One of the first entries of the year
Hello, LiveJournal. Many things transpired during first four months of 2010, and I'm happy to say that they have been pretty good.
The first step I took this year was resign from the job that made me miserable. In the 6-8 months I spent in that government institution, I did nothing significant. Most days were spent rotting around the office with no real task to do and this made me depressed. I was uncomfortable with my colleagues (except for two, who are two of my good friends from high school and college). I was paid 12,000 pesos a month. I wasn't trained to be a research analyst (which is what I was supposed to be). I had to spend nine ridiculous hours numbing my buttocks in front of a 16 year old computer screen.
I resigned mid-January and my full resignation took effect early February. I've never felt so happy in my life. In place of the miserable job from hell, I took on two jobs: one is a research job for a Wall Street Journal and New York Times published journalist, and another is a writing job for an advertising agency handling one of the country's political campaigns. I am happy to say that both jobs are awesome. The research job is probably one of the best things that's ever happened to me, just because my boss is brilliant. First, she actually trains me (something I didn't get from my previous job). Second, she makes sure that I always get something from the work that I do, no matter how small it is. As an example: once I had to transcribe one of her interviews with a respected artist and she told me to pay close attention to the flow of her questions and ask questions about how she designed the interview. She always shares her expertise as a journalist and I am very, very grateful for that.
My writing job is definitely a challenge. As you probably know by now, I'm not a very good writer. I dislike my writing. But there are times when I can come up with a close to decent article. Anyway, still I enjoy doing this because I am working with some of the people I worked with when I interned in the Senate, and my boss (who is the CEO of the agency) is very amusing. It's not hard to love her. Ultimately, the best thing about this job is, not its rockin paycheck (because I like that a lot, too), but knowing that I'm doing something for my country that makes sense to me. I know the upcoming elections has had everybody spinning in debates and election related fights, but I'm very thankful that my friends who disagree with my political preference respect it. Sometimes you just have to agree to disagree, you know?
So that's my year so far. I know, it's all about career, but it's something I love doing. I can finally say that now: I am doing something I love. Yes!!!
There are more things to look forward to this year. I'm going to Hong Kong soon to work on Intelligence Squared Asia's yearly debates at the Hong Kong International Art Fair. Then shortly after that, I'll be heading to grad school in Melbourne. I can't wait.
The first step I took this year was resign from the job that made me miserable. In the 6-8 months I spent in that government institution, I did nothing significant. Most days were spent rotting around the office with no real task to do and this made me depressed. I was uncomfortable with my colleagues (except for two, who are two of my good friends from high school and college). I was paid 12,000 pesos a month. I wasn't trained to be a research analyst (which is what I was supposed to be). I had to spend nine ridiculous hours numbing my buttocks in front of a 16 year old computer screen.
I resigned mid-January and my full resignation took effect early February. I've never felt so happy in my life. In place of the miserable job from hell, I took on two jobs: one is a research job for a Wall Street Journal and New York Times published journalist, and another is a writing job for an advertising agency handling one of the country's political campaigns. I am happy to say that both jobs are awesome. The research job is probably one of the best things that's ever happened to me, just because my boss is brilliant. First, she actually trains me (something I didn't get from my previous job). Second, she makes sure that I always get something from the work that I do, no matter how small it is. As an example: once I had to transcribe one of her interviews with a respected artist and she told me to pay close attention to the flow of her questions and ask questions about how she designed the interview. She always shares her expertise as a journalist and I am very, very grateful for that.
My writing job is definitely a challenge. As you probably know by now, I'm not a very good writer. I dislike my writing. But there are times when I can come up with a close to decent article. Anyway, still I enjoy doing this because I am working with some of the people I worked with when I interned in the Senate, and my boss (who is the CEO of the agency) is very amusing. It's not hard to love her. Ultimately, the best thing about this job is, not its rockin paycheck (because I like that a lot, too), but knowing that I'm doing something for my country that makes sense to me. I know the upcoming elections has had everybody spinning in debates and election related fights, but I'm very thankful that my friends who disagree with my political preference respect it. Sometimes you just have to agree to disagree, you know?
So that's my year so far. I know, it's all about career, but it's something I love doing. I can finally say that now: I am doing something I love. Yes!!!
There are more things to look forward to this year. I'm going to Hong Kong soon to work on Intelligence Squared Asia's yearly debates at the Hong Kong International Art Fair. Then shortly after that, I'll be heading to grad school in Melbourne. I can't wait.