1. get to know your helpers, their good traits, and be reminded of their bad ones.
2. be positive. try to see the light in each dark mood. not everything is unsolvable. in fact, everything is solvable.
3. look into things. how to benefit, how to cut costs, how to get into a different angle.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
another lesson learned. just when i thought things were getting better, something had to give. im thankful for it. gives me a reality check on things that i had missed within (and without) my line of vision.
being in the position to lead is frustrating, exciting, annoying, saddening, and exhilirating. yes, all at the same time. it is a challenge. as i am writing this entry, i feel the emerging love for this job. at first it was excitement, a different routine, a more fullfilling job. then it turned into a frustrating one, where each turn you make to avoid headaches leads you to three more tragedies. now, it has turned into some sort of mind game, an rpg. you are the omnipotent ruler and overseer of all the lands. you want to make sure your domain if free of trouble, and each minute critter, beast or circumstance that dares to threaten the peace of the land must be somehow eliminated. however, you are young blood. there are many ways to deal with these critters and beasts. some you banish, some you appease by throwing a bone, some you need to put in extra effort to keep at bay. so many choices, but which ones are the best used to resolve? experience. intellect. confidence.
being in the position to lead is frustrating, exciting, annoying, saddening, and exhilirating. yes, all at the same time. it is a challenge. as i am writing this entry, i feel the emerging love for this job. at first it was excitement, a different routine, a more fullfilling job. then it turned into a frustrating one, where each turn you make to avoid headaches leads you to three more tragedies. now, it has turned into some sort of mind game, an rpg. you are the omnipotent ruler and overseer of all the lands. you want to make sure your domain if free of trouble, and each minute critter, beast or circumstance that dares to threaten the peace of the land must be somehow eliminated. however, you are young blood. there are many ways to deal with these critters and beasts. some you banish, some you appease by throwing a bone, some you need to put in extra effort to keep at bay. so many choices, but which ones are the best used to resolve? experience. intellect. confidence.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
new home. new room. it wasnt until tonight when i was buying something within the vicinity of our new location that i realized how different things will be. the feeling of somewhere new, exciting, the closeness to people who used to be so far away that you couldnt bother to hang out with now just a bike ride away. awesome.
my room still needs to be set up. there are boxes, large, black garbage bags..etc. the only place im comfortable with is my computer and bookshelf area. eeee!!!!
my room still needs to be set up. there are boxes, large, black garbage bags..etc. the only place im comfortable with is my computer and bookshelf area. eeee!!!!
things get rolling...
one catalyst can trigger so much more when given the time. the move up, the move out, and everything in between. people leaving, people coming, its so easy to forget what once was. theres only the present. the past is a haze captured in dreams and memory.
im by far depressed. if anything, these changes have just heightened my sense of time and how fast it moves. since taking over the cafe, one week has seemed like one day, and one day an hour. before i know it, friday has come and gone and my minds still somewhere floating in the pool and basking in sunshine. subconsciousness is two days behind consciousness.
with this sense of time, theres a stronger urge to not lose it. learning is a long process. it is about time when i need to put down all half-ass attitudes, clean up the mess that is my langourous lifestyle. so where better place to start than the ever so hectic cafe? the need to put in short increments of time to do silent work on the planner, the need to talk to three people at the same time while working on a word file and answering the phone, the need to make coffee and check on pizza at the same time while breaking in 2 seconds to receive cash and do the math for the change. ALSO, the mental strength needed to persuade yourself that this is all worth it in the end and what doesnt break your back will eventually mold you into the person you never were.
im by far depressed. if anything, these changes have just heightened my sense of time and how fast it moves. since taking over the cafe, one week has seemed like one day, and one day an hour. before i know it, friday has come and gone and my minds still somewhere floating in the pool and basking in sunshine. subconsciousness is two days behind consciousness.
with this sense of time, theres a stronger urge to not lose it. learning is a long process. it is about time when i need to put down all half-ass attitudes, clean up the mess that is my langourous lifestyle. so where better place to start than the ever so hectic cafe? the need to put in short increments of time to do silent work on the planner, the need to talk to three people at the same time while working on a word file and answering the phone, the need to make coffee and check on pizza at the same time while breaking in 2 seconds to receive cash and do the math for the change. ALSO, the mental strength needed to persuade yourself that this is all worth it in the end and what doesnt break your back will eventually mold you into the person you never were.
Monday, May 5, 2008
spelling bee contest
today was our debut of the language centers freshman spelling bee. overall, it was good. turnouts were sufficient, and rounds were enough to slim down the number of winners nicely. though a bit blah, there were some laughs that hyped up some yawning moments. not bad for a first time. however, it wasnt as perfect as we thought it shoulve been, so i will list some things that needed improvements, for my sake.
to be bettered:
1. preparation should start earlier. time was constricted due to several, if not many, unpredicted circumstances.
2. personnel training. though many helpers were non language center student workers, i realized its mandatory to meet up and explain things first before scattering them to their chores. none of that "ok, so we'll meet and ill assign you jobs" on the spot last minute. meet at least ten minutes to explain things. thoroughly if possible.
3. the need to recognize able helpers and less able helpers. trust me, there is a difference. able helpers might bear more load, but they get work done swiftly and with the right attitude. less abled workers can do more manual labor or simple and constant actions(eg. guiding seats, collecting things)-linear.
4. the need to remind every precise detail. ALL THE TIME.
5. the need to remember that helpers have a great capacity and they can help with things. doing things by yourself can lead to unattended things and delays. make good use of personnel.
6. consider each aspect. how to make the job easier and effective to the max. the announcer had a hard time crossing out names due to the soft file surface and the need to hold on to mic, pen and file at the same time without a table.
7. again, timing. was tight. start earlier. next time, can start 1.5 hours beforehand.
8. consider what needs to be done when hiring. if need to carry heavy furniture, bear in mind to hire more guys. or try to find some guys last minute. IT HELPS ALOT.
9. never trust that someone will come and turn on the ac or help with the internet/sound connection. check these at least half and hour before the contest. or ask someone able to take care of it.
10. think about set up. which way to put the number cards? facing helper or student? if helper is handing out number cards, then IT SHOULD FACE THE HELPER, NOT THE STUDENT.
things are hard to control. just bear in mind three things:
is it necessary?
is it effective?
how does it help?
to be bettered:
1. preparation should start earlier. time was constricted due to several, if not many, unpredicted circumstances.
2. personnel training. though many helpers were non language center student workers, i realized its mandatory to meet up and explain things first before scattering them to their chores. none of that "ok, so we'll meet and ill assign you jobs" on the spot last minute. meet at least ten minutes to explain things. thoroughly if possible.
3. the need to recognize able helpers and less able helpers. trust me, there is a difference. able helpers might bear more load, but they get work done swiftly and with the right attitude. less abled workers can do more manual labor or simple and constant actions(eg. guiding seats, collecting things)-linear.
4. the need to remind every precise detail. ALL THE TIME.
5. the need to remember that helpers have a great capacity and they can help with things. doing things by yourself can lead to unattended things and delays. make good use of personnel.
6. consider each aspect. how to make the job easier and effective to the max. the announcer had a hard time crossing out names due to the soft file surface and the need to hold on to mic, pen and file at the same time without a table.
7. again, timing. was tight. start earlier. next time, can start 1.5 hours beforehand.
8. consider what needs to be done when hiring. if need to carry heavy furniture, bear in mind to hire more guys. or try to find some guys last minute. IT HELPS ALOT.
9. never trust that someone will come and turn on the ac or help with the internet/sound connection. check these at least half and hour before the contest. or ask someone able to take care of it.
10. think about set up. which way to put the number cards? facing helper or student? if helper is handing out number cards, then IT SHOULD FACE THE HELPER, NOT THE STUDENT.
things are hard to control. just bear in mind three things:
is it necessary?
is it effective?
how does it help?
reminders
efficiency plays a key role in being:
1. less stressed out and not dead
2. saves time and unecessary energy output, especially of your own.
3. doesnt make you look like a fool
how to be more efficient:
1. have a clear head
2. do not think of unecessary garbage
3. focus
4. if you decie to do it, DO IT. your call.
5. before you decide to DO IT, consider if its necessary and efficient
6. DONT run around in circles
7. think of your next move clearly.
8. carry out your next move.
9. confidence
10. show that you know what you are doing
1. less stressed out and not dead
2. saves time and unecessary energy output, especially of your own.
3. doesnt make you look like a fool
how to be more efficient:
1. have a clear head
2. do not think of unecessary garbage
3. focus
4. if you decie to do it, DO IT. your call.
5. before you decide to DO IT, consider if its necessary and efficient
6. DONT run around in circles
7. think of your next move clearly.
8. carry out your next move.
9. confidence
10. show that you know what you are doing
Saturday, May 3, 2008
so close...
surprise. the camera doesnt cost as much as i had initially thought it would!
compare:
lens+body+4 gig sd card= 25500ntd : body only=26000ntd (8 months ago)
so yes. now its all in the bag. just need to hand over the cash and the transaction will be complete. not yet though...but soon enough.
on another note. travel plans. approximately 3200usd can last you sufficient food/entertaiment/rent/books/ for five months in lima.
i dont have five months. ill settle for three. or two.
universidad del pacifico. costo y horario.
other places: chile, ecuador, argentina, uruguay.
compare:
lens+body+4 gig sd card= 25500ntd : body only=26000ntd (8 months ago)
so yes. now its all in the bag. just need to hand over the cash and the transaction will be complete. not yet though...but soon enough.
on another note. travel plans. approximately 3200usd can last you sufficient food/entertaiment/rent/books/ for five months in lima.
i dont have five months. ill settle for three. or two.
universidad del pacifico. costo y horario.
other places: chile, ecuador, argentina, uruguay.
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