A tribute to my brother

A journal of experiences as I work on my research paper and awareness program dedicated to my brother.

[ellefinallyspeaks]

When history will forever be remembered by those who remain. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt_dMPTglXxp6E7rTDIaxtjO3PzFqkYrCMtqx40/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=13nbk97s18lgq

[ellefinallyspeaks]

Slumber filter. It was this kind of day! :/ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqz8C39g04vAEjfOuM5bGc2j1zh9YFcE4FzCEg0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kp40hqk3cwvq

[ellefinallyspeaks]

Remembering you Kuya... #allsoulsday2015

[ellefinallyspeaks]

With Kuya @Peter Bren on all souls day. We miss you dearly...

[ellefinallyspeaks]

Writing the "meat" of the paper

I thought the first half of the paper was the hard part! Oh no... Especially when you are totally clueless on the nursing/health theories and of course statistics! It felt like I was stuck in a tunnel that was pitch dark. No way out! I thought I was done with mind boggling health concepts and theories, but was totally wrong because I had to relate them to each result that came-out from the study conducted. It was so funny that there were so many theories/studies in my conceptual framework that contradicted my results! So I had to again look for another theory to explain each one. How hard is that? 100 percent! Good thing there are people out there who have a good grasp of these topics. I must admit that I was not able to do the second half without the help of friends who are nurses, doctors and some skilled in statistics. I had to bother them every-now-and-then to ask for input and guidance on how to go about. It was my personal network that helped me survive this final requirement. From the relevant theories, statistics, APA formats and editing. I needed to double time on doing more research and did my best to understand the concepts so that I could be able to connect this to my paper. A word of advise I would give myself if I am ever faced with research again. "Do not do a research on something that is far from your area of expertise or else you will find your self taking a crash course on that particular topic." Another thing I found hard was writing in a "research oriented" manner. Had to go through several researches to find out how to write the content especially the results. I was told that I am more of a feature writer so I had to adjust it to make it more technical and scholarly. I shouldn't allow myself to get carried away and make it seem personal. I also have to say that I was very much disappointed that the results that came-out was the exact opposite of the results i needed to prove a point. I didn't have any other choice of respondents. Still, i had no other choice to move forward.

[ellefinallyspeaks]

Writing about something you are clueless about

[ellefinallyspeaks]

A test of my mental state - data gathering

After days and weeks of unending proposals, follow-ups, and rejections... A tiny spark of hope. A small call center in the city, accepted to give the survey to their employees. Maybe because our presentation was convincing or because I personally knew the HR officer, it didn't really matter at that point. The important thing is that I actually have respondents. So handed over 200 questionnaires to their HR office since "outsiders" weren't allowed on the operations floor and due to the graveyard schedule. They took charge of giving the questionnaires to the agents for them to answer. So that part was done, or so I thought. Anxiously waited for the answered questionnaires and when I finally got them... I had to go through them one by one, making sure that the tool was properly shaded for accurate results from OMR, the equipment that will "encode" the data for the statistical software. I was totally shocked with the results since most of the questionnaires indicated "never" in smoking and drinking, which is quite odd.. Because previous studies show and I have personally witnessed a great number of agents who drink straight from their shift and often smoke during breaks. Even my key informants highlighted on this. Then I remembered that the HR officer we interviewed mentioned that most of their employees were Mormons. What a test of patience right? Why of all things that could happen? Was 'fate' trying to mess with me? What a unlikely coincidence. Frustrated, again, immediately with my prof and had to do with what I got because that was my results and I had no other choice for respondents. I had to start writing because it was already September and my paper was due very soon. With i heavy heart, I had to make due with the results I got. I have to admit that I was very much disappointed with what happened but what really got to me was that I couldn't do anything about it, at least at that point in time.

[ellefinallyspeaks]

What will do the trick?

Letters sent, calls constantly made, but still no good news if we will actually have respondents. Call centers have closed their doors to us one after the other. Others don’t even seem to care or are too busy to give us feedback.

Trying to think of ways to convince them to give us a chance. What will actually make them budge? Tried to tap on influential people but unfortunately these people are hard to catch too.

I am running out of time and still do not have actual respondents to my study. Am kind of getting a little frustrated because this is not just a study for me or a simple term requirement, this is something that means a lot to me. Because if it weren’t I would’ve changed the topic a long time ago.

Don’t these call centers want to know how their employees view health so that they themselves can safeguard the wellness of their only resource? Their employees?

[ellefinallyspeaks]

Sick with a flu and an infected throat and on steriods again! (Taken with Instagram)

[ellefinallyspeaks]

My virtual classroom

[ellefinallyspeaks]

Journal Article (Taken with Instagram)

[danidinks-blog]

I was 20 on July 20, 2012. Time flew so fast that after 24-hours, I became 21. Whoa! How did that happen? Oh yeah, it was my birthday. Haha!

Days before my ‘bachelor-hood’ a friend of mine told me that the first thing that came to her mind when she turned 21 was ‘ano ayhan ang nahimo ko sa 21...

[ellefinallyspeaks]

Dearest Dani, I have also admired your passion for the arts and am at awe with the God-given talents you have and have also honed through the years. I chose you since I have known you since you were in grade school and have seen that you have great potential in making a difference for the greater good. Not only because you are smart but becuase YOU have got the X-FACTOR! Your family has always and will always be special to me. So don't you worry, I've got your back. Thank you too for accepting the challenge. Lovelots, manang Elle

[ellefinallyspeaks]

Almost going crazy and am not even half way

Another week is about to end and I’m still trying to finish the first part of my journal article. What exactly is a journal article right? Had no idea but I have to come-up with one so that I can actually graduate. But how?! is the first thing that entered my mind. A format that is different from what you were used to in college. But that’s okay, the show must go on. I must admit though I actually like the format better since it is direct to the point.

Trying to look for theories in nursing that you didn’t even know existed. Understanding all the statistical designs and tests —- well trying to! The problem with having a lot of friends in the academe is that their advises might conflict each other, so you have to keep focused so that you won’t overwhelm yourself.

I told my mom before that I didn't want to take up nursing because it is far from my line of interest.. Then I ended-up doing a masteral paper that is based on nursing theories? Just my luck!

Nevertheless, am keeping my eye on the goal… Which is to make sure that the call center agents are aware of the possible dangers that they might find themselves in if they do not make their health a priority.

So I found myself trying to put all these new terminologies and concepts together (with the help of friends who know better) while coordinating (also with help in the logistics) with the call centers you plan to be part of your study. Then you find out that the major ball players won’t even give you their total population. Huuuwwwaaat?! So now, how can you do a city wide survey if they aren’t a part of it? These are still issues that we still have to tackle.

What bothers me is, why are the call centers so resistant when your intentions are good and you actually went through the proper channeling? Yes, it is their right to deny us from doing the survey but don’t the call center agents also have the right to work in a environment that promotes wellness? Instead of an environment that can cause sicknesses if not death?

One thing is for sure… This is one challenge I am not backing-up on.

[dessaexplorer-deactivated201505]

Laugh!

Just Like my calls.

HAHAHAHAHAH!

[iamjamaica-blog]

Ang bilis ng panahon. Almost 2 years na aq sa industry. At gusto q lang ikwento. Callcenter ang first job q. I just turned 19. Nung una akala q basta makikipag-usap ka lang. Syempre first time.. Tawag nga nila “callcenter virgin”. May ganun pang term. Hahah

Nung nalaman q kung panu talaga...

[ellefinallyspeaks]

A blog I just found on google.

[ellefinallyspeaks]

Why I started this blog

As a requirement for my graduate studies in Development Communication at the University of the Philippines Open University we were required to do a special paper, specifically in my case it was a Journal Article. So we had to look for a development communication problem we would want to address and do a research study on the said problem. I personally chose to work on call centers. The call center industry has changed my life completely not because I work for a call center but because my late brother who worked for a call center did. Hence, I would like to dedicate this paper to my dear brother. Kuya Bren, this is for you!