Thursday, April 24, 2008

Ohana

Once, I heard Martin Nievera say to Janice de Belen, "Enough is more than enough", and I thought how that could be the case. Now, I must say I understand it pretty well, as I have been telling that same line to myself for some time now.

Next week, I'd be going to Manila to attend an orientation. A week after that, I'll be starting in my new job and will be staying there for good. You know, I silently prayed for this. I have also been vocal with my decision to stay there.

Before, I tried going abroad but for some reasons, no opportunities came my way. I applied in some agencies but I was never called for an interview. Well, thinking about it, that's fine with me. It was my mom who was pushing me to go abroad, probably because of our financial crisis at home. I do understand her sentiments and her reasons why she would always ask me to move and try applying for a work overseas, and I can say I really did my part of the bargain, pero yun nga lang, wala talagang tumawag sa mga agencies na inapplyan ko.

Meron namang mga opportunities din dito sa province namin where I can earn decently lalo na sa Clark kasi meron nang mga call centers dun like eTelecare, Sutherland, iQor, and NCO. I was with AOL before(now eTel) and for some months, I also worked at iQor, pero I also resigned. Gusto ko muna lumayo. I need a breather and I need it now. That's why I am now preparing myself sa pagwork dun sa Manila. Siguro uuwi ako ng province every other week, if time permits. Pero di na muna ko maglalagi dito sa Pampanga.

Hindi ko naman tinatalikuran yung mga obligations ko sa family namin. Sabi nga sa Lilo and Stitch... "Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten." :) Nakaka touch, diba? Nakakaiyak. That's how much I love my family that's why despite everything that is happening at home, I chose to stay. My mom already went to Manila, including my younger brother, Kelvin, and I stayed behind with my dad and elder brother. However, I realized that it is myself who got forgotten in the process. I am the one who got left behind. Sad? Yes, definitely. It breaks my heart. This is, for the longest time, the thing that I didn't want to share to anyone. I never felt comfortable talking about it, but I know I have to face the truth and sometimes, truth hurts.

This is the main reason why I am packing my bags and leaving. But definitely not to run away or turn my back on them. I'm not a coward. I'm leaving because I need some space for myself. Right now, I feel like I've been broken into a thousand pieces and I have to pick them up and glue them back myself. I need to fix myself first before I can help fix our problems at home. I need to help myself first before I can offer a helping hand.

How do I feel? I feel that it's high time for me to do this. I am now ready to move away a little, not totally, out of the wings of my parents so I can learn to fly on my own. Once I've learned to do that, I'll be coming back to extend a helping hand. To my mom. To my dad. To my brothers. To make sure I'm there to catch you in case you fall. And even better, so I can soar high with you.

Just like what I have been telling myself, which is indeed my belief, ma, pa, kuya, kelvin, I know one day soon, in His time, we can look back at this and together lift a prayer to God because He has never forsaken us. And He never will. Ever.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

CBOX

Just recently, I changed the layout of my blog and I regret it. Not because I don't want how it looks. Nakakainis lang kasi eh. I don't know how to put back CBOX! Even if there are instructions in their webpage, I still can't find where I should be inserting the code. So if there's anyone out there who can help me, (especially Claire), please, please, I NEED IT BADLY!!!

:)

Au Revoir

I'll soon be leaving for Manila to work there. Am I scared? In a way, yes, but I am also excited to be away from here for a while.

There are still some hassles coz for one, we still haven't found a place to stay as of this moment. Well, my brother still lives with his (former) classmate in Pritil, Tondo, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable living there. One is because I find it far from our workplace. I don't want to commute that far after my working hours are done. I hate traffic jams! (Though I know that's something I have to deal with everyday.) Another is the feeling of wanting to be lying on my bed immediately after stepping out of the office. Let's just say that for me, sleeping is a luxury and a necessity at the same time that I don't want to miss. We also don't have any furnitures and appliances yet so we will really start from scratch.

And yes, you read it right that my brother is also working. Indeed, I feel bad about it because he is already supposed to be graduating next year with a degree in Nursing, but with our current situation at home, we felt there's no other option but for him to skip this school year. Sorry, Kelvin! But I know he'll get by. See, nauna pang nagtrabaho ang mokong kesa sa akin. Hahaha! Tell him about being excited! LOL! But I also know that deep inside, he is also saddened by the turn of events. Yet, he has a very strong faith in God so I know he'll surely be fine. Love you, bro!

I'll be leaving behind my dad, my elder brother, and my boyfriend here in the province. Oh, my bestfriends, too, George and Jeng and Claire. But I guess sacrifices really need to be made, no matter how bad I feel about it, even if I know I'll be crying over this fact for the longest time.

So, am I now ready? Well, I have to be. I cannot be "not ready" for this leap because there are a lot of things at stake here.

Au revoir!