Update on the journey to the off beaten path

It has been 2 years and 10 months since I got a job in Mindanao. I was able to handle 3 accounts under Operations team and it has been 11 months since I transferred to the Support team. So far, I am loving the role in the Support team as it has given me the chance to have work-life balance.

My Skincare Routine 2017

Natal Day 2017

Another year has passed. Getting older and wiser. The start of 2017 is good for me since I got the position that I was eyeing from for quite sometime. I am still working in the beautiful Philippine island, also known as the Land of Promise and I guess I would still be here for the rest of the year.

Being far away from the hustle and bustle of the life in Luzon made things better. I can definitely say that I am loving myself better by taking care of myself, enjoying the fruits of my labor, learning new things that made me better in my craft, and the list goes on. 

Some say that people generally do not feel contented, and I think I feel the same way too. I am getting older and yet I am still waiting for the real man who will truly love, respect, understand and care for me. I need to have my own family because want to share my life with them and shower them with unconditional love. Plus, I am scared to grow old alone. I am hoping and praying that God will send him to me this year.

Get to know me!

I thought this is fun which is why I am posting this. I got the questions from http://conversationstartersworld.com

What do you do to get rid of stress? I smoke, eat good food and/or watch movies.

What is something you are obsessed with? Listening to Ian Veneracion's rendition of Refrain! I just so love this guy!

Who is your favorite entertainer (comedian, musician, actor, etc.)? Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep

What’s your favorite way to waste time? Play games on my phone

Do you have any pets? What are their names? I used to have a dog named Aoife but she's gone :(

Where did you go last weekend? What did you do? In the office gym for about 2 hours. I am such a recluse!

What are you going to do this weekend? Samal Island and parteeey!

What is something that is popular now that annoys you? Overdrawn lips and Instagram eyebrows! Uggh!

What did you do on your last vacation? Reunion with Igmat family (my Mama's side of the family)

Are you very active of do you prefer to just relax in your free time? I prefer to relax and stay at home.

What do you do when you hang out with your friends? Watch movies or dine out

Who is your oldest friend? Where did you meet them? Kutchie, Mayosi, and Carmela. I met them in high school and we still keep in touch.

What’s the best / worst thing about your work? The best thing is that the stress level is manageable. Sometimes it's a pain to coordinate with other departments but I don't think it's the worst thing.

If you had intro music, what song would it be? Why? Looking in by Mariah Carey because I think nobody knows the real me especially nowadays wherein people can easily judge you.

If you could have any animal as a pet, what animal would you choose? Red panda 

What three words best describe you? Intuitive, quick temper, independent

What would be your perfect weekend? Spend whole day in Disneyland and be a kid again!

What do you think of tattoos? Do you have any? It's a cool way of expressing ones self! Yes I have one on my back just below the nape.

How's the new job?

I survived the first week in the recruitment office. Working with new set of people, seeing new faces everyday, different processes, and trying to make sense of it all. Don't get me wrong, I am truly grateful to be in an environment wherein the stress level is manageable, I guess it's just that I am feeling anxious.

Journey to the off beaten path

I found out yesterday that I got the post for Recruitment Supervisor. I was eyeing a position in the said department since last year because I am sick and tired, literally and figuratively, of the everyday stress that I've been dealing with in Operations Department. My heart was overwhelmed because it is an answered prayer. I will assume the post that comes with manageable stress level which in turn would be of help in improving my health.
Now comes the bad news, Cruella De Ville does not want to release me yet. The nerve of that evil witch to prolong my agony!

So far, so good

In my last post, which was posted a year ago, I shared with y'all that I will be moving to a different island for work.
So far I am enjoying the peaceful, laid back atmosphere here in Mindanao. The people are generally nice and easy to work with. The cost of living is low compared to Manila. I have been to other places nearby like Samal, Bukidnon, Gen. San, and Cagayan de Oro.
I am loving it here, I miss my family back home though.

Moving towards expanding my horizons

Is this a new beginning for me?

I got a word that I will be moving to a different island for a new job. The job post/title/description is pretty much the same with the job experience that I had for years so I guess there's not much of an adjustment in that aspect. I am anxious though because I need to: 1) learn at least the basics of the dialect of the island, 2) adapt to cultural differences, 3) be brave and bold in spirit.

I am thankful to God for the opportunity and to my dear friend who was the instrument why the move will take place. I am a little panic-stricken but I know that I am big to face the challenges!

How does one start all over again?

2014 is about to end, it was one hell of an emotional ride to say the least. I was too stressed with BPO work that I quit without the security of another job thus I was jobless for months that I had to ask for my mother's assistance (much to the dismay of my aunts and uncles). I did find a new job though the salary wasn't the same at least I was able to pay the bills. That sums it all up. 2015 is near, now the question is, how do I start all over again? I guess I will start by praying and thanking the Lord for what was and what will be. I am praying that this year will be so much better. I am dreaming of travelling to other parts of the world, having a good paying, stable job which promotes work-life balance, and praying hard that love will find a way this time around. I also wish for peace and unity all around the world.

At the crossroads

I am so depressed. I believe that I do not deserve this kind of life. Almost every night I cry myself to sleep. I miss my husband and I know for a fact that I am still hoping that somehow he will have a change of heart. My good friend said that I should be open to having a new relationship and to finding the right guy who would love me and treat me right. Where do I find him?!?! Sigh! Plus, I need to have a better job with a better pay wherein I would feel happy and contented.

Reflection during Holy Week of 2012

2011 was a difficult time for me:
January 30, I found out that my husband is flirting (yet again) with another woman so I left their house and lived with my maternal grandparents.
My maternal grandfather passed away in June.
I lost my managerial job due to redundancy in November.
My husband filed for annulment last December.

It's only now that I realized how God is slowly leading me to the right path and that He is humbling me.
I am still hurting that my relationship with my husband didn't work out however it made me realize that I am fortunate enough to: experience how it is to love and be loved, be a part of the loving and happy Pargas family, know and feel that I have some family and friends who understands and loves me unconditionally, learn how to accept and ask forgiveness for my mistakes, ask help when I need it the most, and forgive those who have hurt me.
When my family lost Lolo B, we had a chance to have time with my uncles (who hasn't come home for a long time) to celebrate Lolo's life. I came to realize that life is too short thus I have to live a happy life with a purpose.
I might have lost a high-paying job but now I have one (I even thought that I wouldn't have the patience and experience to do it) with less pressure, better schedule and serves a higher purpose.

Thank you Lord for I am blessed.

SOME PLACES THAT I WANT TO SEE

I like to travel and here are SOME PLACES THAT I WANT TO SEE:

• Eiffel Tower in Paris
• Mykonos, Greece
• The Bahamas Islands
• Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• The Playboy Mansion West in Los Angeles, CA
• The Houses of Parliament with Big Ben and Tower Bridge in London

All that and so much more...

Lead me, Lord

Dear God, I am confused and weary. Please guide me to the path that you want me to take. Amen!

When will I ever find true happiness? Sure,I have family and really close friends plus a good job however I feel that something is missing in my life. I'm scared to grow old alone. I can't always rely on my family and friends to make me happy and complete, can I?

Hyperglycemia

I just found out that I have hyperglycemia. I am soo scared! I had a lot of questions in my mind ... what if there would be complications? What if there would come a time that I have to be amputated or if my kidneys get affected? I just cried...

Complete Happiness

I can truly say that I am very happy with the way things are between me and my husband, Allen. We understand each other better maybe because we are more matured now. The relationship is give and take. Though it made me stop and think for a while ... is there such a thing as complete happiness?
Now I am thinking that the only thing that is missing in our relationship is a child....

Hopes and Dreams

Dear God,

I am praying that we have a healthy baby this year. I'm really getting anxious and beginning to be envious of the pregnant women I see out there. I also want to be an instrument of bringing life into this world. Please heed my plea.

In spite of everything you've done for them, eventually they will hate you. Why bother?

Being a supervisor is really not that easy:

• Your subordinates does not understand that you are just doing your job so they keep on complaining about you being strict. I guess some cannot differentiate the word strict from the word professional.
• Whatever wrongdoings your subordinate does will reflect on you! You are the one who's going to explain to the manager about what happened even if you're not the one who did it!
• Coordinating issues with other departments for whatever your subordinates need is not a good experience too.
• Administer HR and Department policies as instructed.
• Identify performance gaps and prepare action plans for effective coaching and performance.
  

ALL THESE AND MORE! AND YET THEY DO NOT APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THEM (as if they are giving you the numbers that they should be achieving!).

6/23/2009

Went home early from Batangas City... carpooled with his mom and her officemates. Called him up at around 7am but he's not there. Past 8am I called his office but he's not their either. What's going on? Something's not right...

Team Building @Zambales

Puerto Del Mar Resort and Potipot Island