Go Crazy Wondering What If

          At first, I never thought I'd ever read The Selection Series (Trilogy) by Kiera Cass. I have always come across them whenever I went to bookstores to look for potential books to read. You see, I don't have the luxury to buy books all the time (even if want them so bad). What I do is stall along the vast shelves and list the titles and authors that I think are interesting. Once I have them, i look over the internet and download them in e-book forms, if they're available, and so, I get to read them for free. I know this somehow disrespects the author, but I do make sure that I leave something in their site or other social links that lets them know that I appreciate and adore their work.

          Anyway, looking at the book cover, where a lady wears a very long and elegant gown, somehow didn't made any impact for me. I don't know, but maybe the impression of Princes and Princesses doesn't interest me that much. Only then a very close friend of mine suggested I read them for fun and promises that I'll like it.

          With a span of three days, i finished reading the trilogy. And guess what? I LOVED IT! :) Haha. :)) Maybe because it wasn't what i thought the story would be. You know, the usual love stories where royalties would find someone to marry so that there would be a never-ending hierarchy by blood. But the story was not at all about love and its other usual ways. Instead, there was something about values, responsibilities, bravery and fighting back. The twists would make you think about things, but still end up being surprised by the outcome. However, we can never deny the happily-ever-after fact. It's inevitable.

          Nevertheless, Kiera Cass had made such a great novel. It's something people would get hooked to, especially to those who somehow believe in fairy tales And so, like what i always do, I've written down the lines that i liked. I hope this would interest others to check out and read the series. :)

THE SELECTION

Meant to be heard and not seen.

Go crazy wondering what if.

True love is usually the most inconvenient kind.

THE ELITE

I wish things were easier sometimes, normal.

Time. I was asking a lot of it these days. I hoped that if I had enough, everything would somehow fall into place.

You know that you've found something amazing, and you want to hold on to it forever; and every second after you have it, you fear the moment you might lose it.

Love is beautiful fear.

Sometimes I feel like we're a knot, too tangled to be taken apart.

THE ONE

There are bigger things than love.

It doesn't really matter how you feel about your character; it just matters what you do with it.

Mistakes mean it's real

Bravery hides in amazing places.

Sometimes it's about what you want to do, not what you have to.

Keep from letting fear make you settle for second best.

You are sunlight falling through trees. You are laughter that breaks through sadness. You are the breeze on a too-warm day. You are clarity in the midst of confusion.

Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway.

          For these two, well I haven't read them yet, but I know these covers the sides of the two main male characters in the story: Prince Maxon, and Aspen the Guard. These would probably show more of their thoughts and feelings as to what America, the main female character, have thought throughout the trilogy.

Stash

Graduation Pictures - Raw/Unedited

(c) Young Photography Studio

UNIFORM

In my blue department uniform.. I'll definitely miss wearing them everyday, even if i have complained about them a million times. =))

FILIPINIANA

I don't actually know why do we need to have this kind of shot. Perhaps, tradition? But it looks elegant. :) Oh yeah, i'm wearing jeans underneath. ;)

TOGA

The main purpose of this photoshoot was to have a picture wearing a toga. :) But where's the tassel???

CREATIVE

Honestly, i have no idea what or who to portray. Instead, i sat at the grooming chair and told the make up artist, "Gawin niyo po akong Diyosa." And i guess, i somehow turned out to be like one. :)

BARKADA

Unfortunately, we're not complete. Some of my friends were already working so they weren't able to come during the shoot.

The Lancaster Way

          It is such an overwhelming experience to have been able to experience what the hospitality industry is all about within a 3-month time frame. From applying to numerous hotels, to hopes of being called for interview, to processing requirements, to actual training, to learning experiences, and finally, to having your freshly printed out certificate of completion.

Hotel's Facade

          I was first assigned at the Housekeeping Department. At first, I was kind of hesitant about everything. I wasn’t sure if I can handle all the work knowing that housekeeping is a very tiring job. You have to be fast and focused when it comes to cleaning rooms. For trainees, we are assigned either as a runner or as a partner to a Room Attendant – we call this “tandem”. As a runner, you are tasked to follow everything what the Team Leaders, Coordinators, Linen Attendants and Room Attendants asks you to do. Runners run guest and Room Attendant requests. They fold linens whenever the laundry arrives. They prepare daily operation materials such as linens, towels and amenities, and does inventory every month. Being a runner is not very tiring, however, much of your time is taken by the slowness of the service elevator whenever going to different floors. On the other hand, whenever in tandem with a Room Attendant, trainees also act as a Room Attendant. They get to do and experience all the work that RAs do. They remove trash, strip linens, clean bathrooms, wash dishes, set up beds, sweep and mop floors, do dusting in all the furniture in the room, and set up clean towels and amenities for arriving guests. Every day, each RA must obtain a minimum of 16 points – where 1 bedroom is equivalent to 1 point – regardless if it’s a Vacant Dirty (VD) or a Make Up Room (MUR). There was a time when the hotel’s occupancy rate is high and each RA was given more than 20 points to accomplish. Most of them had to work for unpaid overtime. And so, they would always tell us that they’re thankful that they have us trainees to help.

Bed Making

          As for my second department, I was transferred to the Food and Beverage Department, mainly in Banquet Service. Trainees are tasked with a lot of things including setting up function rooms, ironing table napkins, cloths, toppers and runners, arranging center pieces, skirting tables, setting up buffet tables, monitoring the coffee and water station, serving food and beverages to guests, and clearing (bust out), washing and drying plates, glassware and utensils. All of these procedures are done for every event or function. There were times that our duty lasts for a minimum of 10 hours, depending on the length of the event. We got to experience going home late and tired because of all the work. However, being at banquet service had been very challenging for me. It enhanced my skills and abilities regarding creativity, time management and communication. I became more sociable by dealing with numerous guests in one event.

Banquet Service

          I would just like to suggest that the hotel should have a more established and organized management. They should conduct orientation of the proper procedures in the different departments before deploying trainees in the actual operation. And also, for the betterment of the hotel, they should invest in equipment, materials and industry standard machines to improve facilities and service. My 500 hours of training at Lancaster Hotel Manila had been one of the best experiences I ever had. I have met new people and gained knowledge at the same time. There were certain problems that I have encountered, but eventually, everything was resolved through proper handling and communication. For my training as a whole, I have experienced it “The Lancaster Way”. :)

Possibilities Beyond Borders

          Lately, I’ve been thinking way too deep than I usually do. What does my future hold? Will I be able to manage things the way I’m used to? Or will it be such a challenge now that I’m about to enter the world of reality and endless possibilities? Whenever I think about graduation, I feel happy, sad, brave, scared, overwhelmed, confused, excited, frustrated and a whole lot more of mixed emotions packed in one. I’ve been completely torn between choices and options. But what’s the difference between the two? None. Because either way, I’m bound to make decisions, those of which will make or break the path I’m opt to take. 

          But what makes me more utterly baffled is that, I’m not really good at making decisions. Whenever I take a look at the weight of things, I tend to consider the pros and cons in a careless manner which results to disappointments and regrets. Of all things I hate, I don’t like being disappointed. I extremely dislike the feeling and the fact that I put so much effort and expectation on a certain thing, but ends up letting it slip my hands and worse, not getting it. Gah, just the thought of it makes me want to continue this writing in SHOUTY CAPITALS. Like that. Hahaha. =)) Oh, the irony. But somehow, I get hints from people around me. There’s always room for 2nd opinion, even 3rd, 4th, 5th and so on.

          Regarding my hotel practicum, it’s been weeks since a hotel called me for an interview. But lately, there had been none, and it makes me panic because I feel like I’m running out of time. Most of my batchmates have already been preparing their requirements for OJT (i.e. transcripts, certifications, recommendation letters, medical clearances, etc.). And what’s more, others have started training mid-October already. I envy them. :|

          Well, technically, I already have a hotel to hold my practicum: Best Western Oxford Suites Makati. But in some way, I’m not whole-heartedly confident about it. Why? Let me enumerate that for you.

1. HOTEL CLASSIFICATION. I have no idea if Best Western is a 3 or 4-star hotel. Google somewhat posted varying ratings which were based on reviews from TripAdvisor, Agoda and other travel blog sites. I’m kinda aiming for 5. 
2. REQUIRED TRAINING HOURS. Best Western asks for 500 hours of hotel training, but our course only requires 300 for completion (I think). 
3. GOING THERE AND BACK. The trip seems too exhausting. Even if it’s only one train ride from MRT Cubao Station to Buendia, I don’t have the strength and enthusiasm to keep up and squeeze myself in with the huge number of MRT passengers every day, six times a week, multiply that by 2. K I have tried it once for my interview, and I swore to myself I will never do it again. 
4. LOCATION MATTERS. Best Western is unfortunately at the heart of Makati’s Red Light District. Hotels, pubs and bars from left to right. You’ll see foreigners with girls dressed in miniskirts/shorts and cleavage-level tops. You get the picture. You know what I mean. 
5. ENVIRONMENT IS ANOTHER CONCERN. Even if Makati is one of the most clean and disciplined cities in Manila, I still cannot fathom the environment where the hotel is. I’m just scared. Okay, coward. I don’t know. A lot of things can happen. Even just by walking in the streets, I once imagined that someone might pick on me. Jeez, I can’t run too fast. And worse, I might be in heels if ever such thing happens. 

Best Western Oxford Suites Makati

(Photo taken from the Internet)

          And so last night, I asked for a sign. Is it going to be Best Western? Or should I wait for other hotels? For bigger opportunities? I hold at the thought not later than this morning. Miss Jo de Guzman, the one who interviewed me at Best Western, texted me once again after two dull weeks. Her text reads, “Can you start November 4 already?” The first thing that came to me was, “Is this the sign?” And so, I texted her back saying, “Yes miss, I can.” without hesitation.

          Have I made the right decision? Or is it one of my clumsy-reflex decisiveness? Now I’m starting to weigh things again. I asked my parents, my boyfriend Gelo, and my close friend Toni about this. They all said I should take the opportunity. They even added “Who knows, they might even absorb you for employment afterwards.” which I haven’t thought of. For now, the hotel asks me of one thing, my recommendation letter. And once I hand it to them, I could start my training. Oh, the thought of working in a hotel makes me want to jump with glee. But re-thinking my reasons for considering Best Western, my joys are flushed again with doubts and what ifs. I just hope I get to finalize everything. I know that there are risks, but hopefully, all will be well. I’m still hoping for something better though.

Taste Life the PUPian HRM Way. :)

          First semester of senior year must have been the BEST compared to all others i had through out my college life. It's the last semester i'll ever have minor subjects! No more cramming of projects and reports to pass within the week. No more events to plan and execute. No more homeworks, exams, paper works and others! It just feels so good to know that i have survived another school semester. :)

          Realizing it now, memories flash back, time had passed by so quickly. I remember when i first laid foot on the premises of the known Sintang Paaralan. I was very nervous to get my test permit. I was on my own and I have no idea where to get the freakin' piece of paper. So i called my mom and asked if she could come and pick me up. I was about to hurl. But minutes later, Mom came and she accompanied me to the Administration and Registration Office (ARO) to get my test permit.

          Anyway, i was browsing through some pictures and i can help but reminisce. (Hey, it's THROWBACK THURSDAY, by the way. ;p) These must have been the reasons why i love my chosen course: BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT :)

*** All pictures were taken during First Semester, Senior Year. :)

Rizal Excursion.

August 2013.

Events Management Class - Group Seminars

Mobile Bars. August 2013.

The Bar Code: Highlighting Tea, Mobile Bar Entrepreneurship and Latte Art.

Hosted a seminar for Juniors. August 28, 2013.

Hotel Practicum Orientation: Waves of Challenges, Ocean of Opportunities.

I was head of Secretariat and Registration Committee. August 30, 2013.

1st PUP Annual Hospitality and Tourism Students Research Conference.

I was Co-Head of Secretariat and Registration Committee. September 4, 2013.

Rizal Finals - Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo & Makamisa

Snapshots During Video Shoot. :) October 2013.

Tanglaw Run for Public Higher Education.

Aseana City, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. October 6, 2013

Foreign Language Final Requirement - Japanese Music Video

"Koisuru Fortune Cookie". October 2013.

5th Annual Hospitality Management Convention.

Manila Hotel. October 9, 2013.

Humanities Finals - A Variety Show Featuring Different Forms of Art

"The Last Full Show: Todo na to!" October 19, 2013.

I BELONG TO A GROUP I'M PROUD AND LOVE TO BE A PART OF. :)

Hotel Hunt!

Tis the season to be jolly, FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA. =)) Not because it's less than a hundred days before Christmas, but because there's so many things to look forward to! :D

          The end of senior year's first semester is just weeks away! This only means that we're almost off to our Hotel Practicum. Most of us have been very busy preparing our resumes and/or curriculum vitae. This is how mine looks. :))

We make sure to make our resumes/cv's truthful and impressive. They serve as our key to our dream jobs and careers. Always remember... First impressions last! ;)

          Me and a couple of classmates started our hotel hunt last week. We started in Makati Area. We we're able to pass our resumes to hotels such as Ascott Makati, Dusit Thani Manila, The Penninsula Manila, Holiday Inn and Suites Makati and Hotel H2O.

Luckily, one of these hotels, specifically Dusit Thani Manila, messaged me yesterday for a scheduled exam and interview next week! :D Hoooraaay! :))

          We also roamed around Manila. The Manila Grand Opera Hotel, The Pan Pacific, Hyatt Hotel, Diamond Hotel and Traders were some of the hotels we're able to drop by.

          I have also tried sending my resume online. And guess what? I scheduled another interview! Best Western Oxford Suites Makati messaged me 2 days ago for an exam and screening next week. :)

          I just hope i get to pass my interviews. If not, i wish more hotels would contact me soon. More opportunities means more chances of getting my dream job/career. :) I'll keep my fingers crossed. :D

30 Things to Stop Doing to Yourself

This is quite a good read. :)

Photo by: Rob Brucker

"When you stop chasing the wrong things you give

the right things a chance to catch you."

          As Maria Robinson once said, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Nothing could be closer to the truth. But before you can begin this process of transformation you have to stop doing the things that have been holding you back.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Stop spending time with the wrong people. – Life is too short to spend time with people who suck the happiness out of you. If someone wants you in their life, they’ll make room for you. You shouldn’t have to fight for a spot. Never, ever insist yourself to someone who continuously overlooks your worth. And remember, it’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends.
2. Stop running from your problems. – Face them head on. No, it won’t be easy. There is no person in the world capable of flawlessly handling every punch thrown at them. We aren’t supposed to be able to instantly solve problems. That’s not how we’re made. In fact, we’re made to get upset, sad, hurt, stumble and fall. Because that’s the whole purpose of living – to face problems, learn, adapt, and solve them over the course of time. This is what ultimately molds us into the person we become.
3. Stop lying to yourself. – You can lie to anyone else in the world, but you can’t lie to yourself. Our lives improve only when we take chances, and the first and most difficult chance we can take is to be honest with ourselves.
4. Stop putting your own needs on the back burner. – The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too. Yes, help others; but help yourself too. If there was ever a moment to follow your passion and do something that matters to you, that moment is now.
5. Stop trying to be someone you’re not. – One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that’s trying to make you like every one else. Someone will always be prettier, someone will always be smarter, someone will always be younger, but they will never be you. Don’t change so people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.
6. Stop trying to hold onto the past. – You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.
7. Stop being scared to make a mistake. – Doing something and getting it wrong is at least ten times more productive than doing nothing. Every success has a trail of failures behind it, and every failure is leading towards success. You end up regretting the things you did NOT do far more than the things you did.
8. Stop berating yourself for old mistakes. – We may love the wrong person and cry about the wrong things, but no matter how things go wrong, one thing is for sure, mistakes help us find the person and things that are right for us. We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future. Every single thing that has ever happened in your life is preparing you for a moment that is yet to come.
9. Stop trying to buy happiness. – Many of the things we desire are expensive. But the truth is, the things that really satisfy us are totally free – love, laughter and working on our passions.
10. Stop exclusively looking to others for happiness. – If you’re not happy with who you are on the inside, you won’t be happy in a long-term relationship with anyone else either. You have to create stability in your own life first before you can share it with someone else.
11. Stop being idle. – Don’t think too much or you’ll create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place. Evaluate situations and take decisive action. You cannot change what you refuse to confront. Making progress involves risk. Period! You can’t make it to second base with your foot on first.
12. Stop thinking you’re not ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Because most great opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means we won’t feel totally comfortable at first.
13. Stop getting involved in relationships for the wrong reasons. – Relationships must be chosen wisely. It’s better to be alone than to be in bad company. There’s no need to rush. If something is meant to be, it will happen – in the right time, with the right person, and for the best reason. Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely.
14. Stop rejecting new relationships just because old ones didn’t work. – In life you’ll realize that there is a purpose for everyone you meet. Some will test you, some will use you and some will teach you. But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.
15. Stop trying to compete against everyone else. – Don’t worry about what others are doing better than you. Concentrate on beating your own records every day. Success is a battle between YOU and YOURSELF only.
16. Stop being jealous of others. – Jealousy is the art of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own. Ask yourself this: “What’s something I have that everyone wants?”
17. Stop complaining and feeling sorry for yourself. – Life’s curveballs are thrown for a reason – to shift your path in a direction that is meant for you. You may not see or understand everything the moment it happens, and it may be tough. But reflect back on those negative curveballs thrown at you in the past. You’ll often see that eventually they led you to a better place, person, state of mind, or situation. So smile! Let everyone know that today you are a lot stronger than you were yesterday, and you will be.
18. Stop holding grudges. – Don’t live your life with hate in your heart. You will end up hurting yourself more than the people you hate. Forgiveness is not saying, “What you did to me is okay.” It is saying, “I’m not going to let what you did to me ruin my happiness forever.” Forgiveness is the answer… let go, find peace, liberate yourself! And remember, forgiveness is not just for other people, it’s for you too. If you must, forgive yourself, move on and try to do better next time.
19. Stop letting others bring you down to their level. – Refuse to lower your standards to accommodate those who refuse to raise theirs.
20. Stop wasting time explaining yourself to others. – Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe it anyway. Just do what you know in your heart is right.
21. Stop doing the same things over and over without taking a break. – The time to take a deep breath is when you don’t have time for it. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. Sometimes you need to distance yourself to see things clearly.
22. Stop overlooking the beauty of small moments. – Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things. The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with someone who matters to you.
23. Stop trying to make things perfect. – The real world doesn’t reward perfectionists, it rewards people who get things done.
24. Stop following the path of least resistance. – Life is not easy, especially when you plan on achieving something worthwhile. Don’t take the easy way out. Do something extraordinary.
25. Stop acting like everything is fine if it isn’t. – It’s okay to fall apart for a little while. You don’t always have to pretend to be strong, and there is no need to constantly prove that everything is going well. You shouldn’t be concerned with what other people are thinking either – cry if you need to – it’s healthy to shed your tears. The sooner you do, the sooner you will be able to smile again.
26. Stop blaming others for your troubles. – The extent to which you can achieve your dreams depends on the extent to which you take responsibility for your life. When you blame others for what you’re going through, you deny responsibility – you give others power over that part of your life.
27. Stop trying to be everything to everyone. – Doing so is impossible, and trying will only burn you out. But making one person smile CAN change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world. So narrow your focus.
28. Stop worrying so much. – Worry will not strip tomorrow of its burdens, it will strip today of its joy. One way to check if something is worth mulling over is to ask yourself this question: “Will this matter in one year’s time? Three years? Five years?” If not, then it’s not worth worrying about.
29. Stop focusing on what you don’t want to happen. – Focus on what you do want to happen. Positive thinking is at the forefront of every great success story. If you awake every morning with the thought that something wonderful will happen in your life today, and you pay close attention, you’ll often find that you’re right.
30. Stop being ungrateful. – No matter how good or bad you have it, wake up each day thankful for your life. Someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. Instead of thinking about what you’re missing, try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.

Reblogged from http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/12/11/30-things-to-stop-doing-to-yourself/