Excited

I am definitely excited about our country's future with a new president along with relatively new governance.

Specifically, I am excited for accessible hospitals with sufficient equipment for all; paperless requirements for microfinancing; appropriate job-matching; greener Philippines; increased minimum wage; continued Holiday Economics; increased benefits for farmers, construction workers, junk shop workforce and their families; and justice for all.

How about you, what are you excited about?

The media says Filipinos are now wise voters as we have already experienced several political unrest issues that, I think, need not be brought up here. It also says the youth is already aware of what is going on and how to exercise their right on May 10, 2010 and what it means when one exercises his right to suffrage. I really hope so. I am keeping my fingers crossed on this.

If our next leaders fail, majority of the voting public should be blamed because their powers put those leaders in the ranks. Ergo, these majority should vote for the right candidate so that no one is to blame.

Hay nako! Bumoto kasi tayo nang tama!

Meeting the regions

I was in Manila last week for a six-day training. Upon arrival there, things were definitely not new to me. But when I stayed for awhile at Lawrence's place, my used-to-be-second-home there had some changes like the absence of his housemate's pet monkey, his new roommate, and a dirt filter in their kitchen faucet. I really missed the place because it was my second abode for nine months where my boyfriend and I used to do most of our stuffs. Well, generally, I miss the Metropolis life notwithstanding the high cost of living and pollution. (".)

On the first day of our training, I felt like I really did not know why I was the one sent there since I was the youngest and the newest member in the group; ergo I do not know the topics when I first glanced at the programme. But as the days went on, I eventually got along with the group and realized I already learned the topics when I was still in college but things are really different when one is already on the field or actually doing the job.

The training was somewhat a review of what I have learned in school and integrating it in the projects of the government. That, for me, is cool. (",)

On our first day, I decided to go to my former workplace since I could not do a thing comfortably in Manila than doing it in my former office. It's a secret actually. Haha. I am happy that the warmth of the people there never changed at all. My peers and I had dinner in a nearby street, discovered a store nearby, and went out of the store with smiling faces. ("P)

My second and third days were not that memorable to me, though the learning I got was good.

On the fourth day, the participants from Mindanao insisted that we go to Trinoma Mall and then ride the MRT upon going home. So we did with me as the tour guide. I bet they had a really different experience with that activity.

On the fifth day, from the training venue, I was lucky to ride the Department's shuttle bus -- my most often mode of transportation going to the boarding house when I was still in Manila -- when I went to my former employer to get an important document. ("+) I was saved from the stop overs of jeepneys, fare, the risks of being with strangers, and most especially, the extreme heat that Metro Manila is experiencing. Really extreme.

On our last day, I was so excited to go home that I could not even eat well as I was excited to tell my family the experiences I had with my very first nation-wide training.

Oh, that week-long training! I thought it was long, but if one really enjoys, time runs so fast.

I am looking forward to more similar activities as I need those in my career and personal growth as well.

2nd Week

Tomorrow marks my 14th day here in Bicol while today is the start of my 2nd week as a government employee.

On my first three days, I had to go out of the office every now and then to accomplish my appointment requirements. Meanwhile, just today, the ribbon-cutting of the DTI-sponsored exhibit and trade fair was held and I was so happy because I also had my hands on the preparation of the story board.

Important people I saw during the ribbon-cutting include Sen. Loren Legarda, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, and a beauty queen cutting the ribbon; capitol staff and personnel wearing a common shirt and joining the parade; the media covering the event, which is not anymore new to me since I worked with the Department's Communications and Media Office before; the DTI-5 Assistant Regional Director asking me how am I doing and telling me it is better to live in the province; and my buds from the Business Development Division.

Living here is really different from my urban life back in the Metropolis. Here, I must always think about my family on the expenses and other decisions; whereas in Manila, I should always think of my survival, only my survival. After all, this is how life goes.

During my last few days in Manila, I thought I would be somewhat difficult for me to adjust with the life here because I was already used to speedy transactions and movements of the people along the streets. But I realized, I was once like the people here. So I said to myself, this is the time to relax along the streets or in the malls and pursue a post graduate study.

I will apply in my present job whatever technical work I have learned from my former officemates and bosses. But I need more and will be needing more, thus, should learn more.

Pain and catharsis

After more than two years of being a Contractual Employee and struggling with the traffic, noise, pollution, and strangers, I am now going back to Bicol as a regular government employee. The informal notice came just yesterday. Sad to say, I have to leave the Head Office before the month ends.

Upon learning my application status, I felt mixed emotions, until now. I feel sad that I have to leave so soon to give way for a better employment status in the province, which gave me a catharsis.

I will miss every thing I had here in Manila -- officemates, housemates, food, liberty, spots, noise, and speedy transactions. I even told my Bosses this is both a sad and happy event: sad because I will have to leave my long-time workplace and the bonding among us in the office; and happy in such a way that I have at last got a permanent position in the government and I would again be living with my family. But they told me, this is how life really goes -- every thing must grow.

I know things and events in the province are not anymore new to me since I was born and raised there. But because I am already used to the situation here in the Metropolis, I will again have to get used to what the provincial life has to offer, after all, this is for my growth.

Really, since yesterday, I cannot understand what my tummy wants. I still eat (a lot, haha), but I just excrete my intakes afterwards; and my whole body is aching. I understand this is the effect of mixed emotions that I have been feeling since yesterday -- sadness and excitement.

I am doing my best not to cry, but I guess my tears will just inevitably fall from my eyes on my last day in the office.

I will really miss every thing here in the Metropolis. But the career that is waiting for me in the province is what I have been waiting for and I know I will be happy with my family and working with my fellow Bicolanos.

This swallowing is bitter as leaving is really a hard thing to do. But I know the fruits I will be harvesting would be sweeter.

Thank you so much, my Department of Trade and Industry-Communications and Media Office (DTI-CMO) family. Hello, my DTI-Region 5 family.

Uh! Hhhot!

The country is now experiencing climate change. As early as February this year, atmospheric temperature is already high, as if we are experiencing early summer.

I for one, am experiencing it before and after office hours. Imagine, at night, our room utilizes 4 electric fans - a stand fan, desk fan, ceiling fan, and wall fan - all at the same time at its supposed to be coolest temperature. Pero parang wa epek pa rin sa ssssooobbrrraaaang init! My lipsticks are also already destroyed by the extreme heat, so I have to buy replacements for those. Also, I need to buy indoor clothes, which are so nipis for me to survive the heat. Tsk, magastos pala ang climate change?

I am lucky I have an office-based work, wherein naka-aircon nang bongga for eight hours. I pity those into Sales who still need to transfer from one place to another just to sell their items. Hay... On this, all I can say is that mahirap kumita ng pera and the labor market is another topic, which my boyfriend wanted me to write about (but I really can't unless contest ito. hehe).

People, if climate changes, we can do more by starting it less.

On 27 March 2010, let us all participate in the Earth Hour at 8:30-9:30PM - an hour of lights-off against climate change.

Make a change, Juan! Make it happen!

Writing *breathes out loudly*

I promise myself the next job I will have would be a non-writing one. Um, let us just say I have reached the diminishing utility in writing. But how would I be able to have a non-writing career when all I have practiced and my past and present jobs are into intensive writing?

When I was thinking on what course to take up in college, I told my parents I wanted a Communications-related course, specifically Journalism or Broadcasting. But we do not have the resources then for me to study in a school that offers quality Communications-related courses so I took up AB Economics instead. I loved the subject since its introduction to me by our Social Studies teacher. This has entirely washed away my thoughts on taking up a Comm course but, still, I did not give up my extra-curricular activities on writing stuffs such as being part of our high school Editorial Board and writing and oratorical contests.

My college years came and I told myself I would still be active in extra-curricular activities while maintaining my scholarship. I became officer of various school organizations and staff of the college publication. I resigned as a staff member to give way for my academic demands. But when our Departmental Publication Editor-in-Chief (EIC) offered me a slot in the paper, I immediately said "yes"; and when our college emerged as a new one, I was one of those who urged the college admin to build up a new publication, of which I became one of the founding members, Associate Editor, and Editor-in-Chief.

I graduated "OK" while combining my then dream of being a Comm student, through my publication involvement, and an Econ student.

Days before our graduation, my then employer called me up. The Human Resource Officer told me to report in their office as an employee after I graduate. Overwhelmed, I immediately grabbed the opportunity. I felt so lucky because I did not experience "super job hunting" under the sun. Three months later, I felt the atmosphere there was not for me and I decided to stop my writing career.

I resigned to do walk-in applications in various banks. I learned from a friend that one private bank, where he is an employee, was about to hire me but the management learned I was already hired by and working in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) as a...what else, Writer.

Almost a year ago, I once again felt the diminishing utility in writing plus the fact that my salary versus expenses were break even that I could not go to Bicol whenever much needed because my money was never enough. But (yes, another but) I applied as a Web Writer in the same agency; this time, with kinda higher pay but (and another but), without a single benefit at all.

In effect, I do not know any other jobs than writing (and perhaps some minor secretarial work and as a call center agent).

I am not complaining. This is a gift, which some people has not received. I just want to grow, as everybody needs it, right?

Nevertheless, no matter how much I crave for career growth, I feel lucky having this skill. It is not wise to boast but I am proud I could at least write. My grammar may not be perfect, but I have seen how my skills have improved from my writings in elementary, to my diary writings, to super very few love letters for Lawrence (I am mentioning his name again, why not? haha), up to my outputs in my current job.

Thank you, Lord. I know You understand me. We talk a lot about this every night, right? I will wait for Your answer. (^^,)

Unbecoming

In a span of seven days, I transacted with, met, and saw several people who are so unbecoming. Just a few minutes ago, I talked to a well-known bank's Customer Service staff via phone. The tone of her voice was so arrogant. She spoke in Filipino but didn't use "po" and "opo". I am the customer, but as if she was just talking to a non-customer whom she doesn't respect. I see her whenever I visit their branch and her personality depicts what she is on phone. What a front-liner?!

The other people, I couldn't disclose their identities sa sobrang dami nila, mostly girls.

These people are so irritating, right? I even asked myself the reason for their existence for they aren't of any help to me and to many others who are also irritated of them.

Nevertheless, I need to see things in a positive way. Kahit negatibo na agad ang pinakita nila sa akin, kailangan kong barahin 'yon. My upbeat thought in this post is that they are obstacles that I must surpass to test my calmness and grace no matter what the situation is.

I can do this because I must surpass this. Che!

Love

I have been thinking several times whether to write on this or not. The causes of my hesitation are that I might not get the thoughts right, I might miss some other things, or I might feel the pain again. Basta, bahala na.

2009 was really memorable to me and taught me many things about love.

Before, whenever I see a couple na isa lang sa kanila ang may magandang itsura o ang nasa magandang estado sa buhay, I used to ask myself, "Why?" and then arrive at a conclusion that "Yung isa sa kanila hindi nag-iisip nang mabuti."

But when I experienced being alone (you know what I mean), I realized sobrang maling mali ako, as in. So immature of me to have such thought. Well, probably, 'yung iba, hindi na nag-isip nang mabuti kasi malapit na sila sa "finish line" or just very desperate to move on and forget the previous pain they felt.

Pero sa totoo lang, true love does not see the physicality of an individual, I mean kung sinuman man 'yung taong mamahalin 'nya. It's the feeling that everything would be alright whenever you are with him/her. It's the feeling that every hindrance would be surpassed with him/her as your number one supporter.

I also learned that some of the secrets of a lasting relationship as in marriage is that one has to be submissive to his/her partner at kapag nakakasakal na ng sobra, well, talk it over, talk it over, and talk it over because marriage is so sacred that nothing should ever break it. Hindi ito tulad ng pagiging mag-jowa na pwdeng mag-break or cool-off at kapag ayaw na talaga, go search for another one or merely wait.

Moreover, I learned that if you really love a person, you will give the best for him/her; OR if ever you lost him/her and you want him/her back, punan mo ang lahat ng naging pagkukulang mo sa kanya. Lugi ka nga lang kung talagang ayaw na sa'yo ng tao at ibang usapan na ito.

In summary, the failed relationship I had with one of the very important persons in my life opened my eyes to the world of reality that once in a while, one has to be alone to see the world clearly in his own perspective for him to think of accurate things for his survival.

New

I woke up at 5:45AM. I knew I would be experiencing the super hassle in MRT, so I decided to take a bus instead. Though at the back of my mind was that thought that I might be late for work, I did not make the motion I usual do whenever I am getting late. Rather, I did things (pagtupi ng mga nilabhang damit, pag-ayos ng higaan, and preparing myself for work) calmly, which is something new for me. As I walk through the roads going to EDSA and then to our office building, I felt like everything was new, though they were all familiar.

I do not know if I am just convincing myself to see all things new to forget all the kabadtripan in 2009 or I just miss this jungle after a 10-day vacation with Mt. Mayon in my sight.

To be a calm person is really one of my New Year's resolution. 2009 had been so harsh to me, in all aspects, which are depicted on my previous posts. It was also the year when I had lots of panics. So for 2010, I will lessen those and be a calm person.

Today

Since I arrived home, I usually sleep at 12:00 midnight and wake up at 10:00AM. In effect, my first meal is brunch (combination of breakfast and lunch). Same thing happened today, with some reflections from what transpired in last night's high school friends reunion.

I missed my friends so much. One of them I was able to talk to after almost 5 years but things have not changed drastically. All of them are still the closest friends of mine I once knew. And since we have come of age, we could now talk about our ex-crushes and lovers without bitterness. We just laughed at every thing, making our house the noisiest in the neighborhood due to loud laughing as always.

Our food was great with all the bring and share stuffs. Marami ngang natira, so marami kaming pagkain ngayon. hehe.

However, because four of them were not able to attend and in time for one of my friends' birthday, we have scheduled another get-together before I go back to the jungle of Manila. This time, not in our house, but in a yet to be disclosed restaurant. Hmmm.

I really miss the bonding we had in high school, specially that we went to different colleges and universities and that my former love life did not permit me to see them that often without my then boyfriend as chaperon.

Oh well, 2010 is coming. One day na lang. One of my wishes for next year is that whenever I get home, I could give whatever my family asks from me. I will work out for it. I must!