bling

Yes, I am officially taking sabbatical leave for 3.5 mos and will be back in the office on 15th of July.   I’ve been counting the days and nights that this day will come.  But now I feel so strange.  You see, I’ve been working in this company for 2 years plus. My office become my home, I sleep, eat and breath in my cubicle that this is all it matters.  Luckily, Scott has and is always been so understanding of my undying love for my work.  Actually, sabi nya work is my husband and he is just my lover….hehehehehe!

You see, I grew up in a community….hehehehehe….Ok the province na nga, where most people after high school, would take up nursing, medicine or law that is gonna ensure their future. I took a different path. I remembered some of my classmates doesn’t even have a clue what kind of degree I am taking.  Sabagay, kahit ako rin di ko alam.  All, I always wanted is just to draw, draw and draw.  And I always imagine myself of being a famous artist someday….oh well, maarte naman ako kaya keri over na rin.  But coming from a small town and not connected to any famous families it’s difficult.  Nanay, my mom as what we called in our dialect was brave enough to send us to Manila to help us pursue our dreams.  It was tougher than I thought.  I went to all girls school that literally, my world turn up, side, down.  It’s both a blessing and curse.  There are days, you thought it’s about time to give up.  But as my Nanay always tell me, we didn’t move here all the way from Iloilo para lang sabihin mo ayaw mo na.  My freshmen year in college was horrible, I have this heavy Ilonggo accent.  By the way, Scott thinks its so amazing that I can speak atleast more than 2 languages.  You know, how they make fun in Manila if you have an accent.  That’s how I learned to stand up for myself and embrace my origin.

Even before I finish my degree, at 17, I started working so early.  Afraid, that I may not get any job.  So, I will take anything, kahit taga trace lang.  Then my friend Edna, introduce me to Manila Jaycees to work for them as part time artist (ngayon designer na ang tawag).  Which I am always be grateful because I have learned a lot from them.  I joined different kind of companies, from printing, studio and publishing. But, I’ve always longed to work in Singapore.  I don’t know why, but I’ve never really dream of living in US.  So, after juggling atleast 3 jobs in Manila.  Yes!  Feeling ko ako si Darna nun.  I got an offer to work in Singapore.  I remembered how tanga pa ako when I first travelled outside Phil. I was 26 that time and don’t know anybody here in Singapore.  Kahit train, I don’t know how to take.  High tech kaya sila masyado dito.  Then I am even super amazed kasi yong cab nila chedeng.  I remembered halos di ako makahingga when I took a chedeng cab, akala ko kukulangin pera pang taxi.  I survived 3 years with my first job here but I was literally miserable all the time.  I hated what I am doing. The desire to be more creative is to difficult to achieve.  Repressed na repressed talaga ang drama ko. For the longest time, all I can dream is to work in the company where I am working right now….serious etetch!!!

Yes, finally I managed to do one of my 34 lists before I turned 34—-That’s going to Vietnam. Thought I wouldn’t make it on my flight…as I finished worked so late…errrnnn…no so late as per my normal work time 12am…and was flying the next day at 10am. Scott has to constantly remind me when is the date of the trip and making sure I got to bring everything that I need. I even have to asked my sister to pack for me earlier as I really thought I won’t be able to make it as I am also closing my magazine.

From the airport, it’s an hour drive to out hotel. I was getting concerned how much we are paying and guess how much? It only cost us US$12 bucks from airport to our hotel. They usually charged US dollar there for tourist but everything is cheap so it’s not really a big dealt. We stayed in a 3-star hotel…Scott calls this our way of back packing. Of course, I don’t have a backpack…that would be funny…if I do that…not with my boots, outfits and unnecessary accessories.  Boy!  I don’t know what is wrong with me but I have this constantly urge of bringing everything when we travel and half of this I don’t even use.

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