Not so ordinary day

August 18, 2011

Journal Entry

          I arrived at DFA at 1: 54 in the afternoon, earlier than the usual. And because it is still early my friends – Dive, Joy, and I took our lunch at the Department’s canteen. One of the things that I like at DFA (I don’t know if I have mentioned this before) is the food that they served at the canteen. It is so cheap, yet it will really satisfy you. Okay, enough for the food.

          After eating, we proceed to OAA and started our practicum. By the way, our Director and Assistant Secretary of OAA already left for their meeting at Brazil. For that, my boss was not around. Though, I still have to help other staff of the office. I was asked to shred confidential papers and that’s what I did.

          There is no work for this day except for shredding, so I was just there sitting at my desk -- waiting for any help that I could give them. It is an ordinary day, though. Nothing really special happened. If there is maybe the time of our travel going to the office.

          Joy, Dive, and I had a good conversation at the bus. Usually when we were travelling, we always sleep. The travel time was so long that made us so bored, and so we sleep the whole time. This day was different because we were interested to have conversation with each other. We shared a lot of things. We evaluate about our performance and we challenge ourselves of to excel and to stop being mediocrity.

          Though, I didn’t do that much at the office. I enjoyed this day! I logged out at 5:00 pm.

At the conference room

August 16, 2011

Journal Entry

          Today, I was given a chance to be at the meeting of some dignified government officials such as chief or head of DOJ, PDEA, PNP, etc. I forgot the others. The agenda of the meeting is about the preparation of our office meeting the Mexican Embassy regarding drug trafficking.

          The meeting took two to three hours. It is not so long compared to other meetings that they had. Everyone speaks English but later on they started to speak Filipino. Actually, not everyone was talking; most of them were quiet and didn’t even talk. I think there were 13 of them at the meeting but only two or three people were the ones who were talking. On that scenario, we can notice who was the outstanding among them – who is the leader among them. Looking at them, it is obvious who were the ones being listened to.

          I myself didn’t do much at the meeting. I was just assigned to stay in and let the attendance sheet to be assigned by the attendees. They let us to be in the meeting so that we could have an exposure, our bosses said. Well, that is nice about our office and being a trainee of DFA.

          While the meeting was ongoing, the miryenda such as sandwich and Delmonte Pomelo juice was being served (One of the reasons why we like attending meetings at DFA). After the meeting, I logged out at 12: 29 pm.

Laziness visits me and this is what happened..

August 15, 2011

Journal Entry 

          I am not so happy to share this. I was super late this day. I think it was not a productive day. I woke up late. I don’t have any nice top to wear. I think I don’t have energy to go to the office. I am super lazy. I write this not because I am proud to share my laziness but it is my way of evaluating myself. Hence, I also want others who read this to see how bad it is to be lazy at work.  

          I arrived at the office at 10:14 am. I was late for one hour and fourteen minutes. When I finally arrived, the assistant of my boss gave me task to research for the profiles of the people that would be at the meeting at Brazil. Of course, I took the task and started to research the profiles of people. I don’t know if I am just lazy to search on their files or it is just me who is not god on researching. Well, no excuses! That day, I know I didn’t please the Lord for not doing my best. I didn’t find all the files. And my time was finished just researching.

          I remember the message that I heard one of our chapels in school that “it is not always that I will be at my best, but it is not an excuse not to do my best.” I forgot to carry excellence on that day. I didn’t do what is good and pleasing to the eyes of God. Though I have done the task, but the Lord knows that I just do it without my heart on it.

          I want to do things that would please the Lord. Sooner I will be working on the workplace not just an intern but a real employee. Laziness is one of deadliest thing that a person could have. If we tolerate it, we won’t succeed. Just what happened to me this day, I went home unsatisfied because I entertained laziness in my mood. Next time, I shouldn’t tolerate it. Giving your best in whatever you do it still a noble thing to do.   

Over Time

August 11, 2011

Journal Entry 

          After our class in DIR 102 and my GReG meeting with Dr. Sharon, I traveled again for two hours for taking a bus ride going to the office. I logged in at 2:39 in the afternoon. This day was different from the other days because I went home really late – over time at the office.

          When I was young, I often hear the word overtime from the people whose work is in the office. Now, I had experience doing it. It is not really that different, it just like you’ re doing your assignments at night. I overtime because I need to help our division. There were a lot of things to be done during that time. That is why I didn’t hesitate to volunteer to extend my time.

          Another good example that I saw was the unity of the people at OAA. Most of them were visiting our division and asking what they could do to help us. Even Ms. Joc, who’s a supervisor, helped me doing my clerk work. I went home late at about quarter to ten, but Ms Nadia, Sir Gines, Asec. Paez, Direc. Monica is still at the office when I leave. I don’t know what time they go home but I think its really late. They are really dedicated to their work.

          What’s good about extending my time is that I had a chance to talk again with Ms. Nadia, to Ms. Joc, and to another woman at the office who is retiring soon. They were all nice and kind. I don’t know what is up with the DFA but most of their employees were all humble.

          I thank God for taking me home safe and for all the experiences that I had during my practicum. All the praises is to Him alone.

Lunch with the Professionals

August 9, 2011

Journal Entry 

          The highlight of this day was not on the work that I have done. It is on the free lunch that we had courtesy of Asec. Paez. Not the lunch itself but the good times that Dive and I had during lunch with the people of the Office of American Affairs.

          Before that, I was asked to edit the briefing notes that I did yesterday. I made it up to revision two. I was also asked to research a document and do some clerk work. I also helped Dive in faxing some files to the chief of staff and to human rights office.

          Thereafter, we were asked to stay up to lunch and to bond with the people of the office. It was a very simple but heartwarming experience because we were able to talk to Directors, Assistant Secretary, and other staff of the office. Some of them were Consuls and has a high rank at the office. Our conversation was informal – talking of random stuffs about culture, personal life, different states, our experiences, etc. I was actually asked to share my personal experiences and the culture of Abu Dhabi.

          We also talked stuffs like braces, weight, hair, diet, sizes of the shirt –it was really random but I enjoyed talking to them. They are nice to us and they are humble. They always cracked a joke and the laughs are never ending.

          We ate at the conference room of the office. The food was as nice as our conversation. We had two or three types of ice cream as our dessert. And we had pineapple juice and soft drinks.

I thought they were all serious type of people because when it is working time, you’ll not see anyone chatting or talking. I actually seldom see them eat. As I observed, when it is working time, they will work, when it’s not then, they will find time to relax. It just shows how professional they are.

At the workplace it is good to be always at your best whether working or not. The best way is that we reflect God’s image and characteristics at the workplace. I logged out at 2:09 pm. 

Doing briefing notes

August 8, 2011

Journal Entry 

          Our division was busy this whole week. They have been preparing for their meeting to Brazil next week. I was early this time. I logged in at 8:33 in the morning. However, I still missed the flag ceremony.

This time I took a different route going to the office, I used different transportation. I found out that taking bus going to DFA will took me more than two hours rather than taking the MRT and a Jeepney will just take me for less than one hour. From that time on, I decided to ride on the MRT. I think this will be a good tip to those students at Messiah College who will also have their internship at DFA.

What’s up this week? Well, a lot of paper work for Ms. Nadia and Sir Gines but not for me, I was just there to help them out. I think what I was doing is not even half of what they were doing. I admire their dedication on their work.

It is a privilege for me to work with them and to help or assist them with some of their work. I was asked this day to somehow edit, format, input data on the briefing note that they’ll be using for the meeting at Brazil. I was instructed by our director how to do it. Ms. Nadia though she was so busy, helped me out on the task. I finished doing it, but I am not sure if what I did is right. I think that is the first time that I have done that.

After doing a briefing note, I was asked by Ms. Nadia to make Curriculum Vitae for General Consuls which I think would be at the meeting. Their CVs were different from ordinary worker’s resume. It looks like comprehensive resume, I don’t know how it is called, but I like it. I imagined my CV would also be like that someday. Okay, enough for dreaming. I logged out this day at 12:02 lunch time.

and because I found it, i will blog about it! Hinei Ma Tov

I have been searching for the song Hinei Ma Tov. You know the feeling when you found something that you don't exactly know the title but you just remember how it sounds like. Hay! its overwhelming as if I found a special thing that I have been looking for so long hours!

This song was special to me. I remember my childhood days. I was reminded of the kids singing in a group with their time machine and a speaking song book named Psalty  --- The Kids Praise. They used to sing this song in one of the volumes of their albums. Well, I think that is good about music. It is not only a tune that you hear but it would also bring someone back to good and bad times in the past.

Hinei Ma Tov is a Hebrew text of Psalm 133:1.

"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" (NIV)

More than sharing how significant this song to me, i would like to give emphasis to the message of the song. It is really pleasant to see people around the world: brothers and sisters in church, family living together in unity. In unity there is peace and there is progress. By being UNITED we can reflect the love of the Lord to other people who does not know Jesus Christ. Again, Hinei Ma Tov!

Behold What Manner of Love

I miss singing! I miss being in a choir or even singing solo, trio, or duet. If my friends would read this, I am sure they will have negative reactions on what I am saying right now.:P Its been a long time since I sing and I wanna come back! I really do!

Sad to say, I think I couldn't sing like before. When I entered college, most people doesn't like hearing me singing. It's not self-pity. Its fine with me, no problem with that because I myself doesn't like to hear my own voice. (haha) More than that, I found out that I am tone deaf. Besides, Its not on my career path and I don't have time for it. Maybe it not really my calling. (Many excuses right?) :P

I just miss singing and being on stage. Well, I still thank the Lord for a season in my life I had experienced being on the art of music. And at least somehow, I experienced joining competitions and even sing to a big number of crowd! Thank God for that.

When I was elementary, my friends Micah, Jane, and I used to join ACE (Accelerated Christian School) Student Convention in a trio, solo, and duet contest. The song that we rendered that time was entitled "Behold What Manner of Love" as trio. Here's a song from youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqvXE4BP5Ro

The message of the song is about the love of the only one God who gave us his son Jesus Christ. Now, those who accepted Him as Lord and Savior are called the son of God. We shouldn't be sad, I should be rather I must be glad!

Knock, knock! a desire to reach others?

August 4, 2011
Journal Entry
It’s Thursday, the time of my practicum is in the afternoon. Again, I have to go long hours of travel to get there at the office. I think it will take me almost two hours for me to be there. It was sunny day; the typhoon was over, Thank God!
I arrived at DFA at exactly 2:13. Our South American Division was so busy during that week. I think they are preparing for a meeting that would be held at Brazil on this month. However, even they are so busy, I was not. I didn’t do much today.
I was just asked to find some documents, photocopy papers, to get something from another office, to answer the phone, and do what I could to help them. My tasks on this day were just light but I am happy to help them.
The highlight of my day is not on the work, but on the people around me. I had a chance to talk to Ms. Nadia. Though it was not a very long talk, but somehow, I had a chance to have a glimpse of her background. We also talked about applying at DFA, taking FSO exam, and I also had shared my interests and some of my dreams to her regarding my career. It was fun talking to her. One thing that I observed about her, even though she has a tons of things to do she manage to smile, talk to different people in and outside the office with respect, and with a smile. She considers every people who needs her help. As a result she gets along well with her boss and with her officemates. I want to be like her when it comes to managing stress, and how she gets along with the people around her at the work place. By the way, Ms. Nadia is a Muslim, despite her busy-ness, she didn’t make it a reason for her not to fast. I pray she’ll know the true and only one God while she is fasting. The day was over, I logged out at 6:22 pm.

Typhoon and me at work!

August 2, 2011
Journal Entry
It was raining, the classes had been cancelled because of a typhoon but still I am not excuse to go to my practicum. As I was in the bus, all I can see was I think majority were office workers because most of them wear corporate attire, so I assume it. If not office workers, I know that they went out from their house to go to their workplaces. I think this is what differs when you are a student and when you are working. Even there is typhoon; there is no choice but to go to work. More often than not, the reason is not because of professionalism but most, not all, is because for the income.
While in the bus, I was imagining when the time I am working will I also be like them? Will my reason of going to work is about my salary or I am just being professional? Well, I think if I would work those two will be my reason.
I finally arrived at DFA at 9:07 in the morning because I went out of our house the same time I went out yesterday, so the time of my arrival is almost the same time. Again, I say good morning with a smile to Ms. Nadia, and she smiles back to me.
My task for today was to organize files according to countries and to use a puncher on the files afterwards. Looking back, I remember Coach Joannie Agawa taught us how to make it done. It was an easy task but it will test your patience. It is a clerk work, but I would not make it less important job. In fact, somehow, it is crucial because those files were needed for reference; those are important documents that must be kept. Organizing it would make our director or her assistant’s work somehow lighter. Again, I finished the tasked.
As I have said, the classes were cancelled, so Dive and I had planned to extend our time at the office. However, the clouds were so dark outside, heavy rain poured out, so the Office advice us to just go home. The Department also declared that the office hours is only half day. Everyone was already allowed to go home.
I and Dive logged out at 1:08 pm. Joy was absent; she preferred not to report to the office because of the typhoon.

Honor OAA people!

August 1, 2011
Journal Entry
(Office of the American Affairs)
It’s Monday again and I have to wake up early in the morning to go to my practicum at DFA. I was excited to work but waking up early in the morning at exactly five makes me unagitated. But still, I have to fight the feeling and reflex my muscles. This made me realized that working isn’t really a fun thing to do. The good thing about it is that you’ll get paid, but it is full of sacrifice. I think studying is better than working though.
After struggling if I have to stand up on my bed or not, finally I got dressed up and at seven I went out of our house. I came at DFA at 9: 06. Yes! I was six minutes late and it’s not a good record for a person who is representing our School and God.
I finally arrived at the office, and of course say ‘good morning’ with a smile to the people that I see. This is what you called being polite and it is done to be ethical, also to show how good your God is in your life. I asked Ms. Nadia Benito, of the things that I must do doing the day. I feel the adrenaline during that time.
She doesn’t have idea what I should do, so she told me to just ask our Director. Before that, I was sitting on my desk and I realized that I had been calling Ms. Nadia, ‘Najda’ ever since I met her; I’m calling her with the wrong name. A lesson: know and honor the people around you by calling them with their right names! Good thing, Ms. Nadia was so kind, she still talked to me nicely even I often call her with the name that is not really hers.
Enough about that, Sir Gines gave me a task: to retype, summarize, edit the grammar, and to make an outline copy of a document. I don’t know if I should mention it here, so I better not say it to be safe. Another challenge again for me to do that kind of task: to retype, to summarize, to make an outline is all fine with me, but to correct the grammar – I’m not sure about that. However, I still have to do that so I just pray and really study it and to give my best so that the outcome would be well. I finished it and gave it to my boss. Then another tasked was given to me but it was easy, I just have to continue retyping a document. After all the tasks, Dive, Joy, and I logged out at 12:02 pm. It was a fulfilling day; I had done something that I never did before.

THE benefits

July 21, 2011
Journal Entry

This is the highlight of my week. I had a chance to see our very own Vice President Jejomar Binay. This is what I am saying that it is a great privilege to be an intern of DFA. You will have a chance to meet dignified people. More than that, you will somehow feel that you are part of what they are doing. On that event, I also met the Ambassador of Washington to the Philippines, others are General Consuls, Ambassadors, and ABS-CBN and GMA reporters like Mariz Umali.
What happened was, Ma’am Joc called me last Wednesday evening and asked me and my friends to come to DFA at 7am. We were assigned to help on the registration of an event on the Policy Making of the heads of the consular post for our Kababayans abroad.
The meeting took from 9am-6pm. There were consuls invited to speak, there was an open forum, a bureau of immigration speaker, and of course, our Vice President. The topic was focused on human trafficking and other issues of Filipinos abroad.
During the meeting, there was also morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack that we also had a chance to have. While the Ambassadors were eating, there was a chorale from DFA that sang and entertained them. What a very nice day. I am looking forward to more events at DFA.
Joy, Dive, and I logged out at 5:05 in the afternoon. We were so tired that time. However, the day was very fulfilling and it made me wonder about my future career. I was encouraged at the same tome challenged! I said to myself, someday we the diplomats are going to meet again.

The consequence of being LATE

July 19, 2011
Journal Entry
On the second day, I was late. For that, I missed going to Malacañang (The lesson: I should not be late again). I regret that I missed seeing the President of the Philippines.
So Joy and I stayed the office. I was asked again by our Director to retype two documents – to make a soft copy of the Model Extradition Treaty and an Agreement between Federative Republic of Brazil and __________ on Mutual Legal Assistance and Criminal Matters. The files were already an existing document and I was asked to retype it directly to the MS Word. It took me five hours to finish it. Joy helped me in retyping the other document: The Agreement between Federative Repubilc of Brazil and ________ I am just thankful that my director is kind. He didn’t pressure me to finish those documents. However, I finished retyping the Model Extradition Treaty and passed it to him.
Well, what I did even though it took me 5 hours to do it is so tiring. However, I am happy that somehow I contributed even a small thing for the Philippines. Imagine, I made a soft copy of a draft of a treaty from Brazil that would be reviewed by our government. I thank God for that.
I was just hoping now that I would be able to increase my skills more like simply as typing so that I would be able to help the office to work more efficiently and effectively. I logged out at 3:26 in the afternoon using my DTR. Dive came back from Malacañang with stories about her experience. And I together with Joy hoping that there would be another chance went home with Dive with happy thoughts that the second day of our ‘on job training’ was over.

Entering DFA..

The day of my on job training had already begun! Finally, I am now at the beginning of my working days at DFA.
I was really excited, I seriously chose my attire. I bought new shoes and slacks because I didn’t have any of those. I want to look decent but simple. I want to be presentable, and be prepared as if it is really my first day at work. And at the same time I was also nervous.
Entering DFA as an intern is a great privilege for me. It’s an opportunity for me to learn more about foreign affairs and to be involved in some of the events that they have which I will be talking about here later.
At the first day of work, Mr. Delano assigned me, Joy, and Dive to the office of the American Affairs. The office of American Affairs has 4 divisions: the Division of South America, Canada, United States, and Central America. I was assigned to the South American Division with Director Gines Gallagal.
I was introduced to my new boss with her assistant Nadia, and then shown my own desk. Thereafter, I was given a task already. I was asked to read and research information about FEALAC (Forum of East Asia and Latin America Commission) and summarized it.
After half a day of doing it, I finished it well with the approval of my director. And just like that, the first day of my practicum just ended. I logged out using DTR. Praise the Lord for his goodness reaches me!