KR Travelogue Day 2b: Miss Smarty Pants

Aaaah…my favorite part: the ice-breaker. My worries for Dien (Vietnam) were eased by the thought that he’s just probably late. Weren’t they were always late in our last training? Maybe it’s the time difference excuse again. Anyways, I’ve loads of persons to meet. The introduction began from the other far end and that makes me fourth from the last. Good, they’re gonna recall my name better than the ones who started. I positioned myself to have a vantage view of the entire attendees. My peripheral vision started to register a few remarkable faces from the room as I earnestly listened to the speakers.

However, after the first few introductions my mind started arguing on its own if I should proceed with my well, speech. You see, I prepared a little statement for this. And it starts in something like this: “Anyong Aseo, KC Imnida.” I never meant to impress the Koreans. Rather, I just deemed it courteous to know some of their language prior visiting a country. All of a sudden, I noticed that it’s almost near my turn. I beamed at Lawrence before I shot out of my chair (I really don’t know what that’s for) and proceeded with my run-of-the-mill introduction.

After surveying all of my classmates, here’s my report. There are 6 girls in the classroom (3 Chinese, 1 Brazilian and a Mexican). I stood out among them and ako din ang may pinakamahabang hair! However you want to interpret it guys! Hahaha!! Of course I meant it literally! I am the tallest among them and have the longest hair of course. =P As for the guys, hmmmmmmm.. There’s this one tall, buffed guy (emphasis on buffed) seated at the back. I wasn’t able to get his name but I do know he’s from the US.

After that, the facilitator introduced himself, apologized for barely speaking English then introduced the VP of Mobile Phones in Gumi Plant. Perfectly understandable. I mean, how often was I asked to speak slowly to them whenever I’m explaining something back in the Phils and how often do I reply to them using speech and sign language so they can understand me better? How’s that? The VP is speaking the vernacular and someone translates it for us.

*End of speech, claps hands.*

Shortly, the first session began and that’s when I noticed that Dien is already seated at the back. Of course, I’m not checking out US guy. =P Whew, thank heaven! During the break I decided to greet him but what slipped out of my mouth is a quip if he went swimming first that’s why he’s late. (Actually, that’s the official version of the time difference excuse above, haha!) I’m so mean. Hehe. We were allowed to use the computers around but I preferred not to go online. I’ll totally ditch work. :P So, I walked around and I saw some dogs. Wow! There are dogs in the learning center, in the Samsung plant! How possibly cute is that? Awww, they’re so adorable. =) I spent the break playing with the three of them. ;-) I miss my Choi Choi.

I didn’t notice that the plant visit is already next to the 1st topic. We transferred to this other building which you can’t differentiate from the rest. In the ground floor, we were divided into 2 groups and US guy is in the other one. Sayang! Hehe. We were then given this radio receiver to hear better the tour guide. Cool! Of course I know it’s going to be noisy inside. We took the lift to the 3rd floor and ushered into what must be a room. Bollocks! I didn’t imagine that it is already the production floor we’re entering. Goodness! I thought we’re going to wear first our safety apparels (smocks, goggles, ESD shoes) but no! I’m officially reporting this as a safety hazard! Wahaha!

We were grouped first into this display of mobile phones and their well, circuit boards. WARNING: Geek talk! But in the wall, there’s this array of carved wood of caricatured faces of the employees for that certain floor. It’s funky and colorful! Hey, we don’t have that back at Intel. =P No pics allowed, sorry. Shortly we were led to the start of the processing line.

What the???????

The rest of the sentence seemed stuck somewhere between my brain and my throat. It’s as if the thought were too unbelievable to even be expressed. I mean, I know the plant visit will involve machines and all but I didn’t expect it would be the Chip Attach process, my very own module back at Intel. My ghost from the past is hunting me back, hahaha!! There goes the unloader, the flux print, chip attach, oven and the loader. Goodness! Not the same spanking brands that we use before but there they are in their phone-producing glory! And the good thing here, the translator doesn’t get much the process. So, I was sidelining on the transmitter explaining what each equipment does. Too bad, the whole class wasn’t that interested. But it’s fun looking at them so amazed on their new environment. Hehehe. I get to ask questions on the process just out of curiosity but the guide hardly understands me even if it’s already translated. Bloody CAM, haha! Wait, before your head falls off with boredom, lemme just tell you that there’s an epoxy process inserted somewhere in the CAM link. Epoxy is a downline process after chip attach in microprocessors production. Wait, why am I talking dirty? I mean, epoxy is dirty right? Err, Sam? And another quick question, am I giving out classified Intel confidential in here? Hahaha!

* After plant visit is lunch; will be discussed in part C ;-) *

The afternoon session went on fine. I didn’t get any sleepy coz the making out of words from the mouth of the speaker was enough to keep my brain functioning thank you very much. For the 2nd to the last topic, the speaker was barreling along in his slideshow presentation. On this particular slide though, he was discussing some Samsung jargons on technical documents trying his very best to explain it to us. For the last bullet he gave out an introductory that it’s his first time to encounter such a word and needed to research about it this morning. He asked the class if someone knows what the word means. Prickled with intrigue, I looked at the foil and there it is written in 24 pt Times New Roman, Post Mortem. *Gasp* Damn right, I know what it is! Didn’t I just spend my 2 years working on that? No, not the one on death cases you bananahead! ;-) I waited for some 2-3 seconds but no one’s responding. Oh my god, moment itoh! I timidly raised my hand and after being acknowledged, gave my best definition of the term. Starting with an excuse on how I knew the term,

" Because I worked for production before, Post Mortem is a technical document that explains or pins down the root cause for issues or problems encountered in the process................." Gosh, my sentence is erroneously constructed at the very beginning. Hehehe.

“Yes, you’re right!” The speaker smiled as though being relieved of having to elaborate it further. I’m suffused with delight at that juncture. This is it! My shining moment! Or more accurately, my Modess/Whisper moment with reference to my last post. :P Shampoo naman ngayon! Geese, why do I keep referring to these commercials' slogans? Not that I have delusions of modeling. :P

When he moved on to the next slide, an enormous wave of nostalgia hit me. I recalled this very same incident when I was in the 5th grade. Our teacher asked us to memorize the 8 parts of the speech and its definition according to our book. She was exacting a word for word description. English, being my favorite subject ever, of course I studied hard. Then came the recitation day. For a missed word, regardless of an article the or a preposition of, the punishment is to stand at the back. After 5 failed classmates, I was able to define all 8 by the book's standards. When the rest finished, I noticed that I was the lone student seating. That’s when I became the teacher’s pet. :)

Bearing this episode in mind, I wasn’t to be stumped about. I focused myself on the next slide and braced myself for whatever questions that might be posed next. On this next slide, I saw a jargon which is familiar from the past work but doubted that it will be asked. It’s just too common, I thought.

“Does anyone know what BOM means?”

Without hesitation this time, “Bill of Materials.” I instantly replied in chorus with someone. To my surprise, it’s my seatmate Lawrence.

Wait, haven’t I told you yet? We used to be compatible before. Sometime after our last training, I learned through our chats that he’s worked for a production before as a planner. Some common background you may say. But that's just it. :P

“Yes, you’re very clever.” The speaker said with an approving smile.

Ssshheessh, I felt myself flush at the sound of those words. I can feel the eyes of my classmates piercing through me I bet I can even see my hair turning red. Yay! I tried my very best to pull off a serious face so they can't tell I'm flattered but it's no good. I felt my face crease into a smile.

So I guess that must be it. Like a student already qualified to be exempted for the final exams, I decided to rest on my laurels. (Laurels daw o, haha!) Give others a chance. I just hope though that this will be fed back to my boss. Mwahaha!! But sadly though, no more questions asked. The training ended for the 1st day.

Guys, please don’t get offended with what I’m saying. Remember, my pride is our pride: Filipino pride. :) That class is comprised of almost 20 countries. Besides, what I knew was just purely based on my experience, nothing else special. And I’m thankful to Intel for that? (Now that I mentioned it, am I really thankful???? hahaha!) It’s always good to stand out on trainings abroad to change the wrong impressions on us. I do believe on this even if my boss wouldn't reiterate it to me. =)

We were then instructed on how to go about with our dinner. Bye for now. =)

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KR Travelogue Day 2a: A Gurly Prologue

Black and white has always been my favorite corporate color. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of wearing ‘em. Sometimes I start a week on those two hues and there are times it will continue for the entire week. Trainings abroad are not an exemption. Remember my SG trip? But of course not in those same outfit anymore. Excusez moi! For today, I’m wearing my black trench coat and white slacks (and there’s the thermal of course!). It’s the same heater I referred to in my last post.

Without the footwear on, I could see there’s one full-fledged fashionista staring back at me in the mirror. But with my camel boots on……oh no. For the first time, I violated my strictly BnW principle (that usually extends up to the accessories). I swear I tried to find some matching black pointy-toed boots of my size (Size 40, fyi) but there’s none. Nada! But it MUST work! According to my dress rehearsal (thanks Allen for coining the term), it somehow worked! Let’s just assume that the boots took the boredom of using the BnW all over and I’ll pair it up with my bronze-colored bag (not exactly the same but near enough color) to adhere to some fashionista rule.

As for the make-up, hmmmmmm…I saw the list of attendees and I’m thankful that I’m not alone. Yes there are girls this time around. I shook off the inhibitions to play with colors on my face. But sadly though, I only do one kind of make-up on my face. And that’s already my definition of subtle-yet-defined look! If I’m feeling it though, I add more gloss and double-coat the mascara. Which is what I did! =P

It’s 8 AM on the dot when I left my room: 210 of BestWestern Gumi Hotel. Though I hate the small room and the out of kilter light in the boudoir (I had to do make-up in the toilet, hmmp!), I have one favorite part of this hotel. It’s that sort-of bridge that interconnects the rooms and the stairs. It is shielded but terrace-like you can not only view the outside but feel the temperature as well. And what’s nicer is that there’s a beautiful smell emanating from somewhere if you pass through it.

When I reached first floor, I turned right to the bar to look for Lawrence that I walked past the table for guests signing. (Of course, I'm not excited.) He called around 7:45 AM and I told him to go ahead. Sure enough, there he is on a table dining with a certain guy; greeted me good morning and introduced me to Ali, he’s from Egypt but works for Samsung Dubai. Oh, here they are! My counterparts! I looked around on the couple of tables and the number of signatures on the paper I signed a while ago means it’s them also. I excused myself for a while to get my food and recalled the first time I was accosted by Lawrence in SG. Gee! What was I thinking blaming it on my make-up, haha! I realized that it’s his job to be friendly with everyone. And besides, I think it’s his inborn talent. Hehe.

When I went back to my seat, I’m just listening to their conversation and nodding along the way. Truth is, I’m not very well disposed to Ali. He looks like an unfriendly Boy Abunda. I’m thinking that he’s gay also. Haha! Bad, bad girl!

Around 8:15, I went back to my room to get my bag and brush my teeth again before the pick-up bus arrives at 8:30. Before I left, I was already informed that the factory is strict when it comes to memory storage devices. Laptops, cameras or any storage devices are not allowed. I’m not sure about the camera-enabled phones though. Passes are needed I think but I can’t leave my U700 with my digital cam. There are 3 phones I bought with me here, and only one is 3G and working. Sheesh, why haven’t I thought of that? I’m taking pictures no matter what. First offense is pretty much venial right? =P My boss advised me not to bring my laptop anymore. “Pabor!” – was all I can say. No work, all play! *grins*

As I step down the stairs, I was threatened with the sight that stood before me. There in the lobby is a whole phalanx of 6-feet men in their immaculate suits conversing with each other. “The Europeans”, I thought. But something inside me gave me a natural high; I raised my head and said “Kaya ko ‘to!”. At that instant, I felt like I was that girl in Modess or Whisper commercials faced with a big challenge in front and armed with an effective napkin suddenly makes her confident and worry-free! Sheesh! (Not that I’m having my period or something.) :P

I turned to my heel and went straight to the bus. As usual, I took on the window side to give me a commanding view of the road to the office and the friendly Lawrence sat beside me, I thought he's gonna mingle. I can hear a lot of chatter and laughter inside the bus. Hmm, it looks like it’s going to be a one friendly assembly. :)

In that less than 5 minutes ride from the hotel to the plant, I’ve seen a river, an LG plant and a temple. The latter is definitely a must-visit. We stopped infront of a building inside the Gumi plant. I swear this is soooo my workplace before, sooo Gateway of Cavite, so Industrial Park. Except that, the whole industrial park is only Samsung. That huge, I kid you not!

When I went down, I noticed that the rest of the delegates hesitated to go inside the building so we stayed outside for some time chilling. Lawrence proceeded to introduce himself to the two ladies who seem to know each other already. No hard feelings here but isn’t it a bit OA? I mean, come on, we’re going to know each other later for sure.

I was expecting a conference room. When we reached 3rd floor of the building, I saw a group of teenagers on what must be an open mini library, a set of computers across it, books along the hallway and finally our classroom. It’s like being in a school, wow! :) I preferred the 2nd table from the front among five rows, the third and last column on the right which is near the window and took the right side of the two-seater table where Lawrence remained to be my loyal seatmate. Everybody were removing their coats and hanging it on the backrest of their chairs and I can’t. The thermal I’m wearing extends from my short-sleeved top. Stupid! Why didn’t I go for my long-sleeved turtleneck? Ok, I’m gonna endure this entire day with this coat on! Fine!

We were asked to get our books from the leftmost table infront. The organizer (whose name escaped me) noticed there were books left and then he asked if everybody got theirs. That’s when someone reported that Vietnam is not around. I looked at Lawrence and he just gave me this “I don’t know” face. We’re supposed to go together but I didn’t try (or even had the slightest intention) to contact him.

Oh my god, where is Vietnam?

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Korea Travelogue Day 1: That 4-Hour Ride

Needless to say, I’m excited on this trip. Back at home, I’m already in my heater underneath a thick cobalt blue top, skinny jeans tucked inside my camel boots with my matching colored coat hung somewhere in my arms. (Hey, I just wanted to save space in my suitcase!) So by the time I was lined up for check-in, I was practically sweating. Dammit! Miffing me up is this airport guy who keeps on asking for my number while on queue. Duh? Anyways, I don’t think I’m that overdressed. I observed the line infront of me and it is filled with a whole phalanx of soberly suited Korean men (probably corporate honchos) whose luggages consisted of a small-sized suitcase and bulky golf paraphernalia that’s more than enough to crowd up the very narrow space of the econo line. Whew!

On that long queue to immigration, I fell out of line for a short while to get that liquid container for my lip gloss and mini Gucci perfume. There’s no way I’m not re-touching after landing ‘coz I’m meeting Lawrence at Incheon airport. Yihee!!! He called me up on the way to the airport and asked about my flight details. He’s arrived a day earlier and the poor navigator that I am made him promise that we’ll go together to the province of Gumi (where the Samsung factory is and obviously where the training would be). My thoughts were suddenly filled with that 4-hr ride conversation. Maybe we’ll talk about some sweet little something something when someone's voice broke my reverie.

“KC!”

I swiveled my head to where the voice is coming from and there’s a sales manager from the office having the same flight as mine. A company in the flight, that would be great! :)

While we’re waiting aboard, we can’t help but notice how exaggeratedly we took the advises from colleagues in the office. “Exag!” was all she could say. Hello? We’re seeing teenagers in mini skirts boarding the plane. But then again, they could change outfits in the airport. Right?

When the plane landed, I felt a sliver of breeze coming in (i'm saying this from the last row of the seats - hmmp!), maybe the door was already opened. Oooooh, I’m excited to wear my coat na! ;) I turned on my phone and received a message from Lawrence. “Where r u?” Uh-oh! The plane may have left late but I miscalculated the 1-hr diff between Phils and Korea. He was already waiting for 2 hours. Gosh!

As I hurry out, I can’t help but notice how wide and classy Incheon is. Having been to two airports of the same kind made me feel quite ashamed of our NAIA. We headed to the money exchanger so we could buy tickets for our separate buses. I asked Lawrence to go inside and come to the ticket booth. It costs KRW 26,000 and honestly, I had a hard time coming up with such value from the paper bills I have.

“Ate, masanay ka na. Dito para kang milyonarya sa hawak mong pera.”

I chuckled. I inspected my bills and sure enough, the lowest I got is 1000 KRW. She helped me come out with the amount. Shortly, Lawrence arrived and I can’t help but look sheepishly sorry for making him wait. I was so apologetic that I forgot to introduce him to the sales manager. Actually, it’s more of I’m not sure I remembered her name correctly. :P We parted with a beso and Lawrence and I made our way out of the 14C exit.

“Ooooooooooh my goooooooood! It’s cooooooooooooold!”

“What? It’s actually quite nice!” Lawrence seems to be enjoying the weather. He’s just wearing a short-sleeved polo underneath his jacket. I see smoke coming out from his mouth whenever he speaks and Huuuuu, there’s one on mine too! ;-) Coool!!! (Sensya na, 1st time eh, hehehe) I observed the street and saw some fashionable Korean girls wearing mini skirts and stockings on the street.

“Goodness! How can they take the weather in those dresses?” I said as we headed inside a heated waiting station near 10C of the airport. Lawrence, a fashion enthusiast, went on explaining how he’s seen a lot of those for the last day that he’s been walking around Seoul even on the flea market he’s been to. He said he wanted to buy one for his girlfriend. Word alert: GIRLFRIEND. I was like “Oooooookkkkkkaaaaay!” to myself. Good thing I’m reminded this early of my place. =P I texted "Ang laaaaamig" to my friend Lisa - my irrational method of coping. =P
When the bus arrived and we were finally ensconced in our seats, i just found my head pressed against the windowpane. I was transfixed with my surroundings. I know the scene just looks normal and prosaic, but still I soak it all in. Shortly, I faced Lawrence and went on to ask about Dien to him. Dien is the Vietnam guy we met during the training in Singapore. Actually, the training organizer for SE Asia advised us to go the 3 of us together from airport to Gumi. But my bad, I didn’t contact him. Haha! He’s the one I went swimming with on my last day in SG. And I learned that Lawrence didn’t get in touch with him also. Maybe we both thought he can manage alone. Hehe! Or maybe he thinks the ride would be better with only me as company. Stop it, KC! After that I turned silent ‘coz I’m sensing if Lawrence wants to sleep for the entire ride but surprisingly he went barreling on with his adventures. I'm barely making out of his words coz I’m still adjusting to his accent. Not that he’s poor or something. Truth is, for an average Chinese, Lawrence is a very good English speaker. He then opened his laptop and showed the photos he took around. Well actually for an average man, Lawrence speaks aaaaa lllloooooooooot!! I found myself cuddling, no, make it leaning my head closer to him so he can speak softly as the rest of the passengers are already dozing off. For some time I thought about Guy #2 in The Encounter and wondered WHY can’t he be like him. Because he’s a bigoted Atenista, idiot! Oh well yeah he is and I’ve got to stop thinking about it.

We halted to a stopover at Chungcheongbuk-do after 2 hours I think and I got to observe the prices of the commodities inside. An ordinary hotdog on stick costs KRW 5,000. That’s 5 USD for you baby! Pretty expensive, huh? I didn't buy also because it was hard to communicate with the vendors, they don’t speak English.

I preferred to eat my cupcakes back in the bus as Lawrence to my wonder continues on with his stories. It all started with this gay and lesbian Friendster accounts he discovered in the Phils and that’s when I noticed that the topic has taken on a different slant. He’s pretty much liberated when it comes to those things which came to me as a surprise. Much to my chagrin, he started opening up on some problems with his lovelife. I won’t share the sordid details here (not that there are any) but for me, he’s practicing infidelity to his gf. Tsk! Tsk! Mga lalake talaga! And for some time, I thought "Is he like tutoyer-ing with me?" Gosh! I flashed back to our IM conversations prior this trip. I just entrusted my life to him during the drinking sessions. He said he’s gonna act like a father and said that he will protect me. I reassured myself with his words. Come on, this is Lawrence we’re talking about. He’s not gonna be involved in anything untoward. I trust him, completely and utterly.

When we finally reached Gumi, I went to a public toilet and noticed 2 fashionable Korean ladies waltzing out. Wow! This is a province and yet the females are so fashion forward already? How much more in the city? I went inside a cubicle and got out immediately afterwards. Ok, so the bowl is something like embedded on the floor and you have to squat in order to pee. No way, thanks all the same! Hello, UTI! We walked to a gas station to get a taxi and it was soooo cold we have to get inside one ASAP!

I couldn’t imagine how I would survive without Lawrence. We had a hard time getting a cab coz they couldn’t understand us. When finally we had one, Lawrence inside continued on talking to the driver via speech with sign languages on our purpose for going to Korea while I made a short phone call to my mom. He didn’t really have to say much actually, the word Samsung explained it all! Not more than 10 minutes later, around 1020 PM we’re already checked in and agreed to meet tomorrow at 8 for breakfast. In my room, I decided to watch Korean TV -while I unearthed my suitcase for tomorrow’s outfit- in the hope of catching some familiar actors and actresses before proceeding with my night regimen and slept. Goodnight Korea!! =)

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