Civil Service Exam

Hey~ It's been a while.

I guess it's been a long time since the last time I blogged.

And guess what?

I PASSED MY CIVIL SERVICE EXAM!!

おめでとう、僕！

Well, I was kind of expecting that I would fail it since Math and English were really hard.

But anyways, I feel so glad about it!!

I was so stressed at work and my life problems lately but this made me very happy for tonight and for this whole week.

Thank you very much!!!

新しい仕事

久しぶり！I was busy with work, tutoring, and reviewing for my civil service exam for the past few days.

Two weeks ago, I just started with my new office work and it was a totally new environment for me. I was so used to staying at home and tutoring at night that I have to adjust both my working and sleeping schedule. Also, I have to interact with different kinds of people and it makes me drained. Despite that, the people in my office are very nice, especially in my department. They are very accommodating, especially when I have a lot of questions about the work. They taught me a lot of things and they welcomed me very well. My manager is really nice too. But it is still my third week in the company and I still have a lot of things to learn, especially in the systems since you need to memorize a lot of process and documents.

As for tutoring, I have to give up my old schedule so I can adjust with my office work. They would be times that I will not teach for days because I have to do overtime work or I have to review for my civil service exam this coming October 13.

And since I applied for the Civil Service Exam right after my company hired me, I have to do my best and pass it at the end. I want to cry at the reviewer though. It's very difficult. I'm not sure if I'm just really dumb or the reviewer is too difficult.

Hahahaha! Anyways, I am very busy lately and some people are actually concerned if my health is still doing okay. Don't worry! I am still doing fine.

I guess.

日本語図書館

Since I will be very busy with my office work starting on Wednesday (aka my training), I grabbed the opportunity to visit The Japan Foundation, Manila in Makati to visit their Japanese library.

To be honest, I really hate Makati because aside from the long commute (which gave me a terrible past experience), I also hate that "Everyone is very rich." atmosphere. But don't worry, the second one is just me being very unreasonable.

But I have finally found my sanctuary in that  place, and it's the Japanese Library

The library has a lot of good references for Japanese study. It has a lot of Japanese grammar guides, JLPT reviewers per level, listening clips, and other Japanese literature. They also have manga, Japanese magazines and also drawing guides You can also photocopy the books if you want to. It's self-service though.

And I've been looking for a working exercise book for grammar and I've finally found it. TwT

I was planning to apply as a member but probably next year since I need to focus on more important things this year /cough bills /cough

お父さんの誕生日

Last Sunday was my dad's 57th birthday.

We celebrated it in simplicity and discretion by having a simple feast and inviting only a few acquaintances (aka my brothers' girlfriends).

And this year, I bought the most expensive gift I have ever given to my father so far.

We bought him a new tablet since he has been always wanting to have one. My dad is currently in his sort-of middle life crisis and he is actually a fan of technology.

Despite adding another bill to pay for the next 12 months, I don't mind as long as I can make my dad happy.

And thankfully my mom is willing to pay the other half for the tablet.

Thank goodness.

雨

It's raining so hard lately.

There were a lot of suspension of classes and work.
Fortunately, I haven't started with my office work this month.

I hope some people I know in the Philippines are safe.

Stay safe guys! 気をつけてください！

Second week of August

A lot of things happened last week.

Last Monday, I passed my application form for the Civil Service Exam this coming October with the help of my aunt. This was my sort of last resort because I thought I will never be able to get a job in a private company so probably I could get a chance in the government sector. And I got a chance to talk and eat out with my girl cousin and talk about a lot of things.

Also that day, I got a call  from the last company I applied to and they told me that I passed my interview and I will have my job offer soon. After the phone call, I was literally crying, dialing the number of my mom in her office, and when she picked up the phone I told her about the good news. It was like a first time for me because I've been applying to companies for months now and finally, I got hired. It was like....DAMN.

Last Wednesday, I went back to the company to accept their job offer and to be orientated about my future workplace. I got a chance to meet some of the employees there. And I really have to learn their names quickly. I'm terrible at remembering names, I tell you.

That day was also my brother's 23rd birthday. We didn't celebrate much because he will have his big celebration on Friday.

Last Friday, my big brother's friends came over at my place to celebrate his birthday. We had a big feast and then they spent the rest of the day playing Wii and talking about the old times and their current life. What I like about my big brother's friends are that they are really fun to be with and most of them are not really much into alcohol and partying. Like what my mom said, there are friends with good influence.

And yesterday, I went out with my mom to have my medical examination for my work but I still have to go back on Monday for my remaining examination. It was also the day I treated out my family to dinner and we bought our new HDTV and PS3. For the next few months, I have so many obligations to do and bills to pay.

Despite the bills that I have to pay, I feel fulfilled and glad for I feel like a legit adult at this point.

I wish myself luck in my new work and the things to come.

I think the people in my workplace are nice and I wish I would enjoy my stay there. 

休みの日

A lot of things happened during my today's day off.

Since last year, I have started playing PSP games in Japanese language in order to improve more in my Japanese comprehension (and for other personal reasons not worth mentioning perhaps). The first Japanese game I played was called Arcana Famiglia. It is an otome game created by Hunex focusing on a mafia called "Arcana Famiglia" whose members have special contracts with Tarot cards and have special powers. Well, let's not go much into the details because I tell you, it will take me several days to tell you a lot of things about it. Basically, it's a Japanese game with no English translations at all and it had cracked my skull several times. However, it has helped me a lot in learning more Japanese words and practicing my reading comprehension.

And by dawn, I officially finished the whole game--100% done! Job well done, me! (   TwT)b And right now, I am currently playing its sequel game, Arcana Famiglia: Vascello Phatasma no Majutsushi. I actually love this game series because the dialogues have voices so it is easier to understand the plot and the conversations, and it's easier for me to remember some Japanese words. The plot is also amazing!

"This is basically how the game looks like...."

In the afternoon, my mom and I went to the mall to pay some bills, do some groceries, and other errands. I also needed to have my picture taken for my Civil Service Exam application. It's been a while since the last time we had a mother-daughter bonding time so I treated my mom to lunch. We had fun enjoying each other's company. We talked about a lot of things and it's a good thing because my mom doesn't talk much about things and she used to keep her concerns to herself when we were younger. But now, since I seem like an understanding adult to her, she shared some of her feelings and concerns to me. I think it's a good thing especially when she is really stressed. She is able to vent out about her problems and unwind. And it's like I am able to apply the things I have learned in my course during college. And most especially, this makes our relationship as mother and daughter stronger.

Oh, and I bought some things today like a nail polish thinner and a bag. The bag is really cute although it's really big but I think it will be very useful when you need to carry a lot of stuff.

"Flower-patterned bag~~"

We were about to go home when it started raining too hard outside. In Manila, it gets flooded easily so it would be very difficult to go home. Thank goodness a tricycle driver came for us and brought us home safely. He was also kinda to carry our groceries. My mom said he was like "an angel the heaven sent for us". But dang, the rain was too strong so our house was underwater later for a while.

And it's been a while since the last time I painted my nails. I saw one of my friends used a yellow and black nail polish to have an animal print nails. I was kind of inspired by it and I remembered "Ah... I have yellow nail polish, don't I? Why don't I use it right now since it's been a while" To be honest, I don't look much good in yellow nail polish because of my skin color but who cares anyway! I want my nails to be yellow right now! (  *w*) Oh and I'm terrible at making nail art so nope... No way... OTL

"It kind of looks weird but anyway, I really like my nails yellow right now."

In the evening, we went to the dentist to have our regular dental check-up. It's been a while since the last time we went there. The dentist used to be the old dentist in my elementary school and she is really nice. She is very friendly and fun to talk with. I also got an opportunity to meet her husband and he is also nice to talk with. I guess we stayed there too long since we went home really late after but it was fun. 

I guess I will be spending the rest of the night...well, of course typing this blog entry and listening to Japanese drama CDS. Hehe~~

And I guess the expression for tonight is "It's been a while....". LOL.

お疲れ様でした、わたし。

失敗したみたいですね。。。

最近僕はあんまり良くない。
だって、僕は何でもできないみたいですね。。。
失敗したと思います、あの就職面接。。。
何で？どこへ失敗した？僕は分かることができない。
すべてをした！でも。。。やっぱりね。。。
まだまだみたいですね。。。
はあああ。。。苦しいよ。
＿ﾉ乙(､ﾝ､)_

EDIT: 
Well... Maybe perhaps it was really not meant to be for me.
There are other beautiful things that life can offer.
I am too tired of being gloomy at this point.

大学友達を会った！

I had my day off today to meet some of my girl friends way back in college. We were block mates for four years and we've been a lot together, in good and bad times. I really miss those times we spent together in college. I believe my college friends are one of the most awesome friends I've ever had in my life.

It's been four months since we graduated and parted ways. I felt really lonely, but despite that, we still communicate with one another every now and then through phone and Facebook. Some of them are living in provinces so that's why meeting up is unlikely to happen. And some of us are already working while some are busy at med schools. 

And meeting them after four months made me really glad and excited. I wonder if they changed a lot during those months.

Before meeting up with them, my mom bought me a new pair of sandals. (  ノTwT)ノ ありがとう、お母さん！She told me it's her present for me for a job well done (in my part time work). And also, I bought a couple of stuff. I ran out of black eyeliner so I bought a new one. It's one of the make-up I only use since I'm not used to putting eye shadows and other things. And another thing I bought was a thinning scissor so I can use it to cut my hair bangs next time. I'm not kidding when I say I want to learn how to cut my own hair because I'm too lazy to go to the salon and I don't really like people touching my hair much. 

"Yay~ New stuff"

"At least I don't have to go to the salon every now and then to trim my hair"

After a while, I met up with my college girl friends and one of them treated us to a dinner. While enjoying our dinner, we talked about a lot of things-- about what happened to us after graduation, about our work (for us who are already working), what happened to others especially those people who went to med school, and others things. I felt happy, at the same time, quite sad since we don't usually talk about this kind of things before. I mean, we used to talk about school works, annoying professors, school events, and some boys. We were too young back then to be bothered about responsibilities and life. But now, we discuss about work responsibilities and our plans for two or three years from now. Maybe some of us are still uncertain about the future, but I think all of us have that different kind of feel now. We feel more like ADULTS now.

To be honest, I don't feel like an adult yet. Yes, I do have my own goals I want to achieve but there are times in my life that I feel uncertain about my future.

After a lovely dinner, we did one thing that we've always wanted to do in college-- and that's hair dying. But not really one of the things to do, perhaps I just went with the flow and I want to try it myself.

One of my girl friends is really interested to have her hair dyed during college but her father won't allow her. But since, she's currently working, she want to try it. We bought this really cheap DIY hair dye for ourselves and tried hair dying on our own.

To be honest, I was not sure what we are doing but anyway...

"So this is our before look... I guess we still look like college students like we did back then"

"I'm sorry we are just too happy and it's been a while since we took a photo together"

"It was my turn first---"

"OwO"

"My friend's turn to have light brown in her..."

"After the treatment..."

And.... Unfortunately, it failed. Nothing special happened and nothing happened to our hair. I guess going to the salon to have your hair dyed or buying a better product is a better idea.

After that failed attempt to dye our hair, we went back to the mall and my friends bought some make-up instead.

But because of this experience, I am having thoughts of trying to dye my hair, probably chestnut brown. I'm not sure yet if it will fit me. I mean, I haven't done anything to my hair aside from cutting or having a hair rebond so I think it's worth a try... I guess...

Today was a wonderful day. We did some things like we did back then in college and it's great to be able to meet my girl friends again. 

今日は楽しかった！懐かしい感じはいいですよ。

今日は僕の髪を切りました！！

I cut my hair today, particularly my hair bangs, because they are too long and I can't see well.

I usually cut my own hair bangs because I am too lazy to go to the salon and I don't really trust hair stylists, especially when they say they are only going to give you a trim but in fact, they cut a lot from your hair. It's really annoying.

I felt great after the haircut because I can see properly now.

However, after my mom saw my hair, she scolded me a bit. She told me it made me look like younger than my real age. I don't really mind though.

日常

I woke up late as always this morning and I found out that my nails grew too long again. I like having my nails long but sometimes it's really a bother especially in typing. And so I have to cut them.

Ahhh~ My fingers look stubby again...

" Stubby fingers"

And one of my cats, Lupin, was being clingy again and I had to entertain him this time. Oh! Maybe I can show a picture of him. Wait! I'll take a picture...

"Lupi--- HEY! DO NOT MOVE!"

"I SAID DO NOT--- I CANNOT..."

"Oh yes! Perfect! (  ^w^)"

And I also noticed that my hair bangs grew long again. And I just cut them a few weeks ago. Maybe I should have them cut after bath! (TwT  )

J-Melo Fan Meeting

Today was another day-off well-spent with my fellow seiyuu fan friends, whom I consider as an important family.

I have to be really honest here. At first, I have totally no idea about J-Melo and who Inoue Joe is. /crying because we have no NHK World channel okay.../ I was told by a friend that he is a very good singer and I'm like, "Oh okay! I want to see for myself what kind of a good singer he is." And no kidding, he's really good and also funny too! And being part of this J-Melo fan meeting was one of the best experiences I had this year.

We arrived at the venue earlier than expected and we saw a lot of Filipino J-pop fans everywhere. The venue was kind of small but enough to accommodate us. Seeing a lot of Filipino fans here, you could say that Philippines actually has a big J-Pop fan base and it would be really nice and totally appreciated if some J-Pop artists or bands could come over here in our country and have their live shows. /ehem/ Perfume please /ehem/

And we got to see Inoue Joe in person. He's really nice and funny. He likes to joke around and make the crowd laugh. And his English is so good too. He is just too... amazing.

During the fan meeting, a lot of Filipino fans shared their favorite J-pop artists and bands, and how they have been inspired by these wonderful people. And actually, one of them got to see Perfume live in Singapore and I'm really jealous... Just wow, okay! And some of them sang some Japanese songs and they sang really good!

One of the funny parts about the fan meeting was that most of the staffs are speaking in both Japanese and English and Inoue Joe actually cracked a joke about it.

Japanese staffs: *talked about blocking and camera related stuff in Japanese*

Inoue Joe: Oh sorry guys! We were just talking about dinner here.

Some people who can understand Japanese: No, Inoue-san! Don't lie to us please. /laughs

And so the fan meeting ended with the crowd laughing a lot and enjoying the night with Inoue Joe and the Japanese staff. We had our picture with Inoue Joe taken by one of the staffs.

With Inoue Joe. He's really funny and amazing!

After the fan meeting, we took the last train going to SM North Edsa to have our late dinner there. And then we went home after that.

Oops! Sorry with my face... It's just that it's been a while.

"Late dinner while enjoying watching a video clip of some of our favorite seiyuu cooking" 

I actually got home really late so my parents were really worried about me. After taking the jeepney on my way home, I found my parents waiting for me at the corner of the street. They fetched me, and I got a short scolding for coming home really late.. Well, it was partially my fault because I didn't inform them beforehand about the event. /sorry

After getting home, I told my big brother about my plan of probably getting JLPT this year since I just brought home a lot of brochures related to it and maybe it's about time I take JLPT this year but.... I'm not sure... I mean, I am not proficient enough in Japanese and I still have a long way to go.

"Some things I brought home from the fan meeting"

Today was really awesome!! I am a little tired and I still have a job interview to ace tomorrow. So please wish me luck! (　ノＴｗＴノ）

おやすみなさい！明日はがんばります！

就活

こんにちは！久しぶり！

It's been a while since the last time I updated this blog, though I have already mentioned before that I might not be able to update daily because of a circumstance you called "being lazy". /laughs Though I swear, this time, I will try to update this every now and then.

A lot of things have happened for half a year now, and from those happenings, I learned a lot of things.

For the information of everyone, I just graduated this March and it was one of the happiest days of  my life. I graduated without any failing marks and I made my parents very proud of me. I have learned a lot in college and thanks to it, I have become the person I want to be now.

But after graduating came one of the most difficult transitions I have experienced in my life. From having a very carefree college life, I have to become more responsible, think more about my future, and start looking for work.

It wasn't easy being temporary unemployed for four months. I am always stressed out about being unemployed while some people I know are working and doing their best. I hate the feeling that I cannot contribute something to my family and worst, I suck of from them by being a temporary freeloader.

I really tried my best to look for work. I passed out my resumes to companies that had job openings. I went to some interviews but unfortunately, I failed every time. I know the basics of interviews but the moment you are already taking one, it's really hard to apply the concepts that you know by heart.

And because of failing several times, it has affected me a lot psychologically. I felt depressed for days and I don't feel like doing anything. My parents were really concerned about me and told me if they could help me get in a company through connections. I know connections are really important and but sometimes being able to get in the job that you really want ON YOUR OWN would make you feel prouder about myself. Unfortunately, I am a prideful person and as much as I can, I really hate relying on others.

But in those times, my family still continued to support me and never failed to give me encouragements.

That's why I didn't stop. I continued going to more job interviews. And I happened to apply for a work slightly different from my course but I think it's a really interesting work AND YES, I GOT IT!

It is maybe just a temporary part time work but I have finally found the first work that I am really happy about and proud of. It is something that I really enjoy doing and I am very happy about meeting new people and learning new things about them and their culture.

But that doesn't end my job hunting. I am still in need of a more stable work, and I really want a work where I could apply my course.

This coming Saturday, I have a job interview in a well known company and I hope my I will get it for real this time. I REALLY HOPE!

私はがんばります！！うん！へへ！

So please wish me luck!

新しい年。

 こんにちは。

えっと。ごめんね。僕のブログをアップデートできない。

Well then, enough of this because to be honest, my skills are not enough. *pouts at self*

Several months have already passed and by now, many things have happened in my life. And last year (2012) was the best year for me, despite the challenges that I have encountered. I made new friends, forgotten old friends and flame, went through several depressions, difficulties, and a lot of other emotions.. 

And I know that I am not the same person I used to be before.

But I have no regrets. I will never have at this point.

Because of these precious memories, they made me into a better person.

２０１２年、本当にありがとうございます、Thank you for making me a better person.