Just the other day, I was asking my colleague, sorta boss but not quite, to turnover his work to me since he's been posted to another project. I "asked" him, very seriously, that we have to do this so that I'll know what to do when he leaves.
One of my other office mates came by and started joking about how I'm gonna be doing a lot of work from now on. I replied, amidst jokingly, that since I'm being assigned my sorta boss' work load, I might as well get the same salary. My sorta boss replied, "You have to reach 50 years (old) first".
I know he didn't mean anything by that other than I'd have to get more experience, but his tone implied that I won't be able to arrive to his salary unless I'm the same age as he is.
The thing is, we both work for the planning department. It's my first job here in Hong Kong. He has been working in civil projects for more than 20 years, but not as a planning engineer. He's been in our trade for 3 years. That's not so far off from my 1 year experience in the company. So I got a little bit ticked off when he told me that. Especially when I'm a witness at how much he really knows about project planning. He used to be a quantity surveyor specializing in steel.
Honestly, it's not in the length of service, it's in the quality of service. It doesn't matter if he has stayed in the job for so many years, but if it seems like he can't do his job properly? No one wonder he thinks it should take him that long to get that much pay.
I hate it when people tend to underestimate others.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
12-02-03 Potatoes
I was talking to a colleague at lunch about company positions, getting a promotion, and recommending people to the company. I mentioned how I tried to get someone in the company but failed to do so. I submitted the CV twice, but she told me I shouldn't have asked one of those people because according her, "that person is just a small potato".
I'm not ignorant of the fact that it is a status quo for people to have a very good network in order to have a good career. I for one have used my connections to land my first job. Now that I'm face to face with the possibility of people around me, who are absolutely clueless, getting promoted when I can do the job better... it kinda frustrates me. Especially when even though I got my first job through a connection, I landed it based on my reputation.
I know what others are doing, I've been told stories of how the others got promoted. But, I don't want to be like anybody else. My non-conformist attitude cannot condone this, other than the fact that this is obviously not the right way going up. But the thing is, this is reality. It really bites you in the ass and gives you a good wack when it catches up to you.
I haven't gotten any promotion yet, and I don't think I'm going to get any soon (especially when I know that my boss would rather have someone who can walk the talk).
I know I'm not going to get there with just skills alone. I have to work on my social skills too. I am sure, though, that I can't do it the same way as other people do. I'm not comfortable with feeding other people's ego just so they can feel good about themselves, even if they're my boss. Then again, reality's a *****, so I'll have to find another way. Nobody said I can't do it my own way, right?
I'm not ignorant of the fact that it is a status quo for people to have a very good network in order to have a good career. I for one have used my connections to land my first job. Now that I'm face to face with the possibility of people around me, who are absolutely clueless, getting promoted when I can do the job better... it kinda frustrates me. Especially when even though I got my first job through a connection, I landed it based on my reputation.
I know what others are doing, I've been told stories of how the others got promoted. But, I don't want to be like anybody else. My non-conformist attitude cannot condone this, other than the fact that this is obviously not the right way going up. But the thing is, this is reality. It really bites you in the ass and gives you a good wack when it catches up to you.
I haven't gotten any promotion yet, and I don't think I'm going to get any soon (especially when I know that my boss would rather have someone who can walk the talk).
I know I'm not going to get there with just skills alone. I have to work on my social skills too. I am sure, though, that I can't do it the same way as other people do. I'm not comfortable with feeding other people's ego just so they can feel good about themselves, even if they're my boss. Then again, reality's a *****, so I'll have to find another way. Nobody said I can't do it my own way, right?
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
12-02-02 Restless
Appropriate title for the blog.
I've been fidgety the entire week. I've started re-arranging my room to give me more space for my books and other planning related materials, but I haven't done anything since Sunday. My dad did most of the work and since he's been unavailable most evenings, I'm down to waiting for when he gets a free time.
But I'm really becoming impatient. Mainly because I've been exchanging emails with a close friend from the Philippines who plans to move and work in Australia within the year. I want to go. But the thing is, I can't rush this decision. I have to plan very carefully what my career path will be in the next five years.
There's this agency in the Philippines offering migration services to Australia for graduates of my university. Not to brag or anything, but since we are considered the best university in the Philippines, Australia agreed to give us a visa, if we apply for it within 2 years of graduating.
That was last year and my friend and I were not able to make the deadline. Now we're planning on taking a student visa for a master's degree and then try to find a job along side when we get there.
Basically, not a very good plan (financially speaking) but we got no choice as of now. It's hard enough to find an employer who's willing to sponsor us for a job there, moreover, qualifications require at least 2 years of relevant work experience. Now that, we really don't have. I've only started in my current company only a year ago, and before that, I worked for a family-owned construction business for 4 months.
I'm now considering very carefully what my career route will be. I'm considering an online degree in the meantime, while I'm saving up for master's degree and getting the required work experience.
But before anything else, I better focus on my work first.
I've been fidgety the entire week. I've started re-arranging my room to give me more space for my books and other planning related materials, but I haven't done anything since Sunday. My dad did most of the work and since he's been unavailable most evenings, I'm down to waiting for when he gets a free time.
But I'm really becoming impatient. Mainly because I've been exchanging emails with a close friend from the Philippines who plans to move and work in Australia within the year. I want to go. But the thing is, I can't rush this decision. I have to plan very carefully what my career path will be in the next five years.
There's this agency in the Philippines offering migration services to Australia for graduates of my university. Not to brag or anything, but since we are considered the best university in the Philippines, Australia agreed to give us a visa, if we apply for it within 2 years of graduating.
That was last year and my friend and I were not able to make the deadline. Now we're planning on taking a student visa for a master's degree and then try to find a job along side when we get there.
Basically, not a very good plan (financially speaking) but we got no choice as of now. It's hard enough to find an employer who's willing to sponsor us for a job there, moreover, qualifications require at least 2 years of relevant work experience. Now that, we really don't have. I've only started in my current company only a year ago, and before that, I worked for a family-owned construction business for 4 months.
I'm now considering very carefully what my career route will be. I'm considering an online degree in the meantime, while I'm saving up for master's degree and getting the required work experience.
But before anything else, I better focus on my work first.
12-02-01 Tired
I've been tired most of the week. It's just wednesday and I'm already wishing that it's the weekend. Well, mostly because I have stuff to do. I don't have much time when I get home. I have to rest, eat, shower, and read. How can I find the time to study?
Yes. Study. I'm currently an Assistant Engineer for the Planning Department of an Australian construction company based in Hong Kong. But the salary sucks. Especially when I know how much entry-level positions really earn. There is discrimination here, and I'm bound to destroy that by proving to them I'm more than just my skin color.
But, in order to do that, I'd have to suck it up for another year. Then, I have to study real hard this year so that by next year, if my company does not promote me to Planning Engineer (even without my Scheme A training), I'd have to transfer to another company. Someone who's willing to pay my worth.
I'll have to be above my game this time. No more lazy bones.
Yes. Study. I'm currently an Assistant Engineer for the Planning Department of an Australian construction company based in Hong Kong. But the salary sucks. Especially when I know how much entry-level positions really earn. There is discrimination here, and I'm bound to destroy that by proving to them I'm more than just my skin color.
But, in order to do that, I'd have to suck it up for another year. Then, I have to study real hard this year so that by next year, if my company does not promote me to Planning Engineer (even without my Scheme A training), I'd have to transfer to another company. Someone who's willing to pay my worth.
I'll have to be above my game this time. No more lazy bones.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Weekend
It's my first Saturday off work. Last week, I only had Sunday to rest. I spent half of the day sleeping, while the other half buying stuff I needed for work with my dad in Sham Shui Po. This weekend I had two days all to myself. Well, there's not much to do, so I still spent it with my dad. Talk about bonding.
Yesterday, we went to So Kwun Wat area, that's just behind the Gold Coast residences, to look for a possible house to rent. I woke up at 11 am and spent two hours tidying up my things. I stopped by at Metrobank's Central branch to pay off my latest credit card statement before I headed to Tuen Wan Station.
I met my dad at the other end of the footbridge and we set out looking for Bus 52x. Since we couldn't find it, he suggested we just drive to Gold Coast. His office was just near so he got the company car. I so miss my car. Driving in Hong Kong will be easier than driving in Manila.
We found the area and it seemed like a nice place. Quiet. Definitely way out of the city. I would love to rent the rooftop but the Chinese man there wouldn't tell us how much the flat costs. He told us to just come back after two months, probably when the apartments would be opened to the public. I'm really not sure. maybe he's just stalling to increase the rent price.
Today, I woke up late again. Around 2pm, we set out for the Rosary Church to say a little prayer. People were preparing for a wedding when we got there. It was a pretty simple one.
After that, we tried to find the Doc Marten's shop but failed to do so. When my dad gave up looking for it, we went to Central and sent some money back home. I wanted to show my dad where SoHo is in Hong Kong, so i took him to the midlevels. There, we got a pretty good idea of the price range of food. I would want to take my friends there when they go back here. The sandwich at Subway was very good.
Now, I'm just sleepy. I'll probably have a better post by tomorrow... when I'm not too tired to write.
Yesterday, we went to So Kwun Wat area, that's just behind the Gold Coast residences, to look for a possible house to rent. I woke up at 11 am and spent two hours tidying up my things. I stopped by at Metrobank's Central branch to pay off my latest credit card statement before I headed to Tuen Wan Station.
I met my dad at the other end of the footbridge and we set out looking for Bus 52x. Since we couldn't find it, he suggested we just drive to Gold Coast. His office was just near so he got the company car. I so miss my car. Driving in Hong Kong will be easier than driving in Manila.
We found the area and it seemed like a nice place. Quiet. Definitely way out of the city. I would love to rent the rooftop but the Chinese man there wouldn't tell us how much the flat costs. He told us to just come back after two months, probably when the apartments would be opened to the public. I'm really not sure. maybe he's just stalling to increase the rent price.
Today, I woke up late again. Around 2pm, we set out for the Rosary Church to say a little prayer. People were preparing for a wedding when we got there. It was a pretty simple one.
After that, we tried to find the Doc Marten's shop but failed to do so. When my dad gave up looking for it, we went to Central and sent some money back home. I wanted to show my dad where SoHo is in Hong Kong, so i took him to the midlevels. There, we got a pretty good idea of the price range of food. I would want to take my friends there when they go back here. The sandwich at Subway was very good.
Now, I'm just sleepy. I'll probably have a better post by tomorrow... when I'm not too tired to write.
Friday, January 21, 2011
First Two Weeks
Thanks to my dear friend, Gia, I remembered that I have this blog. And I haven't written in a long time.
Okay. Last December 23, my dad called me and had some news. Basically, I had to leave Manila by the first week of January. So here I am, sitting in the terrace at the back of a Hong Kong guest house my aunt manages, freezing my fingers and butt off so just I could chat with my friend and post an update.
I went to a construction safety seminar on my first weekend here. It was quite a learning experience. I enrolled for the English instruction and it turned out that the instructor was a Chinese man. He was very knowledgeable, you could really tell, but he could barely pronounce the words properly. Not a very good thing, especially for someone like me who's not familiar with chinese-english.
When I got in the room, most of the seats were taken. Most of the people there were men. I found four ladies on the third row and decided to sit with them. Turns out, they don't speak English, and they kept talking to me in their language. I'm not sure if their Indians or Pakistani.
I got 95% on the test. I also passed the hands on exam. Well, everyone passed. But I'm proud to say that I did it on my own. I'm not being mean or anything, but the ladies beside me didn't seem like they could understand the questions. It wasn't any use peeking at my answer sheet, which the one nearest me did shamelessly, because we had different sets of questionnaires. They ended up copying from some Malaysian guy seating in front of them. I passed my papers as soon as I was done with them. Everyone got their cards minutes later.
The next week, I spent mostly in my Aunt's bedroom, watching every movie on her shelf. After I finished those, I got CD's downstairs and continued my movie marathon. Thankfully, a family friend came and I got to borrow his laptop. I was able to go online but still ended up watching movies on his computer.
My dad bought me a laptop, which I told him I'll pay for eventually (completely ignoring his 'don't worry about' reply), and I just found out that the program I was gonna use it for wasn't compatible with the operating system. Tsk, tsk. What a waste of time. I'm gonna have to carry this back to the store and ask if they could upgrade to W7 Pro or downgrade it to XP so just I could use my program.
There, I'm kind of sleepy already so I've summarized my first two weeks the best my sleepy mind is able to.
Okay. Last December 23, my dad called me and had some news. Basically, I had to leave Manila by the first week of January. So here I am, sitting in the terrace at the back of a Hong Kong guest house my aunt manages, freezing my fingers and butt off so just I could chat with my friend and post an update.
I went to a construction safety seminar on my first weekend here. It was quite a learning experience. I enrolled for the English instruction and it turned out that the instructor was a Chinese man. He was very knowledgeable, you could really tell, but he could barely pronounce the words properly. Not a very good thing, especially for someone like me who's not familiar with chinese-english.
When I got in the room, most of the seats were taken. Most of the people there were men. I found four ladies on the third row and decided to sit with them. Turns out, they don't speak English, and they kept talking to me in their language. I'm not sure if their Indians or Pakistani.
I got 95% on the test. I also passed the hands on exam. Well, everyone passed. But I'm proud to say that I did it on my own. I'm not being mean or anything, but the ladies beside me didn't seem like they could understand the questions. It wasn't any use peeking at my answer sheet, which the one nearest me did shamelessly, because we had different sets of questionnaires. They ended up copying from some Malaysian guy seating in front of them. I passed my papers as soon as I was done with them. Everyone got their cards minutes later.
The next week, I spent mostly in my Aunt's bedroom, watching every movie on her shelf. After I finished those, I got CD's downstairs and continued my movie marathon. Thankfully, a family friend came and I got to borrow his laptop. I was able to go online but still ended up watching movies on his computer.
My dad bought me a laptop, which I told him I'll pay for eventually (completely ignoring his 'don't worry about' reply), and I just found out that the program I was gonna use it for wasn't compatible with the operating system. Tsk, tsk. What a waste of time. I'm gonna have to carry this back to the store and ask if they could upgrade to W7 Pro or downgrade it to XP so just I could use my program.
There, I'm kind of sleepy already so I've summarized my first two weeks the best my sleepy mind is able to.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tuesday Blues
I just finished my latest estimate. Now my mind is floating.
What do I want to write? I've been planning on having a style of wiring in this blog. Since I don't have all the time in the world to write, I'd just have to share my dailyusings. Something like a post that Dianna Agron made in her tumblr account. Short but very inspiring.
I'll start when the first muse visits me.
What do I want to write? I've been planning on having a style of wiring in this blog. Since I don't have all the time in the world to write, I'd just have to share my dailyusings. Something like a post that Dianna Agron made in her tumblr account. Short but very inspiring.
I'll start when the first muse visits me.
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