Ten Things I am Thankful for (June 2018)
June is over and I can’t believe we’re halfway through the year already. Sometimes I feel like sulking with some tumblr meme that goes like “wow, time flies when your life is falling apart”. I am nowhere near my goals for the year nor I have any I idea how to reach them while June has been wild, like the Anchor’s Away kind with fair share of ups and downs. And although it’s really easy feel defeated, I feel blessed because I am still here, trying. I don’t exactly feel good right now, but I feel inspired to write everything I am grateful for this month. Thanks to Macy Alcaraz’s ten things list, now I get to finally write my own. I initially intended to write what was June like but I figured the best way to express it is this way, thankful and in retrospect.
1. Bali Trip – I went to a five-day adventure with HS best friend Claire in Bali, Indonesia. Wonderful would be an understatement for our experience because we have met the warmest people in Bali. This was the first time that I got to spend so much time talking to locals and learning about their culture. This trip was really meaningful not only because it was my best friend’s birthday but also because we were able to spend some good quality and quiet time. It’s been rough at work that this trip was the ultimate break I’ve been wanting to have. Beautiful beaches, breathtaking temples and sunsets, warmest people, vibrant culture and the weather was really great, too. I am coming back for Nusa Penida, soon. Matur Suksma, Bali.
2. Outreach program + Bolinao Side Trip – I have always wanted to do volunteer work but I never managed to do it because of so many reasons (and excuses, tbh) so when my Aunt Cyn from US invited me to their family outreach program months ago, I immediately said yes. We donated school supplies to the students of Anoling Elementary School in Tarlac and it was such a joyous, heartwarming experience especially when you see the smiles of the kids when they received their bags. Their happiness was contagious, and the way they show gratitude, at a very young age is something their parents and teachers should be proud of. I hope those kids grow up to be the best version they can be and live up to their dreams. There were so much hope in their eyes that we, the adults, should always remember to have.
After the outreach, we visited my grandmother’s sisters next town and went to Bolinao, Pangasinan. Yup, I certainly could not get enough of beaches. The weather was not too friendly but I have always been in awe of the waves. I am glad because I met new people, the ones who organized the outreach event, and I got to bond with this side of our family. It’s a rare opportunity, so I am really thankful for the experience.
3. Bosses/Leaders - I have been blessed with good superiors since my first job. My former Team Leader, and now my current bosses in my current job. I am really touched because Dr. B. went out of his way to reach out to Atty. P to discuss my options when I said I was going to resign. Both of them have been so kind and concerned about my career and decision in life; they’ve shown me great generosity, and I have nothing but gratefulness. They are both great leaders in their own ways. They have been very understanding and supportive even when I was at my worst. I guess God does have some odd ways of showing us His love. He has a way of making us realize that we are blessed.
4. Opportunities to figure out my life path and people who gave out chances to follow that path - I never had a plan B when I decided to quit my current job. But thanks to my best friend Aldee and my sister Raffy because they shared about work openings I could apply to (I know, I haven’t figured out my life this much)
I originally applied for CSR at my sister’s company but when I mentioned that really want to work in Content, the HR kindly endorsed me to that department. I have not yet heard anything from them, knowing I am just on the waitlist but still, I am thankful for the chance.
I also applied for Content Editor post to a different company. I really wanted this job badly, but I knew I already fucked up the exam because I came unprepared. I did not pass, sadly, it breaks my heart. :( I knew it was my fault and maybe I should have tried harder, or maybe it wasn’t the time yet. I prayed to God to help me understand His will and help me accept the things that are not for me, at least not for now.
I am thankful because even when I didn’t get the job that I really want, I got an offer to go back to my previous department, thanks to Dr. B. and Atty. P, for allowing and supporting me on this. I’ll be back there starting first Monday of July and I am so grateful. I already have some plans on how to make the most out my stay in my new-old workplace.
5. Friends who love you even when you suck. I am always grateful to Aldee and Ces, my couple friends whom I always third-wheel to. They still love me even when I go MIA for months and even when I suck as a friend, too many times. They have always been my support system, lifting me up when I feel down, and always saving my ass out of trouble. I don’t know what I’d do without them, honestly. Also thankful for the long, meaningful conversations about life and social media and its profound effects to our well-being, (yup, we really talked about such things).
Thankful for that friend who messaged me to say she missed me.:””( My college friend, Kim. I missed her too! I hope to see her really soon. My friend Alexis from High school also messaged me after a long time, just to tell me that she dreamt of me getting married to a foreigner (haha, lol) that was really out of nowhere but it feels good. And of course thankful to Loms, for always listening to my work and life rants. I would have lost my shit at work if not for her.
6. St. Clare in Katipunan – I figured desperate times called for desperate cry for help. Thankful to finally able to visit and offer eggs and flowers to St. Clare in Katip and pray for miracles. ♡
7. BeautyMNL - because beautymnl is the way to cure a broken hearteu. Sometimes I think their free shipping and quick delivery (14 hours from online check-out, gah. I love you BeautyMNL ♡ ) is a t r a p, but I was able to restock my favorite Laneige and Korean sheet masks so that makes me really happy. I also bought new lip tint. Yay! Thanks, self.
8. New favorites Alert: What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim – I haven’t watch any k-drama series in a while and this one is really good. Thanks to Aldee for getting me into this. It’s like a new welcome distraction for the crazy time of the year.
Another favorite is Set It Up on Netflix. It ignites something inside me about dreams to the point that I keep watching my favorite parts over and over again.
9. Korean Sheet mask on my face, as I write this. It’s July one, but it’s still counted right? Because #self-care is important.
10. Finally some time to write <3 this is probably the longest one I’ve written in a while. I hope I could keep up with this.
Thankful for everything first half of 2018. May the next few months be a period of magnificent transformation, as the quote says.
If there is a comeback run in Nike Training Plus, I guess this is my comeback piece, for writing. Hello again.