what it takes to be a real soldier

It is not avoiding or assuming-to-fall-short-in-taking the responsibility that made it easy for what they qualify as performer, achiever, straightforward and decisive person to turn down a well acclaimed job offer in the blink of an eye.

As dramatic as it sounds or as unprofessional as it may seem, it’s the personal interest that mattered here. There is an invisible threshold that I set in achieving my goals in this course – first, am I selling myself short of what I deserve in terms of delegated tasks and equivalent compensation; and second, and more importantly, am I putting relational factors quite at stake for wanting to level up? Casting the score for who I am today and what I have become after five years, I understood better what it takes to be a real soldier – he doesn’t go to any battle halfhearted; otherwise, the whole throng will become their own casualty in the end. Similarly, I can’t see myself competing over a higher position with someone I pay high respect to. It's more than just a professional deal breaker – it is one of the red flags to consider for a rather long term plan.

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Accounting

Accounting is not only about those sleepless nights, never-ending reviews, brain-draining examinations, thick books to read, or skipped trips. It is also about having a goal, a direction, a dream that is worth fighting for, which motivates you to stay in spite of all the sacrifices along the way.

It does not always focus on how you balance your debits and credits, but also on how you balance your time and priorities. Accounting is not only about how hard it is today, but about how rewarding it will be in the future.

Now if you are gonna ask me how I define accounting, I don't think I can give the perfect definition. All I know is that accounting is something that puts a smile on my face every time I wake up. It is something that makes me a better person, it makes me want to achieve more, it makes me want to learn more.

Accounting is like riding a roller coaster. Some people think that it is scary and many people avoid riding on it because of the fear of falling down. Riding a roller coaster can be terrifying, it can be fun, it can be difficult. But after the ride, the terror or the difficulty that you felt will be replaced with the pride of accomplishing something unusual. And it will be something which you will remember for quite a long time. Yes, just like in accounting.

(Author Unknown) 

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#4YRS: On Jumping Over the Fence

With all honesty, happiness at work is gradually diminishing nowadays. That power going to the heads of some little gods – picking on employees and making their lives difficult “just because they can” – this alone makes jumping over the fence so desirable. But despite those respectable personalities who left – people filled with both disappointment and courage – why on earth am I still here (as of writing)? For someone who is impatient by nature, highly impulsive and a known-explorer, there must have been a great reason for the 4 years of enduring the unbearable, if that’s the worst term to describe it. Why must deciding to leave seemed heavier than to actually stay?

Let me walk you through how God touched me in bringing my temperaments to Him in prayer:

You prayed for this job and I gave it to you. Bum for nearly three months that time, getting a job offer from a reputable company was an answered prayer, indeed. I may not consider it as a “greener pasture,” though, still it provided my basic needs when I was almost running out of resources. There was not a pot of gold after signing the contract but there were non-monetary benefits which I could count to this day. Reading Genesis 2:15, God reminded me once again that He puts me where I am today and tells me to “work it and keep it” wherever that might be. 

Maximize your skills and expand your talents for Me. While it’s just so electrifying to deliver the hardest punch to outshine the rest, the Lord teaches me in Colossians 3:23 to do it all – not for mere competition to be called the best – but for His praise. Sometimes it feels gratifying to be on the top, to be someone whom others look up to, to be dominant. But this concept not only brings irrational tiredness and plain discontent; it drags me to one dark corner where I can only see my own shadow of egotism. What a shame!

Don’t find your self-worth from prestigious jobs. There were countless times when I fantasize over friends and acquaintances who were able to roam around the world, rub elbows with high-ranking officials, get paid with gold and all leisure possible while doing their job. But do I really need them to claim success? For all I know, I can get those worthless pursuits without bringing home any sign of fulfillment. In this life, I don’t really need much because God has already given me more than enough.

Instead of craving for too much prestige and title, I learned to love what I have and to believe that God listens to my every plea whenever I’m at my wits end. He blessed me with talents and I would love to use them to provide for my family. In no way I can find perfect employment. Rather, I stand still and continue to bloom where the Lord has planted me. Until the space is enough to contain the harvest. Beyond that, maybe there’s no harm anyway in taking the leap when it is really time.

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should I try?

Like every child, I once thought of becoming a teacher someday. But it didn't come true. Instead I became a writer. An accountant too. But there are writers who teach and many accountants do teach. 

Should I try? :)

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what real fun run is to me

The “fun” in running marathon doesn’t go just with the kilometers that one aims to finish. For someone like me who has joined quite a number of office-sponsored fun run, the real fun is actually on how I do the race and here’s why:

• By history, I always bear the record of being at the bottom five to reach the finish line.

• I hate sweating so I stop from time to time to retouch and get my face some press powder break.

• I find talking helpful because it diverts my mind and relaxes me but it burns some twenty to thirty minutes of the running time.

• Picture taking boosts my energy so I stop from one sign board to another just to take photo of myself and with friends.

Running is a good exercise as much as swimming or cycling is. All these four defined what real fun run is to me. Pain after pleasure that is.

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we are family

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision.

The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. 

It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

We are family and a family means no one gets left behind.

General Ledger Accounts & Collation

ROHQ-Manila, 2013 Teambuilding Activity Center

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workplace culture

Perhaps we don't get to scrutinize to much about the type of workplace we are into. I do, until I happen to come across a survey form which identified four (4) cultures in the corporate realm:

Hierarchy Culture. A structured and formalized workplace where leaders act like coordinators. This type of company typically has several traditional layers of management, and emphasis is placed on following the chain of command. A business that adheres to formal rules, regulations and bureaucracy is demonstrating a hierarchy culture.

Market Culture. A competitive workplace with leaders like hard drivers. This culture is similar to hierarchy culture in its emphasis on organization and control. However, the marker culture places value on the external relationships with customers, suppliers, and creditors, believing that successful relationships will increase the company’s competitiveness.

Clan Culture. A friendly workplace where leaders act like father. Clan corporations typically have a flat internal structure, led by a single leader as paternalistic or mentoring influence.

Adhocracy Culture. A dynamic workplace with leaders that simulate innovation. The adhocracy culture places most importance on flexibility and innovation. Adaptability and quick reactions to the changing market, competition and external environment is an integral component of corporate strategy in this type of business. The emphasis is always on growth opportunities and employees to experiment with new ideas.

NewGen Culture. Group of dynamic people who are competent and works with focus on customer needs, efficiencies and stable yet innovative processes. Team highly valued teamwork, work life balance, empowerment and capability development across organization. Instil core value that will serve as our pillars in building our people such integrity, responsibility, respect and love for family.

So which culture do you want your own workplace to have?

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What to wear on Marlboro world?

Off to Marlboro world in December!

So they just announced the year-end party theme – it’s Wild, Wild West. This will be my third time to attend to this major office event. The previous parties were themed Jazz Up You Jeans in 2010 and KPOP Invasion in 2011. Although I don’t have much, or rather have really no contribution in the preps of this annual occasion, it excites me still to look forward to the coming days because it sure will keep me and everyone busy finding the best costume to showcase at the facade of the country’s most prestigious hotel, The Peninsula Manila. So how’s that? (Hahaha)

For days, I am contemplating again what to wear in December.

Should it be something like this?

You guys help me, please! :)

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when the "leaves" fall off

This is what I am very particular about in every employment ─ LEAVES.

As I look at my leave bank, I so wonder why some of my colleagues still have more than 10 vacation leaves and a very small portion of used sick leaves while mine is badly shrinking to zero balance. :)) Hahaha

Is this the prize for having a pair of itchy feet?

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50hrs overtime work: It's needless to say!

Perhaps this answers how equally exhausting it is to be an accountant!

#deadlines.kill

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unexpected promotion

It has been a very hectic week; deliverables are left and right! In the midst of a seriously busy day, I was called by the department manager to his office. I began to battle against this gut feeling that I have done something wrong ─ for the fact that it was the manager who has to call my attention! He could probably tell this premature embarrassment on my face the moment I entered the room. I was very reluctant to ask why I was called. I stammered and in disorientation, I told him, “What wrong have I done again?”

His blank stare greeted me upon entering the room. I was asked about how our closing routine was going nowadays. Little did I know that there actually was a surprising revelation waiting at that very hour. He handed me a file printed on a company letterhead. In a glance, I could picture that there’s really something serious going on and I read further: “You have been promoted to a senior mid-level position effective September 1, 2012,” there written. I looked at our manager, reread the letter and painted a big smile on my face! My heart was overwhelmed with gladness.

I was working here for nearly two years now. Many of my batch mates have stepped up and some chose to leave for a broader horizon. On a personal assessment, I don’t think I deserve the promotion at this time. If only these people know about the mess I have been trying to patch up gradually since day one, perhaps they would think twice before rewarding me this position. Nevertheless (and again) it’s the Lord who plans things all along and so I signed the paper with a grateful spirit.

Senior TSSC-GL, that is. Thanks a million, Lord!

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8/20 Challenge: Carelessness

I am an accountant by profession. Properly accounting others’ wealth or even bankruptcy is the source of my living. Working in the corporate world for nearly a decade now, I must say I am already comfortable with my daily duties. It almost feels like I know everything… until one mishap happened recently.

To be more specific, I work in a shipping management were Captains are little gods. As someone from finance who understands the language of accounting better, it’s my job to maintain accuracy in vessels reports and have everything aligned with what I have in financial books. For many years in the business, I became complacent of my own work believing I was doing everything efficiently. Much to my surprise, I overlooked one single account involving vessel’s purchase of call cards and selling those to crew ─ at a price 50% short of the requisition value. The error has been running for months now and the reconciling items were supposed to be seen very visibly but I just didn’t mind. I was so reluctant because all along I perceived things as very well accounted for. I could have been keener and proactive to have informed our counterpart early on so loss won’t pile up this big in one go. One word, careless!

What big dumb frog I am! And as of writing, I still can’t figure out how to resolve the problem. There are really times when you feel like a plain stupid worker despite all the years of dedicated service in your profession ─ and the best example today is myself.

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one minute management lesson

It's a fine sunny day in the forest and a rabbit is sitting outside his burrow, tippy-tapping on his typewriter. Along comes a fox, out for a walk.

Fox: "What are you working on?"
Rabbit: "My thesis."

Fox: "Hmm... What is it about?"
Rabbit: "Oh, I'm writing about how rabbits eat foxes."

Fox: "That's ridiculous ! Any fool knows that rabbits don't eat foxes!
Rabbit: "Come with me and I'll show you!"

They both disappear into the rabbit's burrow. After few minutes, gnawing on a fox bone, the rabbit returns to his typewriter and resumes typing. Soon a wolf comes along and stops to watch the hardworking rabbit.

Wolf: "What's that you are writing?"
Rabbit: "I'm doing a thesis on how rabbits eat wolves."

Wolf: "you don't expect to get such rubbish published, do you?"
Rabbit: "No problem. Do you want to see why?"

The rabbit and the wolf go into the burrow and again the rabbit returns by himself, after a few minutes, and goes back to typing.

Finally a bear comes along and asks, "What are you doing?

Rabbit: "I'm doing a thesis on how rabbits eat bears."
Bear: "Well that's absurd!"
Rabbit: "Come into my home and I'll show you"

Scene:
As they enter the burrow, the rabbit introduces the bear to the lion.

Moral:

IT DOESN'T MATTER
HOW SILLY YOUR THESIS TOPIC IS;
WHAT MATTERS IS WHOM YOU HAVE AS A SUPERVISOR.

Management Lesson in the context of the working world:
IT DOESN'T MATTER
HOW BAD YOUR PERFORMANCE IS;
WHAT MATTERS IS WHETHER YOUR BOSS LIKES YOU OR NOT.

~copied

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welcoming July

I welcomed July running. Yes, this asthmatic active sports enthusiast (that’s me!) joined another marathon sponsored by our office. It’s free anyway, so why not grab the chance to exercise? Unlike last year under Unilab RunRio Trilogy Leg 2 (Family) Run to which I was with my sister Yulab, this time it’s registered under Robinsons Supermarket Fit and Fun Wellness Buddy Run where Karen and I were buddies.

2011 Unilab RunRio Trilogy Leg 2 ─ with Yulab, Mao, Anna and I

People knew that despite my respiratory impairment, still I climb mountains. My lungs are tried and tested. I am very much aware of how far I can go and how slow I should move when I do exhausting activities like hiking, cycling and swimming ─ and I must tell, I am not good at all at running. I suffer from shortness of breath frequently that makes me feel like collapsing any time so I don’t get to force myself in doing this as normal as others do. Since I didn’t do any marathon after last year, joining the run last weekend without enough preparations was a mixture of fun and disaster.

Fun because it’s another office privilege to grab and enjoy with my real friend, Karen along with a number of running buddies. We were early birds hopeful for our “worms” that day. It’s not anymore our desire to be at the top list considering a crowd of participants but the grocery items awaiting the finishers were our real drivers. I loved, too, the photo shoots! The gazillion shots taken by photographers I didn’t know (and I didn’t care at all, I just smiled when I saw them taking pictures) were the extra juicers. In my mind I was crazily seeing a hundred photos posted in Facebook!

We ran, we walked, we posed and smiled, we thirsted, we jogged.
We laughed, we rested, and soon enough, we finished.

And the twist... it was a disaster because I had to endure an unexplainable body and muscle pain days after the event. I was proud to go back home from the church right after the run without complaining anything in my body, until the following morning… I was nearly crawling off to the toilet for a shower. The pain in my legs was excruciating and worse when I take stairs going down. Karen and I were laughing to death when we realized that we had to take the stairs on the underpass. We went on the opposite side and held on each railing while going down. If the normal time to walk down the underpass is three minutes, maybe it took us four times slower! Upon writing this post, I honestly can still feel the discomfort but is now more manageable.

I loved the experience, though. The fact that each has finished the race, it’s an achievement in itself. Another thing to be proud of when you’re not an inborn healthy person. Oh, by the way, I thank God that it didn’t rain! :)

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there stood a tree with four branches

On that very day stood a tree with four branches. Each worked closely together as a team.

Branch 1 has grown the widest. Its length, although dominated the other three, didn’t harm any. In fact, its gentleness pushed the rest to extend further and maximize their privilege to develop into something more useful and fulfilling. Its soft fiber allowed the others to continue to expand and provided more space to develop.

Branch 2, on the other hand, is the rest’s junction. It binds the three branches together. So no matter how far the others go, they are able to meet each other’s need. Everyone is assured of safety when something goes wrong. It’s from where they see the tree’s heart filled with passion and faith. Despite it being fierce when grieved, they are comforted somehow that they’re in safe hands.

Branch 3 is the wittiest of the four. It knows nothing less than the most brilliant answer to almost every question asked. Rooted upon a temperamental foundation, it sometimes appears defiant and insensitive. Misunderstood of its purpose, its growth is holding back longer than the others. Even then, its competitive nature puts the very essence of its existence at the crest of the team as a whole. It could make a big difference if only this branch is given the chance to spread out from where it is planted.

Branch 4 is the happy go lucky wing of this tree. It goes anywhere it wants without further thought of causing harm to the rest of the members. Everything is as simple as ABC and solving the problem in a complex way will just worsen the matter. It would rather choose to break itself away from the body and explore the world outside than stay and grow together as a helpful tree. It pains Branch 2 having to care so much for this twig but was never really paid back with equal concern for the team. Actually, it has just decided to leave the rest not too long from today. It desires to be planted to another jungle where it can make use of its talents. It would not have hurt much if it let the others heal over time before its leaving. But it just doesn’t care at all.

The tree is standing firm up to this day, by the way. And I hope to see this grow stronger in the future.

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Bataan Chronicles: ROHQ Teambuilding 2012

It was somewhat discouraging to know that four of us in the committee are from same group, Violet (Matibay Team). What I was worried about was being unable to participate in the majority of the teambuilding since I form part of the committee. Our head events coordinator, the HRD manager herself, made it clear to give us chances to play and enjoy the said activity in between tasks. It was only a matter of strategy that we were able to act as though we weren’t busy at the backstage, planning and deciding for the event.

We started planning for our share to the group during our free time while swimming. Mark has in mind his cheering piece and we hummed together to familiarize the melody. After which we conceptualized what to do on the fellowship night where the guys thought of “olympic theme” with a variety of sports entries ─ bowling, equestrian, Viking, taekwondo, gymnastics and boxing to feature Manny Pacquaio and Mommy Dionisia as a funny twist to win the audience attention. Everyone was madly laughing for our plans except for Henry who was very unfortunate to be the only Orange team member in the group. We even accused him, in jest, that all our plans will be leaked to his team so we needed to be so much discreet when he’s around. Hahaha!!!

Friday came and we were very excited to meet everyone. On board the two buses from Manila arrived the entire ROHQ family divided into four teams – Fuchsia, Orange, Blue and Violet. After a very brief orientation, the competition started.

Here’s the flow of the activities we prepared for them:

• Doctor Quack Quack won by Orange Team
• Tug of War won by Fuchsia Team
• Relay (Run, Swim, Hurdles, Sack Race, Kayak, Palayok) won by Orange Team
• Women’s Basketball won by Fuschia Team
• Men’s Beach Volleyball won by Violet Team

Our team leader motivated us by his slogan ─ We’re Violet. We’re Victors. We’re winners. Nevertheless, we never really got to the top from all these physical activities except for volleyball. The boys were all great players! Instead, we bagged first place at the early morning puzzle solving which took place in Manila before their travel. We topped at the cheering competition too and raking first at the fellowship night concluded our win. The team was like claiming a million worth reward while getting our pack of goods on stage. Such tight competition rendered everyone desirous of victory and fun. We did had fun and I’m sure the other teams had, too.

I left Bataan toasted! Mister sun burned my skin after two days of staying at the resort. Nevertheless, what we meant for this annual event came into existence – we had fun, we gained friends, we built a team.

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Bataan Chronicles: Committee (again!)

work and play with Richmond, Mark, Anne and Henry

No matter how I tried to flee from all those boring admin side of company activities, the HRD had always wanted me to be part of the committee. And because the people who grab you are not just ordinary officers, there’s really no room for a NO answer.

Four committee members and I headed to Montemar Beach Club at Bataan a day earlier than the teambuilding schedule. I was very hesitant to join the advance party at first thinking that I would be left out from these people outside my circle of friends, but I proved myself wrong – they were as nice as what I wanted my travel companions to be like.

After a long ride from Manila and after roaming around the entire hacienda to plant hurdles and flags, we embraced our privilege as committee members. The pool was like a perfect oasis after a very tiring day so we had a long night swimming escapade. We got drenched and took gazillion photos of our craziness!

It wasn’t a long bonding time but each passing hour was moment of fun and friendship built among five different people with one same mission to make a worthwhile teambuilding. And proudly I would say that we did it all well!

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blending like a four seasons delight

Let’s talk about friendship.

For a sanguine-phlegmatic like me, I can start life easily even with unfamiliar people around. I can turn a simple hello into a gunshot of a promising friendship and it did prove true among my circle of friends now in the third home I call workopolis. Third, by the way, because my literal home is the first and our church, the second. With them I find genuine comfort despite a madly busy day. Daily I am convinced with the “laughter is the best medicine” philosophy because it somehow is tension-relieving when you work and play.

Holiday Cocktail at Manila Hotel, 2010

I can freshly recall some two years back when I first met my team in ROHQ – Karen, Anna and I. The department then was newly born and so only the three of us settled at fifth floor. I was surprised that Karen is actually my Mom’s friend and knowing such made it easier to become friends with her. Anna’s physically stiffer stance made me think she’s strict and serious but not all first impressions really last. She’s far more different than what I first thought. In fact, I was amazed that we’re nearly similar in many ways. My pseudo-brat attitude, I saw in her so I thought I found an alliance! Hahaha! Although I am the only single among the girls, we can talk everything and anything under the sun. The three of us were inseparable since then.

Mao in red on his 1st birthday in ROHQ

Just when the three of us were getting closer, added to the circle was Mao. I have to slam myself for perceiving he was "not straight" at first sight. I was very wrong. It's proven in many instances that we were together. He’s one of the most perfect gentlemen I met in my life. As a plain naughty boy, he knows how to be loud, throwing some green jokes around others but as a friend, he does his part in being well-mannered and considerate man with high standards of proper behavior when the girls are with him.

Our different personalities blend like a four seasons delight! I need not have to hide what I think and feel because they know who I am. Without saying a word, I can tell too if they are happy or sad. We cry in each others’ arms and give comforting hugs of consolation. With no much to explain about how this friendship grew like this, I truly love them. I rest each night hoping to see them again in the office the next morning and spend another worthy day with each other. We are family.

We turn Koreans at Shangri la Makati, 2011

Life calls for another level of improvement every time and I know neither of us could keep this remarkable proximity. Circumstances and opportunities will call for this closeness to sever through time. I can’t promise to stay here forever and so do they. But there remains one sure thing − we will always be the good buddies as we were at the very beginning.

Big cheers to the only unbendable Bee Hua’s team! I love you guys!

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Night of Mardigras

Only rare moments allow us girls to dress like a princess and walk the red carpet like real VIPs, and this night was reserved for that glamorous affair. It’s the company’s 24th Anniversary Conference and I am pleased to be part of the event held at Makati Shangri-La Hotel with today’s theme Night of Mardigras.

Photoshoot with some colleagues, and that's me!

People in the department were actually comfortable with the theme itself after having a similar mask party back in December. The one thing that kept me occupied from the time announcements were made was the what-to-wear thoughts considering I was with Brazilian group. The two others were Indians and Africans, by the way. I was very lazy to stride every corner of the malls again to get the dress that will fit the occasion so I planned ─ and it did materialize nicely – to recycle the gown I used two years back when I hosted a year-end gathering too, my black Tinkerbelle–inspired semi-balloon black and silver evening dress.

I was very reluctant to put the gown on again. Thoughts like it might not fit my size now and I look sillier today than the first time I wore it scared me. In front of the mirror, as I see my restructured self ─ wearing a bump on my crystal pinned hairdo, showing off my painted cheekbones and reddish lips, and being dressed in this made-to-order apparel – I nearly failed to recognize that it was actually me!

I don’t know how to humbly appreciate what I have become that night, but I just loved seeing myself then. So ladylike, simple but perfectly elegant. Left and right I heard some appreciation too from my colleagues and it all felt overwhelming. Their kind commendation made me carry my garb gracefully.

By order of Mardigras presentation: Africans - 3rd place, Brazilians - 2nd place, Indians - Grand Winner.

It was a night of art too. With the three countries participating in the event, the rest of the crowd gave justice to the Mardigras theme. Brazilians, my group mates, were highly captivating! Dressed in a combination of red, neon green and pink colors, their stage presence was spectacular. The Indian boys and girls, on the other hand, took us to the alluring world of Hindus while the Africans brought the jungle to the city with the natives dancing to an epic ritual song. The presentation in itself was stunning. I could say that it was a very successful event solely from observing our international bosses applauding for the production numbers rendered. We Filipinos are as talented as we are in office when asked to perform on stage.

Although our team ranked after the ultimate winners, the Indians, the night gave me the entertainment I expected. It was fun meeting the people I only know by name in our email communications. And it was pretty satisfying be part of celebrating the company’s another year in the business.

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sleeplessness

‎

"Not being able to sleep is terrible.
You have the misery of having partied all night...
without the satisfaction." — Lynn Johnston

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