Does staying too long on a company worth it?

I've been with a company for almost eight years; I've also been with a company for only three months.  If a hiring manager looks at my resume, they always assume that I'm a job hopper. For me, again, "for me", on my own opinion, it's not worth it to stay for too long.  Looking back, my longest stay should have been  3 years only then I should have transferred to another company, and here are my reasons:

1.  There is a possibility that if I've stayed only for 3 years during my "early working years" and transferred immediately to another company, I could have earned the right amount of salary and my value is much higher right now.  I remember I was earning around 12k during my 5th year (yuck!) and I was being offered by another company at around 25k; I declined it because during that time I was "loyal" to my current company.  Some of my co-workers that have transferred to other companies are earning a higher salary and good benefits than me.

2. Growth - I've trusted too much the company that I've been working for during that time, thinking and believing them that my career will grow (I'm into I.T. industry); that they have plans for my career.  Unfortunately, I forgot that it is a business, money is the primary factor if you own a business - money first before anything else, that's the reality.  I just realized that you MUST have your own plans in terms of your career growth.  Don't believe too much that companies will help you grow in your career; you are the one that will decide on how you will grow, not them. Yes there are companies that will provide you training and certifications but are they really worth it?

3.   Salary/Income - this is one of the worst decisions that I've made; I've stayed with a company for too long even if I know that I have a low salary, that I should already be earning this or that amount.  I did not realized early in my career that one of the reasons that I'm working is for the salary, to EARN RIGHT and not just being happy on your job. Now I don't believe anymore in "just be happy with your job even if you are not earning the right amount of salary". What I do believe right now is "Money isn't everything, but it's part of everything" (I forgot who said this).

4. Now, when I'm reading job openings, the people with just 2-3 years of experience and me with almost 12 years of experience have the same value (oh my gosh!).  Companies will always look for the cheaper candidate, it's like "who cares if you have long experience? You want this job or not?"

Document Authentication in Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia

First, please be reminded that I wrote this post based on my personal experience, nothing more, nothing less.

I was trying to search through the internet on how can my document be authenticated by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia here in Makati.  Unfortunately, I can only see the process in the websites of other countries (the website for my country is currently down).  I've also tried to read some blogs but some of the bloggers just wrote what are the things "needed" and types of visa, but not the whole process. Here's my experience:

1. I called up the Royal Embassy's number late at night, thinking that it is following  its own country's time (hehehe, idiot).  Somebody answered and informed me that the office is already closed. You can find the latest number from this website: http://www.mofa.gov.sa don't forget to click the word "English" on the upper left side for the English translation.

2. I went personally to the said office in Makati thinking that it is easy to get an individual authentication. When I arrived there, I was not allowed by the guard to enter, he informed me that as of 2008, the Royal Embassy is not allowing individual authentication anymore, instead, I need a travel agency for the authentication of documents.  I asked him if there is a bulletin board that I can read so that I will know what are the travel agencies that are certified.  He told me that I will only know that by calling up the office of the Royal Embassy.

3. The guard pointed a person in which I can talk to for the authentication of my document.  Of course I was hesitant, I know these things (the "fixers"). The other guard informed me that the person can be trusted.  There are some jolli-jeeps near the Royal Embassy, the man is currently eating.  So instead of wasting my time and the two guards have told me that the man can be trusted, I talked to him.

4. The man looked at my papers, he asked for a photocopy of my document and a pen.  He wrote there the name of the document that he will take and told me that I can return on the next day to get the authenticated document.  For how much? As of this writing it is 800php (eight hundred pesos), he told me that some agencies asks for 1,500php-1,600php.  What's good with this transaction is that I will pay him as soon as it is authenticated, no down-payment.

5. On the next day (afternoon), I went again to the place where I can get the authenticated document.  There are some people in the gate entrance, I've waited for him to arrive.  I've seen him go inside the embassy and after almost two hours of waiting, he went out, carrying lots of authenticated documents. I tapped him on the back but he ignored me. I've waited for him to finish arranging the authenticated documents and as soon as he was done, he talked to me and gave me the document and I've paid him the required amount.

6. Based on my observation, I think the man that I've spoke to is not from an agency.  I don't know, maybe he works inside because I've seen a red I.D., maybe this is an ID for them to get in.  They are just a few of them to get inside the embassy for releasing of documents. A man beside me asked me how much I've paid for the authentication, I've told him it's 800php.  He told me that I should not have paid it that much and it is actually free. I've told him that the guards did not allowed me to enter the embassy the other day.

I didn't even bother to ask the "fixer" man who he was and what is his job in the embassy. At least I've paid less and got the authenticated document.  Maybe this is the way things that you do in Royal Embassy for authentication of documents.  I didn't even bother to call up the office.

DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) Authentication of Documents

I have my documents authenticated by the DFA and I've searched on how to do it but unfortunately the website of the DFA lacks some information.

This is the process I went through:

1. Authentication of documents by DFA DOES NOT require a "schedule" or "appointment" date unlike when you are getting/renewing a passport. You may directly go to DFA Office at Roxas Boulevard.
2. If you will go there using the public transport system (Jeep from MRT Taft station) don't talk to any "fixers"; those selling black ballpens and envelopes, or else they will try to fool you.
3. At the DFA Entrance Gate, there is a signage of "Authentication"; go inside, show the guards your documents to be authenticated.
4. Upon entering the gate, you will immediately see another signage "Authentication"; show again the guard your documents to be authenticated.
5. Look for the "Information" kiosk. Get an Application Form (as of this writing its color is Blue).  Fill-up the required fields.
6. You may follow the "seated lines" while filling up the form.  Don't worry it's moving :)
7. If you are just authenticating for your NBI Clearance, the guard will tell you where to fall in-line, they have a booth for NBI clearance authentication only.  FYI, have a photocopy of your I.D. or if you forgot, there is a photocopy area inside the DFA.
8. The "validator" will check your document and will ask you if you want regular or special.  Regular means payment (100php) and 4 Working Days processing and Special means payment (200php) and the next working day you can already get the authenticated document.
9. Go to the Cashier and pay, return to the Validation booth, they will give you the copy of the receipt.  You may get your authenticated document depending on the payment method that you've paid for.  There is also a signage when and what time can you get the authenticated document.  In my case I've filed at around 10am that's why I can get it around 10am-12pm.  FYI, DFA opens at 7am.
10. When getting your document, you need to put your receipt inside the "box" in Information kiosk.  It has a label "Regular" or "Special".  Have a seat and wait for your name or  the name on the document to be called (because you may also apply for in-behalf of a person, you just need to have a authorization letter, photocopy of the picture of the I.D. of the person, photocopy of your i.d.; both bearing signatures)
11. Upon receiving the authenticated document, double-check if the spelling of the name is correct (you may find it below the document. If not, tell them. It's a long document so you may bring an envelop that is size "long".

Running the Condura Skyway Marathon-2013

I've ran the full marathon category and what I can say is... it's great! Although I've ran it even if I lacked training, I still finished it.  I've learned some new things in running this event.  The partner for providing hydration is Summit-Natural drinking water (water) and 100 Plus (energy drink). I should have tested this during my trainings. As soon as I drank the Summit water, my stomach went upset.  I am not used to drink "natural" water, I'm used to "purified" water.  Also, the 100 Plus energy drink, it's carbonated, it really hurt my stomach.  It has affected me during the run, I want to take a "poo" but I was concerned about the cut-off time although it has a 8-hours cut-off time.

I think I'll run again this event next year if there's an opportunity.  The race course is challenging and well-organized.  And most of all, this is a "run-for-a-cause" event.  They've showed where the proceeds went from last year's event (Zamboanga).  The mangroves that were given  has helped the fishermen in terms of income and protection for natural calamities such as flooding, storms, etc.

Condura Skyway Marathon Run for the Mangroves - a GREAT running event.