No place like home

No matter where the year takes me, my final flight will always be to the place where my childhood dreams were made, the place I call home. 

It seems fitting to cap off every year with a short stay in my hometown. Spending the holiday season in this small town means being unplugged from the city life, which allows me to reflect and revisit my roots. 

As I watch my childhood dreams slowly come to life, nothing humbles me more than going back to where it all began.

Runner's High

Running is something I started taking seriously only last year. I was on MTA for seven days and I wanted to see I can maintain a clean diet (no junk food, no fast food) and engage in exercise regularly when I'm not too stressed with work. I learned that week that it was indeed possible. So it became a habit for me, I would run at least thrice a week after work. I loved how good I felt after every run and the deep sleep that normally came after. Pretty soon, I finished my first 5K which was my first milestone and became my regular distance. I was on my way to training for 10K but then I got sick.

I got an infection that required me to be on bed rest for almost a week. I was slightly depressed because I couldn't believe I got sick at a time when I was eating healthy and exercising regularly. It took me a while to recover and needless to say, I stopped running.

I made several attempts to go back to my running habit in the months that followed but for some reason I just couldn't get back on the road. The longest I did was a 4K run at a pace that was not even close to my last 5.5K pace. With the pressure at work and the hectic schedule, I also went back to eating junk food and fastfood. No wonder I felt so bloated by the end of the year.

2016 came and like most people, I had a mental list of things to achieve this year. My theme this year is simple: Healthy Body, Peaceful Mind, Grateful Heart. For starters, I committed to a fastfood-and-junkfood-free diet. I'm on day 24 now and so far it's been going pretty well. I managed to say no to a plate of delicious french fries that was placed right in front of me earlier today. And I couldn't care less that Rustan's has a buy-1-take-1 offer for Lays Sour Cream and Onion potato chips.

 

The second step is exercise. Since I don't really have excess cash that I could use to take studio classes like Yoga or Pilates, I'm settling with the easiest and cheapest form of workout: running. Because the area that I live now is not as well-lit as my previous place, running after work is not much of an option. So one night, I decided to go for an early morning run the next day. I'm putting emphasis on the fact that I decided the night before because it's an effective way of making sure you get up the next day to do what you promised yourself you'd do. Right before I went to bed, I already laid out my running clothes on my window nook and even prepared my earphones and armband. It worked! The next morning, I got up and went for an early morning run for the first time in my new neighborhood. No excuses such as "oh it's late the sun is already up" or "oh I don't have enough time I'll be late for work". I really just wanted to prove a point. It turns out that running in the morning increases my productivity at work because I'm so energized afterwards. It also gives me better focus and puts me in a better mood (must be all the endorphins). So far I have managed to squeeze a quick run before work at least 3 times a week and I'm hopeful that I can make this a habit. Having said that, it's worth mentioning that I achieved a running milestone yesterday: my first 6.4K. Longest and farthest run so far according my Nike App. But I don't think that record will stay there for too long, because I'm definitely back on the road and very much committed to stay there and go the distance this time. 

It's true that the most difficult part is taking the first step. For so many months I struggled to go back to the habit and I couldn't help but feel disheartened after several failed attempts. And then one day, I just decided to go out there and prove that I can still do it and I finally did. :)

Thank you, 2015. :)

Have you ever felt 365 days sweep by so quickly that you just wake up one day and realize that it's the last day of the year?

For people who lead a fast-paced life, this is probably the norm. One moment you're still running brainstorming sessions and setting objectives, next thing you know you're writing performance reviews and filling up the book of work for next year. For those who don't have much to fill their days with, I'd imagine there's a greater sense on anticipation, eager to close off this mundane chapter and hopeful for the next one. A new year always brings the promise of starting with a clean slate, the magic of new beginnings; it's impossible not to be hopeful.

I flew back home for the holidays on the 23rd of December which means that the last eight days of the year gave me a break from the corporate jungle. The first couple of days were spent with more sleeping hours than waking hours. As soon as my body recovered, I found myself reading most of the time, and reflecting on where exactly my energy and my efforts went for 2015. Photostream is probably the most useful tool when you're trying to recall milestones for the year. In the process of cleaning it up to make space for the photos that would come next year, I found myself rediscovering random shots that helped me remember what this year was all about. So here it is, the 10 things I'm thankful for in 2015, in no particular order:

1. Team Awesome

They say that if you find a job that you actually like, you'll never have to work a day in your life. Being a People Manager is something I've always wanted to do but is not exactly the easiest thing in the world. I have to deal with twenty different personalities, twenty different emotions that may or may not jibe with my own. When my managers tell me that I'm doing a great job, I tell them that this is really because I have an amazing team. And it's not because they come to work and they do everything as I say because I guarantee, there is always some friendly debate and witty banter going on in our little enclave. What I love about my team is that they are passionate about the work that they do. They are driven, they question things and they allow me to learn from them in the same way that they learn from me. How can you not look forward to coming to work when you have a team like this? 

2. Feast Makati

One sunday morning in February, I was exchanging text messages with my friend Odette about laundry and then she randomly asked me to attend mass at Glorietta 3 so we can have lunch afterwards. That was the day I discovered The Feast Makati and it has become my Sunday habit ever since. The talks have given me so much food for thought and have allowed me to grow spiritually. I am thankful for the moments that I get to reflect on the struggles that I face and the promises of God's Word. On days when I am weighed down by my worries, the hour that I spend for worship allows me to refocus my energy on what truly matters.

3. Monthly Foodie Sessions and Friends who keep me sane

One of the things that I set to do this year is to really make time for people that matter to me.

We've heard stories of friends who drift apart and outgrow each other and usually it's because of one thing: they stop exerting effort to stay in touch. 

This year, my friends and I made it a point to set a monthly date, meant for catching up and trying out new restaurants. Even on months when I was running on a tight budget, I never cancelled on them because I considered those dinner dates an investment for relationships that matter.  It's truly worth it and I am thankful for this support group that's been around since 2007. 

4. Friendships that cut across oceans

Two of my best friends moved to Hong Kong in 2014 but to this day, I can say that they know more about my life than people I share breathing space with. Thank God for Internet and Whatsapp, we manage to keep each other updated with our daily triumphs and struggles. On days when worries take over my mind and I doubt some of my decisions, Abby and Lei never fail to give me the support I need. They give me validation, they reassure me and sometimes, they show me what I might be missing in the picture. Our friendship is definitely one of my life's best blessings.

5. Family

Earlier this year, my family went through another heartbreak when my brother did not pass the bar exam. The day the result came out was a sad day for all of us. I cried several times and found myself questioning God why he had to go through such pain. My dad tried to mask his dismay by focusing on what lies ahead and encouraging my brother to try again. No doubt, whatever we felt paled in comparison to the pain that Leo had to go through, being the one struggled in law school for several years, and endured the grueling four Sundays. Something good came out of it though, because that experienced revealed our strength as a family. We may not be a barney-singing bunch who throw around i-love-you's and give each other hugs for no reason but one thing is certain, we will stick together and pick each other up when the going gets tough.

6. A relationship centered on Faith, Love and Respect

Sometimes my friends and colleagues would ask me how long Kokong and I have been together and that's only when I realize how long it's been.

I guess that's what happens when you don't really count the days, when you just move together with time and let the relationship grow in its own pace.

When I look back to how we started, I am still amazed that our relationship has blossomed to what it is now. It's not perfect. We still disagree, we still argue at times but we always find a way to make a compromise and ultimately this is what keeps us strong. We look ahead and make plans for the future with immense faith in God's providence.

7. Making a difference

Each time I pray and express my gratitude for all the blessings that I've received, I always include a request for God to lead me to where I'm most needed, to opportunities where I can share what I have. I'm not really the type who'd broadcast my charitable actions so I won't share too much detail. This year, I crossed paths with two individuals who shared the same dream that I had a decade ago. Their humility and admirable work ethic inspired me so much and I couldn't be happier that they allowed me extend help where they needed it.

8. Brilliant Moments

I can't fully explain why this is on the list but when a very senior person in your company calls you brilliant in front of your key stakeholders, it makes you forget all the long working hours and you suddenly have the energy to put your other 100 ideas into action. I am thankful for the recognition, I am not used to it and it doesn't come often. And when it does, I just feel like there's nothing in this world I can not overcome and every moment that you have that feeling is something to be thankful for.

9. My Own Place

Two years ago, I wrote a check to reserve a unit in Avida 9th Avenue. It was one of the bravest and scariest moments of my life. Am I really buying an apartment? Can I actually afford to for it? I am buying an apartment!

This year, that apartment was turned over to me and I moved in a couple of months after. I never expected to have my own place before I turn 30, but it happened and I couldn't be more grateful.

10. Answered Prayer

Only He knows our innermost desires, and He knows exactly when to give it to us. I prayed for it for so many months and admittedly, there were days when I almost lost hope, when I was close to just accepting that there's a different plan for me so I should just let it go. But each time I came close to letting it go, there was always someone, or something that would pull me back and make me believe a little longer. One night I just felt that so much brain energy has been wasted thinking about it so I literally just prayed and asked God to clear my head because I am leaving it all

up to him. The next morning, I woke up with a clear mind and a peaceful heart. On the same day, I found out that what I've been praying for all these months, is finally happening for real.

You were wonderful 2015. Yes, it did seem like you went by so fast but as I Iook back, it was really because there was so much that was happening, so much that I was blessed with.

Today is the last day but I don't feel like I am ending something. Maybe it's because I know that everything you've given me is a prelude to bigger and brighter things that await me in the coming year. :-)

Simple Joys

When you realize that you unconsciously saved up two thousand bucks by the end of the year... 

In life you will meet people who will believe that you can soar high before you even realize that you have wings.

I have a very low alcohol tolerance but I was more than willing to take this shot for one of the best managers I had in my career. Definitely no goodbyes, see you in 2016. :)

What I should have said yesterday

So you've had enough experience to handle awkward conversations? Good for you. Obviously what your experience didn't teach you is that in the grand scheme of things, being kind trumps being right. Every single time.

I hope that you never find yourself in his shoes someday. And if you do, I hope that you would have given enough kindness to the world so that there will be someone who'll defend you the way I defended him.

8 years of passion to perform

In a women's engagement session yesterday with two of our leaders from the region, someone asked them about their biggest regret in their career. I reflected on the same question and asked myself if I had my share of regrets. And i realized that careerwise, I can't think of any. Not that the road has been smooth the entire time but I just can't think of anything that I would want to change. I am celebrating my 8th anniversary with the bank today. Yes, celebrating is the right word. Work has been such a big part of my life in the past 8 years so it's a blessing to be doing something that gives me a sense of fulfillment. The next 2 years may be bumpy for the organization but I am grateful to have been given a seat in the bus as we go through this journey. I am looking forward to take part in the transformation.