RSSConstant Change
Apr 27
The first thing that comes into my mind when the word “change” is mentioned are the cliches “The only things constant are taxes and change.” Too obvious? Maybe.
Tomorrow I will start something new in work. It will be the first time in more than five years that I will be transferring to a new office (just an office and not company 🙂 ). When I was pirated joined the company I stayed for two weeks in the office near Glorietta but for the rest of my stint I was in the oldest company residence in Ayala Ave. I shifted projects and cubicle areas but they we all located in the 3/F of that building. Since my work affords minimal chances of going onshore, it has also been a private joke that I am being “fermented” in the building. 🙂
Since March of this year I was working on an “ever challenging” project that is not really a part of the “solutions group” that have nurtured me since I joined the company. Eventually I had to move out to the office in Mandaluyong since the resources working on the project is there. I have previously experienced packing my stuff before I go into onshore assignments but last Friday was different since I know I may not come back again on that floor. Much as I may quip at that floor looking like the insides of a barracks or bomb shelter I already have grown accustomed to its confines. I have spent many nights there, sleeping in near impossible locations like aligned movable bins or on top of conference tables much like what I would imagine a corpse would be in an embalmer’s table.
Journeys are always two-sided. I am leaving behind a significant history but I am opening new pages for new experiences. I am going out of my comfort zone to see if I can pit my almost non-existent skills in a new environment. In my old environment I have gotten a reputation and familiarity that I am able to do most of what I want due to tenure in the area wherein only 3 more people beats my longevity with the project group. In my new project I am going to start afresh with a new set of managers, and a new set of people. Thankfully two peers will hopefully join me by the second quarter of this year. By that time they would be a welcome relief since I will definitely lean on their technical skills and moral support that can only achieved when you have gone through “hell” with them.
Right now I have two bags full of stuff that I have brought home and I am not sure how long it would take for me to prepare their new home for them. But I am pretty sure that the time will be sooner that I think. 🙂
ciao!
Apr 29, 2008 @ 03:24:09
So how’s your new environment? First impressions? Old faces? New faces? How’s the lunch food? Parking? Updates please! Hehe! 🙂 Are you officially “rolled-off”?
Apr 29, 2008 @ 08:16:55
Lets take it from the end 🙂
Yes I am officially rolled off. That was the first time that I filled a roll-off form. hehehe.
Parking, no idea. I still park at Rockwell. As long as Neth works there then my parking will always be free. CG2 has a parking area but last time Andy and I went here most of the lower levels were reserved for company bigwigs. We were able to get a slot at 1PM so that should say something.
Lunch food? Yesterday was a freebie since it was a pseudo-orientation with my new manager. Seems a nice fellow but he said he also has a stubborn streak. Lets see if we will have the opportunity to clash. 🙂
Old faces. I saw Mike yesterday. I think AJoyosa is also on this floor. The asset management and workstation support team are on this floor so does those count as old faces? 😀
First impressions. Cubicles are tiny and being in a compressed seating arrangement is going to be an experience. Response from the support team is mixed. I think I made a new “best friend” yesterday since they failed to follow a simple request. Sadly my “charisma” with the team assigned in the old building was not transferrable. 🙁
I am off to interview the four candidates today and tomorrow. Until they get here I am virtually alone. I am still experiencing from the shock of relinquishing control on the stuff that we usually take for granted. I don’t know if that is a good or a bad thing.
And I am reserving a seat just for you. Would you like to take mine? 😉
ciao!
Apr 30, 2008 @ 11:58:21
Day 3 updates:
– Lunch: yesterday was with KFC since I needed to buy some blank media at CDR-King (where else? hehehehe). Today I had my lunch at the cafe downstairs. Php60-65 per meal (rice+viand). Not bad. I will try their breakfast offerings on Friday to see if they can replace “Remeng’s Gourmet”. /lol
– Work Environment: Like I suspected, this project is a stickler for policies from up (,up and away) departments. I think the project will qualify it as poster childs for following implementations. I need to request PCS to request the transfer of one computer unit to the adjacent cubicle. Sheesh!
Lets see how far I can rock the boat before I am ejected (or given a BPG hehehe).
Some members of the project (and sister projects) are cordial enough. I think the problem is me since I am not the sociable type. 🙂
ciao!
May 02, 2008 @ 21:12:55
Nice updates Erin! I now have somehow a picture of what’s to come… The physical environment I can live with, but I hope we’re going to have good people around us.
“I need to request PCS to request the transfer of one computer unit to the adjacent cubicle.” -> This is crazy!!! Hahaha!
May 02, 2008 @ 21:43:01
Breakfast was ok, and the price range is between Php40-45. But since you are a McDo kid, there is one nearby although the inside seating is rather limited (most seats are outside, alfresco style).
I am seeding the team and you are hoping for good people? Mwahahaha. Talk about high expectations.
Regarding PCS request example, yes its crazy since we are accustomed to actually doing something rather than waiting for bureaucracy to kick in. On monday I think I will have a long discussion ahead of me regarding the benefits of having our very own “Local Administrator Group” even if I am the only one in the group.
Ah security and process, I can’t stand you but I can’t let you out of my sight either. 😛