31 October 2017

Today was Halloween and I met a couple of public service people.

I was leaving work and I saw them standing in a rather large group. There were firefighters, policemen, some army men, and some guys dressed up in Ghost Busters costumes.

I asked them what they're up to, and they said that they're taking around kids from IHS to do some trick-or-treating. IHS is the Institute of Human Services helps out homeless individuals and families in our community. It's really cool that members of the community were bringing out these kids who wouldn't be able to do it otherwise.

It's cool to see our public service people contributing to the community in that way. I don't know if it's common, but I definitely think things like that can help public perception of their law enforcement and government. Plus, who doesn't want to do good for their neighborhoods. 

30 October 2017

Today I met the receptionist at the Xray clinic for my TB screening.

I have to give them credit, since I showed up at the absolute last minute and they were dealing with a foreign speaker on the phone. Despite that, they were extremely professional and courteous. They also got me out in under 10 minutes. I don't like being that person, who comes in when it's basically closing time.

But sometimes man, you gotta do what you gotta do. 

29 October 2017

Today, I met up with one of my old coworkers.

We talked a lot about her new boyfriend, and how they met and what they do together. It was in this instance that I realized how relatable memes are for people. We talked about some regarding bad boyfriend habits, or being stood up for dates. Let me tell you, it happened 3 times and no more than that.

Dating is a generally relatable experience, although differences in schedules can make it difficult to enjoy each other. But, if you like each other enough, it's worth it anyway. 

28 October 2017

Today I talked to a girl shopping for a laptop.

She was literally my perfect customer. Everything I said to her related to her in some ways, from how I use my computer, what I do with it, and what my hobbies are outside of work. Granted, we got sidetracked halfway through the conversation, but it was overall good. 

It's rare to get customers who you build rapport with easily. 

27 October 2017

Today I met a waiter at Herringbone. 

He was super friendly and knew quite a bit about the oysters and where they came from. His eagerness was curious, but considering that Herringbone was voluntarily closed a few weeks ago. I wonder if that stopped traffic from coming to the restaurant. It didn't appear to be that way since the happy hour looked pretty busy.  

Either way, his enthusiasm was welcomed since I was picking up a new video game afterwards! 

26 October 2017

Today I met some human services people. 

I went to Lanakila to get my TB test done... Except I couldn't do it because I had my primary care physician do it for me before... And because I did that, I can't do it through that center anymore. It was not one of my best days and I was basically on the verge of a stress breakdown so I walked out of there in tears.

I do not handle stress inflicted upon me by other people very well. More specifically, if you need me to do something, do not ask me the day it's due. That's just messed up. 

25 October 2017

Today I met some corporate account managers.

They were nice enough, but I wasn't super impressed by their presentation. I'm not the best presenter by any means, but I know how to build rapport. I've done speech and debate for years in my life, and continue to coach people on sales skills and strategies. 

I don't think I've ever watched a presentation in which the presenters shut down their audience, refused to answer relevant questions properly, and had an overconfidence in their presentation without reading the room.

It hurt me to watch, especially since I'm 100% sure I could have done better. 

24 October 2017

Today I met my penpal's husband.

Stephen works in Texas primarily, and all over Texas. He and Aileen are from Micronesia, but work off island. He hadn't been home since March, when they got married and exchanged shell money. Shell money stands in as currency, therefore a dowry. Though, she did say they're planning a "traditional" wedding.

They reconnected now after having been apart for 20 years. How people connect across time and distance changes, and the thresholds are different for everyone. I don't know if I could do a long distance, so props to them.

Funny observation by him was that all of her friends are only girls in their family. Haha, I like to think when you're an only girl, you're feistier. 

23 October 2017

Today I went to eat Korean food with Tam. 

I didn't really do much else, but it made me think about how nice rainy days are. I just got my AirPods the day before and remembered how I consulted all my friends and customers about whether or not they liked them.

Tam likes to take credit, but I just ask people what they think before committing to something as perceivably frivolous. 

22 October 2017

Today... I sort of met someone. I'm really just documenting my mild irritation from an interaction.

It wasn't really a true meeting... In the sense that this guy looked at our table when we were out to dinner with friends. While we were talking, maybe excitedly, this guy looks over. It's one thing if his booth was neighboring ours and he only had to turn his head 45 degrees... But no. He basically craned his head around 90 degrees to take a look at us.

We made eye contact with him and he turned around, but our conversation took a lull. Fortunately, Khara said, albeit loudly, "Well that was weird."

Then we continued. Weirdo. 

21 October 2017

Today I met a business man.

It was a quick interaction, but his company recently purchased a cargo company in Miami. He's based here, but was going to be flying out to Florida to set up the new office; he needed a computer right away. Because of the game that we're playing at work, people need to intercept my interactions in order to not lose points.

Good luck to everyone. I talk to a lot of people, so they gotta be quicker than me when closing the sale. 

20 October 2017

Today I went to the market with my dad.

At the market, I spotted one of my customers sifting through the vegetables as I was doing. He recognized me outside of my uniform, which is rare. Usually it's me doing the recognizing, and we chatted a bit. I was wrong about everything about him, haha. I thought he was one of my other customers, but he was still surprised I knew him from work.

Anyway, we parted ways with a promise that he'll be back to visit. 

19 October 2017

Today I met a 7-11 clerk.

I was buying a bottle of water and she looked at my card.

"Ramos?"
"Yeah."
"Are you Filipino?"
"Yes."
"Full."
"Where are your parents from?"
"Sa Baguio at sa Makati."
"Ohhhh."

Something I've learned over time is that Filipino people migrate everywhere. Temporary or not, they make up most of the Philippines' income with all the money that they send back to their families to fund educations, support healthcare, and the like. I've taken a great pride in being Filipino since I began watching The Filipino Channel. To me, the life of a Filipino can be tragic, and not everyone is so blessed to be with their family members all the time. 

18 October 2017

Today I met an office manager.

She works for Hawaii Independent Physicians Association. She seemed rather young and didn't know that much about computers. We talked it out and she ended up buying. It wasn't a particularly long conversation but I had her try a couple of different computers. I appreciated that she was very open about her lack of computer knowledge. 

Pride is is a strange thing on people sometimes, so the lack of it can be refreshing. 

17 October 2017

Today I met a clinical psychologist.

He came in looking to buy a computer, as his wife had purchased one a few months ago. She liked it, and he did too... So of course, he wanted to get one for himself.

We got to talking and it turns out that the pair are psychologists. He got into it because his sister, who's much older than him was one and he was inspired by her. 

"You know, everyone had parents who are firefights, lawyers, and policemen and are inspired by them. I had my sister, and you know, it worked out."

Same sister does furniture sales. I forgot what the other one does. We talked about how he's been affiliated with the University of Hawaii for years and has done work with them. His wife is the department head there. We also talked about why I do what I do what I do, and I told him that it's so I can meet new people and continue training. I enjoy it and it gives me the right amount of autonomy on my day today.

He smiled. It's not often people ask why I like doing what I do, but it's always nice to answer when they care. 

16 October 2017

Today, I met a technical account manager.

I've met him briefly once before, but I haven't had an in-depth conversation like I did this time around. He and I talked about how he's still relatively new to his role and about my current role. Then he asked me what I do outside of work, and I shared that I usually watch training videos on different Microsoft products.

"So you nerd out then?"
"Well, I mean, I do other things too."
"Haha, no it's cool. It just means you're passionate."

We ended up talking about end goals for my career and exchanged some contact information. It's good. It helped me kind of have some direction in what I want to continue to learn. 

15 October 2017

Today I met a flight attendant.

This time, it wasn't because she was working. She was a passenger next to me and she had a new baby! I could tell she and her husband were super in love. It wasn't anything they said but how they were to each other. Anyway, through listening to them I overheard that she gave birth in Seattle but was heading home. I was almost annoyed I was sitting next to a baby... But this baby was the most well behaved of all the other ones I heard scattered around the plane. 

I was super tired so I kept falling asleep. I woke up because the woman next to me put down my tray for the breakfast. That was super nice of her. I ended up eating a bit and then falling back asleep.

When the plane eventually landed, she apologized that they took up space. I told them it was cool since I slept for most of the flight anyway. I asked her where home was for them. She said Moloka'i so there was still a little more to go. She wanted to get home to her other babies. 

She was so kind and didn't have to be. I'm sure part of it was because she wasn't sure how her kid was going to be. I did appreciate it though, even though I slept through most of that flight. 

14 October 2017

Today I met the head trainer guy.

I've been going to these trainings for 3 years now, but I've still not met everyone. This includes the guy who really heads the training program. Anyway, he happened to sit at the table I was eating at that day. 

"Josh, have you ever been a drum major?"
"No."
"Have you played drums?"
"Yes, but not really well."
"Oh, I've always wondered because some of the stuff you do reminds me of my friends who were drum majors so I had to ask."

Some of those things included clapping out rhythms. His posture is also hunched, as if he played the bass drum. He seemed surprised that I picked that up, I just was curious because it just seemed so obvious. 

13 October 2017

Today I met some people who work in call centers for Microsoft!

Generally for our Train the Trainers, we don't have other people... But this time we did. One of the guys was a trainer in the Philippines and the other was in Japan. Neither of them had seen a Microsoft store, and I'm pretty sure both of them have never been to the states.

I was pretty happy to meet some people who were more similar to me. There is a distinctly different approach to social situations between Hawaii and the US mainland. I'm sure some of it applies to some Asian countries as well. All three of us felt a little out of place, but gelled well with each other.

Also side note, did you know that having call centers in other countries and stuff is called Business Process Outsourcing? Buzzfeed did a great write up on how transgendered Philippine workers do well in that environment. The guy wasn't transgendered but it definitely made me think of it.

12 October 2017

Today... I met a few people. It was one of my travel days for work so I got a little lucky.

TSA: There was this TSA Agent yelling at people about how to get through the line. She kept moving up and down the line so that people who have TSA Pre-Check, like myself, didn't know where to go and ended up in the line. It was also 530 in the morning and I just don't like being yelled at. After getting through the gate, I was over it. This checkpoint was closer to my end destination anyway. 

After passing through a few airports I got to my hotel. 

The front desk guy was super nice, and asked me to confirm my name. Yes, it was under Maxx instead of my given name. Whatevers, it happens. I head to my room and push open the door. I quickly spot that my roommate is present. I walk deeper into the room and see that my roommate is a man, one I've met a few times before.

He jumped out of his bed and I quickly in one breath said, "HeynicetoseeyouI'mgonnaleavenowseeyoulater."

The front desk guy apologized and put me in another hotel for the night. He had a feeling it might happen, but there was no fixing it now since everyone was settled for the night and the rooms were full. I didn't mind.