April 17

Okay, i am not on a different calendar or timezone. I am on a confused stage. I guess i haven't written much about my work. And now, once again, I need to make a decision.

Background: I've been working since 9.11.2001. Yep, its the Ground Zero day. That time that news flew in, I remember my first reaction. "E di walang pasok sa manila? Kasi traffic sa Buendia? [So, no classess in manila, ccoz there would be major traffic in Buendia area?]" stupid me. I thought when the news said that there was a bombing on World trade Center, i thot it was our WTC in Buendia. And i was like, what the heck is the whole world so concerned with our WTC. So somebody corrected the facts. Hehe.

Anyway, I started as cadet analyst (pronouced as Keydet haha), as a fresh graduate. That time, September, I haven't march yet. The rites were done October, so I had to take a leave for the Baccaleurate mass and the rites itself. I wasn't able to retrieve the money for the toga rental, because I'd be late for work in the afternoon (Hey Dunkin Xis, where's my 500 + interest? hehehe). I worked in a Mfg company in the heart of Laguna. It was the first job application and job offer I ever had. I got into SAP. from then on, I worked there from 8-5 Mon-Sat on the 1st 2 weeks, and Mon-Fri last two weeks of the month. Recently, we shifted to a compressed workweek mode 9-6 Mon-Friday. But i still get to work on Sats OT pay) and lots of holidays because of work demand. I remember spending my Holy Thursday and friday here, my halloween, Rizal Day, laguna Day, and my birthdays at work. I like working, i love working, of course - i get paid. It's not much compare to other offers I had, and with that offers I mean real offers. In the past 4 yrs I've been working here, I've had more than dozen offers (now that i read thru, i need to change that.. almost a dozen offers. More than a dozen would be the applications and calls).

• Company 1: An Insurance company in Alabang. Pay is not that big difference with mine but I'd be doing Business Process analysis work - totally off from SAP work related. I declined. it would have been a good company for a family person - considering the benefits. But I didn't want to leave the track I've been sweating for the past years for something with nor much monetary effect. Yeah, i looked like money.
• Company 2: A multinational Electronics company with brances in laguna and Manila. Both branch gave me offers. Of course, the Manila branch gave a higher offer. Both position is SAP FICO which is my line of work, and I was really considering the job. A colleague at work used to work there and said he learned lots from that company. Why I didn't take the job? i had a contract that i need to pay off - worth 30k - for a stupid java training I was not able to use. The company couldnt pay it.
• Company 3: A multinational food company, with a good post opening. The post is for a BA post, supervisory role, for the rollout of SAP. I would get to work with their IT Team in China (travel!) and roll out and support here. It was good plan. The pay is good. of course no OT pay, since I am supervisory post. Mind you, the Worldwide IT Director interviewed me at the Shang, and immediately told me I have a good background for the post. The benefits are amazing (for someone like me), 25th month guaranteed, etc. I didn't take the job - coz I thot i was pregnant that time. I wasn't pregnant really -the diagnosis was initally positive for pregnancy, but an H-mole. The H-mole was discovered 3 mos later. A BA is already in placed. They tried to give me work as contractual to help out the BA in place. But I couldnt's accept a contractual work, considering relocation, and all expenses.  (i think this is company 2?.. i dun't know anymore.. hehhe)
• Company 4: A multinational distribution firm in laguna as well. I could probably sell out whitening soaps if they give out stocks for Christmas. The pay and benefits is totally good. 53% increase. It's near our place still (a drive away). The post - initally was okay. But then they knew I can support multi-functional, they changed the post to a Helpdesk. It seems good, but I don't like to do Helpesk. no offense to those caring persons, but I am not much of a patient person.
• Company 5: Oh, there was one… this was i think should 1.5. Gave me a package for a small basic, with 3 yrs bond, but with training. I would have taken it, if i wasn't married. Would require relocation to Quezon City. But again, if i were single, i would have taken that plunge.
• Company 6: My dream company. Finally. When i graduated, there are only 2 companies in mind. My dad's company, and this dream company. Since my dad is in the company, I don't want to go there. I know he wouldn't make a favor for me to come in, but I also didn't want to be there on the same bldg with him. not that i dunt love him (i'm a daddy's girl!) - i don't like politics. So this dream company, i passed initial HR interview (one unforgettable question: "Why should we hire you?". For someone without much technical background, i told him: "I am the person with the right skills and the right attitude. if my skills aren't good enuf for u, i have the determination and openness to learn more." Applause.. I couldn't believe i said those words. But got passed thru that. Then came a panel the week after (with 3 guys and a girl). It wasn't a techie questioning, its more of leadership stuff i think. I made them laugh. "Tell me something about the work you do." My answer started out as "Before when were under the Japanese, (because really, our corporate then was japan)… and then when the Americans came (the integration).." It was like Philippine history! I passed. Then they called me to start the offer, they had to talk to my boss. Oh-oh… I don't believe in politicking. My boss sent mail that out of "ethics" do not entertain applicants from our company because they're our partner. I was broken. Really.
• Company 7: First consulting company I applied and gave an offer. I had a functional phone interview, then straight up manager. When i told them my asking XX,XXX, manager said: okay. the ff day, i got the offer. I asked s bit question, then I had to decided. I talked to my manager here, and since 2 people from my group are leaving, and there is a possibility of going global in my current work. So I did not accept the job, with more than 200% increase in salary, consulting opportunities, training, etc. Yeah, I stayed and asked for the project i wanted - and it was given to me. i was given an it incentive which is a plus. Now i'm doing two projects for world wide implementation (which i think is kewl), and i have a good manager for it.

What's with the date?

Now, back to present time: I didn't stop applying from time to time where my schedule permits. Why? Because in applying, i was able to survey myself against the market demands for my skills. I learn that I need lots of these stuff to learn, etc. This is now my first attempt to survey jobs beyond the local shore. yeah, I'm talking about work outside the Philippines, and here comes ….

• Company 8 : Don't ask me how, but i really have no idea how I passed the functional technical exam over the phone with the Indian consultant. The company is an Indian company, with a regional office in KL. (so that's where i'm bound to go). They have a project with a Bristish firm with sites located in africa. The post is permanent, for a Consultant role, based in Kl. family can go, they're included in the benefits. and of course, salary wise, its more than 400%, and i get per diem for travel allowance. Actually, hubby wants to go to, but my plan is to get him there after around 6 mos. Coz the 6 mos is travel to Africa every 3-4 wks, then stay in KL for 1 wk only. That rate, I could earn my year's salary here in two months time, and be able to save a lot (pay the huge debt we have). If things won't work well, just save up the money then move back here.

Okay, that's Company 8. I am in a dilemma. Company 0 (my current company) has given me the oppportunity to work for the GLobal team, and I am handling two of the projects i really wanted. Well, one is what I really wanted. It involves startup work - so just fit for me to learn the very basic of things. Plus, I get to travel to SGP this April 17 for the workshop.

And Company 8 wants me on board by April 17 to start the roll out of the project.

That's why this entry is called April 17.

Actually, I declined Company 8 already. After thinking it over lots of times (believe me), talking it out with friends and family (who said the same thing, and knowing me, they said they'd support me no matter what - i think they knew i wouldn't get it), I sent a mail to the recruitment person that I may not be able to join. Because - I have an ongoing project with the Global team, that has just started, that I want, and that I have this "utang na loob" (i dunt know the english) to my manager who gave me this project. I know my mind tells me to go. What the hell do I owe this company (that's it… owe!)? I paid in labor and sweat and blood for my work.

People who leave our team here: they either tell a lie for the reason of leaving and leave well, or they tell the truth and get bitter words. In 2003, the highest rate of IT turnover 13 for the year was achieved. Last year, I think we're just on the 11th number or 12th? This year, as of March 24, 2006, I know 7 letters has been handed in - 3 already gone. Reasons for leaving? I don't want to go into that detail. For me, all I can say is, it's not all money. Money doesn't make people happy, or at least, that much happy - to survive living.

As I have declined the work already, I thot I can now settle in peace. Let things slide in for a while, and think on the work I have now. But they called me again last night, asking if its the package is the problem, they can raise it up (double wow!). They want me asap.

I talked to a friend, a colleague in the other site. I am quite open to them. There's one thing that I like working here, in the global team, I meet lots of people who are open minded, and more rational. I asked his advise, his course of action should he be on my shoes…

"i think the offer sounds good… the pay increase is a definite plus… i think it will be a good opportunity. i'd probably go with the new job. 1yr work there = many yrs work in ur current post… true, the work here is good, but the pay stinks. to me, that's too big an imbalance especially since new job would be much much more, not just 20% more, but a lot lot more.. so i guess i'm not exactly in ur shoes, and probably other things u have to consider that i haven't thought of, but i think i would take the new job. good opportunity plus the big increase in pay. after all, we're all trying to earn a living…probably there will be just as good and nice people at new job too. i'm sure our company's not the only place with good people. … well, this is just me, buf if i got a job offer that i liked, and current company won't or not willing to do anything to keep me here, i would leave.. it's about being treatd right. if they're not treating me right, i would think about leaving,and probably would.  it is tough leaving and going to a new place..essentially, starting over, but if you've done all you could and still not satisfied with the current situation.. then i would leave…hmm, if u decided to leave, i know our manager and director would understand and won't be bitter or anything.. they're not bitter at Guy1, they won't be bitter at me… it's just a fact of life… good people leave and companies have to deal with it..im either more cynical or more realistic than when i first started working, but companies dont show loyalty to you, so why show loyalty to a company? my thinking is not as harsh as that sounds, but you get the idea.. based on what you told me, i would take the offer..i wont be bitter at you for leaving me good luck with your decision "

oh, and he told me that there isn't going to be any word out of his mouth. but i can't help but post it and maybe, i may wake up from the dream. but i have to keep his name G2. Coz there's already Guy1 there, then he can be Guy2. sweet guys.

So here I am, sidetracking while waiting for the lunchbreak to finish, thinking whether I would pass the aged "loveletter" I did years ago. April 17 … my feet is definite to touch a foreign land - but whether it would be Singapore or Malaysia, only time would know.

*~*~*

Post Scriptum…. "i havent really worked with her, but during the project, i know that there was some frustration from some of the folks here with working with her..". Same sentiments, from most people I know. Another reason maybe why i really need to reconsider.