The Essence of Me

I call 2007 my Year of Indulgence.

With only five days to go before the new year comes, I feel the need to look back on my life for the past eleven months.

January. It was my second month as a bum and I spent my time sleeping, eating, reading, watching tv, and going out with my buddies at the Jam883 shoutbox.We went to a lot of movie premieres, tickets courtesy of webmaster Polie and of my friends who persevered in winning the contests so everyone could go. I was also waiting for the result of my application at HSBC and by the end of the month, they offered me a job.   

February. I started my core training at HSBC on the 12th. I was grateful that I had something to do again, the past two months made me realize that I couldn’t bear being a bum. It was too boring. Needless to say, I was very excited to start my new job, to meet new people. My tranchemates (or what’s left of them) did not disappoint me. They became my new family. 

March. Our core training ended and was immediately followed by process training. I was beginning to fall in love with the company and the people, and for once, I felt at home. In my two previous companies, I always felt the urge to flee, to spend as little time there as possible. It was different here. Somehow, I felt I belonged.

April. We started Academy and it was during this month that some of my tranchemates resigned. I felt very sad, because I’ve grown close to some of those who left the company. But then, we all have to move on. Those of us who stayed became closer than ever. It was also in this month that, on an impulse, I went to Puerto Galera with Esme, Cris, Issey, Robbie, and Noel. It was quite an experience for me and I was so grateful that they convinced me to go.

May, June, and July. After Academy, our tranche was divided into two teams. I became part of of TL Belle’s team, with Issey, Pao, Leanne, Dhie, Apple, and tenured agents, Joms, Anne, and Daddy Jofel. The others were under TL Erin, but the tranche was still quite inseparable. Even our AMOs were inseparable. We learned most of what we know from our wonderful Academy coaches, and because they taught us well, we were hitting our targets and coping well during our first month on the floor. We baptized ourselves Team IncrediBelles, and the team started to feel like a family.
We had our first team building in Tagaytay. Our first treat from HSBC was the Summer Shindig in Enchanted Kingdom, where I got to watch Bamboo perform live for the first time. He was awesome! It was also during this period that I accepted Kate’s invitation and started teaching at Familiaris.

August. My 26th birthday, and the month I fell in love with someone else. Sileng, Mayeng, Cleng, and I had our long overdue reunion at TriNoma.

September. I bought a new phone after three years

October. I learned how effective retail therapy is. I shopped like I’ve never done before. In fact, I think I’ve acquired more shoes and clothes this month than I did in the past three years. I also  started seeing D again. Babies Totti and Phoebe joined our team.
 
November. Retail therapy continued. I was also able to conquer my fear (many thanks to Pao) and joined a singing contest.

December. After many cups of coffee, I was able to get my planner from Starbucks, and a second one which I gave to Jeff. We had our team building in Laguna where Issey and I got totally wasted! Phoebe won the IncrediBelle Idol. Then, we held our Christmas Dinner at J-jay’s. This month, I also learned never to play a prank on someone you love, otherwise you’re the one who’d end up crying.

 

No doubt, this year is perhaps the most enjoyable year of my life, indulging myself as I never had before. I spent more time with friends and colleagues. I gave in to impulse, and spent money  mostly on shoes, clothes, and of course, books. I learned a lot of things, the most important is to never feel guilty  for giving in to your heart’s desires. Life is too short to always worry about the future. It’s good to plan, but it’s also healthy to live one day at a time. This year, I learned to be more confident, to trust myself more. To sum it up, I learned to have fun.