precious moments

Is she my prodigal sister?

The Obedient Children

        Yes,  we are all obedient children. Papa wanted manoy Gayfred ( our eldest) to become an engineer. Although in Manoy's heart he wanted to be a teacher. When he took NCEE, his grade wasn't enough for CNU (CSC then) to be accepted.  His alternative was to take engineering in San Jose Recoletos. How did we afford? Papa used to work for someone that used to  teach in San Jose. Noy Boy, as we used to call him. Papa work around his house or in his jobsite ( he was a civil engineer) and get paid less than mininum as long as he pays for my brother in college. My brother stayed with my Aunt in Lahug because we could not afford his fare. To make the long story short, he graduated as an Electronic Communication Engineer and a board passer. Deep in his heart he still wanted to be a teacher. So when one teacher died in Saint Scho. he was called to teach Chemistry and Physics until they find a replacement. He worked there since. I remember when he used to ride his bike from school to CNU to attend night classes. He wanted to become a license teacher. After few months, took the board exam. and passed.

         Nonong Tonette is the shy type. He always tell mama that he is not that good in math and his grades showed but he was excellent with his written english. Papa wanted him to learn about electrical stuff like he did. Nonong Tonette went to vocational school and graduated at Don Bosco but his passion was really for cars. He liked messing with them. So when Manoy Gayfred was already teaching, he sent Nonong Tonette to school and he is now an automechanic technician.

         Ako naman. Papa wanted me to become an accountant. Although I know that I am not that good with math, I still wanted to make him happy. I went and took an exam in San Jose as a working student. There were 350 applicants and they only wanted 15. I was part of the 15.I was so happy then. I felt like I have accomplished a lot.  Unfortunately, the major  that they offer were only for education and some other major. I wanted to be a teacher anyway. I dropped my OJT and went and took an exam in CNU and passed. Although I was not able to fulfill what Papa wanted for me but I know he is happy with my choosen career. I might not be able to do it for him but Ryan will.

        Resty. A working student since first year high school. She used to clean the Chemistry and Physics laboratory where Manoy Gayfred teaches. She is so good with math and making blueprints. She has the nicest hand writing too. She wanted to go to school for computer engineering but Papa wanted her to be a civil engineering. She actually did it and made everybody proud.

       Ging-ging. We call her Ga. She is the singer. Been to so many competitions. Nagmana kay papa. Papa can sing beautifully too. She is taking nursing also in San Jose Recoletos.

Probably taken 6 years ago. Ging-ging still look so young.

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Is she my prodigal sister?

        As I posted before, Resty already graduated college. I told her that if she wants, she can review for the board exam. She was hesitant at first but emailed me back and told me that she wants to find a job and pay for it herself. Nisiga mata ko. Aba!, she has PRIDE. I was mad, I insisted and I thought she was stubborn but she kept telling me that we have sent her to school for 5 years and now she wanted to do it her way. She applied to several jobs but some of them turned her down. Kasi nga fresh graduate pa. I sent her to an autocad workshop so that she will learn more about designing. She loved that class. She was so restless, as my mama told me that she is always on the go looking for a job. She has seen their situation. After papa lost his job last November, mama had been selling food (carenderia). Resty wanted to help so bad. Furthurmore, she wanted to help our youngest sister in college. I argued with her and told her that Ryan and I can handle Ging-ging  and that she doesn't have to worry. But she still wanted to help. My aunt jokingly said, " just look for an older man in the internet  ( i don't want to offend no one), her reply was she doesn't want to conform nor be  controlled by nobody.  Three days ago I checked my messenger and there was a message from mama, asking me to call her. I called her and I was suprised when I learned that Resty got accepted to work to Taiwan. This was her third place that she applied. Two turned her down because of her height. I talked to Resty and she said there were 40 applicants and they only need 8. The exam was hard she said. Calculus , Algebra, all math. After everything she ranked second. She was so excited as she was telling me this. 

          I have mixed emotions. I am so sad for her because I know she will be sad away from them, just like me when I got here. She is very confident and she want to do it her way. I was even sad that she wasn't able to take the board exam because she will be leaving in less than a month. She promised me that she will take the exam for me and for Ryan when she comes home during her vacation. She wanted to be an engineer because to her this is just one step. She wants to work in Canada in the future. I cried so hard after I talked to her. I wanted her to stay home with mama. Ryan calmed me down and told me that there is really nothing there for Resty. I still can't believe it because she is only 21.

          She is not my prodigal sister but she is just trying to help. I admire her determination and preseverance though. Talbog ko sa iyang guts.  I am so blessed with all my siblings. Don't you agree?

A change of heart or what?

     I have been trying to avoid this day. Today I got the transcript that ECE evaluated. I have been here in the US for almost 4 years but I decided not to send my transcript to any evaluation centers before. Part of it is because I am afraid to know my academic status here in the US. Secondly, I have this strong feeling of not wanting to go back to teach.  When I applied at Prairie State College, they wanted my transcript evaluated. I just want to know the specific classes that I need to take if ever I want to teach again or teach in a community college perhaps.  But when I started taking business classes I was facinated, I like it and especially taking it with Ryan. Here is the summary of my transcript from ECE.

        What now? Should I take few classes in history and go straight to the University or stick with the business classes, which I only have 6 classes to take( 2 electives and 4 accounting classes) before I graduate? or have a baby nalang kaha ? Hay ka gubot.

Lady stalker?

    Ohhh hope not. I had a male stalker ( admirer, should I say) before who gave me dozens of roses and it wasn't funny at all. Ok, let me refresh your memory of what happened that night. I was working late that day. It was a Monday and I closed. Around 10:45 pm we all head outside in a group. Unfortunately, my car was parked all the way from the store. When I came in earlier there were a lot of guest parked closer to the store so all I got was a space all the way down. In normal days, I liked parking far from the store so that I will  have a long walk. Parang exercise na rin ba. Anyways, when I was walking towards my car, I saw another car opposite to my car. I thought he was there waiting for someone. I opened the passenger side to put my purse and my lunch bag when I heard someone called me name. I looked to the part where that other car was parked and out came this guy. I have not seen this guy before. I thought he was a classmate of mine at my MA class or a guest that we have at Target but I still didn't recognize him. He made a few steps towards me and I made few steps backwards. He handed me 2 dozens of roses and 2 stuffed toys in a different bag. I looked surprised and I did not accept it. He left it on the hood of my car. I heard him say something but I was just so scared to even hear what he was saying. The more I was afraid to tell my Ryan where all of the stuff came from.

     I hopped in the car and went home. When I was in the garage I saw a note on my windshield. It was hand-written. It said: " I accidentally hit your car, call me for any damage and I will gladly take care of it". I don't know if it was the same guy who handed me the flowers and was trying to see where I live or my number or it was another guy. Till this day, I still am not able to figure it out. I went to our bedroom and woke Ryan up. I told him I need to show you something. I showed him the flowers, the stuffed toys and the note. I was so afraid too to tell Dad where everything came from. So Ryan saved my ass and told me that if Dad asked where the beautiful flowers came from, it was from him. It didn't happened again.

     Last Tuesday, I had my long mid shift again. I had 2 instant interviews that needed to be done. I was busy with my stuff outside when they call me in for the first applicant. She was seeking for summer help. We preceeded with the interview. I told her it will be quick and painless as she was getting nervous. I also did the second interview since no exec were available to do it. I went outside to finish what I started when I was called again for another interview. I came in and saw another blond lady. I asked her to wait for me on the bench as I pulled all her information from the computer. The interview went well. There were some of the questions that she wasn't able to answer. Unfortunately, we were not able to give her a second interview because I wanted someone to do it  because she is a really good prospect. Since our HR is on vacation and I want to wait till she is back.

      Friday, I got a letter in the mail from the same lady telling me how excellent everything was and how she really wanted to work at Target. Saturday, Sunday and yesterday, Linda our operator said a lady has been calling and looking for me, for many times. I told her to screen all the calls. Late yesterday, I saw her outside waiting for me. Asking about her job appllication. I told her it is not in my position to decide.

      She isn't a stalker but just so desperate to get a job. I hope there is something I can do. Maybe when our HR comes back I can probably talk to her.

Just sharing....

     I haven't been to Matteson for the past 3 days. Wednesday I was off and Thursday and Friday, my team and I went to Chicago for support help. There is one Target store opening this July and we were there to set up planograms. I will be there this weekend though to work. Ryan is still adjusting in his new job. He said, sometimes it can be very stressful because things doesn't go right but I assured him that he can do it, if he put himself into it. Everyday, he is just happy to be home to see me and finally be able to sit down and talk. It is really weird not seeing Ryan at Target anymore. I worked with him for almost 3 years. Although I don't see him that often before but when I feel so down, I know he is just a walkie away and we talk over the phone. He comforts me all the time when that place wears me down or when team members are being an ass,  he was always there to make me feel better. His soothing voice made me feel relax. I keep on telling myself that Ryan has moved on but sometimes I still expect to see him in the backroom or in the breakroom or in the hallway. Although we do not talk as much, we always look at each and say I love you and smile. The more we meet somewhere in the store, the more we exhange I love yous. I really miss that. I have expressed to Ryan of how much I missed him but I know I will get over this. When I am home early, I look at our pictures together. Aren't I weird? Nah! I just miss him. Well, this give us space for each other. I can enjoy my Wednesdays now, do laundry, clean the house, iron the clothes and take care of the lawn. It's only been two weeks for him. I will get over this.

       Work is alright. I am still struggling to make a decision. Well, my exec asked me to write someone up and if I will write her up this will be her last and she can get fired. She has 4 kids and it would hurt me so bad if she will be jobless because of me. Although in reality, she dug a hole for herself but I still feel that I am apart of it. She has been calling off and sometimes no call no show. My exec has been bugging me about it but I still don't know. What do you think? I know trying to supervise people is not the right one for me. I easily get hurt or I pity and trust people so easily. Sometimes it is very rewarding when you hear from other team members telling you of how good of a job your doing. Unfortunately, we have 9 turnovers in less than a month. This includes Ryan of course.  Maybe management is not doing right or there is something that they are not doing. Who knows?

       Anyways, I am actively looking for a vacant land that will be right for our budget. Five acres is what we want.  Most likely away from neighbors. It is interesting because as I was looking on-line at www.remax.com, some of the taxes are as low as $1.00. There must have been an error or maybe if you live out in the country. Some vacant lands are $14.00 in property tax. We liked the schools in Manteno. Manteno is 20 miles south of Park Forest.

       By the way, I want to greet our Papa a Happy Father's Day. We miss you and love you Pa. To Dad Ron and to the future father,  Manoy Gayfred. Enjoy this day (Sunday) especially meant for you.

Rosaura, Papa and me at 6 years old.