First 30 minutes of My 24th Birthday

...October 15, 2009. The day that I turn 24 years old. Biente kwatro...-the age that I can be married! haha...! (Independently supporting myself, financially speaking.) Career, lovelife, supportive friends, loving family. Today is a day that I look back and am thankful of the people I met - those that I shared friendship with, I broken up friendship with, those I retained, and those that still continue to be my support system. =)

First 30 minutes of my bday. Aiken and I went to Tita Chari after our dinner at the apartment. We decided to make 3 boxes of mangoe float for tonight's bday celebration. And since we're still starting out here at the apartment - void of any "necessary" appliances such as ref - Tita Chari agreed to help prepare the "ref cake" at her place and get it tomorrow night after our church holy hour. =)

Aiken and I left Tita Chari's condo around 11:45pm, almost 12 midnight. When we opened the gate of our apartment, our place was quite, no lights were lit outside, the curtains were down. I wasn't expecting any surprises - ..when it "should be" whenever there is a birthday.

When I opened the door and switched on the lights, *jaaaaaran* - Apollo, Tin2x, Ayesa, Felix, Amalea, Bianca, Beybi and also Aiken sang the birthday song. They also lighted the candles on the Krispy Kreme donuts brought by Apollo.

They also designed the little Nips on top of these brownies and scattered choco crinkles, greeted me with a "H-B Ms. Roce". (Just understand that H-B stands for Happy Birthday. ;p) The box on top of that, not included in the picture, were the 12 pieces of Krispy Kreme doughnuts, with different and colorful flavors.


Below is a combined effort made by them, while me and Aiken were at Tita Chari's place, with my picture at La Mesa Ecopark at the bottom left corner of the "placard", designed with flowers and butterflies. :-)



Below (L-R) are Aiken, Me and Tin2x. Tin2x documented the first 30 minutes of my birthday with a video and birthday messages from all that were present on the eve of my birthday. =)
What else can I wish for? This simple suprises from friends who serve as my family here - who give generously and unselfishly - whom I can count on in times of need - and who understand and accept me simply as I am, had made an effort to start my day as a true blessing.

Schedule for today:

• Attend the morning mass.
• Spend half day at work.
• Take a leave this afternoon.
• Make another recipe this afternoon for tonight's party.
• Talk with Msgr. at St. Andrew Parish by 6pm, before our holy hour starts at 7pm.
• Attend the holy hour.

Then, dretso na sa apartment to celebrate my birthday. w/ my new found friends at church and also with friends residing here in Manila. =)


Those pics above were just the first 30 minutes of today. There's more to come.
It's a wonderful day! And it's raining! I can hear the raindrops on the rooftop. haha!




Love Lots,
...rOce...
Oct. 15, 2009 2:35AM

A Night of Wisdom with Annie

Annie... she's the friend whom I prayed that God will give me at the time I needed a person to be called a "friend". How we met? I lined up at a telephone booth here in Makati and she was the one next in line. She heard me talking in my native tounge, Ilonggo, to the person I was talking to at the other line. After my call, she let the one next to her to use the phone, talked to me and asked the most obvious question, "Ilonggo ka?"

Two complete strangers looking for a soulmate. And that was the start of a real and lasting friendship.

---

We met up last Monday night after the business presentation I attended. She fetched me after the meeting and treated me at Tapa King! :-) (Monday was my lucky day. I just spent 10pesos before this dinner. For what? For the tricycle I rode from home to the street near work. And why? Because Richard treated me for lunch. For the afternoon snack, the father of the president of my current client treated his employees for a bountiful afternoon snack, including me. *yay!* And for dinner, Anne treated me.) When she found out my total cost for the day, she insisted that we'll take a cab from Tapa King to our apartment. toinks! I had no choice. bleeeh.

The dinner was a night of wisdom. We mostly talk about mature things, of the changes that happened to us since we met almost 3 years ago. We talked about never owing people any explanation about what you do with your life. She shared that there is no essence in staying to a conflict, or to judge other people about what they do with their lives nor you judge them. We talked about anything that burdens your heart. Two words: Let go. I asked, "Let go of conflicts?" She answered, "Let go... of everything." I breathed.

She stayed overnight at the apartment. I'm expecting her to be at my birthday party tonight. :-)

Best News Ever!

• I arrived on time today. 7:58am! =)
• I have one new mail from the head of our human resource department.
• And twiiiiiink!

"....Salary adjustments, including the merit increases
and other special adjustments, PLUS the
discretionary bonus (yahoooo!)
will be given on October 15. Mah bday!" =)

The day starts right. It's just 8:15am. More blessings to come!


A rainy Thursday morning!
...rOce...

Pataan Falls

The Pataan Falls is one of the newest tourist destinations in Bago City, Negros Occidental. The amenities include swimming pool, cottages, houses for overnight stay and the magnificent falls that provide a cool and refreshing feeling to the place. We visited Pataan Falls last August 31, 2009 with my family and officemates (Gene, Ethan and Rene).

..The falls and the running water..

(R-L) Rene, Me, Ethan (white cap), Gene (yellow)

..The swimming pool area..

..Candid shot with my family..

.rOce.
9-15-09 11:27AM

Today

Today marked our first month as a couple. =)

The Ruins

The Ruins in Talisay City, Negros Occidental has been one of the top tourist destinations in the province. It features a mansion that was built by the Lacsons during the 20th century and was destroyed during the Japanese invasions.

My officemates (Gene, Ethan and Rene) paid a visit at my hometown last Aug. 29-31 and visited The Ruins. The sunny afternoon enabled us to take good photos (it was muddy during rainy days). The first picture below is taken at the fountain area, overlooking the ruined mansion at our back. The second picture is Rene doing a big leap from the fountain area!

More facts:
The Ruins belong to the top 12 of the world’s most fascinating ruins!
Link: http://www.oddee.com/item_96671.aspx

Blank Page

....thinking what to write.
...blank.
...nature-tripping?
...swimming?
...hometown?
...blank.

...drink C2.
...took a bite of a cake.
...thinking of what to write.

...career? friends? change of relationship status?
...travelling?

...blank. I'll write later.





-rOce-

I opened my closet and found this!

Have I mentioned that I love surprises? (Good surprises, of course!) I went home tired from all officeworks. When I opened my closet to change my clothes, I found this…

August 4, 2009

Hahaha! The funny face he drew on the Cabugao really surprised me! I laughed harder when I saw that he put on the piped keychain from Cebu on its mouth.

Cabugao (aka Pomelo) is my favorite fruit. The first time I tasted it was during my Senior year in college when we went to Davao City for our Yearbook publication. He was downstairs with Aiken and Ayesa, who have known about the surprise. Kaya pala… That explained the unexplainable smile on their lips when I arrived that night. Hehe!

Ang Dami Kong Kwento

March – In the middle of my first busy season (audit season because it’s the filing of taxes for companies for their financial reports ending December 2008), I watched Eraserheads Concert at SM Mall of Asia with Nang Arlene.

April – I experienced spending 24 hours 7 days a week at the workplace. Go home at 6 in the morning, and report back to work by (at least) 9am. This is living the auditor’s life and choosing to belong in public practice. I released my first babies!!!! *Babies - are also referred to as the financial statements.* It just feels good to see the output and result of all our sleepless nights and seeing the FS stamped by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). =)

May – The slack season. Watch movies…Play computer games (became addicted to Tumblebugs. Haha!). I was assigned to an insurance company for a few weeks. After spending 9 months at the dormitory, I moved to a new apartment on the last day of May.

June:

Second week of June – went to Butuan City (northern part of Mindanao) and to Camiguin Island (left picture).

• Third weekend of June – Our cluster (or audit team) went to Bataan and Subic, where we had a weekend overnight stay (picture below).



• Last week of June – Rhesa and Vivien stayed at the apartment while they process their papers abroad. After 17 years of friendship, it was just the first time that we slept in one room and talked til wee hours of the morning. (Hehe, I’m always sleepy when I go back to work the next day.) Aiken also took her CPA oathtaking at PICC and her sister spent time at the apartment.

July:

• July 7, 2009 marked my first anniversary at the audit firm. I celebrated the night with Charisse, Michael and Apollo. (Went to Cha's place and celebrated her 24th bday.)


• Second week of July - I joined the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) Batch 20-09. The Lord appointed me as one of the leaders of our batch, and hopefully, to lead our flock in unity for our next sponsorship. I gained new friendships.

PREX Batch 20-09

• Third week of July – We surprised Apollo on his 24th birthday with Goldilocks bday cake and 24 candles to blow. We also showed him our heartfelt gift – a movie presentation with messages from his family and friends. Last July 26, we spent his birthday with our friends in the review.

July 31, 2009 – I’m zzzzleeepy. I went home at 3:30am this morning and reported back to work at 9:30am (I snoozed my alarm!) to furnish the SEC reports for review of our supervisors. Tomorrow is Saturday!!!! Yee’eeeey! Sleep.

rOce
7.31.2009

Si Delia

Sabi ni Gene, pangalanan ko rin daw ung bagong laptop namin. He told me na he named his as "Delly"... Sabi ko he's weird. Sabi nya, mas ok daw yun, because it will make you loved and take care more of the laptop. Kaya eto, sumakay ako sa kalokohan nya... I named mine as "Delia". haha!

Delia was my third laptop since I started with the company. My first was also a Dell released last July 2008. The second was an IBM which was released last August 2008; and then Delia, the Dell Latitude E6400, which was released just a month ago. The great thing about the latter is that it was newly purchased by the company and I'm its first recipient. :) Mas maganda pa laptop namin kaysa mga seniors and other executives! haha! ^_^

----------------

QUOTE: "While I'm busy looking up at the balloon, I realized that there's an ice cream melting on my hand. Makes sense? Don't take things for granted." - a text message from Ethel

LESSON LEARNED: I came to realize that there are important things in my life that I should take care of. At times, I become tempted by other things; I lose focus on those that really matter.

Happy Tag - Day 4 (",)

Kindly ignore the days that lagged... hehe! There were happy hours during the days that I ignored jotting them down. I'll just start my Happy Tag Day 4 today. ;-)

Hmmm... something that made me happy? The thought that I'm going to see Mai-Mai hours from now. We're gonna meet around midnight. hehe.. She'll go straight to my office after her shift at 11:00PM. We'll just have a late midnight drink at Greenbelt. We haven't seen each other for 2 years and 3 months!!! haha ^_^

L-R: Mikai, Mai-Mai, Me, Anna, Cring (front) and Achi Dens
(when they surprised me on my 21st bday. hehe)

Happy Tag - Day 3 (",)

Taught of: March 2, 2009 @ 11:58PM

Written: March 3, 2009 @ 11:30AM

• I had a wonderful morning exercise walk going to the office.
  
• I was able to catch breakfast at eCafe. (Breakfast is only served ‘til 7:50AM.) It always feels great to have my stomach full first thing in the morning.
  
• I had dinner with Gene, Ethan and Rene at Kenny Rogers. We ordered Roasted Chicken, and treated ourselves with Choco Fudge-Sundae at McDo.
  
• Before the clock strikes at midnight, Joms went to my area at 12^th floor (His area is at the 6^th floor), to help me out with the almost hundred confirmation letters that I have to send out! I already finished folding the letters and inserting business reply envelops; he helped me out by pasting/sealing the envelopes. Weheee! J

• I thank God for His shared energy. I’m still alert at work, even though the past week had really been tiring. As I mentioned in my previous entries, the earliest time I go home is at 11:30PM!!! Thank God I’m still alive and kicking – and not that sleepy when I’m working overtime at the office.

• At 2:00AM (I still included this as part of Happy Day 3), Joms, Tessa and I went to Starbucks to have a cup of coffee, and a slice of chocolate cake. We talked about anything – lovelife, work, and friends. I went back to the dormitory around 3:00AM. Well, so much had happened for Day 3, yet it still ended well. =)

Be Happy!
Roce

Happy Tag - Day 2 (",)

Written: March 1, 2009 @ 10:05PM

Yeah…! =) The ERASERHEADS concert will be on March 7 at SM Mall of Asia-Ground Area! :-)

As their advertisement says… out of the 100million fans, only a hundred thousand will be accommodated. This means that there will really be a lot of people. And ‘tis will be a history-in-the-making.

For My happy tag day 2???? My roommate, Nang Arlene, offered to bring me along for the Eheads concert this coming Saturday!

And what made me jump for joy?? It is for FREE!!!! (“,)

And what made me happier?? The ticket slot was the one that costs 3000pesos, next for the VIP seats. Hehe..! It’s an invitation. Hopefully, she’ll be able to purchase the tickets by tomorrow.

*crosses-fingers!*

Me with Nang Arlene
(Taken January 2009, prior to having my short hair)
^_^

Happy Tag - Day 1 (",)

written: Feb. 28, 2009 @ 11:19PM

This is my happy tag number one! And since it’s my first, I want to change the format of jotting down happy things. I will list down the bad (and worst) things that happened to me, and how I reacted to the situation.

***Ethan, Gene, Rene and I were planning about our trip to Bacolod. Yes, they are going to my hometown!!! We discussed about the dates and our availability.***

L-R: Ethan, Rene and Gene

Rene, moi, and Gene

Feb. 28, 2009 @ 12:01AM

When the first minute of this day started, the rate for the flight schedule that I’m booking for Manila-Bacolod flight increased. And it’s not just a peso, or a hundred increased. The rate increased by 216%!!! If we try to talk on figures here, while I was processing, for example, the 1000peso rate (just one-way) Manila-Bacolod flight, it changed to 2160pesos!!! With just a blink of an eye.

…note: The rates changed while I was processing for my payment for the flight. Hence, the process I made was unsuccessful.

@ 2:30AM

To add more injury, the three unsuccessful flight schedules I made online was charged to my credit card (I called my bank to check on my bookings). I was able to verify that I have 6 floating charges. I know that the first three were valid, but the latter 3 charges were really inappropriate.

@ 3:00AM

And more injury… when I called my merchant (the airline), the customer service department said that I had no name for the bookings I made earlier. (See??? The last 3 charges were really invalid!)

@3:15AM

And serious injury… when I called again my bank, the 3 invalid floating charges had made me to be over my credit limit. Huwaaaat?!?!?!

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What made me happy, despite all the worst that happened above?

• @ 2:30AM, I was able to finish the footing of financial reports by an audit client that a senior asked me to do. There were quite a lot of revision and my senior said thanks when I finished the work.


• Despite being overly drawn to work for the whole week (the earliest time I go home is at 11:30PM!!!), I never felt asleep when I decided to spend overnight at the office last Friday ‘til wee hours of Saturday.


• Joms, a classmate during review, also spent overnight at the office. Around 4:00AM, he sent me a message if we can have coffee together at Starbucks. And what made me happy? It was his treat! Haha! ^_^ Kidding… the best and happy part was that we were able to reminisce the times we had back during review and talk about life and the people closest to us.

Moi and Joms w/ Aris taking d piktyur
(December 30, 2008 @ Landmark)

• @6:30AM, I decided to go back to the dormitory and found out that there were now 3 security guards downstairs. Hmmm, more security! Hehe


• I wake up at 10:00AM and told my roommate, Nang Arlene, about my dilemma on my bookings and the invalid charges. I asked if I could use her card. She agreed!


• I went online to book again our Manila-Bacolod flights for August and thankfully, it was successfully done!


• At 2:00PM, Nang Arlene and I spent lunch at the nearby restaurant (wla p kmi ligo! Haha…). We had some gurly talk – which also includes Edward Cullen (the vampire) and Jacob Black (the werewolf). Haha! She’s very much addicted to Twilight. :p


• I sleep again when we returned to the dormitory and wake up at 6:00PM. Hahaha! Thank you Lord for the sleep. :) I was able to take a bath, do my laundry, buy medicine, treat myself with Mcdo burgers, talk to my brother over the phone, finish filing the working papers for my 2 audit clients, update my files in our audit softwares, do the draft of my happy tag day 1, and fixed my clutters under my bed (haha!). At 1:30AM, I’m done!


• And the best of these things, I finally started jotting down my happy tag NUMBER 1. ^_^


• At 2:00AM, I am at dreamland. Hihi… :-)

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Happiness depends on seeing a situation to a perspective of a happy person. Being happy is always a choice we have to make.

=)

Happy Tags!

I should have started these happy tags way back months ago (Blame me for being lazy to jot down my thoughts! Hehe) Happy tag entries were just kept in the corners of my mind and bugged me time and time again. Haha! Happy tags… Happy tags… there were numerous happy days and if only, I could write them one by one without sacrificing my readers for reading loooooong entries (haha!).

I know… I know… I’m delayed with the happy tag. (Hence, I will no longer jot down the happy things that happened days baaaack.) I’ll keep things current. Haha!

I’ll start my happy tag on the first day that I start my happy tag number 1 (please proceed to the next entry). J

This happy tag was noted to me by Ellen, my high school buddy. I was able to keep track of happy tags also through my multiply contacts.

RULES: Post about something that made you happy today even if it's just a small thing. Do this everyday for 8 days without fail. Tag 8 of you friends to do the same.

This Tag is kinda challenging to see the happy event that happened daily! Kinda something to look forward too!

To keep the happiness going, I’m tagging Steph, Imman, Nelmar, Spooky, Boogie, Bernie, Jireh, Ate Noreen, Achi Dens, Darlene, Cring^2x, Hannah, Ems parrot, Mimay, Katie, Joir, (should there only be 8 persons that I should tag?) hehe… More and more! To those who want to live a happy life, grab a pen and jot your happiness down! :-)

"Happiness cannot come from without.
It must come from within. It is not what we see
and touch or that which others do for us
which makes us happy; it is that which
we think and feel and do,
first for the other fellow and
then for ourselves."
-Helen Keller

..kOwt..

I stayed at the dormitory today. My lunch date with Emmy (the parrot) was cancelled. hehe. And tomorrow, she'll be out of the country! toinks! Anyhow, aside from working in front of the laptop the whole afternoon, I watched the series of Land Before Time (yeah, the cartoon dinosaurs that I've been watching since elementary!!!). ^_^ I also watched The Accidental Husband and The Family Man. The latter was played by Nicholas Cage, and got this quote:

"Dont screw up the best thing in ur life,
just because you're a little unsure about who you are."

Bang! The words just struck me. It made me think of what's the best thing in my life right now, (that I seem to take for granted. Or not notice, perhaps.)

Errr.... im thinking. thinking. (Yeah, I really seem not to notice it.)

I am not into analyzing words right now, but it sure hits a bulls-eye!

--
QUOTE: "Dont screw up the best thing in your life, just because you're a little unsure about who you are." - The Family Man (Nicholas Cage)

LESSON LEARNED: When you're given enough time to do the task, do it early. (hehe!)

shorty...

Hair Changes! hahahaha! ^-^

Back to the City of Smiles – the Itinerary

I will take the first flight, at 4:55AM, of Cebu Pacific Airlines from Manila to Bacolod this coming Saturday (Jan 24). I had the ticket purchased two months ago because I thought I won’t be able to be home last December. This is a blessing in disguise, because right now, I feel the need to be back to the arms of my family. The influence of their laughters, the TLC of my parents, and the teases of my brothers will 101% help me recharge my batteries. =)

I already have the itinerary of my weekend stay at home. I will arrive at the airport at 5:30 or 5:45 in the morning. Papa and Manong Bryant will fetch me at the airport (and for sure, even though I was not informed, my mother will go along with them. Haha!) Mama has been “too attached” since I went home last December – charged it to “missing” her one and only daughter. (I love the affection, anyway.) ^-^

From the airport, we will go straight to Roselawn (cemetery) to visit my Lola Moret, who had her interment last January 14. I still feel guilty that I had not taken the time to visit their home when I was at Bacolod last Christmas. I would have had a last hug and kiss from her. *sigh*

We will have breakfast as a family and will have a family lunch date, as my brother informed me, for the early celebration of his 28th birthday. (His birthday will be on the 26th). I will take a nap in the afternoon, and will go out to meet Khryssy, or friends I have not met last Christmas, or my cousins, or be with my family again. =)

On Sunday, my family will attend the 6:00AM mass and go straight to Cadiz City, an hour and a half drive from Bacolod, to attend their annual fiesta (the Ati-Atihan!). It will be my first time to attend the fiesta at that place! *whoooopieee* And Emman, a colleague and one of my great buddies, lives there. I informed him of my (and my family) plans to go to their place, and let him invite me! Haha! He was “generous” to grant my request. Teheeeee! He also invited Pitz, however, the latter was still looking for a job here in the metro and on a budget (he was willing to go, but was guilty to travel while he was still on a look for a job).

We may spend the whole Sunday in Cadiz. I will surely enjoy the greases and face paintings of the festival. Hehe!

I will be back to Manila, first flight Monday morning (happy birthday bro!), and go straight to Makati (or to my audit client) to report for work at 8:00AM. Ciao! \(“,)_

Photo is courtesy of Boogie (neofolio.blogspot.com).
I have not asked for his permission to grab the photo, but surely, he’ll appreciate the acknowledgement. Hihi…! *Peace, bogs! ^-^

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QUOTE FOR THE DAY: “Don’t leave God out of the equation. Be aware of what would please Him and what would break His heart.” – from the book Your First Job, by Nelson T. Dy (Manong Bryant’s Christmas gift to me; just finished reading it.)

WHAT I LEARNED RECENTLY: “If I do what-I-can to make a difference to his life, then by all means, I will, without expecting anything in return. By this, I am truly living my life. And who knows? Such goodness will be forwarded to someone else’s life.”



rOce…

Coffee Bliss’ Fault!

I went to bed at 10:05PM last night, right after my family called me - and talked to each of them. *hehe* I practice the 6 to 8 hour sleep because it’s really good for the body and give me more energy to start work the next day (a Monday!). However, I was toss and turning last night. I find it hard to sleep. I tried singing all the songs I know in my mind. And I even sang the, "A-you're adorable... B-you're so beautiful... C-you're so cute and full of charm." Hahaha! I even tried to think of the sheeps jumping over the fence. But aaaah! Unsuccessful!

When I checked the time, it was 2:20AM! Ngiawks…!

It was the fault of Coffee Bliss of Mini-stop which I ordered hours earlier (around 5:00PM yesterday). It was my first time to order that one to test whether the name speaks for itself – if I would feel bliss when I taste their coffee! Haha..! And yeah, their coffee shake was great! But left me wide awake the entire night! :p

I had only around 2 hours of sleep. I woke up at 4:30AM!!! Waaaaah! It was 2 hours earlier than the alarm I set. Wahuhu…! I never went back to sleep, ‘coz I was again toss and turning in my bed. They say, “If you can’t sleep, somebody is thinking of you.” Who are you????

It’s because of the coffee bliss…
It’s because of that somebody who’s thinking of me.!

‘Coz right now, at 9:19AM here at work, I want to drift off to sleep.
(--,)

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QUOTE FOR THE DAY: “We are not afraid to do wrong. What we fear is to be caught doing wrong.” – text message ni Khim at 5:26AM this morning.

WHAT I LEARNED RECENTLY: My auditor’s life for the busy season begins (until April, which is the filing of income tax returns of corporations). I learned that I will add Mini-stop’s Cofee Bliss to my list of “energizers” for the no-sleep 24 hours, 7 days of work for the next 3 months! ^-^


rOce...
January 12, 2009 9:35AM

It’s Friday, I’m Tralalala!

Friday, January 9, 2009 @ 11:00AM – Pitz arrived in Manila! =)

Dual Personalities – Considering the Profession

I am guilty of not updating my blogs. I made entries here which I kept in my laptop and remain unpublished because I had been thinking of people who will read this blog. What if it will be my colleagues? My senior? What if it will be my boss? What if the country manager of our company will search my name on the net and jump to my site? What if it will be the personnel of my audit client? Most of all, what if it will be the CEO of my audit client?

I might be exaggerating, but it can happen. Once, an audit client employee kept on asking about my birthday. Because of his perseverance to make me answer such simple question, I finally said that I fall under the Libran sign but I didn’t provide any specific date. After the lunch break, he already knew. How? He just used Google, typed my first name and my company initials, and Jaraaaaan! He found my multiply account! Just that simple and easy.

Of course, my entries are wholesome! (Gnpangunahan naya. Haha!) However, my entries speak more of personal opinions and experiences which I rarely share to my colleagues, and most especially, to my audit clients.

Having a blog and expressing my personal views are my ways of exploring more about my character and of sharing what I had learned to the people who read my entries. How I wish that I am ME who will do free writing in this blog, and after publishing the entry, I am the AUDITOR. But ME and AUDITOR are just one. Hahaha! I can also write entries here about my audit experiences. And ME is the auditor. Yay, life..!

Every profession-slash-job-slash-work maintains a level of professionalism, which entails us to observe prudence in our actions – both oral and written. I hope I can still write kilig-to-the-bones stories, as well as pang maalaala-mo-kaya touching stories in my site, without thinking of other’s impressions. Maybe, I will. It depends – yet, there are now certain things that I have to consider before clicking the “Publish Post” button.

rOce...
January 10, 2009 1:26AM

First Tears Shed for 2009

January 5, 2009, 7:34PM - I received a text message from my Manong Bryant that our beloved Lola Moret, my mother’s aunt, passed away peacefully last Sunday morning. Upon reading the message, *dang* tears fall. Wala pugong-pugong na luha. It even led to sobs. (In a way, I’m thankful that I’m already at the dormitory when I read the message; otherwise, I can’t imagine myself sobbing at the office.)

I am so closed to Lola Moret, whom I looked up to and considered as my biological grandmother, since I was a kid. She always encouraged me, was appreciative of every little thing I did, and provided guidance in my decisions. She hugged me whenever we see each other. She always cared. She always loved. And forever, she will remain in me.

This is a tribute to my lola.
To the wife...
To the mother…
To the grandmother...
To the aunt…
To the sister…
who had been a great part of our lives.

I know she is happy now with our Savior.

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QUOTE: “Let go if you have to.” - advices from friends
WHAT I LEARN RECENTLY: I’ve learned that I have to let go of situations beyond my control, as well as the grudges and unanswered questions I keep in my heart. And once pala na I accept this fact, I find peace in my heart.


rOce...
January 10, 2009 12:50AM

Thank you 2008. Hello 2009!

This entry should have been written at the first sunrise (matalinghaga!) of 2009 – just minutes when I arrived at the dormitory after the countdown concert at Ayala Avenue. However, due to automatic password update, I was denied access in my laptop when I entered the wrong password. Haha! What a way to start 2009! ^-^

As what I did during the previous years, I made a year end review for 2008. Year-end review is the time when I reminisce every situation that challenged my character and maturity during 2008.

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JANUARY – new beginning
This was the beginning of my third month of review for the board exam. It was a great month to start my year because I established new friendships with people from other parts of the country: Eastern Visayas, other parts of Negros, Roxas City, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Davao. =) The results of my pre-board examinations were also inspiring. Being part of the top 10 encouraged me to do great in my review studies.

FEBRUARY – my heart sang
The valentine’s message sent by Pitz, whom I also met during review, inspired me during the heart’s day; and I found myself singing “I finally found someone” throughout February 14, 2008. Haha! At that time, Pitz and I were still establishing our friendship.

MARCH – inspired
“If a problem bothers you, think well if you can do something about it. If none, then let those who got the solution take care of the problem.” - a notable statement mentioned by our reviewer, Sir Art. Problems and worries bothered me this month, but my family and friends continued to pour me with encouragement and inspiration. (And I’m very much grateful for it!) Pitz and I had also been spending much time together: he taught me how to play the guitar; we studied together, dined out together, attended the mass together and discovered new places outside the dormitory.

APRIL – afraid
“Fear of what will be is useless.” - With only a month before the board exam, my heart was consumed with fear for what the future holds. It even got worse when Pitz decided to move to a new place near the examination center. My heart sank, which led me to a sudden decision to go back home to recharge my batteries. The possibility of a relationship excited me, yet pulled me back due to a lot of reasons (our focus for the board exam, what is next after the board exam, how we will deal with distance, etc.).

MAY – joy and sadness
I am now a Certified Public Accountant. I was grateful! Yet, not seeing the name of Pitz among the list of passers made the happiness less a 100%. Pitz also visited Bacolod, met my family and spent a week with my TCF Family during the summer camp at Victorias City.

JUNE – confusions and decisions
I testify right in front of my colleagues during the CPA testimonial dinner at Iloilo City. A lot of decisions were made during this month. Pitz and I decided that it was impossible to keep a relationship with the distance separating us and confusions on what to do next after the result of the board exam. The HR Manager of my current employer also e-mailed me that I have to go to Manila ASAP for exam and interview. My original plan was to go to Manila by July. I suddenly found myself in Manila by the second week of June. On the third week, I was hired by the auditing firm that provides service to the top corporations of the country!

I also had my CPA oathtaking at PICC.

JULY – out of my comfort zone
Right after my training, I was sent to my first audit client. My ideals and theoretical concepts were tested. The lessons I had learned inside the four walls of my classroom were not enough to arm me in dealing with reality. Stress made me sick for two weeks; and I got no choice but to take care of myself. Boiling for a hot water for myself became significant that made me wished to have someone to do it for me, but I found nobody. It was the saddest part of being out of my comfort zone. Giving up became my next option.

AUGUST – moving forward
I was given a second audit client and was exposed to other areas of audit, such as inventory counts. Each day, I found myself enjoying my metro life! I became at ease with my colleagues and was equipped with the proper approach in conducting audits. The next thing I knew, I had my third client, fourth, next and next… It was enjoyable! I still undergo pressure and stress, but once I pass through it, I am proud that I made the decision to continue moving on. I also moved to my dormitory (my home now) which is safe and very much accessible. I can even walk going to the office.

SEPTEMBER – mountains and oceans
I was assigned for a week at Batangas for the inventory count. While traveling and seeing the mountains, I was in awe! Staying amidst the tall buildings here in Makati for almost 4 months deprived me of seeing nature. I was so manol when the audit staff of our client brought us on top of the mountain of Monte Maria, overseeing the towering mountains of Mindoro and the blue waters (of I don’t know what place). It was just so amazing to see God’s wonderful creation!

OCTOBER – an answered prayer
Pitz informed me that he would take the October 2008 CPA Exam. I was surprised! And at the same time, my heart was in rat-race. It was just barely two weeks for the exam! Was he prepared? Was he ready? I prayed every single day that the Great Guy above will grant Pitz the necessary guidance while taking the board exam. And He answered it! Pitz is now a licensed accountant.

NOVEMBER – all professionals in our family
The Great Father granted another prayer. My younger brother passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers. The three of us are now professionals: an engineer, accountant and teacher in the family. Wow! Thanks, dear Lord!

DECEMBER – home for Christmas
What’s the best gift for Christmas than to see the daughter and sister you haven’t seen for 6 months? I surprised my family, except for my elder brother who knew that I was coming home, on Christmas Day. My mom was surprised when she saw me and greeted me with a bear hug that I could hardly breathe! Hehe! But it felt great to be wrapped in the loving arms of my family, again. It was indeed a merry Christmas. The New Year was spent (with Joms and Aris) rocking here with the local bands during the 2009 countdown concert at Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Year 2008 has truly been a blessing! There were a number of ups and downs. Each change taught me to be appreciative of what I have, to let go of situations that are beyond my control, to cry when I have to, to laugh my heart out, and most of all, to entrust every single thing to the Great Father above. Because as the Lord declared,

“For I know well the plans I made for you…”
- Jeremiah 29:11

rOce...
January 10, 2009 12:12AM