I expected a major change when I turned 30. I quit my job of 2 years in hopes of landing a permanent role in the corporate sector for a more financially rewarding environment. A month now of being jobless and still counting, I have come to realize that the change I am looking for may not necessarily come in the form of a more financially rewarding yet demanding career. Rather, it may be in the greater appreciation of my current situation and stronger focus on my roles as a wife-to-be and mother of an 11-month-old lovely daughter. That said, I have become more grateful of the opportunity to still be part of an organization that despite the lower nominal income, still affords me a healthy lifestyle and significant quality time with my family.
So I have come to accept that the change I expected at 30 will not occur in my career but instead, in my mindset. I will be a woman with greater devotion to my family and my current work. After all, I am still lucky to have a respectable job that I enjoy doing and that allows me to spend time with my family.
Just when I have already psyched myself with this mindset, a major surprise comes! A prospective employer from abroad calls me and asks me to fly to that country within 1.5 days. And so I subjected myself to quite a roller coaster ride in a day – flying to that country with just my small handbag and a laptop, getting interviewed upon arrival at the foreign country’s airport, then heading directly to the office for another series of interviews. I was initially booked to return to Manila in the evening but I managed to have it rebooked to the next day. It was exciting listening to the work of different employees in this organization but it was also exhausting to spend the whole afternoon talking about almost the same thing to different people. After having spoken to six different people now in the company, I am hoping against all hopes to get this job. Moreover, the office is airy, more spacious than my old office in a similar organization in this country. Above all, the working environment seemingly gives me a lighter feeling. I thought to myself, there could actually be a job in this "greedy" sector that just fits me. Oh Lord, I just pray.
The perks of this quick trip come, among other things, in being able to travel on business class, thereby, unlimited food in the lounge.
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| Breakfast of french toasts, egg florentine, pudding, yogurt and orange juice |
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| Another surprise: Former Philippine Senator Kiko Pangilinan sat across my table as I was having breakfast at the SQ Silver Kris Terminal 2 lounge at Changi Airport! |
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| Fr. Tom and I were just ecstatic to see each other again! |
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| With my former housemates, just like old times |
And being able to visit my old school again.
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| The SMU library |
For now, I am just utterly grateful that the employers gave me this opportunity to fly out to meet them.
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| Bye, Singapore... |
