Brave but not stupid

As I’ve said in my other blog, many things are happening in my life right now. Still no love life, though I’m crushing on someone, but I’m still very happy. Life’s almost perfect if not for the wound on my left leg. Eczema :( I can’t believe I’m going to have scars at this age. Yay!

So anyway, it’s raining opportunities, literally. Somehow, I’m already confused on which among these offers to grab. First off, I’ve come to realize that there is really no “asenso” in being an employee. Specially in my case: always best in tardiness, never the employee of the quarter. Haha!
What I’m trying to say is that if I can’t be a role model office staff, then maybe I can be something else. Like a full-time freelancer, maybe?

Since last month, I’ve been sending my resume to companies and offices in Makati. I never intended to work in that place because they said that the people there speak in fluent English and that they are really “sosyal” and all. Not that I’m intimidated. I just feel like I don’t belong there. Joke. Drama! Nothing. In fact, I think Makati is not that glamorous, contrary to popular beliefs. My dream working place is Paris! So, Makati is “so-so” for me. LOL.

Kidding aside, I was invited to 8 job interviews for the position of Copy Writer | Web Content Writer | Content Writer | Online Marketing Writer. Basically, I want to work as a writer in a big company that pays me a minimum of 36K a month. Am I asking for too much? That is the amount that I can earn in a month if I’m going to work full-time in my online jobs. So, if I’m going to work in a company in a full-time basis, they should be able to exceed that amount, right?

Out of those 8 invitations, I went to just one and the rest, well, I was tied up with lots of writing commitments, I wasn’t able to attend anymore. Funny, when the employer asked about my expected salary, I said 18K. LOL. I was too shy to say my real expectation. I was scheduled for another interview this morning but I have writing assignments in Odesk, so I decided not to go.

I am thinking, why do I need to apply for jobs in Makati when I already have a lot of writing gigs online? And I can have more if I wanted to. If I really really wanted to. If I had more time. If I had no full-time job to think about. If only HMO, SSS, PAGIBIG, etc., were not important to me, I would have given up my office job long ago. Freelancers don’t have such benefits. That’s the main problem.

I’m confused. Which is better? To work at home or to work in a company? Hmmmm … I’m single. I have very few responsibilities. I’m renting a small place. My electric and water bills do not cost that much because I’m alone. I eat a lot but I’m happy with Jollibee meals, I mean no fancy restaurants for me. In other words, I only need P500 or $12 a day in order to survive. That’s all I NEED. But I WANT more money for my caprices. Hehe.

I’m currently looking at my options. I can work full-time in my office job and be a part-time freelancer. Or, quit my office job and work full-time in freelance writing, where I truly belong. If I could earn $50 dollars a day, then I’m going to resign now! Haha! But I’m going to work really hard for that huge amount and definitely, it’s not going to come from only one source or just one contract. I’ll need at least 3 long-term contracts in Odesk.

As of now, I have 2 fixed-priced assignments, both employers told me that if my performance passed their standards, they’re going to give me more projects ;) I also have 4 hourly-based contracts and they’re not giving me much tasks but I’m not complaining. I’m able to earn $75 a week for a few hours of writing and editing. Okay, they said there are tons of work to do and that we need to discuss it via Skype. Problem is, I’m online when they’re offline and vice versa. Apparently, the Phillippines and the US have a 12 or 13 hours time difference.

So, do you think it’s possible? Or should I wait for things to be stable first? I can earn 12 dollars a day and more than that. But I doubt if $50 dollars daily is feasible. Haha! My plan is to stay in my full-time job while I’m doing freelance jobs. But holy smokes, I can’t serve two masters at the same time. Eventually, I will have to choose and that time is now. I have to make a decision.

Presently, my target is just $50 a week but if I’m going to work full-time in this online industry, I can raise my target income to $100, that’s $400 a month. What do you think? Well, I think that it’s too small for an amount. Haha! I’m really ambitious. I want to earn $1000 a month. That’s $250 a week. That’s $50 a day. Question is where will I get that $50? I have ideas but I’m going to kill myself writing and blogging. Maybe I should be contented with $100 a week and that’s just 20 hours of writing :)

one more thing, if I’m going to work full-time in Odesk, then maybe I should start accepting very low job offers like this one?

Or maybe I should still accept a full-time home-based job! How about this one?

It’s one my most wonderful job offers. They asked me to submit a sample and until now I haven’t written it yet because after office hours I still need to meet the deadlines in my writing gigs :( Sayang. But I’d still submit my sample article about Korean festivals even if it’s already late. Just so they wouldn’t think that I disregarded them. And then I’ll ask if there is a part-time position as well. Hehe.

My recent activities in Odesk

I am a small time freelance writer. My asking rate is just 5 dollars per hour but most of the jobs that I am accepting offer me only 3 dollars per hour. It’s not much but it’s “something.” It minimizes my idle time during weekends so, in other words, it makes me feel productive. But here’s the good news, last night I applied for the position of Web Content Editor in Odesk and when I woke up this morning, it’s such a surprise that I got hired! The rate is 5 dollars per hour, 15 hours a week. So, today is really a happy Easter Sunday for me ;)

It’s really a perfect timing because my other contract, Article Writer for Green Tea, has just ended. This particular job was offered by Mr. ST from UK who employed me last March to write for a toys website. He decided to employ me again because he thinks that I am courteous, prompt and my articles are of high standard.

Another contract that I won last Holy Friday was the Sen Content Writer. In case you’re curious, the rate is 3 dollars per hour, maximum of 20 hours per week. Please allow me to share the story on how I got this job. Well, the employer was looking for someone who is knowledgeable with Magento. It’s an open-source software which is used by online stores. So, if you want to build a website that sells products like shoes and bags, you will definitely need Magento.

Anyway, I didn’t know Magento before I applied for this job posting. It wasn’t specified in the job’s description that it’s a requirement. Here is a screengrab of our conversation:

You see, Odesk is like a big online jungle where only the bravest and the fiercest contractors survive. I was crazy enough to take a job that is outside my area of expertise. But I will learn, that’s for sure. There are a lot of tutorials in the internet. I just have to READ! So, I’m learning and I’m not afraid to learn new things. Anyway, they can always terminate the contract in case I turn out to be useless for this job. But I doubt if that will ever happen. Hehe. I’m going to give my best!

In a slightly disappointing news, my application for the job posting “Looking for an Outstanding Blog/Article Writer” was declined. MMmn … it’s okay. I’m not outstanding, anyway. I’m just one of the best, if not the best. But I was never outstanding ;) And what about the invitation for a job interview that I received? I ignored it. For some reason, I can’t work with just 2 dollars per hour. I have $2.70 per hour contract but that’s just it. In the next few months, I plan to raise my asking rate from $5 to $10 dollars per hour. Why not? I’m one hell of a hardworking freelancer I deserve to get paid according to how much I feel right. But before that happens, I will have to work harder on my portfolio.

Truth is, I’m not very much active in Odesk. It’s just recently that I started sending applications again because I’m so inspired by my online friends who are making it big in freelancing. I am more active doing jobs for direct employers and I also write for TCA. I love TCA, though the rate is very low, at least I don’t have to apply or bid for a certain project. I just have to log in then start writing. But, because I presently have 3 active contracts in Odesk (1) Web Content Writer 5 dollars per hour, (2) Sen Content Writer 3 dollars per hour, and (3) Article Writer / Researcher 2.70 dollars per hour, I think I will spend more time in Odesk from now on.

Happy Easter!

I’m going to be a writer

My dream of becoming a full-time freelance writer is going to materialize soon. As much as I am very happy and excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity, I’m also apprehensive about my skills and what I can give back to my employer. I know I got this job out of luck and not because I’m good or whatever. Certainly, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of excellent writers out there who are just waiting for something like this to happen so this makes me unsure if I can really meet my employer’s expectations even if I give my best. I mean, of course, I’d really give my best but the question is “will it be enough?’

Anyway, his basic requirements are quite simple. First, I need a cellphone because we need to communicate once every two weeks to discuss the progress of the job. If you’ve been following my blog, I’ve mentioned in the past that I don’t own a phone. But since I need it, and this is something I consider as an investment, I purchased a pre-owned phone a few hours ago. Nokia 1100. So, simple phone, check! Second, I need a stable internet connection. I guess everybody knows, as in EVERYBODY KNOWS, that Smart Broadband is such a crap, good as garbage. So, the next thing I have to look at is the best internet connection in my area. I’ve plans to try out PLDT MyDSL or Sky broadband but whichever, they all suck anyway.

Now, if musicians have music business cards, writers have portfolios. Sadly, I am still on the process of building up my portfolio so I couldn’t present one. Good thing, he said it’s not required :) What he wants me to consider is to have another computer which will be used for this project. My laptop will be used for writing and the other for testing and research. I will be writing about dot dot dot and I will need a linux-operated computer to be able to experience first hand the things that I will be writing about. This is the scariest part because I’m not a very “techie” person. I’m not a software engineer for heaven’s sake! LOL.

Surely, some things are private and I just can’t announce in my journal. I just wanted to share what has been happening to the person behind this blog but I do not intend to boast or make you envious haha. I feel like I owe it to those few people who’ve been following my blog, so that’s like 3 or 5 persons, not really sure how few but this is my way of saying thank you, by sharing the details of my life.

Here is the problem: I’m extremely busy reading about Cisco, Asterisk, Linux, PBX, Telephony, etc. that I no longer have the time to update my other blogs. Like now, I’m itching to update Love is Paris, but I’m busy writing this super difficult topic. Another problem, before I meet my employer in person, that’s on Tuesday, I need to finish two articles which I am currently doing. And there are other things that are brewing on my mind right now. Somehow, I feel lost :( So, it’s really a mixture of emotions.

Better hosting solution

I am currently listening to a beautiful Japanese song by Sex Bomb Girls to stop this annoying feeling. This song “Chotto matte kudasai” has really sweet Nihonggo-English-Filipino lyrics and nice melody too. Listening to music is one of the best ways to relax :)

Anyway, I can’t understand why I get prompted over and over again to login in my CPanel even if my username and password are correct. It’s been a problem for months now. I already informed my web host about it but they were unable to help me. I also asked this question in Ask Yahoo and the only answer I got is to look for a dedicated hosting solution. But transferring to a new host is not an option for me. I have a feeling my problem has something to do with Windows Firewall.

Going back to the song, I searched in Google and it means please wait a second. I’ve been practicing the song for two hours now. I’m heading to my friend’s house later for the late celebration of her birthday. Since we’re going to sing all night (videoke) I have to be prepared haha! Last time, I sang Weak and my friend was laughing at me because I was out of tune :)

Please like me :-)

Contrary to what I wrote in my other blog:

Facebook makes me sad. I honestly think it’s just a place to show off one’s successes and achievements. Obviously, I have nothing to boast about that’s why I’m bitter :)

I think I now understand why I was never addicted to Facebook. It doesn’t really matter to me if they have this and that in life, which I obviously do not possess. I do not care a bit if they are rich and famous. It bothers me that nobody is liking my status! HAHAHAHA! Poor me :) Well, there’s M and R and J and another M who are constantly liking my non-sense shout outs but I envy those who have 100 + likes and comments in every quote or joke they post on their walls.

They are the real human beings while me … I’m like the wind. Invisible and quiet. Facebook only shows the boring personality that I have :) Truth be told, if it weren’t for Ms. V.L., I wouldn’t have bothered to activate my FB account. OMG this is me!  I’m scared that only a few will accept my friend requests. These are my insecurities!

Like, a few days ago, there are two persons who didn’t confirm me as friend. That made me a little angry, very upset and so disappointed. My sister told me “so what?! shrug it off! they don’t matter!” Yeah. Got her point. But I’m still upset. Later on, to console myself I said “haaay! they’re so mayabang! GRRR!” On the second thought, maybe they don’t know me. I was very quiet back in high school so they probably don’t even remember my name. *Sigh :( :( :( This is my life …

So, anyway, enough for self pity. Guess what? I have a new baby!  She’s actually my first love and her name is Love is Paris. I know the name is not very original but I like it! Do you know that two years ago, I wrote a blog which was entitled Vanilla Ice Cream? I thought it was unique but then I found out that there were at least a hundred other blogs named Vanilla Ice Cream. Hehehe. Now, I couldn’t care less if Love is Paris has 1000 namesakes :)

There are three things:

  1. this new blog is also for commercial purposes. sorry about that. I know most bloggers are against blog advertising but I need it.
  2. I started this blog intending to write about my dreams of going to Paris and hopefully making it happen by becoming successful in writing hehehe
  3. I made a Facebook page and a like button in the sidebar. I want 1,000,000 likes! As in 1 Million!

ONE MILLION. How am I going to achieve that target? I have 130 plus friends in FB/Friendster but I’m too shy to suggest my page and I would never do that, even in my wildest dream.  My sister told me she’s going to ask a few friends to like it hehehe. I have to be realistic. One million likes in 5 years :) Please like my page! Look at the sidebar or see below. THANK YOU!