Restrictions
May 28, 2007Due to the restrictions I applied to some of my entries here under privileged group, please add me in your dashboards: larrybored@yahoo.com. I've already added some of the people linked in my sidebar but failed to do so with the others, I don't know but there's a bit of error and can't find them after hitting search. To ease me with the tedious task, please add me if you have the time. It's not that I'm really posting steamy entries, just that there are "delicate" things that I posted in my previous entries that might be read by some. You'll figure it out as soon as you're added and given access to the privileged group. Thanks.
Dream Granted
March 13, 2007I kinda miss my job as an editor in dubai. A job that i only thought possible in my dreams but dubai has given me the opportunity to experience it at least for a while. I was afraid at the beginning that I might not be able to do it as my experience is totally different from being an english editor and matter of fact is, I'm not even a journalism graduate. What are the odds of getting the same kinda job if I applied here in the Phils with its highly critical readers? But as it turned out, arabs were easy to please (in terms of the way i write) and doesn't have a clue that there is a style in writing for public-consumption-reading more than the grammar.
It's not that I was given the chance to write interesting stories or opinion- the publication i was connected with caters to the insurance industry of the entire middle east region and who reads insurance magazine? But I miss the feel of it! It was a total hell when I was working in the office with my arab boss around, but as soon as i get out on field attending press conferences, seminars/fora/symposia, and what-have-you, i was awed with my interaction with other nationalities during those events. Met a lot of different people and most of them executives from insurance companies in the middle east and some were from france, japan, us and where-else. I felt how it was like being a journalist-conducting interviews, promoting the magazine, and to my surprise I actually find the conferences interesting even when all they talked about was insurance.
I also liked the fact that while having these events, I had to wear coat and tie as if it was a normal thing for me to wear and being with people who means business. I couldn't forget the first ever interview i've conducted and it was with a powerful man from AIG -President & CEO American International Underwriters (AIU), Nicholas Walsh. I was like in a panic and at the same time trying to sort my questions without even listening to what he has to say - well, i had my recorder- but wasnt able to make follow up questions only because I was overwhelmed and at the same time intimidated by this influential man. What was also good about it were the hotels where they held the events. Shangrila (Dubai and Oman-palace like shangrila), Dusit, Al Murooj Rotana, Fairmont and its hotel food -was quite an experience I would say. I missed the chance to go to Burj Al Arab though (the 7 star hotel) since this egyptian (my supervisor) picked a fight with me on the day that we're supposed to attend a press conference in that hotel - that pig!
I wish I could write better! I wish I can transcribe my train of thought into a competent-journalist-style of writing. And if that happens, i would love to make a career shift here in manila. But that's far from reality so I'll probably just stick to the job that I have now. I'm just glad to have been given the chance to work with something I'm passionate about even when it meant that i went through hell during those miserable months working with idiots.
