Google Summit 2012

This past week was crazy. We had visitors from Google and everything was about meetings and presentations. Clients were asking about things we were doing and how we could improve our work. Some slip ups and missing processes were highlighted and that got us all stressed out. We had to make changes in what we do because it looked like we weren't doing too well of a job.

That's when we had a butt kicking pep talk from our bosses. What we were doing was actually right. We were the best vendor they had and always delivered most often than not, stellar work. Any problems they point out is actually gold because we are being pointed into the right direction for improvement. Most clients won't even point out what we're doing wrong. We needed that pep talk because it put some confidence in us to make it through the week.

In the end, things turned out okay. My perspective of nothing-but-complain clients was changed into a cooperative kind because what everyone really want in the end is to deliver. It's hard to see it in this light but when you do, things just run smoothly.

10 things I've learned during this visit:
1. Never say "I think..."
2. If you don't do it, just say so and say what you plan to do about it.
3. If you don't have it, say so and when you'll give it to them.
4. Clients that complain highlight improvement points.
5. Reading the participants in the room (who doesn't like who), and how to use it.
6. Keep discussions within the topic.
7. They are people too, find out what they like doing.
8. Powerpoint whatever you have. Short ones are best.
9. Keep handy data handy.
10. Keep a killer karaoke song handy.

Pic from our last dinner.

Potlucks and pasts

Blockmate potluck was a success! Not everyone was able to go but a good enough number of old college friends were able to make it to my house for a late dinner.

Marjoe, Pepe and fiance Mabeth, Kat, Jabs and me.

It's funny how most of what we talked about were how other people were. I guess that's the fun with catching up with people. Old stories are always fun to talk about especially the most embarrasing ones. I'm glad I can laugh about them now.

I'm also glad that I haven't lost the will to make new memories and live an awesome life. These new memories add up to the old ones and add up to a great story. I hope everyone never forgets that.

A profound cardholder

I found this in a Korean bookstore. 

The writing says...

"As you think, you travel
and as you love, you attract.
You are today where your thoughts have brought you.
You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you."

Insight from a Korean Drama

"Don't be discouraged by things not progressing quickly. If you go slowly, there's more to learn along the way than someone who goes faster than you. If you were to ask me who wins between the two, I'd say the one who goes slowly but experiences more."

Have to admit these lines from the KDrama "Dream High" made me feel a lot better.

Quiet birthday

Turned 29 last monday. Kinda quiet for one of my birthdays because I had to work and was tired from all the celebrations and trips. I got myself a real cool journal since it's fun having to read one when it's done. Plus I feel stuff's more personal inside because it doesn't get shown here. Still, I'll post some profound stuff I write in there.

Mighty journal.

Spent our 3rd year anniversary with Anj in Korea which was very cool. Was able to come back and celebrate my birthday with family too. Glad to be able to do as much as I could during my one week leave.

Now all I have to do is celebrate with friends. I plan to organize some get togethers soon.

Mighty Moments 2011 pt. 2: Catching up and moving forward

Now it's on to the awesome fun memories of 2011. Each of them memorable in their own way.

Here we go...

10. Boracay with high school friends
This trip also shares a moment with with the worst list but what was made this trip momorable was that it was the one of the very few we had since we graduated. This might actually be the first. We had an awesome time with beach, food, drinks and rolling down a hill in a zorb ball. Not much compares with catching up with high school friends.

Where we had crixus the crab.

 9. NBA, WWE and mouse catching with Franco and the siblings
It's not that often that my siblings and cousin Franco find the time to play video games like we did back then. Everyone's busy with their lives but each time we get together for some NBA or WWE, childhood comes back and it's amazing. One of those times became extra memorable because included in one of those gaming sessions was catching one of my brother's white mice that got loose. That was a crazy crazy night. 

8. Got a chance to teach
I think everyone dreams of teaching once in their lives and thankfully I was able to do so more than once in Wideout. I was part of the people who facilitated our management training program and sharing what you know is always cool. Also, it's really true that you actually learn a lot as well from the people you teach. I hope other people have a chance to teach others as well.

7. Watched a Man U game with Man U hooligans
In Bankgok with Anj, we found a Manchester United bar and lucky us, there was a championship game between Man U and Barcelona that night. We have dinner early and this place gets packed with Man U superfans. The energy that was in that bar that game was so high and contagious. People who go crazy about something they like are really awesome. Man U lost but still fun night.

A bar of red.

6. Had a chance to do Charity work
I've never done a big charity in a long time and when the opportunities came up to help the unfortunate, I was glad to accept. One involved me donating old shoes for kids who had no shoes, and I donated some shoes that meant a lot to me. Another was to join a birthday party for special kids, and their smiles during the event were priceless. Both events really worth it.

The best McDo party I've been to.

 5. Wore the best costume I ever had for halloween
My robin costume for this year was really cool. It was so good I wore it twice and even won our costume contest. I was so into Halloween this year. The real fun thing about it was that I got to have a great time while looking silly. Somehow wearing that costume taught me that if you're having fun, whatever anyone thinks about you does not matter.

Batman and Robin.

4. Another Pantangco boy enters the world
My brother had his second kid this year and named me one of his godfathers. Although this is clearly a sign that I'm getting old, this was a big plus because another individual is added into our family. New life should always be celebrated and we are happy to have Matteo as the newest Pantangco.

Matteo Manuel.

 3. First time I saw real snow
I can't describe how magical it feels to see snow for the first time. To hold a glob of ice and make a snowball is something everyone should do once in their lives. Anj and I were lucky to experience this in our Korea trip. Being in a place so diferent from the Philippines covered in white was so surreal, and was something we would never forget.

Snow!

 2. I got accepted into an MBA program in NY
2011 was the year I was back at my old work and I always doubted if that was a right decision. Just when I was losing momentum with my plan to take an MBA, I get a letter of acceptance from Fordham Univeristy in New York. That letter just made this year feel like I was doing things right. I had a great experience going back and now have a path set at another experience in 2012.

1. Dad bringing me out to buy a birthday gift
Not exactly something you do at 28, but this really brought back good memories. After my birthday my dad brings me to the toy store to buy me a gift. Heartwarming not only because my dad wanted to get me a gift, but also because it made me feel one of the best childhood experiences. And this also made me realize what kind of dad I want to be in the future.

My bithday gift.

So those were my best memories of 2011. It was a pretty good year for me now that I think about it. I was able to have a lot of trips, meet up with lots of friends and enjoy a lot of experiences. And I feel it's prepared me and given me perspective on how to live out 2012. Keep learning, focus on family, be adventurous and give back. If live it out that way, then 2012 year will surely be great as well.

You were a mighty year 2011. Thank you.