Inactive SIM

I have two postpaid lines under my aunt's name. I have had my SMART Gold number for almost 4 years now, and my Sun Cell number for 2 years. My aunt got the former as a corporate deal with her airline, while the latter was her personal number, until she gave up due to Sun's unreliable network signal in Parañaque.

Just this March, my manager asked to borrow my phone so she can insert her SIM card. Her phone's battery was dead and she said she needed to reach our boss. I obliged and removed my SIM card myself. I had done this before, and I wasn't worried that I would lose any contacts. I had returned my SIM card when I got an 'Invalid SIM' error. I tried to enter my PIN code, but I still got the same error.

I went to SMART's wireless center and asked them what the problem was. The customer service rep said that the card is damaged and needs replacement. They told me that I had to pay P320.40 or something. The problem is, I would need my aunt's letter of authorization and a valid ID. Well, my chances of getting those was slim to none. My aunt hates my guts, as I hate hers. XD So I did not do anything, and for 2 months now, I have not had the chance to use my SMART number again.

Then, just this Saturday, my SUN number showed 'INACTIVE SIM'. OMG! I was hoping my line just got disconnected for going over my credit limit or something. Although, I know I didn't since I never got any warning message from Sun about it, but that can easily be fixed by paying my bill.

Yesterday, I went to the Sun Shop to pay my bill and ask about my account's status at the same time. I waited for so long until a representative checked out my account and was told that it was 'Active'. Conclusion: My SIM's broken. I need to have it replaced and will have to pay P150. Again, they told me that I would need my aunt's letter of authorization and valid ID. BINGO! That's two-for-two.

So, as you may have guessed, I am without a phone. I will have to get my OWN line. It's just about time.

Watch Your Back

I have been working since summer of 2001. I started as a part-time waitress at this smart-casual restaurant. I have had a lot of different roles or work after that. I was once a sales clerk working at a wine store, a management trainee, a call center agent, a QA specialist, and now, a virtual personal assistant.

As you may have guessed, I have worked for different industries as well. Aside from food and beverage, I also worked for a prominent BPO, a global hotel chain, and even a startup company such as my present employer.

I have met different people with different personalities - good and bad. That's one thing I am grateful for: that I am able to determine a person's attitude/personality. I guess I have developed this skill over time.

Ever since I experienced my first conflict at work, I have experimented on ways to deal with it. I have tried ignoring the issue, confronting the issue and the other party, and quitting my job as soon as it got unhealthy.

In any company setting, people with varying personalities and background will surely clash one way or another. How you deal with it and prevent it is completely up to you.

I have learned to always watch my back. You always have to look out for yourself. Trust no one but yourself.

It angers me that some people go to great lengths to bring misery to others. Right now, I do not wish to involve myself with people who are too selfish to think of the welfare of others. But what hurts me more is the feeling of 'betrayal' I get from people I have considered my friends. I do not like the feeling of paranoia.

I'd like to think that I have done no harm to others to deserve this. If they are doing this to me because they'd like to get my job, then success wouldn't be as sweet to them. I have worked my butt off to get to where I am, without stepping on others and without deceiving anybody. Why couldn't they do the same?