Do you often have that moment when you suddenly want to write at two in the morning, while everyone’s asleep and in bed, and your thoughts just begin to well up in your mind? Well, me, too.
Last week, before July ended, I received a gift from my colleague: a wooden coaster from Patungo PH with the word “magpatuloy” embossed at the center of it. In Filipino, it can be read in two ways, with two different meanings – but both apply to my current state of life.
Continue readingThis title tho, I’m sure Friends fans can relate! I came up with this title because it pretty much sums up this post. I really wanted to share all these things because one year from now, I will I have to make the greatest decision of my life. Whatever it maybe, it’s my reset. I’m gonna look back at this post and see how my life has turned around.
Looking at my grade school yearbook, I remember the moment we were asked about the occupation we wanted to have in the future. Without thinking so much about it, I wrote “orthopedic surgeon”. I didn’t even know what it was, I just saw it in passing when my mom was playing Flip Words, a classic 2000s computer game. It was no surprise that I did not push through that path when I entered college.
In high school, there was an activity in English class where we had to dress up according to the profession we would pursue. I dressed like any career woman, you’ll never know what her background is. Very vague, very Donna. It was also the time when we were preparing for college entrance exams and had to choose the course/program for uni. This was one of those moments when I started thinking about my career, growth, and stability. At 15 years old, having an office job was the only option I saw myself taking after my studies. That’s why I took Business Administration major in Human Resources Development Management without, again, even knowing what it meant.
Poor me and my decision-making skills.
In college, I was your typical mediocre student who kept on passing every subject even when I put the least amount of effort (kids, don’t be like me!). I knew I wasn’t enjoying learning about business concepts. During my second year, I was already tired of taking these classes and really thought of shifting to another course. But I didn’t have the guts to tell that to my mom (my financier hehe) and of course, the effort to undergo the process and add two more years of college. So I had to stay – for my sanity. I was already tired of life at 17.
I graduated with an average GPA, just a little over the grade requirement to be a cum laude. No regrets because I don’t deserve such high award. I wouldn’t be proud to receive something I knew I didn’t work hard for.
And there came a fork in the road. I was finished with my studies but I didn’t really know what I should do. I wanted to pursue a lot of impractical things like taking a lifetime vacation (like all of us wants) or studying again for a course I’m interested in but I know I’m never gonna use.
However, if there’s one thing that I have always been very diligent at, it is in educating children. I am part of our local youth group ever since I was 12, and for 6-7 years, I have been doing basic lesson plans about ethics and values, singing and dancing in front of kids, and just volunteering for the church. We would usually be assigned in two small communities to catechize small children (I’d call them this because I too, was still a child back then hahaha) every day of May for an hour or two. Basic and easy lessons we had to teach include angels, good deeds, and even appreciating God’s creations. It wasn’t very complicated but I really poured my heart out everyday.
In that pensive weeks after graduation, an opportunity of a lifetime came to me in the form of a job ad of Teach for the Philippines. I wasn’t sure about working for an NGO but I was very eager to get this job as a public school teacher working towards education equity. No matter how many screening interviews I had to go through, I gave it my all, that’s for sure.
And the result was very rewarding. Everything about teaching was the fulfillment I have always sought for. It changed me for the better, I think. Here are some of the things I experienced aside from classroom teaching:
Okay, I made this list dramatic (hahaha) because it literally changed my life. I wouldn’t encounter or do these things if it weren’t for the opportunity to serve our nation. Every day was a journey to know myself, the education landscape of our country, and the Filipino children.
I’ve had so many resets all my life. And when I became an adult, I took the road less traveled even if it means never going back to the path that I learned to walk on. I always look at my former classmates and see how successful they are in Human Resources and other fields. I’m glad that we didn’t confine ourselves with only the things we learned in college. If we all took the same paths (like same companies, same tasks, and same situations), how would our reunions look like?
Every path will lead you somewhere. And, thinking about it now, every day is a fork road. We can all make immediate decisions that can turn things and situations for better or worse. However, I learned that as I make life decisions at 24, it becomes more freeing to try a lot of things, walk on different paths, and find out your real passion. I know that life is not as simple as that, but if you were given a chance, would you do it?
So Donna, does this mean you are already settled with the way you are going?
NO.
Currently, I am preparing for something bigger than what I have been doing for the last couple of years. Success in this endeavor is too low and yet I am risking once again. This is me being vulnerable about something I am sure yet not so confident about. I am doing this on my own accord and motivation. Let’s see where this will take me.
To end this and inspire you to take a leap of faith, I’m sharing you a quote from my favorite author:
When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.
Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Thanks for reading this lengthy post. I feel at ease sharing and speaking my dream veryyyy vaguely into the space. Wish me luck!
*photos from canva
All smiles,
As reviewed by ludilu in Crunchyroll, Run With The Wind is one of the god tier animes created in the last decade – and honestly, I wouldn’t even argue. Let’s watch it and give it the hype it deserves!
Run With The Wind (Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru) is a Japanese novel made by Shion Mura in 2006 which was adapted into a live-action movie, manga, and anime. In this post, I will only be speaking about my love for the animation as I have yet to read the novel and manga. The story begins with Haiji, a senior college student and former track and field athlete who leads a team of amateur runners to participate in the Tokyo-Hakone Marathon Relay. This anime is in between the genre of slice of life and sports.
Long post ahead!
Disclaimer: Chaotic post ahead! This post is only based on my ample experience working for a non-profit organization (NGO) and a national government agency (NGA) . I am no longer connected with these two but I’m still not dropping names. Oh, and this might be lengthy because I babble a lot!
Yesterday, I had a call with a junior from my previous NGO asking for some tips about working in an NGA where I was assigned recently. The last tip I gave her was along the lines of:
One night, while having a Zoom call with my college friends, I was asked the most ridiculous question I ever heard about my life decision of joining a non-profit to teach kids in Cagayan De Oro (CDO). The question was (this is kinda funny):
Donna Daydreams 