Since then

Hubby's given me the talk.. I've been too whingey lately and it's sending him not pleasant signals that the novelty of having a baby is gone. Admittedly, I have been whingeing too much. And I feel bad that maybe little B is sensing it... Bad vibes.. So, I have and am, making a conscious effort to be positive and not whinge. Much. Much less. Especially when it comest to me selfishly wanting me time. To work. (Have realised that as much as I am a career oriented person, I am a mum now. And a wife.)

So, here's my top three thoughts/motivations to keep me from slipping back to my old whingey self:

Photo from http://creativethursday.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/03/growing-up.html

1. The little girl now won't stay little for too long. She is beginning to be communicative, and that just makes her all the more irresistible. In other words, as much as she is testing my patience big time, she is just being herself = cheeky baby. This stage won't last long, before you know it, she's spending more time with her friends than me.

2. Work can wait. Having decided to have a baby is a lifelong commitment. It's about sacrificing, knowing priorities. At the moment, we may not have all the spare moolahs to spend, but at the end of the day little B just wants me and her dadda's time, love and attention. The occasional new toys are just perks. But really, quality time spent together is priceless. In a few years, we can get back on track with our savings. For now, enjoy the moment.

3. Keeping it simple is the key to (my) happiness. (my decision and definition of happiness). One day at a time, one step at a time. There's plenty to do, but it all starts with small steps. Every step of the way will lead to something worthwhile.

I am thankful for hubby's not-so-gentle reminder. Sometimes it's just what I need. A verbal whack in the head.

Joys of trip planning

I know I can’t really travel by air anymore, as baby is due sometime soon. However, this hasn’t really stopped me from researching about cheap airline tickets for our possible Manila trip next year. I guess I should really just be trying to save as much moolah as I could for that, because I am pretty sure the rates would be about in the thousand dollars mark per person. Of course, then I would have to think about pocket money, shopping money, buying presents, and other expenses. Plus of course, if we do push through with going home next year, I would love to go on a weekend away with hubby and baby. This means more vacation packages researching for me! I love it! I just can’t get enough of researching about travel. I guess that’s why I love working in the travel industry!

I have a bit of a trivia about me and travel. For fun, I ask my colleagues where they want to travel to, and I come up with an itinerary for them! It’s as if my real passengers don’t give me enough work! I just think it makes travel researching more fun if I know the person I am making arrangements for.

Trying times

There has been another wave of employment terminations at work, and to think the economy is meant to have been getting better. Who knows what that really means nowadays? I suppose it is so much more difficult particularly at this time of the year, as it gets closer to the holiday and supposedly festive season would be the worst possible time to lose one’s means of livelihood. People lose jobs because of cheap labour, and cost cutting measures practiced by businesses. It makes one wonder whether all these termination procedures are fair, or whether there are underlying reasons behind getting sacked from one’s job. I suppose a lot of it is treated on a case by case basis.

I know of two colleagues who would very much benefit from second wallet loans at this particular time. One of them has just bought a house, while the other one a car. They are quite young professionals and as much as they both have a lot of bigger things in store for them in the future, losing a job is not a nice predicament to be in at anytime. One can only wish for re-consideration or an alternative position to be available once redundancy takes effect.

The week that was

I so need another long break away with hubby. We were meant to have a week off and take advantage of some cheap holiday deals, but then I was called to work and re-schedule my time off. Not the best thing for employer to do, but I guess they were desperately needing staff!

Early this week I had a major exam at university which drained my brain. It’s good that I was able to concentrate on the subject instead of dreaming about Cheap Holidays in Greece or Hotels in Alcudia. Now that university is on a short break, I would like to wallow in the dream of a holiday! I have been researching for weeks about where to travel to for our babymoon. As much as we would like to go on a luxury travel frenzy, we have limited our budget in order to accommodate to buy baby things. It’s times like this that I wish I was in Manila to be able to go shopping! I know there are a lot of nice and cute baby things back home at a much cheaper price. I guess that will have to wait. For now, I will have to just be smart and buy necessary things first.

First love : Travel

I took the day off today since I had to study for my university exam this evening. I am hoping to pass this subject in one go! Hopefully in a year I am able to shift industry so I can try something new. Although I don’t think I am totally able to leave the travel industry as I am sure I will always be drawn to the exciting world of travel. I will forever be excited with the challenge of booking a passenger on a flight to a popular destination at peak season, find the easiest website to book Car Hire Lisbon, and find a room available in a city that claims to have reached one hundred percent hotel capacity. I guess booking travel will always be my first love, however I must spread my wings and discover my other interests. I can’t wait to graduate!

Kids at the workplace

Let me whinge for a bit.. Kids at the workplace.. They're so moody, always gossiping, talking about silly things.. Sometimes I don't mind. But sometimes they can get to me when I am not feeling up to it. With kids one would have to adjust to their level. Too much effort sometimes. They take something so small and make it a big deal. Ugh. Life is about other more important things you know. Hay. C'est La Vie.

Words

I’ve been doing a lot of studying the past two days, as in with only break for meals, sleep, occasional massage break and toilet. I’ve warned hubby of this, because I was cramming a 3000 word assessment due last night. He was prepared, and he rented so much DVDs and did not complain when I couldn’t cook proper meals, or have them at decent hours. I guess I’m glad for the long Easter weekend. Although, I’m not pleased that I did not really get to reflect much at this time. I will make it up.

Mane and Tale

Ask a bunch of women and next to their figure, hair would be the next obsession. At least at work, in my team we are a bunch of females who desire pretty hair (whether it be style, texture, or colour!). The three most youngest ones are the ones always obsessing about getting the perfect hair colour and style, while the older ones such as myself, are happy with having perfectly healthy hair. One was so into her hair that one bad hair day, she went to the beauty parlor on her lunch break just to get her hair ironed out and straightened to perfection! When she got back it was the talk of my team, as this lady’s hair was already thinning out and so we were giving her tips on how to keep her hair healthy. Especially now that it’s summer, with the sun’s heat and dry air in the atmosphere, it is just essential to keep one’s mane looking good and healthy. I’ve discovered bc bonacure from a website that offers this product at really discounted price, with a range of other product selection. I heard they even do efficient and speedy delivery service so I am sure that it will reach me sooner rather than later in this summer season.

Keeping myself busy

At work, the girls and I were talking the other day about how they enjoyed playing their Nintendo DS games with their partners, and how fun the new Nintendo Wii is. One of my colleagues had bought so much games, including the gadgets that come along with it. She is also very much into that Wii yoga at the moment that she had to demonstrate to us how her sister and boyfriend imitated her in this weird balancing position. This got us all cracking! But really, if I had a Wii Fit game I would probably end up doing a bit more exercise.

There are just so much games to choose from that an actual window shopping day for price comparison would be necessary to be able to find the best buy! Although with how the rate things are going, I may end up just buying impulsively just before Christmas. I guess I should just consult my boyfriend or my work mate to ask for tips on choosing a good console game for me.

Mumbles on Work

Anything travel related is something I deal with on a day to day basis. Sometimes, what seems to be a simple travel query turns out to be a big thing. A call could come through for someone wanting to book a simple Sydney Melbourne return flight, while the next call could be a round the world itinerary with at least nine stops during high season in December. I would be lucky if I got a travel insurance question, as we are not allowed to give insurance information or advise we put their calls through to another department specifically handling these types of questions.

Really, no two days are alike in terms of taking travel related queries. This makes my job a little bit more interesting, and it keeps me on my toes trying to figure out a proposal for a family of eight doing all sorts of tours, stopover, etc.

I guess in a relatively plan crazy world we live in, everyone thinks about traveling. Whether it is just local travel, maybe taking public transport to the next suburb or taking an overnight flight headed for Antarctica, everyone plans travel. It is not just our job as travel agents to think of your trip, but you yourself should think about your trip too. After all, without your thoughts and ideas we would never really know where to send you to. Next time, maybe you would like to make our jobs a bit easier: give us tentative series of dates that we can play around with. If we had our way, there wouldn’t be any waitlisting. But of course, our world was not meant to be perfect.

My apologies: Systems were down

The past week I have been sick three times, been to the doctor twice. And I did not enjoy that at all. I was home most of the time. Trudging myself to blog. Struggled to keep myself busy inspite of my immune system being down.

Last Wednesday, Thursday.

I had laryngitis. Thus had this sexy voice for about two and a half days. My boyfriend found it cute. But I just found it uncomfortable. Obviously I could not go to work with my voice that way. I was advised to not talk at all. My body was feeling okay at that time.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

And, then it hit me. Something. I had my voice back, so I tried to go to work. Ended up going home after a few hours. My body felt weak and I was nursing a bad head cold and had this chesty painful cough. Bad case of Sinusitis. So, I took lots of oranges and by monday I was back at work.

Monday.

I was well and working.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (today) and Friday.

Still working, but by the end of the day I was aching again all over, and officially had the flu. At night I had the worst chills one could have on a Cold Cold winter night. The next day, I brought myself to work. Struggling. I barely made it alive, as my back was aching, my tummy was painful for some medical reason I found out later on. I was feverish. Miserable than ever. The doctor's given me a medical certificate to take the rest of the week off.

I am feeling much better today. I am still on my medication and I am most likely to take tomorrow off again. I would rather get completely well, than come to work and then run back home.

This is the reason why I haven't been visiting sites much. I am hoping to get back to my usual routine soon. Enough of these sick days and bad system. Although, honestly I was able to plan our wedding a bit due to these days at home. Blessing in disguise? Hmm. I prefer to have been home and well tho. I am thankful I am better now.

Jobs and starting somewhere

I was talking to my colleagues and friends the past month about wanting to look for a side job which will allow me to do other things that would involve anything else but travel, and something that won’t really make me think or use my brain too much. I was telling them that ever since I could all my proper jobs have always been as a travel agent. I didn’t really want to shift careers or anything like that, but just to be able to try something new. In the western world, it is not unusual to know people who have worked in retail, or in fast food, or in some coffee shop or restaurant during their younger years. Since I never really got the chance to do all these, I thought about trying to do some job like: sandwich hand, movie/cinema attendant, video rental check out chick, or a barista. But oh well, since many Starbucks coffee shops are closing down in Australia (read about this in the news) then I have less chance of getting onto this (besides one needs a certification of some sort).

The ‘desire’ to do these odd jobs have waned, and I no longer want to try any of these jobs now. I just go hands down to people who started out as a check out chick, or a assistant junior barista, etc. They have gone through seemingly menial jobs, but really, life is never meant to be easy. I can say they are the ones who appreciate more of what they have now because they know what it is like to strive and work labour job. Well, I started out just ripping off VOID coupons from paper tickets and photocopying documents!! I guess we all have started somewhere somehow.

Rain, Rain, Go away

It's been raining for the past week. And I mean each and every day, since monday. Non stop. I don't think I saw the sun rise, or set this week. It's friday tomorrow and it is meant to rain still, all the way til sunday! How sad!

We don't really have that much storm in Sydney, unlike in Manila where you'd have it on and off for a few months. Here, we do have them bad occassionally, causing floods even. But on other occassions it would just be nonstop rain for days. Or weeks. I think last year it rained for two whole weeks straight (or maybe just 1 or 2 days semi-clear day). It can get quite windy too.

The only positive thing about this, I notice, is that at work or anywhere, in the lifts people talk to each other even if they don't know the person. Always talking about how cold it is, or asking whether they've been outside and if it was cold or windy or whatever. Some small talk.

Everybody talks about the weather. Be it small or big talk.

I just pray that the rain goes away before tuesday. *big day flight to Mauritius*

Being a travel agent

Last night I was researching on hotels for my trip to Mauritius, as well as other travel details such as what to bring, what the weather would be like, etc. I couldn’t be more excited to travel to this place. It’s not one of those places that people usually visit. I’ve read that celebrities have their honeymoon in Mauritius, or just go to the island to hide away from it all. I will be going away for about 7 nights in a few days time and since this is for work, we are staying at cool five star hotels. When I say hotels I mean quite a few. We’d be staying at four different hotels. This doesn’t mean though that we’d see only four, because in my job, when we are sent overseas to inspect hotels we’d have a taste of a few, but are most likely to visit more hotels than where we're staying at. Particularly the ones which we sell a lot, or those that belong to the same market we sell. For example, if we were to be sent in Italy to see Venice, Rome, and Naples, we would most likely check out a fair bit of what Hotel Venice, Hotel Rome, Hotel Naples are like. This is one of the perks of being a travel agent. We get to see places, hotels, or experience tours all because we need this in order to be better at our chosen careers. To travel for free, well sort of. I only chipped in about 100 dollars for the entire trip; meaning includes flights, meals, accommodation, etc. That’s a decent amount if I may say so, considering it would be pure luxury that we’d be experiencing. I think I’d spend a lot more than that on my shopping to buy clothes to wear while I’m there! Well I couldn't wear something too plain while sipping cocktails at the beach with some celebrity!

It's actually Mauritius here I come!

Contrary to my previous post title, I am not going to Italy right now. It will be Mauritius (hopefully) when I get my visa organised! A few days ago I was told by my colleague that I got the slot for the Mauritius famil (short for familiarisation tour- which travel agents go on, to see a place). Although the catch is that it will be for departure on June 10! For 6 nights of luxury on the paradise island of Mauritius (as celebrities would call it a heaven getaway or a romantic escape).
I will be lodging my visa (I am still holding my Philippine passport) tomorrow at the Mauritius High Commission in Canberra. Normally the processing can take up to four weeks so I may just be able to make it. I hope.

For those who may not be familiar, Mauritius is an island destination located in the Indian Ocean, usually considered part of Africa. From Sydney it can take up to about 12 hours flying time to reach the island. Dominant languages are English and French. I've read that they do have one of the most endangered shorelines in the world, and one of the best beaches in the world as well. Their cuisine is a mix of : French, Indian, Creole, Dutch and Arab. What that is like, well I have yet to find out and experience. Another thing I found out is that apparently the island sends out a Caribbean Vibe with the culture, food, people and beach environment. (Have a look at the nice nice photos of the island).

I've seen the itinerary and in the six nights that we'd be spending on the island, we'd be billeted into four different hotels/resorts ( Constance Belle Mare Plage, The Residence, Legends, Tamassa). Before I get too excited about this, I guess I have to get my visa! :) Wish me luck. Meanwhile I will savour doiing my research.

Work news life

"We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities. "
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

A good colleague friend is moving onto another area in the business as she's told us today. Am a bit sad and yet happy at the same time as it means something better is in store for her. But part of me is selfish as I've become close to her and we are each other's extra hand/head/ears just really helping out in all ways. I suppose that's life. Just when you are getting comfortable things are stirred. Enough to keep one on their toes and go on with unique journey through life. Nothing stays the same. Everyday we learn something new discovering better things out there, leading us to be better "you's" and better "me's". C'est La Vie.

Person at Work

Today one girl who sat across from me said or muttered something that was not very nice. In a lot of ways it was directed at me. I have tried to just let it pass. It was one of those judgemental things said by some random person who barely knew the real you, and what one was going through. If I could this is what I would say back to her. Earlier today I chose not to, as it might not have sounded as good as it might now. I might have said things that I would later on regret. Or maybe, I might not have said anything at all as well earlier. But this one is if I had my way . . Now.

You think you know me, but you really dont.
I just wished and prayed for you. That you said that out of.. mere tactlessness.
It was not the nicest thing to say. To anyone at all.
I dont think you would appreciate it if I said that of you, to you.
So dont. Next time you want to. Just think for a moment. If you can. If you are capable of thinking.
I have let other times pass, thinking that maybe you are just a loud and insensitive person.
Well, now really, you have just made it clear to me, that you are really one.
I want you to know that for a moment (or for quite a lot of moments today) you made me feel hurt, more like a loser.
But that was just today. Tomorrow, I wont let your words reach me that way. No more. Not ever.
That's the last of it, and as much as I feel you don't want to associate yourself with me.
Well, the feeling is so mutual. I am affirmed by that first impression I had of you.
I have tried to like you from the very beginning. But I guess some things are just not meant.
Which is fine. I have let go of it now. I choose my battles, and fortunately you are not one of them.

There is nothing great that will come out of it if I go into discourse with you, pathetic friend.

I've read my daily dose today, and it was about looking at the bigger picture sometimes can make you appreciate something more. As opposed to looking at something too closely that you are stuck in that perspective. Oh well, I choose to look from afar. I know you have not gone to university, thus have limited grasp of things/etiquette and all that fine things in life. Thus, we are not at the same level, I choose not too look at things the way you might do so. In looking at the Sistine Chapel, we may opt to look at it too close and we critique everything to the last bit of chipped paint, or you can view from afar and marvel in its grandiosity.

What a way to have a second entry here, but oh well. This is my journey. And what happens happens. C'est la vie!