My Chibi Valentine

Here is what I got for Vday!

Taadaa!!!!


A chibi version of me and Argey. This was custom-made by, who else, the genius himself, ARGEY! He created a cute chibi of him holding a camera to illustrate his forte, and of me holding what looks like a piece of paper to show, well, I don't know... because I write with a laptop now. (*grin)

I am just so lucky to have a person as creative, as unique, as thoughtful, and as wonderful as Argey.

He documented his creation, and here are some pictures of Their Cuteness and their evolution:

Published! ♥

You may also click here for the link of the article.

This is such a big accomplishment and a very happy moment for me not to share and post here! I am so, so, so, soooo happy to see that my first ever Quick Info Dispatch (QID) for CVCIRRD is published.

As Applied Communications Coordinator, one of my tasks is to write QIDs for PCAARRD's web portal (Pardon the acronyms... You may look it up on Google). I was so sad (and embarrassed) when I attended a meeting with the other RACO Coordinators in the region, and found out that in the previous years, CVCIRRD was not able to submit or publish even one QID.

During the meeting, the QID editor also discussed why not all QIDs submitted to them are published. He emphasized how important it is to focus on research and development, instead of just writing a simple press release.

It was my first meeting with them, and during the entire time, I was at the edge of my seat. I was so nervous because they seem to be talking in a foreign language. I could not understand those technical terms and acronyms that to them seem to be just common words. However, this QID and my second one, which will be published anytime soon, will surely help me become more confident to represent Central Visayas during our next meetings.

Anyway, it's four months now since the time I was asked to take the post, and I am striving hard to make myself worthy of the monthly honorarium that I am receiving. So far, I think I am doing good, and I intend to do better in the future. The pending brochures that are supposed to be published 4 years ago, are now done and ready for printing. I also did a total revamp on the website, and works on getting it published before the month ends. And with this first QID published, I am now more inspired to write for the consortium.

Thank you, Dear God. This is such a wonderful blessing!

This is me now!

It's Friday! Ah, last day of workweek!

Today's not a very busy day in the office, and so I have this spare time to update my blog. As I browse through my old posts, I notice this post (click the pink words to see the post) that I did years ago. Geez, I almost forgot how crappy I thought my life was back then. But now, my view towards life seems to have taken a 180 degree turn. Yep, now I'm all for positivity! And so, I am changing some of the entries of this post to show how my views have changed... how I love my life now.

I am : still outlandish, but I am happy and contented with what and how I am.

I think : I'm getting a promotion soon! (ahhahaha... the boss just approved it! woohoo! A new position for June 2012. *fingers crossed)

I know : I still have a lot to learn, but I will soon get there... in time.

I want : myself to be able to change (the bad) and improve (the good) the things that people around me are used to doing.

I have : done a lot of mistakes in the past, but the mistakes I did before have changed me and made me better today.

I wish : that all the dreams that Jheck and I have built will soon come to fruition.

I hate : negativity! Go lang ng go!

I miss : my gurls! We all have been busy with work, lately; but we'll see each other soon to discuss about my BIG DAY! :D

I fear : of losing the people that I love and worked hard for.

I hear : wedding bells! ahahaha....

I smell : the early morning dew... ah, life!

I crave : for crispy lechon skin! yum!

I search : for more learning.

I wonder : when I can start with jogging and badminton. I laze out just thinking about it.

I regret : not eating breakfast this morning. Now I'm ravenous!

I love : myself, my family, Jheck, my friends, my life.

I ache : for ♪♪you♪! Have ♫I told you I ♫ ache♪... (Ache by James Carrington) Char lang!

I was not : like this before. I was a worrier, a literal melancholic... But now I'm changed. Charut!

I am not : a talker. I just talk when I need to.

I cry : when I ache, when things frustrate me, when people leave

I believe : that everything is possible. The impossible just takes longer.

I dance : when I feel like it.

I sing : during karaoke sessions... :D

I read : everything that I get my hands on.

I don't always : lie... But when I do, I'm damn good at it...

I fight : to survive... (wink) when I have to protect myself and the people I love...

I write : to express myself and pour out my emotions and sentiments...

I win : some and lose some... hehe

I lose : some and win some... waaahaha...

I never : want to see myself failing in things that I've worked hard for.

I always : thank God for everything that He has given me. I sometimes think I may have been Sister Theresa or Mahatma Gandhi in the past life to be given all these favors and everything that I have now.

I confuse : places and directions. That's why I need company when I go to a new place.

I listen : to everything and everyone. This is how I learn.

I can usually be found : in the office

I am scared : that one day all the favors that the heavens have given to me will be taken away.

I need : wonderful people in my life always

I am happy : that things are going really well for me...

I wake up : thinking how I can make the day productive.

I sleep : with a smile... thankful to God for all His blessings of the day.

At 23: Loving Life and Accepting its Complexities

At 23, I can say that I am living a wonderful life. I have great friends, who are always at my back to support and cheer for me, who are never hesitant to give a hand whenever I need help, and whose shoulders I can always lean on whenever life’s stressors and disappointments get on me.

At 23, I have a fulfilling career. I am a part of not only one environment, but of various ones. I am a teacher, honing minds and preparing students for their dreams. I am a civil servant, serving diverse stakeholders. I am an Applied Communications coordinator, learning new things, creating ways to let new technologies be of reach to our clienteles. I am an adviser, guiding, influencing young minds to create more, learn more, innovate more. I am a Pylonite, who never stops dreaming, who strives to continue improving myself, who teaches, shares and influences. I am a student, never stopping, always craving for more, and believing that learning is infinite.

At 23, I am earning – not that much, but enough… enough for my needs, my studies, and contribute to my family's pot and my brothers' schooling. At this age, I am able to help not only my family, but other people as well in my own little ways.

At 23, I can feel how the bond in my family has grown tighter and stronger. Despite everything that we have been through, we remain united and supportive to each other… and we will never be apart and broken and complicated like my Pa’s family.

At 23, I have a flourishing love life. I have a boyfriend (fiancé na diay… :D), who always makes me feel special and loved, who loves and respects my family, who is very supportive, thoughtful, talented, loving, and who has all the positive traits you can think of (not exaggerating).

At 23, I am happy and contented… not as successful and fulfilled as I wanted (and still want) myself to be… but happy and contented, and loving and accepting life as it is.

My Teacher, My Hero, My Treasure

On October 5th, the entire world will be celebrating the World Teachers’ Day to honor our mentors who, in so many ways, have helped in honing us into becoming good and productive citizens.

Being a teacher myself, I know how it feels like to be honored and appreciated. All my weariness after a semester’s painstaking hard work always seem to vanish away whenever I read my students' evaluation of my teaching.

So, in observation of this very significant day in the lives of the teachers, I would like to honor and pay tribute to all those who have become my mentors and have played very significant roles in my life, especially those whom I will mention here.

My elementary days now seem like a hazy memory as those were more than a decade ago, but I will never forget my teachers who did a great job in teaching me the very critical lessons in life. Who will ever forget Ma’am Alvarez, the terrifying Grade 2 teacher who lives just in front of the school? She is the first teacher I ever had great fear on, but when she passed away before I even graduated, I think I cried the hardest. Her teaching may be tough, but that’s how we all do seem to learn best, don’t we?

My elementary Science teacher, Mrs. Barona, is someone I really look up to. She is whom I consider the best teacher in the school. She makes science a very interesting subject, despite all the experiments we have to make, observations we have to write and conclusions we have to start with “Therefore, I conclude” (:D).

My 6th Grade adviser, Ms. Glory Quiliope (now Glory Gerdes), is one of the reasons why I became part of the school paper in high school. She taught English very well. I can still remember when I was in 5th grade, I would always daydream of becoming a 6th grade and imagine myself inside her classroom. She is very eloquent, which is why I always got inspired whenever she talked.

My high school days were an amalgam of bliss and despair. Those were the days that I am very much happy to recall but will never, in a million years, live again. When I talk of high school and MNHS now, the very first person that comes to my mind is, none other than, Ma’am Gladie Cacaldo. Ma’am Dida played not only the teacher role but also the role of a good and cool friend. She is the main reason why high school is still very fresh to my mind. Whenever the memory of how and why she did not talk nor look at me for months slips my mind, I cringe and try really hard to place the memory back to the rearmost portion of my brain, where it belongs. Ma’am Dida never held boring classes even if the subject she teaches (Filipino) is one of the most boring subjects for me. She would always insert fun and delightful activities into our lackluster lessons. The last time I visited the school, she gave me one of the biggest and sincerest hugs I ever had that day, which almost made me cry.

Of course, there are my other high school teachers, who willingly imparted their knowledge to us: Mr. Barona, Ma’am Pinuto, Mr. Guanzon, and Ma’am Rosemarie Bohol. They are the people, who have contributed a lot to my pot of knowledge, and for that, I sincerely thank and honor them.

My college years were the ones I am most proud of. I often share with my students how I struggled and worked my way through college to inspire them to study and persevere, and I would always feel glad whenever I see that strange twinkles in their eyes.

Our college dean, Dr. Ochotorena, who calls me her daughter, will always be a part of my success. She is the one who encouraged me to take the academic track and still continues to inspire and support all my undertakings. Then, there’s Dr. EVT, my brilliant MBA professor, who never fails to challenge and inspire me to pursue the degree. Her brilliance emanates to the entire classroom, yet she stays humble and accommodating to her students.

I sincerely thank all my mentors for helping me become who I am today and my salute to all the teachers in the world. Your patience in teaching and educating your students truly makes the world a better place.

Happy Teachers' Day!

Rich and Famous

I was once asked by my Philosophy teacher what I wanted to be -- a very simple question that entails a very simple answer. I stood up from my desk and said, looking straight into his eyes, “I want to be rich and famous.”

It took him a few seconds to respond and he gave me an inscrutable long look. On the background, I heard murmurs from my classmates; and when I looked around, I met some pairs of equally inscrutable eyes. I really didn’t know how that simple and totally honest answer can cause such a fuss. Perhaps, it’s because he wasn’t expecting that kind of answer after the previous ones’ answers were same old, boring, and, nothing else, but all answers that can only be borne out from Boringsville.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, my teacher seemed to have awakened and immediately realized he is in the middle of a class. “Well, that’s for Ms. Nocete. Rich and famous (he was looking contemplative while saying this). Anyway…” And he continued his discussion on ambitions and getting there and many other things that all seemed like a blur to me. I could see his lips moving, but I could not hear a word he’s saying. All I was thinking then was how I sounded. I recalled the looks I got after having uttered the words, but I couldn’t seem to decipher the mystery behind those.

I attended a retreat organized by the nuns I worked for when I was still in college. One of the things we were asked to do was to draw our plans and ambitions on a piece of paper, and write down at the back of it how we plan to achieve them. I can still recall how excited I was to tell the people around me what my dreams are. However, after seeing what the others have drawn and written, I felt like such an overly-ambitious freak. Their dreams and ambitions were all so simple and small-scale (i.e. have a job, a family, a small house), I felt like snapping at them and telling them how easy it is to get a husband, make kids and build a nipa hut in the woods. And like my Philosophy teacher, the nun gave me that look I so hate to ever see again. She even managed to lecture on how frustrations over unachieved dreams can make us do crazy things, which, thanks to her, made me look even more pathetic.

Okay, I admit I am ambitious, but come on, what is the point of dreaming anyway? Don’t normal people dream of things they can’t easily get? Is it just me who knows how to do it properly?

Setting goals high can actually help one in the end. That is, for as long as he knows how to manage failures and defeat, as these two, as I have read and learned, always come first. And yep, I have long prepared myself for them.

So, if you ask me now what my dreams are, I will answer you with the same thing. To be rich and famous. Yep, I’m sticking to it!