Four Years Later: Some Thoughts

Today is exactly my 4th year in my current job. As much as I don’t want to wax poetic about it, four years is no joke. And I can’t help but ponder on what has transpired over the course of four years, where I am now and what lies ahead.

This is actually my first job. I don’t know if this is an achievement of some sort, but I think staying for four years in your first job is something. I was one of the first few core members of a team consisting of two web developers (both of whom have gone on to follow other pursuits) and a web marketing officer.

From this small group, our fledgling company grew roots, spread branches, bore fruits and became what it is now. As one of the first few members of this company, I have been with it from the very start, felt its growing pains, stood by it, helped it expand and watched as it steadily flourished.

I actually made a much longer entry for this so-called 4th year anniversary post but I decided that I’d rather keep it to myself. I was a bit surprised that I had quite a lot to say and my mind was practically bursting with stories to tell and rants to vent out. But I don’t want to bore you all so I’d rather focus on probably the most important aspect of my four-year ongoing sojourn in this company: the people I work with.



If there’s one sound from the past four years that will be most memorable to me, it would not be the cacophonous chorus of fingers hammering incessantly into a keyboard while finishing an article. It would be the sweet sound of laughter, guffaws and giggles. Never a day passed when laughter did not reverberate within the walls of our office. One thing I realized while in this company: despite the frustrations, disappointments, hardships and discontent, the workplace becomes a much better place if you are working with friends.

I feel lucky that I have found more than just acquaintances here but friendships that will hopefully last even beyond the portals of the company. These are the people I have come to love as my second family, the people I look forward to seeing every day. These are the bunch of crazies whose idiosyncrasies and quirks not only amuse me but also teach me valuable lessons in dealing with people, in dealing with life.

Many of them have moved on to follow their own paths. And who knows, maybe I’ll also follow them and finally find myself embarking on my own big adventure. Change is inevitable; but while we are still together I would like to say a big thank you to each one of them: for being more than just an officemate, for being a friend, for being a family.

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Now, exactly four years later, what lies ahead? Quo Vadis, Dex? :-)

New Life, New Beginnings

The past week has been quite eventful, and definitely, one of the most important highlights was the beginning of a new life and a new hope, the birth of my new godchild Gaby. This post is a shout-out to her mom, my friend and colleague Phoebe.

Congratulations for having such a beautiful baby. I know that despite the buckets of tears you shed throughout the time you carried your baby in your womb, you remain strong and steadfast. I am happy that you have finally found the courage to stand up on your own and refuse to be trashed by anyone.

Now that you have a new daughter, continue to be strong. Don't be afraid; I think a family is already complete when the love you give is pure and strong that it will fill any void or emptiness. Just have faith, fulfill your duty as a mother and create a beautiful family for your children. I'm sure God will reward you for all the sacrifices.

Your new child is truly a blessing. I wish that with her birth finally comes the happiness that has long been elusive to you.

Epidemic Alert: The 'Bubbles Syndrome'

There is a spreading epidemic of some sort here in our office and it is slowly taking over everyone. The symptoms: temporary loss of awareness of one's surroundings, incessant staring at the computer monitor with glassy eyes, involuntary seizures of the index finger tapping on the left mouse button, adhesion of the hand to the mouse, and sometimes even momentary deafness. The culprit: little globules of bloody red, slimy green, hepatitis yellow, hematoma blue and rash-like purple.

Nobody knows where they came from or who the first victim was. One thing is certain, like a virus, it has spread from one person to another effortlessly. The rapid spreading is attributed to the deceptive nature of this affliction. The globules may look harmless but beware, they are quite nasty.

They do not attack outright, but coax you subconsciously (by way of the victim's curiosity) to surrender yourself to its clutches. Once you succumb to their persuasion, you are likely doomed to a zombie-like mode and before you know it you are one of them - 'people-afflicted-with-bubbles-syndrome'.

The epidemic attacks happen at random throughout the day, usually peaking at noon. It's not uncommon to see rows of hapless, glassy-eyed victims who have fallen to the epidemic.

Unfortunately, I am one of them. I am victim too. I thought my defenses were strong and I would never succumb to such an ancient-looking, mind-numbing, pointless, idiotic doodad. But I was dead wrong.

Now I am compelled to spread the affliction even further. Click here and be one of us. Resistance is futile.