IP Relay No More

“This is operator 70225F with an i711.com relay/IP relay call. Do you know how to use relay?”

This was my opening spiel for 42 months while in the call center industry in various shifts. I survived the many teams I was with and the many other people who come and go in such microcosm. I would say, I was a certified night owl then who was wide awake at the wee hours of the night when most are asleep and in bed when the sun is high.

IP relay is one program distinct from the rest. It is neither an inbound or outbound call but a service of the US government to the deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled to enable them to communicate to able-bodied using different modes of devices such as the computer, TTY, and blackberry.

As a relay operator, we read the message of the deaf that appears on the monitor to the called party and type verbatim and everything the called party has said to the deaf, including the background noises, and vice versa. It can last for many hours and as short as 30 seconds. This job requires one to type fast and knows how to listen actively.

Today, I am still in search of a new job I’d like to grow old with. A job that will give me fulfillment, satisfaction and joy in all aspect.

Lose It, Fitness First

This is the same post we submitted to The Philippine Star's weight loss program in collaboration with Fitness First. We are crossing our fingers and our toes that my aunt will be selected.

25 years ago, I heard nothing but rants and raves from people around me about how good I looked. Because of my slim and enviable figure, I became a model for Mondragon and had a commercial. I was younger then, had an active and healthy lifestyle and was exceedingly confident.

After giving birth to my son, I gained weight. Fifteen years later, I have put on more weight and yielded to patronizing diet fads that only worked temporarily. Whenever I look at myself at the mirror, I feel embarrassed and humiliated. I see nothing but unsightly bulges pleading me to change my lifestyle. I detest fixing myself and going out, knowing that I need a change of wardrobe. More so, when I meet old friends, they never fail to notice the weight I’ve added through the years. This makes me feel hurt but I nevertheless manage to smile.

Procrastination has been my best pal lately. I often promise myself to start tomorrow but the lack of determination and the tempting food surrounding me keeps me from losing a single pound.

I admit, I need professional help for me to gain back the figure I once had, relearn healthy habits to loose all the pounds I have accumulated and maintain it once I have it. Losing weight is critical to having a long life and I’d like to enjoy the beautiful life God has gifted me with and experience the joys of being a mom. Both my mother and my brother are suffering from high blood. My brother suffered from mild stroke late last year and I saw how traumatic it can be. At 40, I am only starting to live my life. I can enjoy life better by being fit and experience the great outdoor. I also do not wish to invest anymore on clothes. I have pretty ones that are waiting to be used again once I lose 30 pounds. Currently I weigh 165 pounds!

My weight has slowed down my life. I tire easily. It hinders me to bond with my son and explore the mountains, the beaches and the wildlife which he loves doing. I want to grow old healthy and avoid all the maintenance my mother and brother are taking. It has made me wary of the people I know I might see when I am out of the house and hear insulting comments that are hurting.

I am willing to do anything and everything to lose weight. I am determined to work with my instructor and listen to his tutelage to achieve our goal. I am willing to avoid cheese and salted snack food and replace it with healthier choices instead. Most of all, I am ready to change my lifestyle for keeps and brag to the world, “Fitness First has made me a whole, new and happier person.”