cat in the bag

The Transcriptionist's Office

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:37:39 +0200

Hello there, people! I'm back from a hiatus of some sort. I just want you to know I'm doing homebased general transcriptions now, so you can say that I'm a general transcriptionist available for homebased work. If you want my services, you can contact me through my email address, emily.tan.cal@gmail.com and I'll get back to you shortly.

I transcribe different audios of interviews, conferences (business usually) and lectures. I'm not so keen on focus groups because these are the hard ones to transcribe and it takes a long time to do because the people in these focus groups are talking at the same time. Geez.

Anyway, if you need my assistance, we can talk things over through my mobile number - 0927 915 14 19, if you're that interested and I will answer all your queries, reactions, etc. Don't worry, I don't bite.

I have repeat clients for this because I am trustworthy and reliable. My clients usually send audio files through my email address and i just download these through yousendit.com or through their own ftp. So I guess mostly digital files is what I can do. I also have real player if your file is in video. Although that really takes a long time to finish that is why I suggest that people send me an audio file in mp3 format. That way, I can transfer it to express scribe and finish the file faster.

Oh, yes, I used to be a writer but I've switched careers from writing to transcribing. Life has become easier for me when I did the switching of careers. It was still my line of work.

Well, I hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you very much.

The Cat in the Bag (meow)

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Hello!

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:54:49 +0200

I just got a new job. It's business transcription editor although I know I'm not really that good yet but I know will get there some day.

I'm still doing translations from Tagalog to English at the moment but it's all right. It's one of the things I also like doing.

That's why I don't have the time to write in my blog anymore. I am very busy these days. I just stole some time to type in this blog.

It's really hard to lose someone you really love. It's like going back to the old days when you two were so in love with each other and there was no end to that love. But it ended somewhere and it's picking up again. I'm just not so sure about it this time.

Anyway, I just hope it's real love, if there is such a thing.

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The Writer Is In

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:46:26 +0100

Well, hi, there! It's me, the cat in the bag. I believe I am going back to writing again. Why? Because someone encouraged me to. Someone who doesn't even know me. Someone who's not from the Philippines, can you beat that?

Yes, that's true. The article that qualified me to be a writer was the Cynthia Luster article that I wrote way back in 1998. Gosh, that was a long time ago, you know. I've actually given up on my writing some months back because I've already shifted careers to transcription.

But if someone believes in my writing, why should I stop? I know there are other writers out there who are better than I am but what the heck, right? We are all writers, but we have different styles, opinions, ideas, experiences, in doing things because we are all unique in our own way. That's why it's impossible that two writers are alike.

I know transcription is a lot easier than writing because you just have to type what you hear and follow a certain template your client gives you. Probably that's why I'm into it. But one also has to have that good hearing acuity, grammar, spelling, punctuation and everything that goes into a language. To this, I am lucky to have all that I've mentioned, including typing skills, don't forget that. I am so lucky that I can be a writer and a transcriptionist at the same time. Although I believe that my transcription skills came from my writing jobs.

As a writer, I would need my little old tape recorder and cassette tape to record my interviewee's statements. After the interview, I would transcribe everything that transpired on tape. Then, I would use the transcripts as the basis for my article. I would get or choose the best sound bytes from the transcript and put quotation marks when I include it in my article.

You see, being a transcriptionist did come from my first love, writing. Without being exposed to that I probably wouldn't be having this career at home. Plus the fact that I already have my dsl connection, lucky me, huh?

I do have a lot things to be thankful to God about. I thank Him for all the talents He has given me and I want to use these to the fullest. I know I would be going in the right path that God has chosen me to be in.

I don't want to sound preachy but it's the truth. These talents are gifts from God and no one else.

That's why I am thankful for the life I have right now. And that will be whatever I choose.

You too can do the same. Just discover your talents and do what makes you happy. That's what life should be.

Happy Holidays, guys!

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The Transcriptionist

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:57:55 +0100

Well, hi, there! It's been a long time since I've used this blog. It's been there all the time. I have to use it now or else I'll lose it forever. Kidding aside, I'm now over that stage of being pregnant and I am in the process of searching for the right client for my transcription job. That's right, you heard it, I mean, you read it right, I'm a transcriptionist. I do business, corporate, entertainment or even some legal transcriptions. I'm more of that, I discovered just some months ago. It's what I love to do with very minimal errors. I can type 60 to 70 words per minute and my turn around time for a 10-minute clear audio material is 1 HOUR or LESS. That's how I do it. Transcription is not a job anymore for me. It's F-U-N!

Unlike when I was still a writer, my writing style wouldn't be accepted in the glossies here because they write in formal tones. I just write the way I speak or the way I want it arranged. I am a simple person and I write simply because that's the thing about writing these days. If I want to communicate to people, I would have to be as simple as I can be. If not, people wouldn't be able to relate to me.

Anyway, I just hope I could find clients who could send me voice files over to my email address which is emily_cal2004@yahoo.com. Or if you can, text me at 0927 915 14 19. I have a DSL connection these days that's why I want to maximize its usage.

I can transcribe whatever there is to transcribe, except medical transcription, that is not my forte. Although I can transcribe some medical terms but not the hardcore medical stuff, okay?

I'll hear from you soon, I hope.

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being pregnant

Thu, 25 May 2006 14:04:42 +0200

life is difficult when you're pregnant. it's hard to move, walk, stand, run, whatever it is you used to do before you got pregnant. i can't even drink alcoholic drinks nor smoke. but a lot of people have told me that since my baby is unexpected, the baby must be a lucky one. that's the belief here in our country.

know what? people may be right because in every job i applied to, i would always be accepted. but in my condition, people wouldn't hire me because it's kind of risky. they wouldn't want me to give birth at work, would they? or they wouldn't want to pay for my maternity leave, right? well, that's part of it, i'm sure. but whatever their reasons are, it's all right with me. as long as they will take me in after i give birth, that would be great.

that would help me a lot. it would encourage me to work hard. i will work for my baby and no one else. and for my other 2 kids who i love so much. my life is not for me. it's for them.

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being pregnant

Thu, 25 May 2006 14:02:40 +0200

that would help me a lot. it would encourage me to work hard. i will work for my baby and no one else. and for my other 2 kids who i love so much. my life is not for me. it's for them.

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Hi there, everyone!

Wed, 24 May 2006 15:21:10 +0200

Hello! I'm Emily Cal and I'm new to this blogging stuff. I mean I just created one today. I'll try my best to share my ideas with you even if you don't agree with them. It's okay. We're all different, each one of us is unique in our own way.

I'd like to tell a little about myself. I'm a freelance writer, I'm presently 7 months pregnant, I love to read magazines, take photos, write feature articles, watch movies. I can easily express myself well in English since we practice speaking the language in our country, the Philippines. If anyone needs a writer, I can write for you. As long as the price is right. But kidding aside, please comment on my blog if you want. It's not a problem with me. I entertain opinions, ideas, violent reactions, etc. Just keep it to a minimum, though.

Do have a nice day, you guys!

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