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I’m Sandro T. Rafael, and
I've spent the better part of my life to date in Doha, Qatar. It's one
of those middle east countries that are pretty cool until you get old enough
to save big bucks and have enough time to start wishing you were in an
icy place. Qatar is my first foreign place to visit; well so far I'm enjoying
here. There are a couple of malls, a few beaches nearby, and some great
restaurants... other than that, you're pretty much on your own for entertainment.
There are some movie theater, though, I miss watching movie.
I was born on June 5, 1976, and
grew up in small village of San Roque, Pandan, Catanduanes, Philippines.
Do you know why my name is Sandro?
My father's name is Santos and my mother's name is Rosa - SANdRO - make sense? They
are the greatest parents in the world! They gave me all the strengths I
needed, to be competent in today's high competitive life.
I attended public elementary school
in Tabugoc Central Elementary School and graduated as valedictorian (woohoo!)
By that time, my dream is to be a Pilot or a Priest.
Going to high school, many changes
occur in my learning. I began to learned practical things like electricity,
building constructions, automotive, and other engineering related stuffs.
When I graduated in Pandan School of Arts and Trades (still with honor);
I decided to pursue engineering course in college.
There was the typical, customary
university romance thing, but let's skip over that for the time being...
I went to college, in Adamson University, Manila, Philippines taking up
B.S. Computer Engineering. I had some really great experience there...
managed to pass some failed subjects at second time, but I had a high momentum
when I graduated in 1997 that I’ll have a great future.
Even before graduation, I have a sure job waiting for me in Acer Philippines. There I got to do all kinds of fun stuff like rip
computers apart and put them back together, and learned such words as "wiring
closet", "Netware", "Unix", "NT", and "PBX". I knew a lot more opportunities
coming out there, but I have to move up to another level, so when opportunity
arise to work in other country, with anticipation of more learning and
responsibilities (please don't ask about financial compensation), I decided
to try this new challenge.
Everything was history now. I’m
here learning (I don’t want to consider my self working) in Qatar. Our
plant site is in the middle of desert, but inside the plant is the coolest
place for me to continue my learning.
I started here as Programmer (April
1999), and just recently (October 1999), management changed my job title
as Systems Administrator, and one job grade higher.
As far as computers go, I've tried
everything. I've run all the major PC operating systems. In Acer I was
big into Windows NT. I came to my new company and my Linux guru beat it
into my head that NT sucks. So I've been running Linux ever since. It's
a great operating system and when I try to use Windows, I just get really
pissed off.
I like to read. (Go figure, go!)
Lots of computer books, a fair amount about Psychology, and whatever else
I happen to snag.
Lately I've been into Linux and security
research.
I do other cool stuff too. I've
always enjoyed going around in the city, especially at night (today’s weather
in Qatar is perfect). I usually go with good friends (get it?) in the park,
sea line, and destination nowhere.
Finding time for that? Well, it's
difficult. I mean, how am I gonna check my email? :)
Written: 15-Nov-1999
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