

P.S. It also wouldn’t hurt that you smile before picking up the phone. It’s a lot different for when you don’t.

P.P.S. Weren’t you told that you do not directly breathe into the receiver? I can actually count the number of breaths you have in a one-minute cycle.

Four: To Maggie and Jamie

It's half an hour past three in the morning and I just finished watching one of the sweetest and moving movies filmed (but of course, excluding most sex scenes). I believe that everyone is entitled to love and be loved. That is, ultimately, one's purpose and the sole reason why we exist. Love overcomes every trial-- race, gender, religion, health, financial status, education, distance, time, and issues of any sort-- there is. And that no one is in any position or has any right to question the love budding between two individuals. For reasons known only to them as to why they're together, it is only proper that we respect and wish them well.

For when we have faith that one's love will conquer just about anything, then you're definitely in for the long but worthwhile ride called LOVE. 

And for once, let's all be sappy. BWAHAHAHA :-p

Two: The Family's Bundle of Joy

On December 10, 2007, our family was blessed with the birth of my nephew, Prince Amos. He has been the family's bundle of joy and has been nothing but a blessing to everyone. He was a sickly baby then. I remembered wanting to go home and be right next to him when he was confined in the hospital for several days. The days were long and dragging.

Years have gone and he still continually surprises and amazes me with thoughts and actions only a toddler can do. Everyday, I learn new different things. And with days that I stand as his sitter, my patience is put to test (and to even greater lengths). He manages to make me insane and sane altogether. It's a wonder how he does that. Our house is filled with a child's mirth. Every clumsy and funny attempt he does at dancing, singing, talking, or simple skills is a cause of laughter and celebration. We shriek and dance along. And boy do I die of laughter!

I have a very close relationship with my nephew. I am afraid that he grows up way too fast, too soon even. When before he needs every help that he could get to manage to sit on four or stand straight is now replaced by his sheer perseverance to do things on his own; only asking for help when all else fail. When before I bathe and feed him like my own, now he wants to do it himself. I try to convince him he's incapable of doing things but this is futile since he is even more determined to prove me otherwise. Erik Erikson's Psychosocial Task for his age comes to mind: Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt. I need not wonder.

We live in a very harsh world, and I'm afraid that, as his tita, I cannot shield him from this reality. When his playmates try to play bully because they're obviously older, taller, and bigger (and badder hehe), I go after them BUT he stares at me hard trying to convey the message that he can handle them himself. All these pain me. I would like to always be there for him but that is also almost impossible. I can only do so much for him, the rest he has to do and discover on his own, the way he wants it.

I promise that I will document (through this blog and other means) his every move, big or small, so that one day he may see how he has given the family so much happiness. I know he'll be a God-fearing and good Filipino citizen. You know that aunt-gut feeling? I have that.

I love you, Buboy! You're my number 1!

One: Lose

Death is inevitable. It's part of our lives. Someone loses someone in a blink of a second. A child dies from Malaria in South Africa, a man loses his son whilst at work because of faulty wiring, a doctor in Singapore proclaims a patient D.O.A from stray bullet, and here in the Philippines, eleven construction workers die from fall in a construction site. You see, wherever in the world we may be, a lose is sure to happen.

One of my closest friends is in pain. Her migraine, along with other physical sorrow, troubles her. Her fever shoots up to 40-degree Celsius. Her parents are worried. Everyone is.

Ever since the day she's told  me something was seriously bothering her, I forced myself to dismiss it as something that will also pass by. Our friendship has weathered almost everything-- distance, communication, and the lack of personal visits (which is vital in every relationship). I have nothing but faith that she'll  be healed of whatsoever. 

I've known her as a selfless, forgiving, very helpful, and amazing individual. God has given me so much by letting me have the pleasure of becoming her friend. And she deserves NONE of these. I could never bear to know she's in great pain, let alone lose her. Not now, please. We have made plans together-- visit places, eat this/that, buy this/that, etc-- and we are yet to fulfill them. She's my biggest supporter, or fan. And I'm hers. I root for her in things I know she's good at. She's encourage me to try new things. We're very awesome at cheering for one another. ;) 

So, Heavens, just this one time, please no.

I know God has bigger plans for making things happen the way they are. And we could only hope for the best. Faith is believing that things will turn out OK. This is me fervently BELIEVING that God won't let anything happen to her or to anyone, wherever, whoever they may be.

If I were to lose something/one, let it be my worries or anything close to that. But please, let me just keep my friend for a couple more years so we can laugh at the silliest thing... This is me BEGGING. :/