Work is Fun(ny)

I have been following up my UP clearance for weeks now. Almost everyday, I tried calling up the clearance hotline but just I couldn't connect. Out of the 2 local line numbers given, one seems to be always busy, and the other rings but no one answers.

Yesterday afternoon, I tried my luck calling again. The 'always busy line' finally connected with a ring on the other side (now that's a first). Someone picked it up, and since I was the caller I waited for the 'hello' answer. For about 20 seconds, there was no reply then I heard a doubtful 'hello' coming from a not-so-old woman's voice. From then, I said my hello and fired away with my clearance follow-up question.

Unexpectedly, the woman on the other line shrieked. It turned out that at the same time I called, the woman picked up the phone intending to call somebody. I think she was not actually a Registrar staff since she put me on hold and called another person to answer my queries. The woman, whom I can hear from the background, even told the staff she thought I was an 'aswang' for pouncing her on the telephone. They should not blame me for having a phone that does not ring. No wonder my previous calls were left unanswered. If only I've known, I could have imitated the icy 'bhooooooot' ym audible to give her a real scare. Anyway, the reg staff says I'm now cleared. yey! (transcript and diploma to go!)

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Yesterday, Adrian, the company's first hired engineer (I thought it was me, later found out I'm just 2nd, hehe) just came back from his business trip to Japan. At the same time, it was also Cyril's (new hire) first day at work. All in all, our company is already 7 engineers strong. woohooo!(hahaha). Together with Ms.Tina, our General Affairs Manager, we had our very first company 'outing' err... lunch which we had at Barrio Fiesta.

Adrian is also a UP alumnus who had an undergrad degree of Computer Science then later on took MTM(Masters in Technical Management) in TMC(same bldg with ASTI). He worked under CiTech(Canon) for about 5 years, Lexmark(about a year?) and now is also a Bridge Engineer assigned at A-Link(Japan).

Adrian reported to our office to brief me and Elvin-san prior to our soon-to-be departure. Aside from the instructions and tips, he was also sharing his funny experiences in Japan. Adrian barely finished Minna No Nihongo book 1, which means his Nihongo knowledge was still inadequate.

One time, Adrian wanted to order softdrinks; thus told the waiter he wanted 'Softo'. Lately did he realize that 'Softo' means software in Japanese. 'Kola' is the apt term for softdrinks. He shared so many bloopers, which he refers to as 'kalokohan', that we had such a laughtrip in the office the whole afternoon. Since he had no companion in Japan, he usually just laughed at himself alone, which I think made him go loco a bit.

Next time, I would be the one doing those sort of 'kalokohan' in Japan.