Christmas Party in Headway

Last Saturday, December 13 we had our Headway Yearend Party. That event was to summarize whole year, thank to employee for they contribution and of course to spend time together and enjoy. The event started around 7 pm when all of the guests gathered in Café Attivo, small restaurant near our office. We started with delicious dinner and even more delicious desert :) after making our stomachs full we started the program. Hosts of the evening were: Michelle (Accounting Assistance from HBS) and Justin (Business Consultant from HPL). On the beginning we had speeches of Mike and Flo, our Headquarter, later Noli, Tim and Akie (managers of Headway companies) shared their thoughts and gave wishes for next year.


After the official part we started games :)we had both team and individual games. I have to admit that I had a great fun to see all the people completing tasks and doing different funny things :) one of the games was: How good do you know your Manager?. Both managers and employees were asked few questions; the task was to answer in the same way without communication. HDI (Headway Dynamics) team become the winner, they know each other very well :) rest of the teams should spend more time with each other and get to know, integration meetings are recommended :P . We also had time to exchange gifts and we choose Best Look Girl and Boy of the evening, our winners were Flo and Jewel but she left earlier so we decided to give award to Ate Elsa :) Whole evening finished at 1 am and till the end we enjoy time together had a lot of nice moments and laugh. I think that idea of organizing such events is a great. We had chance to gather all employees and show how thankful we are that they are with us.

Filipino Ballet

Last Friday thanks to one of my work colleague I had chance to go for ballet. It was the first time I had ever seen ballet and what is funny my first time was in the Philippines. The performance took place I Aliw Theatre near Star City (playground) the theatre itself was quite similar that those in Poland. Of course there were some differences which pay my attention like: people weren’t in official clothes but casual, at the beginning of the ballet there was National anthem. Interesting was also that the ballet had a story teller which was explaining at the beginning what the story will be about. The ballet consisted of 3 parts, 3 different stories. Name of whole performance were: “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang”

All the performance was amazing, very professional, and colorful and it was great to watch it. I hope I will have chance to visit this kind of places more often. After the ballet you could go and change ticket for entrance to Star City. Of course we did it and go to it. Here were many different …to ride so we enjoyed our evening :)

Merry Christmas…?

Yes even if it is November Filipino are crazy about Christmas, an actually it starts in October. You can notice Christmas decoration everywhere, people have a Christmas tree :), people starts shopping like crazy (I don’t want to know what is going on here just before Christmas), in malls you can here Christmas songs. It is hard to feel at least a little bit Christmas spirit because it is around 25 C and no snow :( but maybe when it will be December something will change… I don’t have plans for 24th of December maybe I will eat some dinner with interns or have dinner with some Filipino family. An on 25th with 2 other interns we are flying for one week to Bohol Island. So I can’t wait to have one week break and see all the amazing things that can be find there

Paintball!

Next thing that I did for a first time – paintball! On Saturday with company colleagues we went to paintball. There were 10 of us. Actually I didn’t know what to expect :) I have to admit that it was a good fun! Especially to shut someone from your team :P the person that a lot of people would like to shoot :) haha we played 5 games (2 teams for 5 people) I was shut 1 time and even I had protection still have sign on my hand. All of us enjoy the day, no one was seriously hurt, what is positive of course :) I’m sure we will do it again but we will try with a bigger group. After 2 hours of playing we were exhausted especially because it was very hot (like everyday here :) ) and of course hungry (like all Filipino) so we went to Chinese restaurant and have an amazing food. Ah you can’t image how crazy Filipino are about food, and what is worse I also become like them :) so at least 3 main dishes during the day, hahaha I’m curious if you will recognize me when I be back :P (10 kg more)…

After almost 3 months

Next week it will be 3 months that I’m here. Ah hard to believe in that, time is running so fast! Every day here was so intensive! I saw things that I’ve never seen, I ate food that I’ve never eaten, I did things that I’ve never did! In the scale from 1 to 10 I will say that overall I’m on 8,5 with my satisfaction of this internship. My JD is very interesting I’m doing a lot and have a big responsibility, company is very nice and like a family so I enjoy it very much of course there are days when I’m frustrated so nothing is perfect but I’m trying to take every day here as a learning experience! The country itself is also very interesting and beautiful so I’m looking forward all the next trips that are waiting for me. I was never expecting to see volcano, swam in such beautiful sea, see big spiders and some other animals :) I appreciate every day that I have here! I’m learning here how to be happy of the things that I have by observing people who don’t have anything and sleeping on the street and still are happy. I already have good friends here not only among other interns but also among Filipino. There was a time when a lot of bad things happen in Poland and I had a very hard time but thanks of close people here I manage to overcome it and still feel that I’m close with my family. Now I’m looking forward for by Best friend who is visiting me in January and my sister! So that I can show them everything here. Of course I miss my friends especially now when they are planning to meet for Christmas and I can’t but I know that they are remember about me, I’m trying to share with them as much as I can and if only they can bring them here to really understand how it is to leave in the Philippines :) Once again if you are one of the people who like experiencing sth new, unexpected go for internship!

After the weekend

Ufff again long time when I was writing something here :( but finally I found some time so shortly I can describe my weekend. On Friday after work with Friends we went for a beer to our favorite pub – Booze Stop with life music :) very nice and of course good beer.

On Saturday after hard Friday I woke up around 11 am :) and went to China Town in Manila with Eva and Akie (friend form company) it was very interesting to see this place, you could notice Chinese signs, food and other characteristics of this country. Of course we went to eat some Chinese food and buy some traditional sweets. For sure it wasn’t the same like being in China but still at least something: P we ride a pedicab, which broken on the way haha so funny :) Next trip we want to do is Intramuros (Spanish district) can be also interesting.

On Sunday I went to office for few hours just to use internet, write to you my friends: P and family. And just relax as you do it normally on Sunday :)

Last week I also had a chance to get a massage (For sure I will do it on regular basic) also some visit in Woman salon: P, new haircut haha so I feel so pretty now hihi

For this week I’m planning to start regular swimming and so other health activity :) and on Saturday I’m going on Paintball!

Soon I will write again so wait for new news: P

If you want to know about my work read on: http://headway-traineeship.blogspot.com/

Far away from home…

It is Saturday evening; I’m just alone in my room with all my thoughts. This evening I decided to spend by my own and gather everything what is in my head. Last month was very hard for me personally. Not because I don’t enjoy my time here I do. It is connected with my family that is in Europe. When I decided to come here I was afraid of many things one of them was fact that when something bad happen at home I will not be able to be there. And unfortunately I need to experience this now. Many bad things are happening and I can’t be there in 100%. It is extremely hard to deal with all my feelings. And need to find another way to support my family. I’m glad that I have a lot of friends here so whenever I want I can talk about everything what I want. I think this is one of the reasons why I’m still here. I know that I’m doing my best to support all people that are important for me. I treat all the bad things as something that makes me stronger and I believe that soon everything will change and bad luck start to be good luck…!

Headway Management Education

Headway Management EducationFor me as HR Officer of Headway it was a big day (4th of October). It was day when after long preparation I could see effects of my work. Me and Mike Cardenas organized education day for managers of Headway Companies. The event took place during last Saturday and we had 10 participants from HBS, HDI and HPL. Objective of the meeting was providing participants with knowledge about managing people. Based on previews needs analyze us define such topics as: personal planning, delegation, performance planning and evaluation, coaching/mentoring, management and leadership and resource management. People who were speakers were Ricardo Lacson (Director – ZMG Signium Ward Howell), Urbano L.Velasco (Professor of International Business Policy and Strategic Management at De La Salle University), Flo and Mike - CEOs of Headway. This day it was a great opportunity for all managers to talk about their companies, problems and ideas. One of the part of agenda was group activity connected with delegation. Beside good fun participants could make useful conclusions from the exercise and related it to daily work. Thanks to external guests we could get some other perspective and gather new ideas. Now as I can see most of the participants are motivated to use new knowledge and improve their management skills. After whole day we had some fellowship drinks :) I’m looking forward next event.

My company :)

Headway is a very young and dynamic company. Almost all of the people are young’s so we put a lot of effort into what we are doing but also we want to have some fun. That is way I organized a competition evening. We were playing Darts and charades it was a great fun to see most of the employee spending some time together and relax. It was my small success and waiting for the next party which will be Halloween. I would like to also invite you to read our company blog: http://headway-traineeship.blogspot.com/

Last weekend I had the best weekend here in Philippines. Together with my friends we went to Negros Island to Dumaguete. I was very excited about the trip because it was the first time I went to beach here :) I love going out of Manila during weekends to feel the Philippines. When we landed we rent a taxi for a whole day just to move around in easy way. We drive to Twin Lakes (national park) Nice, fresh air with lots of green areas. Beautiful palms and mango trees. Have some boat trip on lake and amazing view. Afterwards we went back to Dumaguete to see a little bit city and buy fresh fruits :) hmm mniam :)there is nothing better than fresh mango, pineapple or bananas :) Around 4 pm we drive to another city to take a boat to Apo Island. The boat trip was interesting :) I was afraid even scared to be honest. Just on the ocean with big waves but somehow we survived. The trip back was much more excited and dangerous even hard to describe when you are in the middle of nowhere it is storm you are on a small boat ah… (brrrrrr ) but the Apo Island was as a Paradise. You can see it on pictures. This is a beach that I was always thinking about. Beautiful blue sea, white sand, shell…, palms! Sad that we was there only 1, 5 day but eaven that it was unforgettable day. The island is very small around 700 people leaving there; they are very kind and helpful. Always with a big smile and asking many questions. When we got back from island we took jeepney back to Dumagetue but of course riding in normal way it will be boring :) so we were travelling on the roof :) yes :) it is possible here :) and it was so fun when 4 Europeans girls were on the roof of the care and all people that we passed were having to us and greetings! It was special day. Big relax, I could discover Philippines again and even more love this country :) waiting forward for more such weekends!

More pictures you can find on: http://picasaweb.google.com/dorota.stopczyk

PagsanjanFalls – second amazing trip!

On the Saturday with some friends we decided to go for a trip out of Manila, because here it is hard to see the real nature of the Philippines. We went to Pagsanjan to see the Waterfalls. It was AMAZING! I love going out to she the green filds of rice, palms, bananas – like a paradise. It is a great please to relax, reflect just to gather your mind. Trip is about takin kanoo and go trough Pagsanjan river. It’s take around 1,5 h and during that time you are sourended by different plants, small and big waterfalls! Hard to describe just see the pictures. At the end you reach the bigges fall and you have a opportunity to go inside! ohh so great feeling when the water just falling into your face, you can see anything but you are under waterfall! For such moments I want to be here! I can’t wait for other adventures which are waiting in front of me!

Floating car

Hmmm I thought balut will be sth extremely unforgettable but yesterday I experience storm in Makati! It suppose to be normal storm and rain here but then it was raining and raining and I was sitting in the office where we don’t have a window, after some time I went to mess hall (please where we eat) and look through the window I saw a river not the street. It was a small shock for me but everyone said that it is normal. We went done to see it. People were walking in the street some ppl tried to ride bicycle even some ppl drive the car but suddenly the car started to flow!!!!

IT was around 9 p.m. I was still in the office and decide to go home, we didn’t manage to take any taxi or bus so we went by foots. It took us around 40 min and I was totally wet. Almost on the all streets there was a traffic and floating water. Ha! This is experience!
Waiting for more :)

Balut ritual

I was sure that it will not happen to me… I was wrong! On last Thursday I pass the exam and now I’m official member of Headway Business Services! WoooooW! Want to know how the test looked? If you are sensitive and don’t like to hear about eating strange meals you should read this post! :)

So Balut Ritual is run for every new intern in Headway :) Balut it is a traditional Filipino delicacy

It is egg - duck egg :) but not a normal egg. Because it is boiled egg with embryo inside :)yes... embryo! And you need to eat not 1 but 2 with a grace and honor!.

Of course I did! But good preparation is needed before :) you need to “program” your mind to not think what you are really eating.
The egg taste more less as a boiled egg :) but to be honest I don’t remember the taste I wanted to forget about it quickly and after it just during alcohol :) and I need to tell that we had a very good party afterwards.

I think this will be the biggest unexpected experience here but we will see….

First experience

During my first week I had chance to see at least some part of Manila which I huge. It consists of different cities. My boss rent a car and made some trip around. When you do that you can see differences between poor and rich people. It is easy to see beautiful villa and just near some people living on the street or slams. Whole city is dirty and loudly and it is hot but you can get use to it. Of course here are some places when you can rest have some nice coffee and just feel like at home :)

Filipino are very friendly, helpful and kind. Here everyone knows English and everything is written in the language so you don’ have big problem to communicate. Tagalo (Filipino language) is quite hard to learn but for sure I will learn so basic words.

Last Sunday we went for some trip to country side to TagayTay. Oh it is even hard to describe how beautiful it was. Green, fresh air unforgettable views. The main attraction is Volcano :) You can see the pictures.

On Monday we went shopping. Filipino are crazy about Malls. They are spending whole weekend and I think that you didn’t saw so many Malls! I’m not sure if you can visit all of them during one year. Almost everything is very cheap now and you can get everything, so for people who like shopping Philippines are like paradise.

This weekend I’m spending in Makati. Yesterday we went to club and this was next step to discover this culture. Clubs seems to be similar like in Poland. Filipino girls are pretty but to see them you have to go to nice clubs, the same with Filipino guys. Of course for me it is even harder because I’m tall so sometimes when I’m passing street I’m the tallest person :)

There are many things that I would like to describe and to be honest last week I didn’t have a lot of time to do that hope that now I will always find time and share with you my experience.

Stays tuned for news and enjoy my picture.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dorota.stopczyk/TagaTay

http://picasaweb.google.com/dorota.stopczyk/TripAroundMetroManila

http://picasaweb.google.com/dorota.stopczyk/Appartment

It was crazy week!

You can't even image how was it passed and how many thing had happen.

But from the very beginning...

My trip here was very ok, long but without any problems and unexpected situations :) I landed in Manila on 21st at 22:35 :) AIESEC members were waiting for me to drive me home. They had small problems with finding the proper way but finally we manage.

The first thing that I felt after landing was temperature and humanity! After few minutes I was totally wheat! So now I'm in the process of adjusting to the weather condition, it is hot everyware but also almost everywhere you have air conditioning in my office as well but because of that it is even to cold :)

but back to my arrival...
In my apartment some people were waiting like interns and my boss :) after short welcome we went for some bear to local pub. It was very nice experience and from the very beginning I felt like home. We were back home around 2:30 a.m. and around 9 a.m. we went to work :)

My work here is very interesting but also very challenging. I have to deal with 3 different companies which are part of the Holding. The HQ (Mike and Flo) are very demanding owners :) but thanks to that I know that I can learn a lot :)

Atmosphere at work is very very friendly almost like in family, everyone know each other and spend time after work. What I definitely like is fact that we have kitchen and from Monday till Friday we are getting breakfast, lunch and dinner which is very very good. During weekends we are going to eat something in the city.

I’m living in Kingwood these are 2 towers around 30 floors. My apartment is on 24 floor. At this moment we are 3 there (me, Sonia from Romania and Christin from Germany) but in 1 month Christin is finishing her internship so we will stay 2.
From the more interesting fact about my flat :) we have swimming pool :) and some friends like: ants, lizard or cockroaches :) first when I saw them I was scared but know I got used to you can find them everywhere.

My first week past so fast… It was very intensive week and challenging. I’m sure that during this year a lot will happen and I’m looking forward to it.

48 hours left…

Finally it came, day when I’m starting my one year adventure. At 7 a.m. on 19th of August I’m leaving my house and starting my trip to the Philippines. Few weeks ago I was thinking only about this moment today I realized that I will not see my family, frineds, favourite pleases for a 12 months! It is not easy to leave everyting here. So my feelings before leaving are mixed I know that such reaction is normal. I have to admit that I’m very satisfied of my preparation to the intership. I had great contact with company, already learn a lot about them and my job. But only when I will be on the please I can see how it will be…

Now I’m stitting in fron of my suitcase with 23 kg (btw I should have only 20 :) ) and thinking if I packed everyting. Tomorrow good by with parents on the train platorm and good bye Gdynia I will see you in 12 month.

Probably my next post will be written when I will be at work, hope to have exciting news for you!

Strange feeling...

Today I experienced sth that I didn’t expect. Namely I got to know that Aron intern from Sweden in Headway Business Services (HBS) is leaving Manila on 15th of August, which means that I will not meet him. Believe me or not it was quite sad information :( This is the person thanks to which I applied and got this internship, he support me a lot and always was available and open to answer thousand of my questions. It is funny because or conversations were only trough skype chat or mail but I already knew that this person will be good friend. But hope to met with him somewhere, sometime :) and for sure I will be in constant contact before and during internship. Today I realized how much I’m already connected with this country, interns and company, haha scared to think what will be at the end of my internship :P

Today conversation with Aron was very meaningful and I got next inputs what I can prepare before coming there so now I have a lot to do :) so finally my day will looks like working day :D

But there are also good news – I got my passport :) so next things from the List TO DO can be crossed.

Culture Shock before ...?!? :)

Just need to share with you about one cool thing that happen to me today :) So one of the Headway intern - Christin send me today book about culture of the Philippines. I’ve just started to read it and it is amazing how many new fact I have learned already :)


Like – if you received gift you shouldn’t open it in public just put it near and do it when you are alone. Why? Because if you will open in front of other or the person who gave you they can see it and compare to others gifts :)

“It is polite to be Late” – haha it will be one of the hardest thing to learn :P

During date boy is expected to pay, even if the outgoing was at the girl's invitation - like it :) Moreover! Some girl will bring chaperone on a date - haha for sure I will not practice this :)

Filipinos love to matchmake :) they are trying to match their friend and relatives, don't be surprised if you hear: I've got date for you' - hmmm we will see..

Or the fact that the relish of Filipino is boiled duck’s egg with half-incubated chick inside – uhhh ( it think I will not try it :P )

At the end there is even Cultural Quiz to check if you read book carefully :P

So I have to admit that I will learn a lot and when I reach Philippines I will see what was true and what not...

Ok I’m back to reading :)

Preparation to the internship - in progress

I have to admit that preparation to the internship can be very excited! Those who knows me, know that I have to check and prepare everything before leaving, and it is true :)

Almost everyday I’m reading about The Philippines, scanning some pictures and image myself in this country, enjoying extraordinary nature :). I also talked and asked many questions to the ppl who are, were or lived there. So for now I know quite lot – comparing to the time I was applying for this internship.

Every time I’m talking about the internship big smile is on my face :D it is so cool when friends are asking where I’m going, for how long and what I will do there. Haha most of them are jealous (and they should :P)

I’ve also started preparation to my job. I’m in contact with my boss – Noli. She is sending me some materials as a part of induction. I already read 80 pages of “Labor Code of the Philippines” – hmmm interesting reading :)

Moreover I’ve started thinking about my goals for the professional and personal development that I want to achieve during this year.

But to be honest still it is more than 1 month to be there and sometime it is so loooooong :( but hoping that the time will go quickly.

My last days :) I’m trying to spend with some friends and family, visiting some places and discovering 3city from the beginning :) Those who already are on the internship probably understand what I’m feeling now .

I also talked today with Johny who is in Malaysia about possibility to visiting him around November so next thing to be excited :D

To the people who are still in Poland – GO for the internship :P haha

Greetings to all!

Something about my internship…

I’m leaving on 19th of August and after 17 hours in the plane, of course with changing 3 times plane, I should reach Manila (10.34 p.m. on 20th of August ) {please keep your fingers crossed for my flight or give me good suggestions what I can do during the journey :P}

Duration of the internship is at least one year maybe more who knows ? :) ?

The company that I will be working in is Headway Holdings Inc. – gathering 3 companies (Headway Business Services Inc., Headway Dynamics Inc., Headway Process Logics Inc. The Headway Holdings is a German-Philippine privet equality holding company whose portfolio includes enterprises operating within the market space of technology, knowledge products and business services. If you are interested to read more go to http://www.headway.com.ph/.

In the company I will have position of Human Resources Officer who assists the Managing Partner in planning, directing, and coordinating human resource management activities of an organization to maximize the strategic use of human resources and maintain functions such as employee compensation, recruitment, personnel policies, and regulatory compliance.

So as you can see it is something that from the last year become my passion and hope to gain valuable experience which will benefit in the future :)

I also got some photos of my office :)

I can tell you even more cool things about this internship :) Currently in the Philippines in Headway there is 4 interns (Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic :) and Brazil) and more will come from (Slovakia - Eva MCP 06/07, friend of mine :), Romania and Netherlands – Bryan MCVP OGX 07/08, friend of mine :) ) – one word can describe this situation VERY international :)

great JD, great country, great people - 3 reasons to be so excited as I am now!!!

This is my appartment with some view on Makati City (part of Manila, my please of work and leaving)

..and of course my work collegue :)

(Aron, Kat, Christin & Stef)

Soon more about the internship, company, friends and my preparaton :)

my first time…

Yes! Also I decided to write a blog :) and this is my first post (jupi!) I would like to share with you all my experiences, emotions, adventures and almost everything what will happen during next year! Moreover I’m sure that a lot will happen! Why…? In 36 days I’m leaving Poland and flying to The Philippines :) where I will start my one year internship in the Headway Company as a HR Officer. I still can’t believe that I’m going there but at the same time I'm extremely excited. Hope to use this space and keep you up dated about the preparation and future…

Enjoy reading!