The Who?!...Me?!

For the past few weeks after my short lived vacation, I forgot to set up my mind for work seriously! Every time I went home 1 week before my flight I talked to myself giving some sort of motivation why I need to go back abroad and what are the plans. But this time no motivation was made. Just went to NAIA airport show my VISA and passport and Viola, here I am now in the land of nowhere.

The truth is now.. I don’t know if I still love my job. My career is has no direction as of this time. The only thing I know I enjoyed my 22 days vacation and I wanted to go back. But I wanted to go back with secured financial status.

Maybe I wanted to go back because first to support M to his job. He needs a supportive present physically wife and K to give her more motivation in school.  Or I just miss the home foot spa bonding with Nanay and K. We love it!  

OR maybe, I need to stop whining to myself and get off my ass in this black, soft swivel chair and work outside! Do I tell you that it is soooo freaking cold here… gosh! The windshields of our vehicles are now literally covered by ice.

Confirmed!!!!!!

We got 3 months extension! sigh.... but okay I am still happy with it! I'll be home for good soon and i'll be officially bummer too!!

God bless us in this new journey.

Okay.. that's still fine!

I missed the OSHA 10 hrs course... grrrrr!!! They supposed to email the memo to everyone not only to few!!!! I’ve been waiting for this then I was late for registration it because I got the message late….

OSHA is $200.00 and up courses depending on OSHA training  you want. I hope I can get one soonL.

Web source: Wikipedia

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress of the United States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 30, 1970. Its mission is to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and occupational fatality by issuing and enforcing standards for workplace safety and health. The agency is headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor, of the United States.
The OSH Act, which created OSHA also created the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a research agency focusing on occupational health and safety. NIOSH, however, is not a part of the U.S. Department of Labor.
OSHA federal regulations cover most private sector workplaces. The OSH Act permits states to develop approved plans as long as they cover public sector employees and they provide protection equivalent to that provided under Federal OSHA regulations. In return, a portion of the cost of the approved state program is paid by the federal government. Twenty-two states and territories operate plans covering both the public and private sectors and five — Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and the US Virgin Islands — operate public employee only plans. In those five states, private sector employment remains under Federal OSHA jurisdiction.
 

Still a blessing

Though recession is now spreading out!! Gosh para syang cancer ha mabilis kumalat!!!  Old timer employees are ready for this since we saved some already from the previous company. Before we signed the contract last year it was already a “hear say”. Even the employee who’s getting less than us received the new offer letter with really duper low offer and please they are the hard worker to the extent round the clock work in the computer.

The “Super Curb Project” downsizing the US Govt budget but encouraging the employees to work very substandard. If you are the employees are you going to work 12 hours and make overtime for free if you feel that it doesn’t compensate? I doubt it!

But it is a blessing… gaining experienced to work in an international company with multi cultural environment. Develop your confidence towards work and people around you. Just think that this is our stepping stone. I still am thankful in this company to let us save for at least in 15 months and meet the other half of the world.

Recession? Insecurities? Whatever!

When did you feel the recession? I mean the global recession. To tell the truth hasn’t felt this until last week. I was come from an American company for 2 years; The Company drowned me for lots of perks and high salary. Though I read and watched the recession news on AFN channel I am not worried since I have a good job.  I am blessed to have 2 years with the company before the dawned come. We lost the contract and we are being offered the same salary but fewer freebies in the successor company.  I signed to the company for 1 year contract. Though, never got a company-culture-shock since we just continue our job but with different policy, regulation and BOSS.

And now my time is up! Next week will be my last week in the company. I asked permission from M to sign for another contract and promised to be the last.  I signed for an extension after he agreed upon and file for rnr this New Year so I can spend New Year with them in the Philippines.  Everything went well until my co officemates email me that they offered super low salary as in not even close to ¼ of my salary right now.  So I was really shocked! I feel that we’re betrayed by this company.  Hate to say this, but they just use us to establish the relationship and services to the military through us. They knew we are ready to jump to other company who also won from the bidding who offered us less salary (not really that low unlike what they offering us today) but good perks or freebies. So maybe that was the reason why all of the sudden the recruiter offered us the same salary before. Now, my entire Balkans co workers are having a 2^nd thought to sign.  We perform multi task job, like me… aside from being an Admin personnel I am also operation and foreman sometimes when we need to… I drive forklift and pull ropes to be able to rise up a tent.

HR did not understand that… they feel that our salary is now being a center what we so called “unjust and unfair to others.” Ok.. fine! We are being treated as black sheep from the headquarters because of being our stubbornness but accept it… we are the reason why the KAF O&M dept still on top despite of what happening in the other Site. That’s the result of our good salary.

I hate whining maybe it’s time for us to go home since most of the old timer been here for 3-7 years. And we must understand the “Super Curb Project” of the US Military or the Company.  Expat/ American are not affected of this recession only the Foreign Nationals.

The only things I can say… good luck to the new employees (our replacements) hope they can cope up with the strict US guidelines, survive the  audits and hope that they can do the mission well like we do and perform 2 to more job in 1 position. I hope that the new salary rate can pay off those because in my case… NOT!!... I rather be home and stay with my family.

What do you hate most?!

                       

                                                                     Here

Me, a whiner!!!

I have  new foreign national personnel right now, he’s job title is Supervisor.. ok! My boss toured him and gives brief information about what we are doing here basically, and not surprisingly… he doesn’t know anything totally blank. But anyway, that is not the point.

The issue here he just came yesterday late afternoon and yet he asking for a truck (4x4 ford ranger) together with a driver because he can't bear the cold,  ISAF badge ( tho, I explained to him yesterday we need a heads up from Site Manager still pushing me) and all the freebies. He doesn’t like to ride in the back of the truck maybe he feels that he’s been mistreated or an insult to his position. Well, I replied to him as this…….

“Ok sir… welcome to A******!

When it’s cold … it’s really f^@king cold and when it’s hot really f^@king hot! I cannot provide you transportation so far and yes you have to ride in the back of the truck together with our crew if you still have any concern you can go straight to Site Manager’s Office just beside your living quarter. He’s the best guy here for sure he’ll help you out regarding your concerns.”

Do I so mean? I was shocked also to myself… freaking bad but gosh! Give me a break this is not a coat and tie with a secretary on the side department??? We are working in the construction!!!! We do all the dirty jobs! What he expect? Get his ass to work!

I know Site Manager will just laugh at him when he finds out what I’ve said. On his mind he probably say “crazy little Filipina strike again” he knew me well when it comes to work.  He’s  my boss for a year now and served as his admin and operation personnel.

Proud to be a.... ME!

I passed the 2 part exam for Flight line badge and license and I am also a hater to my subordinates who took the class. They asked why I didn’t tell them they have exam. Huh! All the training class should have an evaluation guys!! In case you want to know!

What I learned from the class:

Stupidity is not a valid reason in Flight line incident.

Defensive driving is a must.

Establish the communication with the Tower

Be vigilant to any threat.

Always listen to your instinct.

The training class over all was well delivered by the speaker. Kudos! To those who passed (10 out of 30 who took the class).

For those who failed specially my crew… Guys! You need to retake and if it’s mean you have to go through 3 classes before you pass so be it!!  Or I need to review them… by the way the 30 trainees are composed of American, Balkans, Indian, Nepalese, and FilipinoJ.

On Line module Safety and License Training Challenge

From this source

Yesterday really pain in the ass!! Stressful… after the QAQC/Safety inspection he wanted to at least one in the department done with the Safety on line Training.  Mind you, it is not only 1 module at least 8 and each module has a quiz that you must to pass to be able to get certification. Thank God didn’t got a failed quiz… the on line training was consist of Fire Prevention, Safety Defensive  Driving, Ergonomics, Heat Stress, New Hire Orientation ( funny, been working here for a year now), Code of Ethics, Hazard Communication  and Personal Protective Equipment.  The truth is, in the previous company we always have this on line training every 6 months or annually so it’s not new to me. The American company making sure we understand and follow the OSHA standard when it comes to work attitude and safety. The day ends well though, I said to myself- I had my quota so time to a sound sleeps yahoooo!! 12 hours work and the on line nose bleed training.

I deserve to watch a movie in my laptop so I open again my favorite for a moment “Eclipse ( Twilight Saga)” since I read more than 4 times the book series I really would like to see if the director captures the most romantic part of Bella-Edward-Jacob love triangle. Not so disappointed but not astonished with the movie maybe I expected more but over all I fell in love again and looking forward to read the Eclipse book again. Happy day isn’t…UNTIL the Area Security Manager gives a Flight Line Security Class from 1900 to 2100 what the heck!! It seems unfair after my on line modules and then another class and quizzes again???????!!!! Give me a break!!

I found myself listening to Mr. Herman Vana-as, a retired US Military Officer while he’s doing his training class for us. He has a loud voice that you could not fall asleep and in fairness, he talk with an accent so you have to draw more attention for else you’ll be lost… quizzes was given out at the end of his 2 part  classes . I hope I pass his quizzes and get my Flight Line Security license and badge.