Friday, January 3, 2014

On the 4th day of 2014*

Tomorrow will be my fourth anniversary in the institution where I work. Last year, I promised myself not to reach the fourth year of my employment in this organization. Why? I was thinking that four years is too long to stay in one company. But no. I stayed, and maybe it’s time to graduate.

What did I do for these four long years? Everything seemed to be just so fast. Like a snap. How come I did not notice that time is fleeting? Have I improved myself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually? Or did I just spend my time watching re-runs of The Voice?

Looking back on the professional aspect, I mentally listed the failures and accomplishments of the past four years. I learned that along with the failures, such as flunking a life-changing exam and not being able to pass any scholarship that I applied for, I gained the courage to take risks, and I think that it was much better than not having taken them at all. Surely I was frustrated and distraught. It took me almost a year to recover and bring back the positivity I have with life.

As for accomplishments, I am glad to have gotten back to school and pursue my desire to delve deeper into history, politics and international affairs. Although I do not know how exactly I will end up with this degree, I take pride in pursuing what I really like and funding myself to finish this academic endeavor.

Of course, I improved a mile in the use of Spanish (well, according to my standards), as it is the language we use in the office. Compared to my speaking, writing and comprehension skills when I started working, my Spanish is now acceptable. Haha However, I grew complacent and was taking this experience of developing my skills for granted. I just thought that given those four years, maybe I should have been comparable to a native speaker. Maybe it’s high time to hit some books and do a repaso. As one language teacher said: “If you don’t use it, you lose it”.

In those four years, I also got to know more people and made new friends. I was able to widen my network, although I wish to have made it larger. I somehow developed some confidence to talk to people and share my ideas and opinions with them, without the fear of being judged.  

Likewise, I got to meet famous people, which I never imagined of meeting before. I once had a conversation with a colleague. We agreed that when we were in highschool, never in our wildest dreams did it occur to us that we would be attending functions and get to meet high-level personalities.  Seeing them in person inspired me to be like them someday (not the corrupt ones though).


As you see, there were little regrets amid the achievements. There were realities amid uncertainties. C’est la vie. But I have to move on. 2014 will be great.

*My first entry for the 500words/day challenge

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