NUMBER 3.

*Theme from Spiderman runs in my head*

Today, I can say with certainty that I had a great day.

For the first time in many weeks, I feel like smiling. No, there wasn’t really anything really exciting that took place today, but I suppose I just felt that in many weeks, I felt that working makes sense. I don’t feel like dragging my feet to the office anymore. I don’t feel … enslaved.

For starters, my lady boss didn’t feel grouchy or picky today…well, at least not so much. We were discussing about the type of stones to specify for the flooring and countertop of one of our clients. I used to dread those types of discussions because I always feel unprepared to face her, to take in on what would be another “flighty” decision on her part.

Well, today, she seemed game to accomplish a lot of things, and for the first time, I shared her enthusiasm to help her finish those things. I guess it’s probably because I’m beginning to jive with her. I can pick up from where she left off, not just merely take in everything what she says and wonder what that was, where to find that, what to do with this type of finish, etc. I realized I’m not so clueless about materials and suppliers anymore! I can answer her questions with confidence.

***
I also talk with a lot of suppliers in the course of my work…well, at least current work. (More on that later.) Sometimes there would be walk-in suppliers, and today was no exception. Two of those walk-in suppliers dropped by the office earlier, and I was happy to note that both of them proved to be worth my time.

One of them, a representative from a big bathroom fixtures distributor, gave me brochures that contained a lot of the things I felt that my lady boss would want. Why was that? I’ve been searching for a lot of ‘particular’ styles of fixtures and fittings the entire summer, and I found nearly all of them in one set of brochures – from one distributor! Imagine? The ones I was interested in were the inexpensive Chinese versions of the European brands I’m familiar with, but I’m willing to bet that those products, coming from a well-established distributor, would deliver.

About the other supplier, let me just say for one thing that the second supplier was DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. As in. He looked like a movie star. At first I couldn’t understand why Tin was making a big fuss about this particular supplier, but when we were introduced – ah, I immediately understood. I had a hard time putting on a poker face while he was talking about his product, which were different stones – limestone, sandstone, etc. But in keeping a straight face (and yeah, trying to speak in whole English sentences since he didn’t seem to speak Filipino) I even learned a thing or two from him – something that would greatly help with what my lady boss and I were discussing regarding stone floor finishes. O di ba timely?

…Too bad nalaman ko bading pala yun (after sharing my “starstruck” experience with officemates). Haha. Sayang! Joke.:D (Don’t worry hon, you’ll still be the cutest guy for me ever.;) )

***
I went home with Suzette, one of my friends from the office. I learned from her that the reason why she goes to site more often these days was because the 2nd floor slab was being poured into place. (Tama ba English ko? Haha.:D) I got interested and started asking a lot of questions, and she answered a lot of those.

It was only through that talk that I realize how crucial the ‘buhos’ was – in order for that to commence with it everything should be in place -- the wiring, the plumbing, the beams…everything. Suzette had to count for herself every rebar that was there before the pouring of concrete could take place. Needless to say, I really find the whole process fascinating. I hope that someday I would get to see for myself all these things taking place.

I’m also happy for Suzette – after being the subject of my boss’ ire for nearly two months because of something that went amiss with that same project, she was now being commended for it. At least Suzette was able to redeem herself.

***
I’m happy because for the first time in many weeks, I feel inspired to work. I finally feel that I didn’t leave my former job for something more….unstimulating than my previous work. Learning and experiencing things like what I’ve gone through earlier – that’s the reason why I ventured to get out of the safe, straight, and seemingly secure path with my former office.

Nope, I don’t think I’ll really get over my wariness of people in authority, but in time I’ll be able to work more confidently with them. I just feel that today is one of those days that makes me feel a bit closer to realizing my dream of … someday being the one specifying what type of material we’ll be using for the floor, of counting rebars of the structure that I once planned on paper, and of witnessing the edifice I designed slowly taking shape.

I hope.

Anyway, did I mention that today marks my third month in the office?