"Ma'am... Tumataba kayo."

Earlier today, the messenger from my old office came over to have me sign some documents. The moment he entered the room, his greeting was "Ma'am mukhang di kayo puyat ah. Tumataba kayo!" (Ma'am it doesn't look like you've been burning the midnight oil. You're gaining weight!)

Grrrrr... I hate it when people do that. Filipinos have this nasty habit of making remarks about your weight as a way of greeting. Whether or not it's meant to be a compliment, it's annoying and rude! I've been on the receiving end of all imaginable weight remarks (from "Tumataba ka" to "Ang payat payat mo! Hindi na maganda.") that I can honestly say, all forms of comments relating to weight are off-limits. For most people, weight is a sensitive issue and receiving thoughtless remarks like that can spell the difference between a good day and a bad day.

So a word of advice, unless asked or otherwise authorized, keep weight comments to yourself.

Life in my new firm, Chapter 1

New things I've done since I started last April 1, 2008:

1. Go to Kuala Lumpur for the firm's summer outing. This was super fun. Even if the trip was Amazing Race-like (read: no two nights in the same hotel), I had a blast with my new officemates.
2. Conducted my first ever due-diligence. I had to bring work to Kuala Lumpur just to make sure I can submit my work in time for the deadlines. Despite the long hours, a.k.a. staying in the office 'til 2am, I enjoyed my first ever due diligence mainly because of my teammates who remained calm and composed regardless of the work pressure.
3. Sleep on the job. Hahaha. One afternoon, at the height of the due-diligence, my body conked out on me (the room was literally spinning.) after enduring days and days of sleep deprivation. Heeding my body's demand, I decided to have a power nap in my office. But... As luck would have it, one of the name partners (his surname is the first surname you'll see in our firm's name) happened to pass by my office and saw me in my uhm... dreamy state. Hahaha. It's a good thing he just made fun of it and simply concluded that I was overworked... Hehehe. Thank goodness for young, hip and understanding bosses! :-)
   

Well, a little over a month in the firm and so far, so good... :-)