I’m studying again!

Yep, I am a busy mama bee. That’s why this is the first post I did for 2011. :p Anyway, as part of my curriculum, this is some of my insights regarding the units I’m currently taking. Feel free to share your opinion:

• What commonalities can you identify from the findings, eg are all the HR functions the responsibility of a nominated HR officer/manager?
• Is it more likely that there will be a dedicated HR unit the larger the size of the organisation?
• Who undertakes these functions in a business that doesn’t have a dedicated HR unit?
• Do more businesses use HR generalists (HR practitioners who cover the whole general range of HR functions but are not an expert in any particular area) or HR specialists (HR practitioners who are an expert/specialist in one particular HR function e.g. an OHS or training & development specialist)?
• Is there a link between the industry category, high priority issues and the structure of the HR unit/functions?

The commonalities are that every company needs to follow the current employment legislations whether it be with regards to the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) or the Occupational Health and Safety (OH & S) Policy. Whatever function the company’s HR department has, it still has to adapt the ongoing legislations.

 The trend now for larger companies is to outsource offshore for some HR functions.  It’s showing that 25% of all business processes, including HR processes, are moving to hiring people overseas mainly from India, Philippines, and China. Aside from it being less expensive to do that, they can also be guaranteed of people doing this processes in a highly skilled level.

 That is just one option for companies who doesn’t have a HR unit. Another option is to just hire an HR consultant who will do HR function for them. With this, they can make sure that they only pay when they need these functions performed and not pay a regular salary.

 Many companies are using an HR generalist in the sense that it provides a holistic approach. Also, the companies can also adapt the growing trend to just hire a consultant if they would need a specialist on a certain aspect of HR, which they can only pay when they need them, and not on a regular basis. This will save the company some money and time from a hiring a HR Specialist.

 There is always a link in the industry category of the company, high priority issues within the company and the relevant HR functions they must focus on. For example, for construction companies, they must focus on relevant OH&S policies and procedures for staff doing construction jobs. This is also true for manufacturing companies where they should always make sure that significant OH&S policies are in place to make sure the workplace safety.

Do you agree or disagree?

HR practitioners must demonstrate a higher level of ethical behaviour than other managers.

 I think that everyone, not just the HR practitioners should have a high level of ethical behaviour in any organization. That includes the staff, and  the people at the management, even the owner of the company. We are all human beings, and that’s why in our everyday dealing with the different stakeholders in the company, ethical behaviour should be practiced promoting fairness and equality. That is a basic right of every human being, to be treated equally.

2011 New Year’s Resolution (Not Again!)

Okay. So here I am again, trying to promise somethinng I need to do by nest year like the rest of the world. But unlike the rest of the world, I am actually trying (really hard) to achieve it. First thing on my list is to finally get my P1 license. I need to get it for when Gab needs to go to pre school (which is not too far from now since he’s growing so fast!) and when I need to become a full pledged soccer mom. My driving instructor said it looks like I am ready to take the test by early nest year so that’s a “Yey!” for me.

Next on my list is to finally get back on my pre pregnancy weight. I still have 5 kilos to lose so no more sweets and chips for me (too bad it’s the holiday season!). But even though I do my everyday sit ups and push ups, it seems I am hardly losing weight. That’s why I am resolved in using this diet plans. I want to wear my old clothes again and not buy new ones (although it’s a good reason to shop, I hate it when I see that I am up 1 dress size!).

The third and i think the most impportant one, is to be more patient. I read somewhere that Patience is a skill, it must be learned. I am trying to learn that now, especially when you have an active kid like Gab! So, cheers to a better year next year! may we all finally (finally!) achieve what we need/want to do! Happy holidays everyone. :p

Baby Chronicles: Notes from your child

I am imagining Gab saying this to me so I will not feel guilty when I do some things here. This is for all parents. 

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1. Don’t spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I’m only testing you.

11. Don’t forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like. That is why I am not always accurate.
(more…)

Marcel the shell with shoes on

by Dean Fleischer-Camp. Cute isn’t it? :p

Thank God for husbands who let their wives soak in the tub after a long tiring day.

*This is a paid review

I know it’s a very long title. It was sweltering hot here and it’s not even summer. I bathe Gabriel three times yesterday because he was so sticky (with sweat, milk, and baby food) even if the fan’s already beside him all day. And when you have a baby boy (whose already crawling) and the cooking and house cleaning to do, the heat becomes more unbearable. Not to mention that I’ve also been watching Pacquiao and Margarito’s fight online. Doing all these things at the same time can sometimes get to you. Okay, watching the fight is a leisurely activity, but the point is, it is so darn hot in here! That’s why when my husband got home from work, I asked him if he could take care of the baby after I feed and bathe him, so I can soak in the tub and just relax. And being the darling husband that he is, of course he let me.

So I prepared my bath and the minute I got into the tub and smell my pomegranate frangipani soap (which I bought weeks ago!) I am already relaxed. Oh how I love taking a long leisurely baths! I missed it! the last time I did it was after I gave birth and it’s not leisurely at all because it’s supposed to help me with my “after birth” recovery. Never mind that the tub is not that long, I still enjoyed it.

However, after browsing through betterbathrooms.com, I cannot help but wish we have a beautiful and luxurious bathroom suites. Maybe someday we’ll have one of those. Right now, I am truly content with just an hour of relaxing on our tub, with a sweet smelling bubble soap and my feet up (yep, the tub is that short!).

Gabriel at 8 months!

 As promised, here’s the latest picture of my little boy Gabriel!

He’s growing so fast now. I can still remember when I can still fit him perefectly in my arms and cuddle him to sleep. Now, when I do that, he just keeps on wriggling and his legs keeps on dangling! And did I tell you that he doesn’t want me touching his hair already? My husband was telling me, wait until he becomes a teen ager! Oh well, I better cherish every moment with him now that he’s still a baby (because I don’t know if I’ll still be able to do that when he’s a teen ager!).

Sometimes I cannot believe that I’m a mom now. That I have someone else’s life  in my hand. And that whatever I do and decide, it’s going to affect him in more ways than one. That’s why I am thinking of buying an Accident Insurance Australia . So I know whatever happens to me, we will be secured. :p

I’m back!

I’m sorry guys I haven’t been blogging since I gave birth. Just an update, my baby boy Gabriel is nearly 8 months old now! Can you believe it?! I’ve been enjoying motherhood so far (hehe) and with the help of my mom, I’ve been learning so many things too. Sometimes, it’s my husband Ned who has been my anchor and my support. Everyday is a learning experience and a challenge for me. Everyday I am learning about my son. I think he’s developing a personality now (more like his father!). I love him more and more each day.

Which is why I am thinking of getting some kind of insurance. An income protection insurance australia would be handy especially these days. And since I am still not a permanent employee, I know I would really be needing one of these some day. After all, I only want to give the best for my little one. He deserves it. I want to give him if not everyhting he wants, at least everything he needs.

I’ll post some of his pictures soon! Bye now! :p

Baby Chronicles: A Baby is Expensive!

I didn’t really believed it until I had Gab. One box of 108 Huggies newborn nappy would only last 10 days. Three pack of baby wipes would lasts for two weeks. One can of formula milk would last for two to three weeks as well (and that’s because I’m also breastfeeding). And Gab’s only six weeks old! Wow! Not to mention the clothes we had to buy because baies grow really fast. It’s a good thing many of my husband’s co-workers and some of mine as well gave us some clothes. Some of them are used ones, but we didn’t really care because we didn’t really want to buy too much since he’s only going to use it a few times before he outgrows them (he already did some of the newborn clothes he was given). But as long as he’s healthy and strong, I don’t really care about the expenses. By the way, he’s already cooing, smiling socially, and playing with Oscar (the fake dog!). How he loves Oscar. Someday, we’re going to have a real Border Collie he can play with.

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Only a completely different topic. This video was featured at Today’s morning show:

I remember the “Doble Kara” shows when I was growing up. Katuwa! :p

Mommy Chronicles: Sometimes I feel so helpless, so inadequate…

I hope it’s not just me. Sometimes, when I cannot make Baby Gab stop from crying, I feel so useless as his mother. Sometimes when I see my mom take him and he stops crying, I feel jealous that she can do that and I can’t. Or maybe I’m just being paranoid. Oh well..

I am such a Gleek

Sorry naman puro videos. I am such a Glee fan. Can’t wait until April 13. :p

Miss You Like Crazy!!!

Lech! I really, really want to watch this! I love John Lloyd! (Obvious ba?!) Hintayin ko na lang sa DVD. Haha.. :p

Baby Chronicles: Happy one month old to me!

With my proud lola. By the way, this is Gab. :p

Pacquiao is just too good not to win against Clottey

Love his after fight interviews too. :p

P.S. Watched TV Patrol World this morning and one of the reports was about having zero crime incidents in some areas during the Pacquiao-Clottey fight. Isn’t it amazing how one man can do that?!

Mommy Chronicles: Talented din pala ako

When I was young, I would always think I was not talented enough or creative enough. My older brother is very good with sketching, and my younger sister is good with singing, and both of them are good with computers. But not me. I’m not good enough with anything for it to be considered my talent. Yes, sometimes I’m too hard with myself.

But I don’t think like that anymore. Sabi nga nga asawa ko, ang laki na daw ng achievement ko. I give birth to our child. He knows it’s not an easy thing to do. He was with me the entire time during my labor and delivery. He was the one who keeps on reminding me to breathe deeply and when to push when I’m having contractions through a monitor (I had an epidural, I can’t feel any contractions). Ngayon, masabi ko na talented din pala ako. We have this little guy to love and to care for. He’s our legacy, our son, our little Gab.

Baby Chronicles: Presenting baby Gabriel

Born on February 22, 2010 at 10:04 PM.

I’m so relieved..and happy..and tired! Details soon. :p

Baby Chronicles: Still waiting at 38 weeks

I’ve been talking to the baby often now. Yesterday I told him if he comes out na, I’ll give him a toy. Hehe.. My mom is here already, we’ve ironed all his clothes and he’s the only one missing. I want to see who he looks like already, or if our combined genes will look good on the baby. I’m more intrigued than excited, really. I know it’s going to be hard, the labor I mean, but I think I would want him outside, than inside me now because I want to share the burden now with my husband. Don’t get me wrong, he’s been really supportive. I would hear no complaints when I asked him to do certain things (like massaging my swollen feet, getting my evening milk before I go to sleep, picking up things that I’ve dropped because I can hardly bend now, etc), but since he told me he’ll share the burden of taking care of the baby (dapat lang di ba?!), then he’ll get what he wants! :p

Before I give birth, here’s the picture of my weird distorted belly:

 

And here’s my mom! She’s so excited about the flora and fauna, she even thought this is a real dog!

She’s cute, my mom. Haha.. And I’ve missed her..And now she’s here! Yey! :p

Perfect love…

…drives away all fears - 1 John 4:18

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Enjoy your day with your loved ones! :p

After I give birth, I will..

1. Yes, drinks lots of coffee! You don’t know how much I’ve missed drinking coffee. True, I sometimes still have coffee (like once a week and only when I really need to be awake), but I don’t drink more than half a cup because I know the little one will keep me awake at night. Just a few more weeks, I can hardly wait!

2. Eat chips! Because of my feet and hand swelling, I haven’t been eating salty food, and of course chips with all its additives and MSG, is a definite no-no!

3. Start losing weight by Pilates. My pre-pregnancy weight is only 54 kilos. Don’t ask about my weight now though! I gain more than I’d like to. So I better start getting into shape. That’s why I’m also so adamant in breastfeeding. I’ve heard they really do help in uterine contraction thus helping you lose those excess weight you’ve gained especially in the tummy area.

4. Continue my driving lessons since we already bought a car. I’m hoping to get my P license before we go to the Philippines for a vacation.

5. And of course, care for our little one. That’s my top priority. :p

Baby Chronicles: 36 Weeks Today!

Wow, I’ve been pregnant for 252 days now! I can’t believe I only have a month to go! This is my last day at work today too. After today, my husband told me the other day, my new job is to take care of our baby. Aba, sinuswerte! It’s both our job to take care of our baby, I told him! Kala niya ha?! Hehe..

Last night, I dreamt about our baby boy. It’s weird because I know he’s just a newborn in my dream but he can crawl and sit up already. The other weird thing is he’s already eating and his favorite? Pretzels!

Anyway, I don’t think the baby’s gone down yet (lightening), but it sure is uncomfortable now in my pelvic area (especially when I sit too long),my legs and feet (when I stand too long), and my back and ribs (when I sleep). See, I can’t stop complaining now that I’m almost near the finish line. I’m learning now that it will take so much sacrifice to become a mother, and pregnancy and giving birth is only a small part of it.

On a lighter note, I can feel the baby getting bigger and stronger as I would always feel the knees and elbows now when he moves. How do I know that it’s the elbows and knees? Well because it’s pointy and it hurts more. There I go again, another complaint. Ok, I’ll stop doing it now. Gotta.Stop.Complaining.

Maybe I’ll just think of my baby boy, at how cute and healthy he will be when he’s already here with us. When I think about it, I can’t help but smile and get excited. :p

Cebu Dancing Inmates

Saw this from my friend Pat’s blog.

The man in the middle is Michael Jackson’s long time choreographer. I’ve read that choreography actually finished in just 2 days and this video was professionally filmed by Sony Pictures. Galing!